James & Elaine Reese Legacy Scholarship
The James and Elaine Reese Legacy Scholarship is named after our founder's parents to honor their commitment to education and social justice. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a social work student who is a full member of the CBSW and demonstrates academic excellence, service to the community, and leadership potential.
James and Elaine Reese
Scholarship opens: 9/15
Deadline: 11/30
Winners will be announced during our 7th Annual Conference on
March 5, 2027
Finalists will be invited for a virtual interview in January. Finalists will receive a complimentary registration to the conference.
Past Scholarship Winners
These are the Best of the Best! We celebrate their achievements, their effort, and their commitment to the field of social work.
2026 University of Memphis
Nakayla Yancey
MSW Student
2026 Walden University
DeMecia Wooten-Irizarry
DSW Student
2026 Southern Adventist University
Juanita Sampson
BSW Student
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2025 Belmont University
Joyous Walker
BSW Student
2025 University of Memphis
Bianca Weatherspoon
DSW Student
2024 University of Memphis
Nylah Stewart
BSW Student
2024 Alabama A&M
Catherine Terry
MSW Candidate
2024 University of Memphis
Ruth Franklin
BSW Student
2023 Walden University
LeQuandra Hale-Banks
PhD Candidate
2023 University of Tennessee
Latisha Kumi
MSW Candidate
2023 Tennessee State University
Asia Graham
BSW Student
2022 Jackson State University
Brittany Bass
MSW Candidate
2022 University of Tennessee
De'Ayne Scaife
MSW Student
2022 University of Memphis
Alexzander Price
MSW Candidate
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
(Please note that the application is a google doc, so you may want to prepare your answers to the short answer questions and the essay in a separate word document and then copy and paste to the google doc.)
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Completed Application (includes demographic information and answers to 3 short answer questions)
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​What do you believe is the most important social work value and why?
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What is an important issue that is impacting the Black community?
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​What are your social work goals post-graduation?
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Essay
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​Please write a response to this essay in word and upload your document as a word document or pdf below. You can also respond using a video that is 3 minutes or less.
(For members 6 months or longer): Please describe in 500 words or less how you have demonstrated your commitment to the CBSW Mission and Values. Include any activities you have participated in with the CBSW.
Advanced Standing/New Members: Please describe in 500 words or less why you joined the CBSW and how you hope to use your membership to advance the CBSW Mission and Values.
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3 letters of recommendation
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Unofficial Academic Transcript
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Photo
Scholarship Timeline
Applications open: September 15
Application deadline: November 30
Interviews take place January 2027 (Time in the evening: TBA) via zoom