2021 Bristol Myers Squibb HBCU Scholars
Sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb, this scholarship is awarded to high-achieving Black students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, a commitment to innovation and are pursuing a degree in Business or STEM at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
The 2021 class received a one-time, scholarship in the amount of $10,000 to assist with educational expenses for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Aimani K. Johnson
Aimani K. Johnson is an ambitious junior, majoring in nursing at Prairie View A&M University. Johnson serves as the Assistant Secretary and the Press and Publicity chair for the NAACP. She is also a part of some of the highly-ranked organizations at Prairie View such as the Purple Jackets, Women of Honor, Excellence, and Rarity (HER), and Prairie Views Student Nurses Association. Johnson was recently inducted into the Alpha Kappa Mu Honors society and has a 3.8 GPA. She has been on Prairie Views Honor Roll for three years straight. Johnson is an experienced tutor for nursing students, focusing on science and math. Johnson describes herself as a driven scholar and a student leader.
Jalyn White
Jalyn White is a candidate for a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, with a minor in mathematics (on the pre-med track) at Spelman College, and is anticipated to graduate in May 2024. She is an active member of the Spelman College Speech and Debate team, her most recent accomplishment placing as fifth speaker out of 50 in a national social justice tournament. In summer 2020, White completed the necessary course load to officially become a WiSTEM Scholar- one of the few living and learning communities Spelman offers. During this program, White received two “Best In Class” awards in Computer Science and the AI/ML Project Module class. White has also been giving back to her college by working as a Designated Supplemental Instructor for the Calculus 2 course, which is quite a feat for a first-year student.
Jaylen A. Greene
Jaylen A. Greene is a sophomore at Morehouse College in Atlanta where he is majoring in business finance. Greene is a member of the Morehouse Baseball Team, an active participant in the Morehouse Brotherhood Bonding Program, and the Callahan Foundation Mentoring/Community Service Program. He is presently employed with Kroger part-time. Greene began his first semester of college virtually in Chicago due to the pandemic. Covid restrictions has left Greene unable to be as active in activities as he would like. Prior to the pandemic, he held leadership positions, in Jack and Jill, as well as Top Teens of America. Additionally, he completed an internship with Greenwood Project as a Finance Intern. Greene was on the dean’s list for maintaining a 3.5 or higher for his first semester.
Jhordan Buckley
Jhordan Buckley is an undergraduate student at North Carolina A&T State University. She majors in biology on the pre-med track while maintaining a 3.8 GPA which put her on the Chancellor’s List. She is also a part of the university’s Honors Program. Buckley’s leadership roles include being a Freshman Mentor for two years and a Cheer Camp Coach for four years. She worked as a cashier/barista from 2019-2020 and over winter break, she worked for Instacart as a shopper. Over the past five years, Buckley has donated blood, cleaned and walked dogs, planted a garden, donated meal swipes, cleaned up roads/parks, participated in the HBCU walk, Crop walk and many more.
Kayla Breaux
Kayla Breaux, a Piscataway, New Jersey native, is studying bioengineering at the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Kayla is deeply interested in research & development and is currently working as a bioengineering intern for Medtronic within the Material, Biocompatibility & AC function of the Neuromodulation Business Unit. Kayla holds a life goal of positively impacting the health and health literacy of neglected communities. She is active in the National Council of Negro Women, in which she serves as the Health Committee Chairperson for the 2021-2022 academic school year. Kayla will be employed as a Resident Assistant for the 2021-2022 academic school year as well. Overall, Kayla is a resourceful, open-minded, and observant individual that highly values walking in her own purpose. Using this awareness, Kayla approaches every moment with intention, individuality, and an unbreakable desire to achieve.
Kirstin Patterson
Kirstin Patterson is a junior at Dillard University in New Orleans. She is a biology major on a pre-dental track. Patterson is a member of the Thompson/Cook Honors Program, Undergraduate Student National Dental Association of Dillard University, and an active member of Curvy Girlz of Dillard University. She also serves as Sophomore Class Senator and a dean’s list recipient for academic excellence in the classroom.
Maya Blasingame
Maya Blasingame is a junior, biology major, and Ethel Waddell Githii honors program student at Spelman College interested in pursuing an MD/Ph.D. in the future. Her career interests include becoming a physician-scientist and conducting neuroscience research. Blasingame is also passionate about advocacy and ensuring that underrepresented voices will be heard and valued in STEM and medical research in the future and providing pathways to ensure all communities are being treated equitably in healthcare. Blasingame is a member of the Department of Defense Research Scholars and LINCS Scholar, where she serves as a student in Dr. Yonas Tekle’s Lab in the Biology department. She also is a member of the Student Ambassador Program. Blasingame is also dedicated to community outreach and serves as a research intern for the In Those Genes Podcast, eboard member of The Blue Record Podcast, Spelman MAPS, and of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Tarron A. Carter
Tarron A. Carter attends Morehouse College Atlanta (class of 2024), and has an interest in business administration/marketing concentration, currently earning a 3.3GPA. Carter has remained active in community service and volunteerism. At age 13, he founded Detroit Beast Apparel, donating a portion of sales to Forgotten Harvest to provide meals to families in need, donating over 4,000 meals to date. Additionally, he supported Hats for the Homeless, The Flint Water Crisis, Gleaners Food Bank and JDRF among others and is a member of the NAACP and Awakenings Church. Carter’s goals include graduating from Morehouse College and becoming an entrepreneur to achieve multiple streams of income, both passive and active, and utilize capital to not only reinvest in new ventures, but to give back to the community.
Willie Thomas
Willie Thomas is a sophomore at the renowned Jackson State University where he is on the dean’s list, majoring in biology/pre-med. He is active in several leadership programs within the school such as the Trio Stem and the Bridge to The Future programs. Thomas volunteers with numerous organizations such as the EversCare Food Pantry and the Urban League of Jackson, Mississippi. He has been honored as a 2019 “Do the Right Thing” award recipient as well as the 2020 NAACP – Edwardsville Branch and 2020 Lincoln School Alumni Foundation scholarship awardee for leadership. His employment experience includes working as a Cashier at Dairy Queen and a Warehouse Team Member at Amazon. Upon graduation, Thomas plans to become a Nurse Anesthetist and work back in his hometown of St. Louis in underserved communities.
