WABJ Paul Brock Journalism Scholarship

This scholarship honors the late Paul Brock, WABJ’s founding president, who also served as the founding executive director of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). NABJ Founding President Chuck Stone once described Brock as the “Henry Kissinger of Black journalists” because of his outstanding talent at organizing. Brock passed away in March 2021.

The WABJ Executive Board established this scholarship in honor of Brock’s legacy and exemplary contributions to the media industry and to support local journalism students.

Scholarship amount: $2,500

Requirements:

• Currently a rising college sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student.
• Applicants must be paid student members of WABJ.
• Major course of study: journalism or a communications discipline.
• Enrolled full-time at the time of application and throughout the scholarship award term at an accredited U.S. college or university in the D.C. area.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale). You must submit an official or unofficial transcript.
• Written essay (no more than 800 words) or a video (3 to five minutes) describing why you want to be a journalist, your plans for your journalism career, what it means to be a Black journalist today, and why you deserve the scholarship.
• Updated one-page resume.
• Three examples of published journalism work (links preferred)
• One recommendation letter from a professor, employer/internship supervisor, or faculty advisor who is familiar with your academic and journalism work. The recommender must sign the letter and include their contact info.

WABJ Investigative Journalism Scholarship

This scholarship program furthers the organization’s efforts to increase the representation of Black journalists in investigative reporting, thanks to a $10,000 seed investment MGM’s Orion Pictures and United Artists.

Scholarship amount: $2,500

Requirements:

• Currently a rising college sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student.
• Applicants must be paid student members of WABJ. (Join HERE or email membership@wabjdc.org to inquire about your membership status.)
• Major course of study: journalism or a communications discipline.
• Enrolled full-time at the time of application and throughout the scholarship award term at an accredited U.S. college or university in the D.C. area.
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale). You must submit an official or unofficial transcript.
• Written essay (no more than 800 words) or a video (3 to five minutes) describing why you want to be an investigative journalist, your plans for your journalism career, what it means to be a Black journalist today, and why you deserve the scholarship.
• Updated one-page resume.
• Two published clips showcasing your investigative journalism work (links preferred).
• One recommendation letter from a professor, employer/internship supervisor, or faculty advisor familiar with your academic and investigative journalism work. The recommender must sign the letter and include their contact info. 

George E. Curry/UJW Scholarship

This scholarship was created in 2021 in honor of the late George E. Curry, a journalist and a longtime champion of the Black press, who started the UJW program in 1986.  At least one scholarship is awarded each year, at least one graduating high school senior who completed WABJ’s Urban Journalism Workshop (UJW) in good standing and will enroll in an accredited college or university the following fall or spring semester. The recipients are recognized at the annual UJW closing ceremony.

Scholarship amount: $2,000

UJW Angel’s Scholarship

This scholarship was started in 2021 by the late Alicia “Lisa” Shepard, a longtime UJW volunteer, and former UJW coordinator Trina Williams, to provide annual tuition assistance to former program participants in college with dire financial need.

Scholarship amount: Up to $1,000