Stillman Seniors Selected For White House HBCU Scholars Initiative

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Stillman College on Thursday announced that two seniors have been selected as part of the 2023-24 cohort of the White House HBCU Scholars Initiative.

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The two students are Ta’Kari Bryant, a senior psychology major and graduate of Dothan High School, and Jaela Williams, a senior criminal justice major and graduate of New Century Technology High School in Huntsville.

The two Stillman College students are among 101 students from HBCUs across the country named to this year’s cohort, with their selections marking the third consecutive year that at least two Stillman students were chosen for the prestigious program.

As part of the program, HBCU Scholars will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on HBCUs over the next year. The students will be offered training and cross-university networking opportunities, while also having the opportunity to work on issues specifically related to the HBCU community.

“I had to re-read the email twice,” Bryant said. “I was shocked but super excited. I immediately called my mom to tell her the news.”

Bryant is currently fulfilling a communications internship with the Appalachian Regional Commission in Washington, D.C., while Williams, a 2022-23 Congressional Black Caucus scholar, visited D.C. for a luncheon and networking event last month.

“I’m excited to get there and to network,” Williams said. “Even if I don’t meet the president, just being there and being a part of this program is a step in the right direction. I want to meet the next doctors, politicians – the other students in the cohort.”

Stillman says both women are scheduled to graduate in spring 2024 and each plan to attend graduate school.

Bryant intends to pursue a master’s degree in clinical counseling, while Williams hopes to attend law school.

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