Jarvis Christian University freshman kinesiology major Cedric Abney of Mobile, Alabama, was named to the inaugural Project Height Scholars program, and upon acceptance, will receive $10,000 to assist his studies. Abney also will be invited to participate programing designed to further explore technology through a civil rights lens in the areas of data science, product management, inclusive design, and user experience. The announcement came from the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) a Washington, D.C.-based charitable organization founded over 87 years ago to improve the lives of Black women, their families and their communities.
The Height Scholars Program—named after former 40-year NCNW president Dr. Dorothy Irene Height—is a joint initiative of NCNW, the Dorothy Irene Height Education Foundation and Meta. It was established to provide financial support to undergraduate and graduate students with career interests at the intersection of technology and civil rights.
NCNW President and CEO Shavon Arline-Bradley congratulated the 17 awardees named and said, “We are proud to invest in their continued good work and look forward to witnessing the growth of these future leaders the world needs.”
Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation President Alexis Herman said, “The scholars we award today represent an individual investment in their ongoing education, and these scholars also represent a collective investment for increased innovation and a more hopeful future for our world.”
Meta’s associate general counsel and product lead/civil rights Julie Wenah said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation and the National Council of Negro Women to announce the Project Height Scholarship award recipients. Our hope is that our joint commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders committed to the intersection of civil rights and technology will spark the minds that build a more inclusive and equitable society.”
Abney is excited to be among the first class of Height Scholars.
“As a first-generation college student, I am honored to be selected, and I recognize my commitment to helping to build a bright future and more equitable society,” Abney said. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, Inc., and is captain of the Jarvis Wrestling Team . He also is the vice president for freshmen in the Student Government Association and is a member of Jarvis Pre-Alumni.
Jarvis Christian University is dedicated to empowering students to achieve their career goals through an affordable academic experience that prepares them for today’s global economy. Whether a student is a recent high school graduate or a working adult seeking career advancement, Jarvis Christian University develops students of all ages intellectually, socially, spiritually and emotionally.
