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The Dallas County chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. awarded scholarships to high school graduates in the Black Belt area this week.

Eleven graduates in the area received John D. Taylor  scholarships from the Delta Pi Lambda Chapter aka the Black Belt Alphas.

The 11 scholarship recipients are: Johnkira Agee (Wilcox Central High School), Antwun Rumph (Selma High School), Jamarion Blevins (Keith High School), Aaliyah Kennedy (Wilcox Central High School), Bri’Anna Lowe(Selma High), Kaitlin Stabler (Wilcox Central High School), Curtis Moton (Selma High), Antonine Hasberry (Selma High), Jamiah Williams (Selma High), Jon Sanders (Dallas County High School), and Jameria Moore (Southside High School).

The Black Belt Alphas have awarded scholarships since 1949, a tradition that Chapter President Edward Armstrong is very proud of.

“We look forward to each year being able to acknowledge the academic achievements of the best and brightest our region has to offer,” Armstrong said.

Scholarship Chairman Attorney Donavon McGuire said he admires the scholars for battling through COVID-19.

“I am so inspired by the scholarship recipients,” McGuire said.

“Despite the trials and tribulations of a global pandemic, they have exemplified perseverance, dedication, and academic excellence. These scholarships are not just about handing out money but, about making an investment in the advancement of our youth.”

Young said that plans are already underway for the 2022 fundraising process.

Scholarships were handed out despite the Black Belt Alphia’s many challenges including covid-19, and the inability to host our annual fundraiser.

All of the students that received scholarships will be attending college this fall.

The chapter also serves other counties in the Black Belt Region, including Wilcox, Perry, Marengo.

Some of the work the Black Belt Alphas have done over the least year is teach students about going to college by hosting multiple college fairs.