About Us
Board Member's Message to Future Scholars:
Irving Joyner:
In this journey to achieve our life’s purpose and mission, learning is a critical and continuing process. A huge step in that process is seeking and obtaining a higher education. That journey requires a variety of support in order for each person to “rise-up” and achieve their maximum capacity. Our purpose and focus is to assist in the quest to “rise” above those present conditions and circumstances. 10.17.21
Board Member's Message to Future Scholars:
William Lewis:
Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs only to the people who prepare for it today.
Malcom X
Our Founder:
Johnesha Truesdale is the Founder and President of the Still I Rise Scholars organization. Johnesha founded this organization because she resided in subsidized housing and received a Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship while she was an undergraduate student. Johnesha attended and graduated from the illustrious North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in 2014 with a Bachelors’ Degree in Social Work. Johnesha also earned a Masters of Social Work degree from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 2015.
Johnesha feels that her life’s story is a BUT GOD situation. Because she received a scholarship from the Charlotte Housing Authority each year that she was enrolled at NCCU, she felt a calling to give back to her community and to focus on aspiring students who are living a similar life journey. The founder of Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund, Mr. John Crawford, always preached to her and other students that when they were able to give back to others, he strongly encouraged them to do so. The Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund has since been renamed Greater Steps.
Johnesha often reflects on the many individuals who helped her along her journey. Every person that has ever helped her by providing an encouraging word or financial assistance will forever make her feel empowered, honored, and humbled to be able to give back to others. She has eagerly accepted Mr. Crawford’s challenge to give back to her community and Still I Rise Scholars resulted from this acceptance of responsibility.
Johnesha has a plethora of stories that she can share about how others assisted her financially and as mentors which allowed her to become the person that she has become. One instance, which she fondly recalls, was when the only female ROTC Drill Sergeant at Grainger High School did not flinch when she discovered that Johnesha did not have the financial means to pay the $150.00 housing deposit to ensure she was able to obtain room and board after she was accepted into NCCU. Her small act of kindness literally changed the entire trajectory of Johnesha’s life.
It is not by luck or chance that this scholarship program has been founded by Johnesha, but results from her knowing first-hand how necessary this support is and what the needs of those low-income and financially vulnerable students who are now seeking a higher education require. This scholarship organization serves a unique purpose because those students who reside in low-income and subsidized housing face challenges that other college students do not. It is for that reason that she now asks you to donate, not just once, but annually or as often as you can to support another student to become all that he or she can be. There are other “Johnesha Truesdale’s” in these communities and it is this program’s mission to find them and provide them with some assistance!