2026 Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the following 2026 Cynthia D. Brown Scholarship recipients:
Madison Barksdale
Madison Barksdale is currently enrolled at Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL, where she
is majoring in Urban and Regional Planning. She is a member of the National Society of
Leadership and Success, Women of Worth, Urban Planning/Urban Development Association,
Pre-Alumni Association, and the NAACP Youth Council. She is also an active member of White
Oak Missionary Baptist Church, Winder, GA. Madison plans to use her education in Urban and
Regional Planning to help build stronger communities. She hopes to improve neighborhoods
through better planning, safer transportation, stronger infrastructure, and projects that support
the health, well-being, and quality of life of residents.
Zya Bryant
Zya Bryant is a recent graduate of the City of Medicine Academy, Durham, NC, where she was a
member of the National Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America and Future
Leaders of America Congress. She is also an active member of her church’s Children Ministry
and Medical Team Ministry. Zya will attend Howard University, Washington, D.C. in the fall,
majoring in Biology. Zya says that as someone committed to serving others and pursuing a
career in medicine, she has witnessed firsthand how disparities affect families and
communities. She also said caring for family members and volunteering at the NICU, local
shelters and through church ministries, has shown her how education, mentorship and
guidance can create opportunities and hope.
Mariah Drake
Mariah is a recent graduate of Hamden High School, Hamden, CT, where she was a member of
the National Honors Society, Varsity Track and Field, and Varsity Volleyball. She will attend
Spelman College, Atlanta, GA in the fall, majoring in Psychology with a concentration in
Neuroscience. She says her interest in studying the brain and mind arose out of personally
witnessing a family member’s battle with schizophrenia and other psychological conditions.
She further states that she wants to address society’s misconceptions of mental health
conditions that marginalize individuals from the broader society.
Nia Jones
Nia Jones is a recent graduate of Southfield Christian School, Southfield, MI. While in high
school she was a member of the Leadership, Enrichment, Accountability and Discipleship (LEAD)
Program, Future Health Professionals, National Honor Society, Student Government, Varsity
Cheer, Track & Field and Cross Country. Nia will attend the University of Michigan in the fall,
majoring in psychology. She says her plans are to eventually enroll in medical school to become
a pediatrics physician with a specialty in neonatology. She says that she prepared, studied and
did her very best while in high school to get ready for the academic rigors of college and a
future in the medical field. She further stated that as she continues to work toward achieving
her goals, she is committed to reaching back and helping others achieve their goals.
Gianni Vereen
Gianni Vereen is a recent graduate of Hillside High School, Durham, NC. While in high school
she maintained a 3.69 GPA and was dual enrolled at Durham Tech Community College. She was
also a member of the Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, Future Business Leaders
of America, Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy, National Honor Society, and Hillside High School
Theatre Department. Gianni will attend Spelman College, Atlanta, GA in the fall, majoring in
Health Science with a minor in Dance. She plans to eventually pursue a career in the health
field. She says that some of her childhood experiences taught her empathy and strengthened
her desire to give back to her community, especially by advocating for mental health
awareness.