Seeka Starsky
With the recent horrific events of the Texas school shooting and Buffalo supermarket massacre, the focus on raising up strong leaders to change America’s path is even more urgent. Here’s how Barack Obama, Lil Durk and Travis Scott are planting the seed right now to give us hope for the future.
Obama Partners With Airbnb
Barack Obama may be out of office, but he’s working to plant the seeds for future public servants to change the world. The former president is encouraging college students to choose a career in public service and will assist in making it happen. In partnership with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, The Voyager Scholarship, is offering college juniors financial aid to reduce the stress of college debt plus life changing travel experiences and a network of mentors and leaders to support the students transition into a career in public service.
The Obama-Chesky “Voyager” Scholarship for Public Services, will present young leaders with an award of up to $50,000 in financial aid, receiving $25,000 their junior and senior year. The new scholars will gain exposure to new communities and internships in between classes with summer travel experiences, a $10,000 stipend and free Airbnb housing services. Following graduation, Airbnb will supply students with a $2,000 travel credit every year for 10 years, totaling $20,000.
Obama and Chesky will be hands-on through the program, as they hold annual summits that talk about the role of empathy and understanding in leadership. Students have until June 14th to submit their applications.
Lil Durk’s Neighborhood Heros
Chicago’s Lil Durk is taking youth from his embattled southside community to explore new opportunities. Durk’s Neighborhood Heroes recently surprised 20 southside kids with Sox suite tickets. Those same students will be a part of their newest black college tour program, taking the students to different HBCU Colleges as they work to expose them to different career opportunities.
Dirkio doesn’t stop there. His organization also surprised students with a meeting with former president Barack Obama. Neighborhood Heroes also teamed up with fellow nonprofit organization, Chicago Votes, to deliver over 29,000 16oz bottles of hand sanitizer, to people throughout Illinois prisons.
Travis Scott Gives HBCU Students $1 Million in Scholarships
Travis Scott is taking steps to make sure our future black leaders have a lighter financial load. Scott’s Cactus Jack Foundation and the Waymon Webster Scholarship Fund gave100 students at 38 different historically Black colleges $10,000 each for their graduation. The scholarship provides financial support to college graduates and their families with funding towards their final tuition fees. To be eligible to receive the scholarship, the graduating senior must have had an average GPA of 3.5 or higher and experienced financial challenges in their final Spring 2022 semester. The fund was named after Travis Scott’s grandfather for his dedication to Black academic excellence.
