2024/2025 Judge Leo A. and Mrs. Gilberta A. Jackson Justice and Integrity Community/Public Service Scholarship

Description

The Judge Leo A. and Mrs. Gilberta A. Jackson Justice and Integrity Community/Public Service Scholarship, originally established at the Cleveland Foundation and now managed by College Now Greater Cleveland, is an award that acknowledges exemplary community/public service by college students (rising college juniors and seniors) and financially supports their educational goals.

Eligible students include students from Northeast Ohio and the States of Georgia and Florida enrolled full-time at Morehouse College, Spelman College or Florida A&M University. Scholarships are awarded to students who best exemplify exceptional and meaningful community improvement and social justice involvement honoring the legacy of Judge and Mrs. Jackson via service and advocacy built upon a foundation of intellectual excellence, compassion and personal integrity. Only students from Florida A&M University will be eligible to apply for the scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Judge Leo A. Jackson (1920-1996) was an alumnus of Morehouse College, BA 1943; Atlanta University, MBA 1946; and Cleveland State University, JD 1950. He also taught briefly at Florida A&M University and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. A son of Orlando, Florida, and the youngest of 15 children, Judge Jackson was a fervent and visionary public servant who utilized his legal and business skills to benefit the community he served.

He was the first person of color elected to serve as Councilman for Ward 24 in the City of Cleveland, Ohio (1957-1970).  Judge Jackson was also the first African American to serve on the Eighth Appellate District Court of Ohio (1970-1987) (including twice as Chief Judge) and among the first African Americans to be elected countywide.   He was respected and admired for his passion for equal justice under the law and brave principled stands on key issues, for seeing wrong and seeking to right it while shunning personal gain despite risks to his life and career.  His passionate and articulate advocacy was acknowledged locally as well as nationally by articles in Ebony and Jet Magazines and by a seat at the table for President Lyndon B. Johnson's Kitchen Cabinet and "To Fulfill These Rights" Advisory Committee.

Born in Statham, GA, and raised in Atlanta, Mrs. Gilberta A. Jackson (1924-1991) was an alumna of Spelman College, BA 1945. Mrs. Jackson taught briefly in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District while actively supporting her husband's work as a public servant. She quietly applied her professional skills as a devoted community volunteer, providing leadership in support of several community organizations. She was also a proponent for well-rounded education and the important role of music and the arts. Judge and Mrs. Jackson were both active in their church--Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio--and ardent advocates for community involvement, equal rights for all and active participation in the electoral process.

Requirements

In order to qualify for the Judge Leo and Mrs. Gilberta Jackson Scholarship, you must: 

• Be a resident of Greater Cleveland, Ohio OR the States of Georgia or Florida
• Be a full-time Junior or Senior student during the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year (Florida A&M students only)
• Have documented participation in meaningful community service, public service, and/or social justice activities while in college, with plans to continue after graduation
• Hold a minimum 2.5 GPA

In order to apply for the Judge Leo and Mrs. Gilberta Jackson Scholarship, you must submit: 

• Your most recent transcript, including cumulative GPA through fall semester 2023 (Unofficial transcripts accepted)
• 2024/2025 FAFSA Submission Summary (from fafsa.gov)
• Two nominations. They may either both be from University faculty or staff, or one may be from an off-campus community organization or activity. 
  • Nomination forms found here
• Essay (750-1000 words, see below for prompt)
• A document detailing your community service, public service, and/or social justice experiences, either on- or off-campus, as well as any leadership positions held while in college
• A financial aid award letter from your university

We are aware of the many changes and delays happening with the 24-25 FAFSA. We highly encourage applicants who have not yet received a FAFSA Submission Summary or a financial aid award letter but otherwise have completed their application to submit as early as possible. We will be as flexible as possible this year regarding deadlines for financial documents and will send out any updates when we have them.

Essay Prompt:
Considering the example of the Scholarship namesakes, describe your passion for community and your chosen service activities during college. Please also share how your involvement has contributed to project success. Paired with your academic training, how do you expect the skills learned from your out-of-classroom experiences to inform your career, community/public service activities, and/or social justice pursuits post-graduation and empower you to serve as a principled courageous voice for the voiceless? (750-1000 words)

Deadline: 
The Judge Leo and Mrs. Gilberta Jackson Scholarship is due on April 30th. Documents, including nominations, will be accepted until May 14th. 

Payments:
Scholarship payments are made directly to the college or university starting August of the fall semester. Payments are divided in two, with half of the payment being made in the fall for the fall semester and half in the spring for the spring semester.

Communication: 
Please make sure the email you provide on the application is active and checked regularly. All important information regarding your scholarship status, missing documents, and deadlines will be sent to that email. Be sure to regularly check your spam or junk folder in case any communication is not coming through to your inbox. 

Questions?
Reach out to Lia Bendix at LBendix@collegenowgc.org or at 216-353-3901