N.C. A&T Announces Third February One Scholars Cohort

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Sept. 28, 2023) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has announced its third cohort of February One Scholars. These 15 academically talented first-year undergraduates are following the path of leadership and service the A&T Four began as Aggie freshmen.

Six scholars are from North Carolina, one is from Pennsylvania and one is from Kentucky.

Eligibility requirements include a minimum weighted 3.75 cumulative GPA and demonstrated exceptional characteristics of leadership and service. 

“We are thrilled to have the class of 2027 Feb. One Scholars join our campus,” said Margaret I. Kanipes, Ph.D., N.C. A&T Honors College dean. “This cohort, through their incredible accomplishments, honors the A&T Four’s legacy, showing that education, determination, and activism continue to drive progress.”

The scholarship program is named for the day in 1960 when A&T freshmen Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil and David Richmond energized a national sit-in movement by refusing to leave a segregated lunch counter in downtown Greensboro without being served. The A&T Four are celebrated annually at the university’s Feb. 1 celebration and honored in numerous ways across the university.

The scholarship is a fully funded four-year award that covers the costs of tuition, related fees, housing, meals, and participation in University Honors Program activities and enrichment annually for five freshman each from the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Education and the John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences. The three colleges partnered to establish the program using a portion of philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s historic $45 million contribution to the university.

This year’s scholars are:

• Ethan Bearden, son of Phernando and LaCriessia Bearden, is from McDonough, Georgia and a graduate of Griffin High School. He is studying nursing. His ultimate career goal is to become a pediatric traveling registered nurse, caring for young children from all walks of life.

• Na’Zja Bonner-Steward, daughter of Kenneth Bonner-Steward and Nacole Brown, is from Fayetteville, North Carolina and a graduate of Seventy-First High School. She is studying music performance with a minor in communications. She plans to further her education by pursuing a master’s degree in leadership and communications. This degree will help her hone her leadership skills and confidence as she pursues the music industry to become a professional musician. Years later, she would like to return as a college professor to build a community amongst students within the fine arts.

• Jalyn Cummings, daughter of Jason and Alice Cummings, is from Dayton, Ohio and a graduate of Northmont High School. She is studying secondary education with a concentration in pre-license: English secondary education. Her goal is to become a high school English or Spanish teacher. Having never had a Black teacher in 12 years of grade school, she would like to become a teacher to be that representation for students.

• Quinci Curtis, daughter of Michael and Kenisha Curtis, is from Greensboro, North Carolina and a graduate of Hickory Ridge High School. She is studying elementary education. After graduation, she wants to become a role model to young black and brown youth while creating an inclusive and comfortable environment for her students to thrive. She later wants to obtain a master’s degree in speech pathology. 

• Daniel Few, son of Demetrius and Tuesday Few, is from Chicago and a graduate of Kenwood Academy High School. He is studying psychology with minor in sociology. After receiving his degree, he plans to and then attend medical school to become a psychiatrist. His ultimate goal is to open his own mental health practice as well as a nonprofit.

• Justin Hinton, son of Marcus and Nelsonya Braswell, is from Raleigh, North Carolina and a graduate of Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy. He is studying elementary education. His ultimate career goal is to become a school counselor in either a middle and high school setting.

• Kamryn Jackson, daughter of Michael and Kenya Jackson, is from Richmond, Virginia and a graduate of John Randolph Tucker High School. She is studying journalism and mass communications. Her ultimate career goal is to become an influential and prominent television personality in hopes of advancing societal issues, particularly in the Black community.

• Terrence Olu Rouse, son of Terrence Rouse and Wadeya Moore is from Cary, North Carolina and a graduate of Panther Creek High School. He is studying political science. He hopes to create social change in various segments of society through his work as a policy analyst.

• Mikayla Smith, daughter of Justin and Katrina Smith, is from Waxhaw, North Carolina and a graduate of Marvin Ridge High School. She is studying nursing. Her ultimate career goal is to go to graduate school to become a nurse anesthetist.

• Madison Solomon, daughter of Ian and Tammie Solomon, is from Raleigh and a graduate of Millbrook High School. She is studying journalism and mass communication. She hopes to become a news anchor in a top five media market. Prior to that, she plans to work as a reporter in other markets along the way.

• Kendall Stewart, daughter of Kevin and Charise Stewart, is from Philadelphia and a graduate of Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. She is studying elementary education. Her goal is to work as a teacher where she is able to share knowledge in helping educate and motivate future generations. She also plans to become a dance instructor.

• Emori Thompson, daughter of Darryl and Faith Thompson, is from Lexington, Kentucky and a graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. She is studying kinesiology because she hopes to help athletes reach their peak performance. Her long-term goal is to work as an athletic trainer in the NFL.

• James Toon Jr., son of James and Kimberly Toon, is from Fayetteville and a graduate of Gray’s Creek High School. He is studying criminal justice. After receiving his bachelor’s degree, he plans to earn a juris doctor and pursue a career in public policy focused on social problems affecting African-Americans through criminal justice reform. He also hopes to become a member of the North Carolina Senate.

• Sierra Woods, daughter of Vincent Woods and Tracy Lovett, is from Durham, North Carolina and a graduate of Hillside High School. She is studying elementary education. Her ultimate career goal is to be an educator. She wants to have a positive impact in helping students grow into adults who contribute to the betterment of the world. As an educator, Sierra firmly believes she will fulfill her purpose by being a part of something bigger than herself.

• Amari’ Worrell, daughter of TraVaye and Coritha Worrell, is from Clayton, North Carolina and a graduate of North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. She is studying nursing. Following graduation, she plans to work as a nurse in a hospital setting and later apply to graduate school. Her career goals are to become a nurse anesthesiologist and live happily, helping others navigate towards a healthier lifestyle.