Thirteen recent graduates from Charles County high schools have received scholarships from the Charles County Juneteenth Foundation Inc. to help cover costs as they begin college this fall. Each recipient was awarded $700 after submitting an essay, high school transcript and college acceptance letter as part of the application process.
The foundation, a nonprofit focused on education and community support, uses the scholarships to advance its mission of highlighting Juneteenth history and African American heritage in Charles County while assisting Black, Indigenous and People of Color students. The awards recognize academic achievement and community connection among the Class of 2026.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The federal holiday, established in 2021, has grown in visibility nationwide, with local organizations like the Charles County group using events and programs to connect that history to regional stories of resilience and contribution.
The foundation has organized community celebrations and educational initiatives since 2020, reaching more than 5,000 people through family gatherings, cultural programs and support for local BIPOC businesses. The scholarship component extends that work by investing directly in the next generation of students from Charles County.
Recipients include London Brehon and Makai Fitch, both La Plata High School graduates heading to North Carolina A&T State University; Jermiah Harrison of North Point High School and Jada Harry of Westlake High School, both bound for Temple University; and Dylan Leigh of Henry E. Lackey High School, who will attend Morgan State University. Other awardees are Ashley Martinez from Maurice J. McDonough High School to Towson University, Kamille Mauldin from Westlake to Temple, Drew Pearson from North Point to Rutgers University, and Lamont Spriggs Jr. from St. Charles High School to The Catholic University of America.
Additional recipients are Sanai Thomas from North Point to Tuskegee University, Aaliyah Underwood from North Point to Spelman College, Trayon White Jr. from McDonough to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Journey Wooden from North Point to Stevenson University. These students represent a range of Charles County high schools and will pursue studies at institutions across the mid-Atlantic and beyond.
For many families in Charles County, scholarships like these help ease the transition to higher education at a time when college costs continue to rise. The foundation’s focus on supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds aligns with broader efforts in Southern Maryland to expand access to postsecondary opportunities.
The awards are funded through donations and sponsorships that sustain the organization’s year-round work. Community members interested in contributing or learning more about upcoming events can contact the foundation directly via email. The group continues to plan its annual Juneteenth celebration and other programs that blend historical education with practical support for local residents.
By directing resources to graduating seniors, the Charles County Juneteenth Foundation connects past and present, using recognition of African American history as a foundation for building future opportunities. The 13 recipients now join a growing network of students whose paths have been supported by this local effort.
