The Cobb County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is now accepting applications for the Cobb County NAACP/Deane Thompson Bonner Empowerment Scholarship. This selective scholarship application is open to graduating Cobb County high school seniors who display a commitment to public service and community engagement and will enroll in a Historically Black College or University or a Cobb County post-secondary undergraduate institution in the fall of 2024.
This scholarship honors the legacy of the Cobb County NAACP and Deane Thompson Bonner, President Emeritus. A $1000 non-renewable scholarship will be awarded to ten qualified applicants. Completed applications must be postmarked by March 25, 2024. Chosen recipients will be notified of their scholarship award by April 2, 2024. Scholarship checks will be distributed to the student's college or university by July 26, 2024, pending proof of enrollment.
Scholarship recipients will be chosen from qualified senior applicants who display evidence of commitment to public service and community engagement, following in the footsteps of the scholarship's namesake.
Assuming the presidency in 1997, Deane Thompson Bonner emerged as a stalwart champion for civil rights, becoming synonymous with freedom fighters in Cobb County and across the state. Under her guidance, the Cobb County NAACP fostered an array of community-driven initiatives.
The ACT-SO program showcased students' remarkable achievements in academia and the arts, while Voter Registration Drives and a sustained three-year advocacy for advancing individuals into public service underscored her commitment.
President Bonner's fervent advocacy extended to establishing MLK celebrations across all six cities in Cobb County and organizing a Juneteenth Celebration on Marietta Square that attracts over 50,000 people annually. Her tenure as a leader epitomizes a legacy steeped in the pursuit of justice and equality.
Reflecting on her years of leadership, Mrs. Bonner confidently asserts, "Young folks will make change and are ready to lead."
If that describes you or a student you know, encourage them to apply for this scholarship. Again, applications must be received by March 25, 2024.
