Josiah Hankerson

Dear Ms. Ginger Zappa, I am writing to express my DEEPEST gratitude for selecting me as a recipient of the Raise Me Up to DO GOOD Scholarship. As a student raised in a single-parent household by my great-grandmother, this award is a recognition of the love, strength, and resilience that shaped who I am today. My guardian, who stepped in to raise me when I was four years old, has shown me what it means to lead with grace, sacrifice, and selflessness. Her example has not only kept me grounded, but it has also fueled my passion for justice, civic leadership, and community care. With your support, I will be attending Northwestern University this fall, where I plan to major in political science with the goal of becoming a civil rights attorney, ultimately cutting down the gap in my financial aid letter. This scholarship reminds me that the values I was raised with such as integrity, compassion, and purpose, matter. I’m committed to using my talents to advocate for underrepresented communities, challenge unjust systems, and uplift the voices too often ignored. Thank you for investing in me and in a future built on doing good. With sincere appreciation, Josiah Hankerson