The Howard University Fourth Annual LGBTA Renaissance Reception was a night of fellowship celebrating the University’s efforts to be more inclusive as well as the accomplishments of students creating positive change in the LGBTQ+ community. The reception was hosted by 2017 Lavender Scholarship recipient and President of CASCADE, Justin Calhoun; Coordinator of Intercultural Affairs Gaëlle Ivory; and Scholarship Fund Founder Christopher Cross.

The Lavender Scholarship is in line with Howard’s legacy of firsts: the first HBCU with an LGBTQ organization, openly gay faculty, inclusive campus ministry, and LGBTQ counseling, among many other accomplishments. During the event, POSE actor Ryan Jamaal Swain, a class of 2016 alumnus, explained the importance of this scholarship on campus and how Howard pushed him on a journey to discover himself. His experiences on campus allowed him to live his truth and stop apologizing for who he was.

Founded by HU alumnus Christopher Cross, the scholarship is a symbol of the University’s progressive nature and commitment to developing a safe and accepting environment for all of the Bison community. Ivory explained that while they have come a long way, their work is far from over. The team’s next steps are to expand their donor base and to encourage trans students to apply.

The Lavender Scholarship is awarded to three Howard University students from a high achieving pool of applicants. The 2018 scholarship recipients are outstanding global citizens and advocates both on and off campus. This scholarship was not their call to action, but an indication that they’re having an impact and motivation to continue making change.

The 2018 recipients are as follows:

Calie Edmonds is a graduate student in the Master of Social Work Program at Howard University and a Washington, D.C.-based reproductive health advocate. Edmonds’ advocacy has spanned from D.C. to Harare, Zimbabwe and ranged from serving victims of human trafficking to supporting individuals who are living with HIV. Seven months after the transition of political power in Zimbabwe and amid a contested election season, Edmonds packed her bags and traveled to Zimbabwe, to contribute to a pivotal project that would strengthen HIV services for men who have sex with men. Edmond’s effort to educate women of color about HIV biomedical prevention options, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis, was featured in The Washington Post. Edmonds is a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in both psychology and communications. Edmonds is passionate about ensuring that girls and women, of various orientation and gender identities, receive comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services.

Isaiah Dawson is a junior undergraduate from Orlando, Fla., majoring in political science and minoring in public relations. Dawson is very active in progressive politics and has interned for organizations like NARAL Pro-Choice America and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. They are currently an intern at the National Center for Transgender Equality. On campus, Dawson is a member of the Freshman Leadership Academy, the National Society of College Scholars and serves as co-vice president of CASCADE. They plan on working as a political operative at an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization after graduation.

Sha’Quan Harris is a graduate student in the Masters of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Program at Howard University. Born and raised in Charlotte, N.C., Harris has demonstrated poise, leadership and conviction in planning community service related activities, creating co-curricular civic engagement initiatives, and offered sound mentorship to students of color and queer youth. For undergrad, Harris attended Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C. where he used his time to focus research examining the political behavior of young people of color and studying LGBTQIA rights in addition to serving on the executive board for organizations including vice president of Academic Affairs for the Student Government Association. His passion stems from student advocacy and shaping the lives of unprivileged youth. He currently works as an educator, teaching Black and Brown boys the power of self-education, self-confidence, and self-empowerment.

To donate to the Lavender Fund, please go to Howard.edu/give (search: ‘Lavender Fund' under ‘Choose Designations’).

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Article written by Jessica Hernandez