India Terrell Memorial Scholarship Fund

This fundraiser hopes to sustain The India Terrell Memorial Scholarship, a $500 annual award dedicated to empowering underreprenseted minority BIPOC students pursuing careers in health sciences. The goal is $3,000 to ensure its sustainability for the first few years. This scholarship honors the life and legacy of India Terrell, a dedicated, brilliant and passionate young lady who suddenly passed away in 2021. She was 25 years old. A 2019 East Carolina University graduate, India held a bachelors degree in public health and worked with Wake County Public Health in Raleigh, NC. She was a proud member of Beta Phi Beta Sorority and held the position of president of her chapter's Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. India exemplified the values of leadership, service, friendship and community. India advocated for healthcare equity and worked hard to make a positive difference in the world. By investing in the education and leadership development of aspiring minority healthcare professionals, we aim to create a lasting impact on under-served communities and foster a more equitable healthcare system. There's a growing chasm regarding healthcare in America and under-served communities are those who fall forgotten with the abyss. These communities face significant health disparities, including higher rates of chronic diseases, infant mortality, and premature death. Minorities remain underrepresented healthcare professions, limiting their ability to influence policies and programs that directly impact their communities. The disparities in healthcare are rooted in systemic inequities and require dedicated professionals who understand the people, can speak to the community and advocate for change. The high cost of higher education can be a significant barrier for many underrepresented minority BIPOC students, preventing their pursuit of higher education . The goal of the India Terrell Memorial Scholarship is to provide financial support to underrepresented minority BIPOC students in pursuit of diploma, associates or undergraduate degrees in public health or related health science fields. We want to help address the rampant disparities in healthcare and health education affecting under-served communities by promoting increased representation of BIPOC professionals in healthcare. Knowledge, skills and nurture will create positive change and growth within underserved communities and improve greater overall health expectancies. Finally, we’d like to honor India Terrell's legacy, preserve her memory and inspire future generations to carry forward her passion for service and giving back to the community.