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The mission of Words, Beats & Life (WBL) is to transform individual lives and communities through Hip-Hop culture in all its forms. As a set of cultural practices and art forms with a global reach, Hip-Hop has demonstrated its power to transform the lives of young people around the world and right here in the nation's capital. Through Hip-Hop, WBL develops programs to support Arts Education and Creative Employment for young creatives throughout the District of Columbia with the human and material resources and opportunities to participate in the District’s creative economy as both creators and managers. To learn more about us, visit: www.wblinc.org

The WBL Scholarship program is our initiative to support students as they pursue a post-secondary school education. This year, we are offering three scholarship opportunities, each valued at $500, for high school seniors, college students and recent graduates.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE APPLICATION
1. The deadline for 2021 WBL scholarship applications is May 31, 2021.
2. Only complete applications will be considered.
3. Applicants must submit a photo as part of your application (headshots only, in a JPEG format) – you may submit a high school senior graduation photo.

Available Scholarships
U STREET BLACK ARTS SCHOLARSHIP
We are offering two kinds of scholarships:
(1) DC high school senior pursuing post-secondary school education (college, trade-school, or apprenticeship) in an art based discipline.
(2) Permanent DC residents completing/graduating from post-secondary school (college, trade-school, or apprenticeship).

BRANDON BERMENT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is limited to UMD students (either currently enrolled or attending in the upcoming semester). Additionally, applicants will have to fall into one of three categories in order to be considered for the scholarship:
(1) new students from New York;
(2) member of the BBA; or
(3) hold a leadership role in a student organization (PHC, CSA, BSU)

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* 1. Full Name

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* 2. Age

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* 3. Address

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* 4. High School

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* 5. Do you have a GED?
(If yes, you will have to provide a copy.)

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* 6. College Attending or Admitted to

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* 7. Expected Graduation Date

Date

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* 8. Do/did you attend the WBL Academy?

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* 9. Are/were you part of the WBL College Material Program?

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* 10. List all high school/college activities (student government, sports, publications, school-sponsored community service programs, student-faculty committees, arts, music, etc.). List all leadership roles held, where applicable. If additional space is needed, please attach a separate sheet to the application. Put N/A if not applicable.

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* 11. List public service and community activities (homeless services, environmental protection/conservation, advocacy activities, etc.). Do not repeat previously listed items. If additional space is needed, please attach a separate sheet to the application. Put N/A if not applicable.

Scholarship Selection
Pay careful attention to the scholarship descriptions and requirements. Failure to meet the requirements will result in an incomplete application.
U Street Black Arts Scholarship
Once known as Black Broadway, DC’s historic “U Street” has been recognized as the city’s Black Arts District for decades. In honor and recognition of the contributions of the creatives, activists and community leaders of the area - both past and present - we’re creating the U Street Black Arts scholarship. The aim of this scholarship is to support individuals who are dedicated to keeping Black arts alive in Washington, DC, despite its changing landscape.

We are offering two kinds of scholarships:
(1) DC high school senior pursuing post-secondary school education (college, trade-school, or apprenticeship) in an art based discipline.
(2) Permanent DC residents completing/graduating from post-secondary school (college, trade-school, or apprenticeship).

Applicants for this scholarship will have to submit a portfolio of their work. Additionally, special consideration will be given to individuals who are working with communities of color through arts-based programming.

Essay requirement (1000 words):

As noted above, the purpose of this scholarship is to keep black arts alive, especially in the Washington, DC area. Discuss the importance and impact of black art (musical, visual, expressive, etc.) in Washington, DC.
Brandon Berment Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is created in honor of our brother and friend, Brandon "B" Berment. B was born and raised in Brooklyn and after graduating from Benjamin Banneker Academy High School, he attended the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). While at Maryland, Brandon joined the Epsilon Psi chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and was the living embodiment of the fraternity motto, "Culture for Service and Service for Humanity". After graduating from the UMCP Robert H. Smith School of Business, Brandon held multiple jobs where he was a leader and difference maker.

This scholarship is limited to UMD students (either currently enrolled or attending in the upcoming semester). Additionally, applicants will have to fall into one of three categories in order to be considered for the scholarship:
(1) new students from New York;
(2) member of the BBA; or
(3) hold a leadership role in a student organization (PHC, CSA, BSU)

Applying for this scholarship means that you agree to fulfill the terms of the scholarship. Recipients of this scholarship agree to: serve as a College Material Coach/assist the program in some capacity, organize two Our Block clean-ups, and book and man a First Look Fair table for WBL.

Essay Requirement (1000 Words):
(Please indicate which one you choose when you submit your essay)
Option 1) Why did you apply to UMD?
Option 2) Why are you pursuing a degree in business?
Option 3) What does it mean to be a leader? Please provide examples of a time when you served in a leadership capacity.
Option 4) For many, joining a fraternity or sorority is more than just joining an organization. The bonds built as a member of these organizations turn strangers into friends, friends into family. Tell us about a relationship you have with someone who is not family, but feels like family.

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* 12. Which scholarship are you applying for?
(Limit - one scholarship application per year)

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* 13. Essay submission

PDF, DOC, DOCX, PNG file types only.
Choose File

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* 14. Portfolio submission

PDF, JPG, JPEG file types only.
Choose File

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* 15. Portfolio submission - website
For U St. Scholarship applicants only

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* 16. Applicant Photo

JPG, JPEG file types only.
Choose File

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* 17. I certify that all information submitted within — including this application and any other supporting materials — is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented, and that these documents will become the property of WBL and will not be returned to me.

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* 18. I understand that if any information in my application is incomplete or determined to be false or fraudulent, my scholarship application will be deemed incomplete and no longer under consideration.

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* 19. I understand that in order to receive any scholarship funds, I will have to submit a copy of my official transcript.

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