Hampton University has forged a new and exciting partnership with Lexus by way of the 2015 Lexus Verses and Flow Scholarship, awarded to students ZaMari Love and Malikah Saafir on Nov. 10, 2015. Both scholarship recipients will receive awards of $5,000 each in recognition of their community leadership and academic excellence.
The Lexus Verses and Flow Scholarship was established in conjunction with the television show Lexus Verses and Flow, now entering its fifth season with TV One, featuring poetry and R&B performances. In addition to the $5,000 reward, winners received a special video announcement of their selection by famed actor and Howard University graduate, Laz Alonso. Two deserving students of preselected HBCUs are eligible to receive the award.
Saafir, a sophomore pre-nursing major, worked within the community of the Moreno Valley School District in California to plan a leadership summit for principals, assistant principals, leading educators, and district office personnel. Attendees took back what they learned and implemented it in their classrooms and work environments. Saafir also worked as an Upward Bound mentor for low-income students. The program was dedicated to math and science, but Saafir’s main responsibility was to educate and prepare kids for what comes after high school, including; college and financial planning.
Describing what motivates her Saafir quoted Les Brown, “Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it. Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way.”
Love, a junior international studies major, Spanish minor and a member of the HU Honors College, took on her leadership role as co-founder of Young Adults Advocating Change (YAAC), a community outreach organization aimed at providing education and resources to underserved communities.
“I always tell people that I do not seek recognition for my service and leadership for my own personal gain. But rather, to garner public support that will give me a larger platform in which to serve my community. That is what this scholarship is for me, and I am more than grateful for it,” said Love.
For more information regarding the Lexus Verses and Flow Scholarship, or to view host Laz Alonso’s announcement of award, please visit the links below:
