Student of Success Scholarship

State of Success, Inc. proudly presents the Student of Success Scholarship! This scholarship represents a positive investment in the next generation. The Student of Success Scholarship services three regions: S.O.S. Central (Union County), S.O.S. East (Wilson County), and S.O.S. West (Mecklenburg County). Our youth are our future. It is up to us to provide them with the opportunities needed to achieve their goals. The Student of Success Scholarship is open today!

Scroll Below to learn more, to donate, or to APPLY.

Apply here for the 2024 - 2025 Student of Success Scholarship

Upload Scholarship Video

The Student of Success Scholarship:

In Memory of

Mr. James Mackey
Mrs. Samiya Robinson Barrett
Mr. Sheldon McClendon

Student of Success Scholarship

(S.O.S. CENTRAL)

Our Youth are our future. Focusing on the education and empowerment of the youth, State of Success, Inc. is proud to continue the Student of Success Scholarship. The Student of Success scholarship highlights two Union County Students who have exhibited the qualities it takes to reach that next level of success. These students are not just standouts in Union County today, they are our leaders of tomorrow. Eligible applicants can apply below.

Disclaimer: All eligible applicants will need a “Gmail” account to access the 2023 - 2024, Student of Success Scholarship application.

Donate

The Student of Success Scholarship is expanding! Our Youth are our future. Focusing on the education and empowerment of the youth, State of Success, Inc. proudly presents the Student of Success Scholarship for our East region, Wilson County. Working with Wilson County’s own, Dr. Portia Newman, This scholarship highlights two Wilson County Students who have exhibited the qualities it takes to reach that next level of success. These students are not just standouts in Wilson County today, they are our leaders of tomorrow. Eligible applicants can apply below.

Disclaimer: All eligible applicants will need a “Gmail” account to access the 2023 -2024, Student of Success Scholarship application.

Student of Success Scholarship

(S.O.S. EAST)

Donate

Student of Success Scholarship

(S.O.S. WEST)

The Student of Success Scholarship is expanding again! Our Youth are our future. Focusing on the education and empowerment of the youth, State of Success, Inc. proudly presents the Student of Success Scholarship for our Western region, Mecklenburg County. Eligible applicants can apply below.

Disclaimer: All eligible applicants will need a “Gmail” account to access the 2023 -2024, Student of Success Scholarship application.

Donate

l

2023 - 2024 Student of Success Scholarship Committee

Dr. Portia Newman

Committee Chair

Portia Newman is a native of Wilson, NC and proud to represent Eastern North Carolina. Having lived and worked in many states, being from the 252 is special. Portia has 12+ years of experience and is a life-long learner and believes in the power of education.

As the Founder & Education Consultant of PN Consulting, Portia is committed to addressing issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and opportunity through a racial equity lens. Through timely, relevant and radical efforts, PN Consulting supports districts, organizations and leadership teams with strategy, training and program support.

Portia believes in the possibilities of this work and in the responsibility we have as leaders to facilitate change within ourselves, our professional spaces, and for our kids. Portia earned her BA in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, before earning her M.Ed in Instructional Leadership and Education Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Portia earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Her research focused on leadership development at the intersection of race, gender and culture. Dr. Portia continues to focus on how leadership theory and practice informs organizational culture and change. In her leisure, Dr. Portia loves to read, being with family and exploring the world of wine.

Fred Cave

Committee Vice Chair

Fred Cave is a Senior Consultant at Guild Education. A member of the Learning Marketplace Solutions team, Fred helps colleges, universities, and academic partners become great at serving working adults and aligning with workforce needs. Fred has worked in higher education for ten years, with roles in college access, academic advising, and student life. I

n his most recent role at Entangled Solutions, Fred worked with universities, community colleges, and non-profit organizations on projects related to opportunity validation, strategic planning, and innovative models for learning and student support.

Fred earned a M.S. in Education from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, a M.S. in Management from the Wake Forest University School of Business, and a B.A. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dorian T. Brown, Pharm.D, BCPS

Committee Member

Dorian is a Kannapolis, North Carolina native and practicing hospital pharmacist. He currently serves as a leader within his pharmacy, helping his team of pharmacists provide the best care possible to patients through timely recommendations, interventions, and education with providers and nurses.

Dorian received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2012 from the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy and has since then sought new ways to build on his education through board certification and leadership skills training. In addition to his primary vocation, Dorian dedicates his time to community service and advocacy through membership in a number of organizations, committees, and boards.

Dorian is a traveler and continually finds inspiration in learning of different cultures, lifestyles, and experiences across the globe.

Jonathan is a Monroe native and a graduate of Monroe High School. (Yes, he still bleeds Redhawk red!) Jonathan attended NC State University and has had a diverse professional background ranging from a Citizenship Officer with the Department of Homeland Security to an intensive and critical care nurse.

Jonathan found his passion through one of his former patients - and that passion was entrepreneurship! He immediately recruited a mentor that was willing to direct him to the right resources and education. Here, he found real estate and has not looked back! Jonathan now wishes to create opportunities for that same exposure in his hometown!

Jonathan owns and is the chief investment officer of Blake & Blythe Investments. He is a global real estate and investment expert. Growing from humble beginnings, Jonathan has learned that real estate is one of many paths to wealth. It is one of his biggest goals to assist and direct these paths to wealth for as many as possible, as was done for him.

Brandon Carter is a Co-Director of College Counseling at Cary Academy (Cary, NC). Each year, he guides approximately 40 students and their families through the college search and application journey, helping them showcase their talents and skills and tell their individual stories, while keeping them focused on best fit rather than prestige or selectivity.

Brandon also serves as an academic and social-emotional advisor to a designated group of students, as the faculty advisor of the Nubian Kings affinity group (Black male support group), and as a faculty advisor of the Christian Affinity Group. Prior to Cary Academy, Brandon worked in the Dean of Students Office at Duke University, served as an admissions counselor at UNC-Chapel Hill, and as a college advisor in the Carolina College Advising Corps.

Brandon earned an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University, and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jonathan B. Tucker

Committee Member

Brandon Carter

Committee Member

2023-2024 Student of Success Scholarship Recipients

Video Block

Double-click here to add a video by URL or embed code. Learn more

SOS Central Recipients

Ashley Rivera-Cuamacateco, Monroe High School

Rising Redhawk Award Recipient
State of Success, Inc. presents the “Rising Redhawk Award” to Ashley Rivera Cuamacateco. The “Rising Redhawk Award” is a part of the Student of Success Scholarship and is awarded to an Monroe High School senior each year. Congratulations Ashley!
Rising Redhawk Award Supporters

Jere'l D. Hough, Executive Director and Founder, State of Success, Inc. and members of Stelco Electric at the Rising Redhawk Award Presentation.
The Rising Redhawk Award was supported by Mr. Harry Steele and Stelco Electric. A Union County company.
Kamri Banks, Sun Valley High School

Student of Success Scholarship Recipient
State of Success, Inc. presents the “Student of Success Scholarship” to Kamri Banks. Congratulations Kamri!
Melany Paiz Hong, Monroe High School

Student of Success Scholarship Recipient
State of Success, Inc. presents the “Student of Success Scholarship” to Melany Paiz Hong. Congratulations Melany!

SOS East Recipients

Constance Pleasants, Fike High School

Student of Success Scholarship Recipient
State of Success, Inc. presents the “Student of Success Scholarship” to Constance Pleasants. Congratulations Constance!
Eva Fatzaun, Hunt High School

Student of Success Scholarship Recipient
State of Success, Inc. presents the “Student of Success Scholarship” to Eva Fatzaun. Congratulations Eva!

SOS West Recipients

Antonio Caggins, Rocky River High School

Student of Success Scholarship Recipient
Jere'l D. Hough (right), Executive Director and Founder, State of Success, Inc. and Kevin Edwards (left), Edwards Injury Law, present the “Student of Success Scholarship” to Antonio Caggins. Congratulations Antonio!
Student of Success Scholarship Supporter

Jere'l D. Hough (left), Executive Director and Founder, State of Success, Inc. and Kevin Edwards (right), Edwards Injury Law presented the “Student of Success Scholarship” to the 2023-2024 SOS West recipients.
This year's Student of Success Scholarship was supported by Mr. Kevin Edwards and Edwards Injury Law.
Zakya Oglesby, Harding University High School

Student of Success Scholarship Recipient
Jere'l D. Hough (right), Executive Director and Founder, State of Success, Inc. and Kevin Edwards (left), Edwards Injury Law, present the “Student of Success Scholarship” to Zakya Oglesby. Congratulations Zakya!

Jere’l D. Hough, Executive Director, State of Success, Inc. presents the 2022-2023 Student of Success Scholarship to the SOS East recipients, Anna-Brooke Taylor and Chandler Hill.

2022-2023 Student of Success Scholarship Recipients

SOS CENTRAL RECIPIENTS

Roselyn Salgado Flores, Monroe High School

Rising Redhawk Award Recipient
Jere’l D. Hough, Executive Director, State of Success, Inc. presents the “Rising Redhawk Award” to Roselyn Salgado Flores. The “Rising Redhawk Award” is a part of the Student of Success Scholarship and is awarded to an Monroe High School senior each year. Congratulations Roselyn!
Ashutash Lala, Piedmont High School

Student of Success Scholarship Recipient
Jere’l D. Hough, Executive Director, State of Success, Inc. presents the “Student of Success Scholarship” to Ashutash Lala. Congratulations Ashutash!
Amber Helms

Student of Success Scholarship Recipient
Jere’l D. Hough, Executive Director, State of Success, Inc. and Taylor Trull, Administrative Coordinator, State of Success, Inc. presents the “Student of Success Scholarship” to Amber Helms. Congratulations Amber!

SOS EAST RECIPIENTS

Chandler Hill, Fike High School

Student of Success Scholarship Recipient
Jere’l D. Hough, Executive Director, State of Success, Inc. presents the “Student of Success Scholarship” to Chandler Hill. Congratulations Chandler!
Anna-Brooke Taylor, Hunt High School

Student of Success Scholarship Recipient
Jere’l D. Hough, Executive Director, State of Success, Inc. presents the “Student of Success Scholarship” to Anna-Brooke Taylor. Congratulations Anna-Brooke!