The Jamala Rogers Young Visionary Award serves to recognize and support young adults who have made efforts to promote social justice, equality, diversity and human rights. Award recipients are visionaries responding to society’s most pressing social, political and economic issues. The recipient’s actions or project helped to change public policies, impacted a critical issue, created innovative models of service or strengthened an important community institution.
The award is named after Jamala Rogers, a respected community leader, who was motivated to become active in social justice movements as a teen. She has inspired thousands of young people to use their time, talents and skills to impact and transform their communities in meaningful ways.
Eligibility-Please review carefully
Applicants must be between the ages of 17-24 years old and reside in theSt. Louismetropolitan area. They must already be enrolled or will enroll in a college or vocational institution by the next academic semester. The recipient will be evaluated on whether their efforts impacted public policy or laws, changed the quality of life for the community, created an innovative model of service or initiated a project that impacted a particular issue or problem. The applicant will receive additional consideration if their submission is not a one-time project but part of their life’s “bend towards justice.”
How to apply & what is expected
The applicant must submit a typed 500-750 word essay about a project s/he initiated that brought about a fundamental change for a specific population, issue or neighborhood. The applicant should talk about what role s/he played in the project, why youth activism is important and what inspires them to be a change agent. A letter is required from an adult associated with the program or project who can confirm its impact. The application package can also include photos, news clippings, etc. that document the effort.
The deadline for applications is September 30, 2014. The monetary award of $2000.00 will be made directly to the institution the recipient is or will be attending.
The Jamala Rogers Young Visionary Award is a project of the Youth Council for Positive Development. Tax-deductible contributions can be made here at the website or mailed to P.O. Box 5277-St. Louis, MO 63115.
Click to download pdf for the award.