The 100 Black Men of the Mississippi Delta announces its annual scholarship awards. For the past thirty plus years, the 100 Black Men of the Delta have awarded scholarships to deserving students of the Mississippi Delta. The 100 Black Men of the Delta, Inc. is a non-profit community based organization which supports efforts for successful development of youth in the community. Students who are selected as scholarship recipients have demonstrated leadership in their respective schools through academic achievement, school activities, athletics, and community service. Each applicant is required to have at least a 3.0 grade point average and a minimum score of 18 on the ACT. They must also complete a scholarly essay on a subject chosen by the group’s scholarship committee. Financial need is considered when selecting each year’s recipients.
It is the hope and prayer of the organization that each of these students will be successful in their educational and career pursuits, and that they will be committed to giving back to their communities. The 100 Black Men of the Delta, Inc. acknowledges that these awards would not be possible without the support of its members and contribution of businesses, churches, civic and altruistic individuals in our community. We will celebrate and recognize these 12 amazing scholars at our annual scholarship reception which will be held at the Washington County Convention Center on June 1, 2023 at 7 p.m. The 100 Black Men felt that it was necessary to continue the tradition of rewarding and recognizing these future leaders for their high school achievements and try to assist them as they begin the next phase of their lives.
The scholarship recipients for the 2022-2023 school year in the amount of $1,000.00 each are the following students:
Devin Addison
Devin Addison is the son of Emerus and LaToya Addison of Greenville, Mississippi. Devin attends Riverside High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society and has maintained a 3.37 GPA while also taking AP classes and dual enrollment courses. He is also active in high school sports where he was a member of the Riverside Bulldogs baseball, Esports, and track and field teams.
Devin is a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. He plans to attend Delta State University in the fall to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing.
Akyrion Calvin-Brown
Akyrion Calvin-Brown is the son of Alice Brown and Derrick Calvin. He is the Salutatorian of the Thomas E. Edwards Sr. High School 2023 graduating class. Akyrion graduated from Thomas E. Edwards Sr. High School with a 3.68 GPA all while taking AP and dual enrollment classes. He has achieved an ACT composite score of 22.
While at Thomas E. Edwards High School Akyrion has participated in various groups and extracurricular activities. He was a member of the National Beta Club, the National Society of High School Scholars, and the Emmett Till Academy, and Akyrion is a Delta Honor graduate for 2023.
Akyrion was also a member of both the Thomas E. Edwards football and baseball teams. He is a devoted member of New Beginning Ministries. In the fall, he will attend the University Of Southern Mississippi where he will major in Computer Science to become a Software Engineer.
Omarion Blakes
Omarion Blakes is the son of Ann Blakes and Ollie Blakes of Shaw, Ms. He is a very dedicated student-athlete in the McEvans High School 2023 graduating class. Omarion has had great success during his high school years in both academics and athletics. He has maintained a 4.0+ GPA all four years and scored a 19 on his ACT. Not only has he maintained a high grade point average but he also has been a member of the National Honor Society from 9th-12th grade. Mr. Blakes has been a part of many community service projects partnering with the school and the community. He was a camp volunteer for the summer of 2019 for Delta Hands for Hope. During the next summer, he participated in the Delta State Youth Leadership Program where he learned a lot about Black History and the many roots that surround us. Omarion is very self-driven and makes sure he puts in as much effort in the classroom as he does with sports.
While participating in sports at McEvans, Omarion has also been very successful. He won MVP for varsity football in his 11th-grade year while leading his team to the second round of the playoffs. Following his 12th-grade year he led the team to the state championship in football where they came up short but it was still a blessing for him and his team to make it all the way. After football season he played a key role in basketball leading the Warriors to yet another state championship appearance in the same year! With the grace of God, they pulled off the win and became champions which made history at McEvans. Now Omarion plans to attend Alcorn State University in the summer where he will major in Sports Medicine and continue his football career hoping to make it to the NFL.
Margaret Alexandria Brown
Margaret Alexandria Brown is the daughter of Anthony and Zsa Zsa Brown. She is the granddaughter of the late Dr. Jesse & Margaret Jackson, Lillie Bell, and Benjamin Brown. Margaret is a graduating senior at Saint Joseph Catholic School who tutors middle and high school students during her break and lunch and is a member of the archery and softball team while maintaining a 4.1786 GPA. While attending Saint Joseph Catholic School, she received the highest average in Algebra I, Algebra II, Algebra III, Anatomy & Physiology Honors, AP English Literature and Composition, Biology I, Drama Class, French I, Geometry, Religion I, Religion III, US History Honors, and World Geography. Margaret is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society – Vice President, Drama Club and serves as the Senior Class President.
Margaret is a member of New Jerusalem M. B. Church where she serves as the youth announcer and is a member of the youth choir and the Y.E.S.(Youth Excitedly Saved) Ministry. She is also involved in the community. She is a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council and Progressive Arts and Civics Club.
In the fall, Margaret plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where she plans to further her studies and ultimately pursue a doctorate in Psychology.
Arlesia Gilson
Arlesia Gilson is the daughter of Devona Jones and Herbert Dabney of Indianola, MS. Arlesia is a senior and attends Gentry High School in Indianola, MS where she maintains a 4.08 GPA and is a Superintendent scholar while taking AP and Dual Enrollment courses. Through her high school years, she was elected as Miss Sophomore, B.B. King Ambassador of the Month, Planters Bank Student of the Month, and President of Jobs for Mississippi Graduates.
She has also been a member of the National Beta Club, the Student Government Association, a Chick-Fil-A Leadership Academy member, 2nd Attendant to Miss Gentry, the National Honor of High School Scholars, Senior Class Treasurer, and she is a youth partner for Teen Health Mississippi which is headquartered in Jackson, MS. Arlesia is also a member of many organizations outside of school.
After high school, Arlesia plans to attend the University of Mississippi. She wants a college experience that she will be proud to remember. Arlesia wants to major in Pre-Law with a minor in Political Science. Her future aspirations are to become a Criminal Justice Lawyer.
NaKiyah Grant
NaKiyah Grant is the daughter of Angela Splounge and Nathaniel Grant. While attending Greenville High School, NaKiyah will be graduating with honors. During her high school years, she was a part of the Future Health Professionals at the Vocational Tech Center, and a member of the National Technical Honor Society and the Freshman Honor Society. NaKiyah has taken dual enrollment and AP classes throughout her high school years. In the fall of 2023, Nakiyah will attend Alcorn State University where she plans to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Haleigh Mackenzie Lucas
Haleigh Mackenzie Lucas is a native of Greenville, MS. She is the daughter of Kevin and Tywanda Lucas. Haleigh is a graduating senior at Greenville Christian High School. Haleigh is a member of the Delta Pearls Civic Club at Greenville Christian. She is also a National Beta Club member.
While attending GCS, Haleigh was also a member of the Saints Varsity Cheer Team and served as manager for the Lady Saints Basketball Team. Haleigh was previously a member of both the Lady Saints Softball and Track teams. Haleigh is a devoted member of Harmony Baptist Church. In the Fall, Haleigh plans on attending Mississippi University for Women with a major in Nursing.
Kameron Jenkins
Kameron Jenkins is the son of Linddell Jenkins and Kimberly Jenkins. At Leland High School, he is a perennial Superintendent Scholar, President of LHS’ National Honor Society Chapter, Lineman Captain of the Football team, member of the Delta Health Alliance Leland College Promise Initiative, member of Leland Youth Council, member of the National Society of High School Scholars, member of the National Technical Honor Society, a Delta Honor Graduate, Lindy Callahan Athletic Scholar Award Recipient, Leland Rotary Award Recipient, Rotary Youth Leadership Award Recipient, and voted Mr. Senior and Mr. Sophomore by his entire student body. The accomplishment that he is most proud of is being the Valedictorian of his class with a 3.96 GPA.
In his spare time, Kameron enjoys watching and playing football and basketball, listening to music, hanging with friends, and writing articles for the Leland Progress Newspaper. Kameron also loves to make an impact in his community. Throughout the years, he has led breast cancer walks at his church, Greater St. John MB Church of Greenville; led mask giveaways and community clean-up days with Leland Youth Council during the pandemic, multiple volunteer projects at Edna M. Scott Elementary School, and recent relief projects for Rolling Fork and Silver City Tornado victims. He currently plans to attend Mississippi College and major in Journalism with a concentration in Sports Media, in his pursuit of becoming a Sports Reporter for ESPN or Fox Sports. His motto is “To appreciate the sun, you got to know what rain is.” - Jermaine Cole
A’Niyah Miller
A’Niyah Miller is the daughter of Tonya Lee and Sidney Miller of Eudora, Arkansas. She is one of the top students in Lakeside High School’s 2023 graduating class. A’Niyah is an honor student at Lakeside High School where she has maintained a 3.7 GPA.
A’Niyah is a member of the Varsity Basketball and Cheerleading Squad. She also participated on the track team for 3 years. She is the Class Representative to the Student Council and a member of the National Honor Society. A’Niyah has completed major dual enrollment classes through Arkansas Tech University.
In the fall, A’Niyah plans to attend the University of Arkansas at Monticello where she will major in Nursing.
Camille C. Morris
Camille Morris is the daughter of Sara Thomas and Stevie Morris of Anguilla, Mississippi. Camille is a member of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Cameta, MS under the leadership of Pastor Therman Cunningham, Jr. Camille attends South Delta High School where she is a Principal List Scholar.
In 2022 she became President of South Delta’s Jobs for Mississippi Graduates Career Association program, a member of the Linked-Up Youth Partners, The Mississippi Outreach of Scholastic Talent, LLC of the University of Mississippi (The MOST), and The Beta Club. Camille is also a member of the Varsity Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball teams serving as a leader amongst her peers in the role of Co-Captain. Camille was also voted South Delta High School’s 2022-2023 Homecoming Queen. After graduating, Camille plans to attend the University of Mississippi and major in Dental Hygiene.
Lakisha Sutton
Lakisha Sutton is the daughter of Lekelia Sutton and Travante Andrews. She is a graduating senior at O’Bannon High School in Greenville, MS. She has maintained a 3.81 GPA while taking AP and dual enrollment courses. She has an ACT composite score of 20. Lakisha has received numerous academic awards throughout her high school career.
She has served as a member of the Jobs for Mississippi Graduates program. Lakisha is a member of the National Honor Society and the Mayor’s Youth Council. Lakisha was named Miss Senior for the 2022-2023 School year. In October of 2021, Lakisha joined the Mississippi Army National Guard. She completed her basic training in the summer of 2022.
Following graduation, Lakisha will attend Fort Lee, Virginia, where she will complete AIT and the rest of her military training. Upon her return, Lakisha will attend Delta State University, where she will major in Nursing. She plans to become a Neonatal Nurse.
Antoine J. Washington
Antoine J. Washington is the son of Olivia Moton-Shepard and Antoine Washington and the grandson of Joe and Dianne Moton and Shirley Washington. Antoine is a graduating honor student at Simmons High School where he has maintained a 3.61 GPA while taking dual enrollment courses through MDCC.
Antoine is a 2023 Delta Honor Graduate and a 2023 Delta Youth Council Member. At Simmons High School he is a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, and National Society for High School Scholars. Antoine is also a member of the Simmons Blue Devils Football, Baseball, and Track team. He is a member of Mt. Olive M. B. Church in Murphy.
After graduation, Antoine will attend Delta State University, where he will play football for the Statesmen. At DSU he will major in math/pre-engineering.
