Fred Hampton Scholarship Award Application Due: November 6, 2015
The Fred Hampton Scholarship Award
Fall 2015
The Black Male Initiative
University of Maryland, College Park
Nyumburu Cultural Center
Due November 6, 2015
Background
Fred Hampton was one of most dynamic and energetic leaders of the Black Panther Party of Self Defense. He was also among its youngest. He joined the Party at age 19 and became the Chairman of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party a year later at the age of 20. He was undoubtedly one of the most gifted organizers, educators and orators of the time. His most impressive accomplishments include:
1. Organizing a truce between a Black, Latino and poor White gangs into a class-conscious multiracial alliance
2. Organizing a free breakfast program for poor school children in Chicago (before free and reduced meal programs)
3. Establishment of a free medical clinic for the poor in Chicago
4. Teacher of political classes for adults
Unfortunately Hampton’s effectiveness as a progressive leader drew the attention of the FBI’s Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO). Undercover agents infiltrated the Illinois Chapter of the Panther Party and provided detailed information about the Hampton residence. At 4:30 AM on December 4th 1969, Fred Hampton’s apartment was raided by fourteen Cook County Police Officers. The officers open fire once inside his apartment targeting Fred Hampton’s bedroom. Mark Clark was killed in the raid and several other Panther members were injured. Fred Hampton was non-fatally injured initially but was then assassinated at point blank range. He was 21 years old.
This scholarship award is named for Fred Hampton to commemorate his effective activism and to keep his impact on the progressive movement alive. Fred Hampton is known to have said, “You can kill a revolutionary, but you can’t kill the revolution.” The winner of this scholarship is a testament to that fact. The Black Male Initiative Program (BMI) and the Nyumburu Cultural Center, thanks an anonymous alumnus and former BMI Member, for donating $1,000 to sponsor this scholarship for a deserving student at the University of Maryland.
The Scholarship Award
The Fred Hampton Scholarship Award is a $1,000 award given to a deserving undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, who exemplifies the leadership and visionary characteristics of Fred Hampton. The award can go toward academic expenses (tuition, room & board, books, study abroad) or to a specific activist project. Applicants will not be penalized if they intend to use the scholarship solely for academic expenses.
The award winner must meet the following criteria:
1. Enroll at the University of Maryland as a full-time student, Fall 2015, and
plan to register for the Spring Semester, 2016 .
2. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
3. Exhibit a demonstrated passion for the legacy and vision of Fred Hampton through scholarship, community activism and organizational leadership.
4. Write a 300 – 500 word essay described below.
5. Submit a completed application and essay by 5:00 p.m. on November 6, 2015. Completed applications can be hand delivered to the Nyumburu Cultural Center (Room 1120), or sent via email attachment to . ALL information, either email or applications MUST be received by 5:00 p.m. on April 30, 2012. LATE AND UNSIGNED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCCEPTED!
Instructions
Applicants are to complete this application by typing responses where indicated. Completed applications should be typed, signed and returned to Dr. Ronald Zeigler or Mr. Solomon Comissiong at the Nyumburu Cultural Center by Friday, November 6, 2015 5:00 p.m. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!
Partially completed applications will not be considered!
Application
General Information:
Name: Click here to enter text.
Address: Click here to enter text.
Permanent Address: Click here to enter text.
Phone: Click here to enter text.
Email: Click here to enter text.
Student ID: Click here to enter text.
Year: Choose an item.
Major: Click here to enter text.
GPA: Click here to enter text.
Organizational Involvement / Role (member, president, treasurer, etc.)Signature Date
Essays:
1. Please type a brief essay (300 - 500 words) describing your passion for the legacy of Fred Hampton through scholarship, community activism and organizational leadership. Please describe on and/or off-campus involvement relating to two or more of the following areas: Social justice, mentoring, education, health care, criminal justice reform, community development, political and economic awareness, multicultural/international peace, and creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. In your essay, please be specific about your direct involvement. Additionally, you will be evaluated on your ability to link your involvement to the historical legacy of Fred Hampton. (NOTE: Additional page can be used for typing your essay on paper application. Otherwise, use the space below).
Click here to enter text.
2. Please describe your intended use for the $1,000 scholarship award fund. If your intended use is for educational purposes, feel free to describe any specific circumstances that may be relevant. If your intended use is for an activist program, please include as much detail as possible.
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Submit to Dr. Ronald Zeigler or Solomon Comissiong 2 of 5