Scholarship
The Scholarship Program grants cash scholarships and/or book awards to underserved, college-bound, graduating high school seniors who attend accredited post secondary educational institutions including vocational/technical colleges. Both scholarships and book awards have been presented to recipients since the inception of the foundation in 1994.
The Carter G. Woodson Scholarship is awarded to graduating high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have demonstrated a commitment and a passion for life-long learning and community service. The Carter Woodson Foundation Scholarship winner will have demonstrated an ability to overcome adversity and a commitment to helping others. Academic achievement is important, but not the deciding factor in determining awardees.
APPLICATION HAS CLOSED FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR
Meet Our 2025 Scholarship Recipients

Lina Arach
Madison East High School
Lina is a compassionate and service-driven student originally from Morocco who has made a lasting impact through her commitment to volunteering and leadership. Lina boasts a 3.78 GPA and is actively involved in several volunteer roles, including serving with Babies and Beyond, mentoring peers through the Purgolder and AVID mentor programs, and providing childcare support at her local Masjid. As a member of the National Honor Society, she consistently fulfills and exceeds the required service hours, reflecting her dedication to community involvement. In addition to her volunteer work, Lina is a program leader with Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR), where she continues to support and uplift others. Her hard work and achievements have earned her numerous recognitions, including the Successful Sister certificates in both 2024 and 2025, a BSU Certificate of Achievement in 2024, and multiple AVID Certificates of Achievement. Lina shares that she has never known “normalcy” in her life, but she embraces adversity and sees it as something that has shaped her into a more nurturing, empathetic person. Through her difficult life experiences, she has developed a deep desire to care for others—both emotionally and physically—which has inspired her to pursue a career in nursing. This fall, Lina will become a first generation college student when attends UW–Madison to study nursing and continue her journey of academic excellence, resilience, and service to others.

Naaliyah Currie
Sun Prairie West High School
Naaliyah is a determined and accomplished first-generation student with a 3.42 GPA who has shown remarkable dedication to both her academics and community. Naaliyah has served as a manager for both the football and basketball teams and has volunteered her time reading to students at Westside Elementary for “Read Your Heart Out” and helping with Prairie View Middle School’s fun run. She has been employed since the age of 15 and has never been without a job, working over 21 hours a week in food service, hospitality, and as a dietary aide at Talamore Senior Living Center. Her commitment to service is reflected in her efforts to launch clothing drives at her school, along with an internship at Maydm focused on STEM empowerment. Her time with Maydm and the guidance of her mentor, Christina Outlay, have been pivotal in fueling her aspirations—especially when paired with her passion for cosmetics and her personal research and experience surrounding eczema. In 2023, Naaliyah turned this passion into purpose by launching a small social business, creating homemade skincare products for eczema-prone skin. Her innovation earned her 1st place in the CEOs of Tomorrow Pitch and Launch competition and a $1,000 scholarship, of which she generously donated 15% to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Naaliyah is also a multi-year recipient of the “MLK Outstanding Young Person” Award (2020–2024) and has earned the “Social Innovator” Badge from CEOs of Tomorrow. She has been recognized with numerous academic honors, including the National Society of High School Scholars nomination, the “Adopt-A-Future” Scholarship, an Academic Award Star Pin, an Academic Honor Chenille Letter, and placement in Honors English. Naaliyah’s resilience, leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering drive make her a powerful example of excellence and a deserving recipient of the Carter G. Woodson Scholarship. Naaliyah will attend UW-Milwaukee this fall to study Business Administration.

Harmony Johnson
Robert M. La Follette High School
Harmony is a dedicated student with a 3.45 GPA who exemplifies leadership, service, and resilience. An AVID scholar, Harmony is also an active leader in her school’s Black Student Union and played a key role in organizing the BSU HBCU Fair. She volunteers with Read Your Heart Out, inspiring young students through literacy engagement, and competed on the Girls Varsity Basketball team. In addition to her school commitments, Harmony works at both Walmart and with the Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) program. She has overcome significant adversity and, through that journey, discovered a deeper sense of purpose and servant leadership. Her volunteer work at the United Way Christmas Giveaway, the Pay It Forward holiday campaign, and the River Food Pantry on Madison’s North Side has fueled her passion for giving back and making a difference. Harmony’s efforts have been recognized with the prestigious MLK Outstanding Persons Award, and her unwavering commitment to education, community uplift, and leadership makes her a truly deserving recipient of the Carter G. Woodson Scholarship. Harmony is deciding between UW-Milwaukee and John C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina but will be studying Criminology because she knows underrepresented groups and misrepresentation of those groups often leads to a lack of understanding and negative perspectives about minority communities within the justice system, something she wants to change.
Our 2024 Scholarship Recipients

Makayla Blackamore
Vel Phillips Memorial High School
Makayla will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall and study Early Childhood Education. At Vel Phillips, Makayla lettered in both swimming and basketball. She was a member of the Black Student Union where she received two of their Black Excellence School Awards while taking multiple Advanced Placement Courses. Makayla was also a member of Key Club, a volunteer club, and volunteered at numerous senior centers around Madison. Annually, she participates in the city-wide "Read Your Heart Out" with MMSD and volunteers with the basketball programs youth camps. She also volunteers with the 100 Black Men of Madison's backpack giveaway while working as a babysitter, swim instructor and lifeguard. She sees education as a chance to support underserved populations, help others strengthen their literacy skills, build a brighter future for the youth, and create a more creative, equitable and collaborative society.

Reagan Briggs
Verona Area High School
Reagan will attend St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she will compete on the basketball team. Reagan, a mental health advocate, spent all four years of high school as a volunteer for numerous events and organizations including Special Olympics, Feed my Starving Children, Inspire Sports, Youth Basketball Camp Counselor and Helping Hands. As an active member of the Black Student Union, also spent time with the Read Your Heart Out endeavors across Dane County. Reagan is a High Honor Roll student as well as a member of National Honor Society. She was also named to the Basketball Academic All State Team in 2023. She hopes to work in the medical field some day and inspire others to transform generational challenges into gifts.

Miraya Van Altena
Verona Area High School
Miraya will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison this fall where she will study Business, believing it to be a tool of innovation and opportunity. As a Co-President of the Black Student Union, Miraya has spent a great deal of her time serving the greater VAHS community at large. She spends her time volunteering with the Milton Food Pantry or working at True Veterinary Care and Once Upon A Time Childcare Center, helping with the youth. Miraya is a member of the National Honor Society, a two-time Captain of the Verona Wildcat Dance Team and has served on the BSU Executive Board since her Junior Year.
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