The HBCU Alum Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the recipients of its 2026 Book Scholarship. With a record-breaking pool of over 750 applicants filled with exceptional talent, selecting this year’s winners was no easy task. After careful consideration, six outstanding and deserving scholars have been chosen as this year’s recipients:
Jahi Hodge from Las Vegas, Nevada. A Bio-Medical student at Northwest Career & Technical Academy, Jahi is a member of HOSA–Future Health Professionals and the Omega Gentleman’s Club, while also competing in track & field and flag football. He has earned a Silver-level ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate, CPR certification, and completed dual enrollment coursework in English and Math. The 3.95 GPA student with a passion for forensic science plans to pursue a career in the field while continuing his academic journey at Edward Waters University.
Kamourri Johnson from Phenix City, Alabama. A dual-enrolled honors student at Chattahoochee Valley Community College and Central High School, Kamourri ranks in the top 15 of her class with a 4.5 weighted GPA and over 500 community service hours. She serves as Class President, Beta Club President, Track & Field Captain, and founder of both the Superintendent Student Advisory Council and Jill of All Trades, while earning statewide track honors and national academic recognition. The Jack Kent Cooke Scholar Semifinalist will continue her academic journey at Spelman College.
Madison Jackson from Oakland, California. A 3.93 GPA student and dynamic campus leader, Madison has served as both Senior and Junior Class President, Varsity Cheer Captain and MVP, and a Black Student Union Ambassador. She is also an active community volunteer with Oakland PAL, demonstrating a strong commitment to service and leadership. The accomplished scholar is headed to North Carolina A&T State University to major in Psychology.
Christian Lovelace from St. Louis, Missouri. A purpose-driven student at Westminster Christian Academy with a 3.3 GPA, Christian is an artist and scholar dedicated to expanding Black male representation in education and the arts. He founded Literature and Linings to promote youth literacy and serves on the City of O’Fallon Mayor’s Youth Council Advisory Board. An accomplished performer, thespian and neurodivergent leader grounded in faith, he was awarded an honorary Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and plans to continue his journey as a future educator at Hampton University.
Nichole Scott from Simpsonville, South Carolina. A standout senior at Woodmont High School with a 5.04 weighted GPA, Nichole is a dedicated scholar-athlete recognized as a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship recipient and an AP Scholar. She balances varsity softball with memberships in the National Honor Society, Beta Club, and HOSA, and is an assistant coach for a youth travel softball team. Recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Leadership Award and participated in the Thurgood Marshall College Foundation S.O.A.R. HBCU Scholars Program. She plans to study Biology at Howard University.
Alexsandria Washington from Charlotte, North Carolina. With a 4.4 GPA, she is a member of the National Honor and National Technical Honor Societies. Alexsandria is the Founder/President of the Charlotte Teacher and Engineering Early College and a candidate for President of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council. She earned All-state and MVP honors in Varsity Volleyball. She also founded a non-profit for tutoring elementary students and participated in the HOSA Medical Club. A Cheatham White Finalist, the future Biomedical Sciences major will attend North Carolina Central University.
All candidate applications were evaluated on scholastic achievement, school / community involvement, and performance on a written essay based on the following topic: “The Importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the 21st Century.”
Terrence Caldwell and Alex Shuler established their initial HBCU Book Scholarship back in 2009 to target HBCU-Bound students in their hometown of Orangeburg, SC. HBCU Alum has furthered that mission, as its goal is to help encourage talented high school students to consider HBCU’s as a viable choice for higher education. The HBCU Alum Scholarship Committee congratulates these talented students and wishes everyone that wrote essays and applied the best of luck in their respective collegiate journeys.