By: Cheryl Smith
Well, the time is upon us.
Friday, October 17, family, friends, loved ones, classmates, peers, mentors, mentees, and those whose shoulders I stand on will be joining me on the beautiful campus of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication where my photograph will be unveiled on the Thelma T. Gorham Distinguished Alumni Wall.
To celebrate the occasion, the school is being presented with a scholarship, the Cheryl Smith Soldiers Without Swords Scholarship Fund.
Thanks to those who participated in fundraising efforts in the form of a silent auction, donor drives, and a little begging that helped us raise the required $25,000 for an endowed fund—we will be presenting the first scholarship in the fall of 2026, which will mark 50 years from the first time I walked on the campus as a freshman in September 1976. Because of the way the fund is set up, there will always be money to award a scholarship.
Now this is not the first time I’ve presented a scholarship.
I’m probably the wrong person to have money because I’d give away every penny I have if I thought it was going for good.
When I first started the Don’t Believe the Hype Celebrity Bowl-a-thon, and I talked to my friend, Chuck D of Public Enemy, to ask permission to use the popular song title; I knew I wanted to do good, and in keeping with giving scholarships, I was also keeping alive the messages from one of the greatest rap groups of all time.
Over the years, scholarships have been awarded in the name of Dr. Betty Shabazz because she believed in academic excellence, too. There were also scholarships awarded to the interns in Senator Royce West’s Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program, in the name of my mother Earline, and Judge Aiesha Redmond.
I’m a firm believer that education should be free because ignorance is costly!
We can’t afford to let ignorance run rampant.
We sing about boots on the ground; well, we need to have books in hand.
Some are asking, “Where’s my fan at?” when they should be asking for their lesson.
I know many are giving scholarships and working to ensure that we provide opportunities for young people. If our legislators could become truly serious about education, they might pass legislation that makes education affordable for everyone, prioritizing it for all, and let’s go even further and say making it mandatory for everyone.
You ask, “Who’s gonna fund this?”
Let’s examine budgets, and we’ll find the answer because we are spending a lot of money in areas that wouldn’t need the money if we had a more educated population. I wonder what the world would look like.
Seems like the playing field would be more balanced.
So, I want to say thank you to those who donated to the fund, purchased items in the auction, or even just gave a word of encouragement.
We’re going to be raising money forever! So, anytime you’re thinking about where you can give, let me tell you, this is a place where the cause is right and noble. Please consider supporting. You can always scan the QR code or send your donation directly to the FAMU Foundation in the name of Cheryl Smith Soldiers Without Swords Scholarship Fund.
Help make this world a better place. Give our children a chance. Please.
The quality of life is diminishing, opportunities are fading away, and sadly, even the desire to live no longer exists for many. Usually, whatever we’re going through, when we wonder what that light is at the end of the tunnel, we’re hoping that instead of it being a train coming toward us, it is actually daylight. That daylight could come in the form of a scholarship.
With your help.
