According to CNN Money, 40 percent of Americans cannot afford a $400 emergency expense. Walker’s Legacy and Walker’s Legacy Foundation were proud to provide micro-grants to 54 college and university students to assist them with expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $5,000 emergency grant fund that launched last week grew to a $7,000 emergency grant fund due to more than two thousand dollars in additional support from individual donors. The organization received nearly 200 applications in just a few days. Sudden college and university closures occurring all over the U.S. due to the novel Coronavirus pandemic have caused a myriad of housing displacements and unforeseen costs for students.
“As a socially-missioned small business, we understand the vital role that we play in supporting communities that we serve. Reviewing the applications demonstrated just how significant the impact COVID-19 is having on our nation’s most vulnerable populations and their families,” said Natalie Madeira Cofield, Founder & CEO of Walker’s Legacy and Walker’s Legacy Foundation. “We responded because we believe it to be our civic duty and we encourage others to do their part. It’s evident that a small fund can have major impacts.”
“Thanks to the Walker’s Legacy Emergency Fund, I was able to gather my steps and not be worried any further by my economic situation,” said Chinyere Ekwuocha, Senior at Howard University. “As sad as it is for me to have to abruptly say goodbye to the friends and sisters I’ve made over four years and leave DC without graduation, at least I can be happy knowing there are people like the ones at Walker’s Legacy looking to help those in need.”
The funds were disbursed this week to support eligible university students with food, transportation, moving, or other related expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disbursements were made between $50 and for up to $250 to ensure multiple students could receive aid to address emergency displacement and educational disruptions.
Students that received the micro-grants are as follows:
| Student | University |
| Amara Edwards Coulibaly | Dillard University |
| Daikerra Sweat | Fisk University |
| Ebonee Margarete Brown | Spelman College |
| Chinyere Ekwuocha | Howard University |
| Iyana Botts | Howard University |
| Jana’e LaTrice Gibson | Norfolk State University |
| Jesus Murillo | Fisk University |
| Rakia Wade | Alabama A&M University |
| Keyshawn Wheatley | Texas A&M Commerce |
| Chandler Toppin | Spelman College |
| Impress Williams | Miles College |
| Khamryn Stansell | Xavier University of Louisiana |
| Sonia Hordge | Fisk University |
| Yolonda Perry | Howard University |
| Diamond Ransberry | Harris Stowe State University |
| Jasmine Madden | Alabama A&M University |
| Melissa Machado | Stanford University |
| Ashley Jackson | Spelman College |
| Cieara Rouse | Lincoln University of PA |
| Mirian Amaya | University of North Texas |
| Noah Unor | Lincoln University of PA |
| Breanna Dallas | Fisk University |
| Michael Gaskins | Clark Atlanta University |
| Jenessa George | Jenessa George |
| Rachel West | Dillard University |
| Gabrielle Owens | Spelman College |
| Derrica McAllister | Dillard University |
| Louis Williams | California State University, Long Beach |
| Sarah Granston | University at Albany SUNY |
| Naya Slaughter | Dillard university |
| Anita Sydnie Hammond | Georgia State University |
| Mirna Carolina Lopez | Saint Louis University |
| Patrick Griffiths | Delaware State University |
| Marie-Anne Pierresaint | Buffalo State College |
| Chidera Mary Okeke | Fisk University |
| Md Minul H. Khan | Howard University |
| Olivia Mackey | Prairie View A&M University |
| Camryn Johnson | Dillard University |
| Cassondra Hanna | Fisk University |
| Jala K Hicks | Dillard University |
| Allanah Smith | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Felicia Hart | Dillard University |
| Kayla Adams | Dillard University |
| Bria McCann | Dillard University |
| Anissa Jones | Morgan State University |
| Madelynn Yssi Mitchell | Lincoln University of Pennsylvania |
| Diavion Joseph | Dillard University |
| Gehrig Avaloy | Morehouse College |
| Alexia Washington | Dillard University |
| Anaiya Crowner | Clark Atlanta University |
| Brandi Bruce | Fisk University |
| Natasha Garland | Georgia Southern University |
| Rakia Bates | Alabama A&M University |
| Maliyah Tumer | East Stroudsburg University |
