Today, Atlanta Housing proudly celebrated the achievements of seven outstanding scholars during the James Allen, Jr. Community Scholars Award (JACSA) ceremony. Named in honor of the long-time Atlanta Housing Board Commissioner, James Allen, Jr., this award recognizes students who embody dedication, perseverance, and the spirit of community service that Allen championed throughout his life. In addition to the JACSA ceremony, Atlanta Housing recently marked a significant milestone with the final phase of the University Choice Neighborhoods (UCN) Scholars awards, which honored three returning Choice Atlanta Scholars and recognized two recent scholarship program graduates.
James Allen Jr. Community Scholars Award
Since its inception in 2004, the James Allen, Jr. Community Scholars Award has presented over $800,000 to 205 deserving youth. This year, seven new scholars have been added to AH’s prestigious roster, receiving awards totaling $81,710. These scholarships are funded through a combination of AH-owned property rentals and the generous contributions of Atlanta Housing employees during the annual Workplace Giving Campaign.
Atlanta Housing’s partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has been instrumental in the success of this scholarship program. For 15 years, UNCF has served as the fiscal administrator of the JACSA Scholarship Fund, providing critical support and guidance. Their involvement ensures that our scholars receive financial assistance and the encouragement and resources they need to thrive in their academic endeavors.
The heart of Atlanta Housing’s mission is to empower our youth and support families in their pursuit of education and self-sufficiency. This year, in addition to awarding scholarships, the JACSA committee honored the parents and support groups whose invaluable support plays a crucial role in the success of our scholars.
Choice Atlanta Scholars Program
Since 2016, the Choice Atlanta scholarship has awarded $200,000 to 62 students, providing them with the financial support needed to pursue higher education at prestigious institutions. These scholars have gained admission to top-tier colleges and universities and excelled academically. Awardees have had the opportunity for scholarship renewal, which offered continued financial support through the program if they maintained an above 3.0 GPA throughout their college tenure. This ongoing support has been pivotal in helping them achieve their academic and career goals.At the July 19 mixer and ceremony, three of this year’s Choice Scholars received $5,000 scholarship renewals and a five-piece luggage set to support their educational journeys for the upcoming school year. Two past recipients, one Spelman College graduate and one Georgia State graduate, were honored with $1,000 gifts and the motivational book Peaks and Valleys.
Looking Ahead
The recent festivities signaled the end of the University Choice Neighborhoods scholarship. The Choice Atlanta team is planning an exciting pivot to launch the Bowen Choice Neighborhoods scholarship program in 2025 as part of HUD's $40 million grant for the Bowen neighborhood transformation.
With the Atlanta Housing JACSA award now in its 20th year, we remain committed to building on the legacy of our youth initiatives, ensuring that future scholars have the support and resources they need to succeed. The success of today’s James Allen, Jr. Community Scholars Award ceremony and the recent Choice Scholars Awards underscores Atlanta Housing's dedication to fostering educational opportunities and empowering our families with opportunities to thrive.
Stay tuned for exciting developments on the Bowen scholarship program!