2022 Protecting Black Voices Scholars
The Protecting Black Voices Scholarship was created to support students committed to civic responsibility and community engagement.
This scholarship is awarded to high-achieving undergraduate and graduate Black students enrolled in an accredited four-year college pursuing a degree in history, political science, communications, media, journalism or related majors.
Armani Arnold
Armani Arnold is a criminal justice major at Michigan State University. Armani is interested in criminal law and public policy. On campus, Armani is a fourth-year member of the Fostering Academics Mentoring Excellence program and a fourth-year member of the Collegiate Midnight Golf program. Her academic achievements landed her on the Dean’s List since freshman year. Also, being nominated and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success at Michigan State University since sophomore year. She received a 4.0 Spring 2021 term GPA while juggling community service projects and a part-time job. Armani volunteered and interned at the Washtenaw County Public Defense Office. She is a current volunteer for a Detroit organization, Caleb’s Kids. There she hosted mental health workshops for Detroit youths. Armani currently mentors and tutors in the Washington D.C SOUL Program virtually. Lastly, Armani is a youth facilitator for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program.
Jocelyn Lewis-Johnson
Jocelyn Lewis-Johnson is currently a student at University of Maryland, College Park, studying public administration. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business economics with a minor in political science from Albright College. Her time at Albright provides her with the learning tools necessary to develop core skills across an array of subjects including accounting, finance, project management, marketing, international business, and organizational behavior. She was awarded the Brogan Scholars Endowed Internship Fund from the Experiential Learning and Career Development Center at Albright. Forward thinking as she is, her desire is to reach a higher standard to realize not only her dreams but also set a positive example for those that come behind her. This passion is fueled by Jocelyn’s determination to make sure those families and children like the ones who lived in her Washington, D.C. neighborhood have better opportunities.
Junious Whitaker, IV
Junious Whitaker IV is a continuing history major at Howard University. He completed his B.A. degree as the Inaugural Harold O. Lewis Scholar for the history department in May 2021 and began the master of arts program in August 2021. Junious plans to continue his studies through the Ph.D.program as well. On campus, Junious has worked for over three years as a student researcher and archivist in the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, helping to prepare collections. Junious is an active committee member of the Graduate Student Council. He is also a member of the Mu Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a past historian of the Beta Chapter. Raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Junious enjoys watching documentaries and staying active through exercise, including tennis. Junious plans to become a History Professor and eventually build independent schools globally in underserved communities with a comprehensive Black History focus within the curriculum.
Timothy Johnson
Timothy Johnson will complete his undergraduate degree at Coppin State University. Timothy has been a professional entertainer in the NFL, the NBA, the WNBA to cruise ships, Las Vegas Shows, and everything in between spanning over 70 countries. He has walked many paths, including that of Reiki Master-Teacher bringing eastern medicine to the masses in new ways. With over 25 years of experience in many fields, Timothy looks forward to connecting with his community through dance. He plans on genuinely being the change he wants to see in the world using all the gifts unique to him.
