Dear Tom Joyner Foundation Team,
My name is Christina Jackson, from Alpharetta, Georgia. I am a 2014 graduate of Shaw University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems. I am currently in graduate school at North Carolina A&T State University pursuing a Master’s of Science in Information Technology. I am the middle daughter of Pastor Joe and Theresa Jackson. I was a recipient of the Tom Joyner Foundation Scholarship for the 2012-2013 Summer Semester at Shaw University.
Attending summer school that year was imperative to me accomplishing my goal of graduating from college in just three years. 2013 was also the year that the government made significant changes in the amount of Federal Financial Aid that was allotted to students. I personally was not awarded much money for summer school and could not afford to pay for it out of pocket and my parents support three daughters in college simultaneously.
I called our scholarship coordinator at Shaw University and she told me about the Tom Joyner Foundation Scholarship. Not knowing if I would meet the requirements, I applied any way by faith. I remember thinking to myself, “I might as well try, the worst that they can say is no.” Sure enough, shortly after submitting my application, I was awarded a $2,500 scholarship from the Tom Joyner Foundation for the 2012-2013 Summer Semester.
To this day, I am eternally grateful to Mr. Tom Joyner and everyone involved at the Tom Joyner Foundation and to God. This scholarship was truly a blessing and it makes a huge difference in the lives of HBCU students everywhere! Thank you once again and please continue your wonderful support of black college students. We appreciate you and need you!
Sincerely Yours,
Christina R. Jackson