Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. & Bakersfield Ivy Legacy Foundation, Inc. Presents African American Graduation Awards Program
In tribute to the promising young African American scholars of Bakersfield, the Kappa Omega Omega Chapter, in collaboration with the Bakersfield Ivy Legacy Foundation, proudly presented the African American Graduation Awards Program. On the evening of April 16th, 2024, amidst a gathering of locals, families, and esteemed officials, the Bakersfield High School Harvey Auditorium at 1241 G Street shone brightly, illuminating the achievements of African American graduates.
By Jason Land Jr | Contributing Writer
In tribute to the promising young African American scholars of Bakersfield, the Kappa Omega Omega Chapter, in collaboration with the Bakersfield Ivy Legacy Foundation, proudly presented the African American Graduation Awards Program. On the evening of April 16th, 2024, amidst a gathering of locals, families, and esteemed officials, the Bakersfield High School Harvey Auditorium at 1241 G Street shone brightly, illuminating the achievements of African American graduates.
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a beacon of empowerment since its founding on January 15th, 1908, embraces the motto “By culture, by merit,” dedicated to enriching the lives of young black minds and championing black excellence worldwide. For over four decades, since 1979, the Kappa Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., has proudly sponsored the Annual African American Graduation Awards Program. This program celebrates the outstanding achievements of African American high school seniors and honor roll eighth-grade students in Kern County.
High school students, award recipients and honored students of the night (Photo: Jason Land Jr)
Soror Harriet Edwards, the President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Omega Omega Chapter, opened up the night with overflowing energy. She explains how alongside the Bakersfield Ivy Legacy Foundation, Inc., 33 seniors will be awarded over $25,000 dollars in scholarships. Representing thirteen high schools and encompassing over 300 honor roll students from 27 junior high schools and middle schools, “we stand proud of our students’ accomplishments.” Over the past forty-five years, through the Graduation Awards Program, AKA, the Bakersfield Ivy Legacy Foundation, and community partners have bestowed over $430,000 in scholarships to deserving African American high school seniors. Additionally, thousands of Certificates of Achievement have been presented to outstanding eighth-grade honor roll students.
Distinguished city officials, including representatives from the Mayor’s office, Congressman David Caladaoi, Senator Shannon Lee Grove, Assemblyman Vince Fong, Supervisor David Couch, California State University of Bakersfield, and the Kern High School District, graced the occasion, honoring the students’ dedication and accomplishments.
Vice Mayor Andrae Gonzales of the City of Bakersfield and Ward 2 Councilmember, delivered an inspiring message, emphasizing the theme of the night, “Soaring Towards Excellence.” He reminded the audience of the inherent potential within each individual, urging them to nurture their unique gifts with hard work, focus, dedication, faith, and hope, likening it to the growth of a seed into something magnificent.
“Thank you for being so focused. Thank you for all of the community service that you provided our city over the years. And thank you for staying focused on your dreams, goals, and
ambitions; To make all of our society a much better place to live. The theme tonight is soaring towards excellence. Every single person when they are born is born with special gifts and talents unique to themselves. God-given gifts. Through hard work, focus, dedication, faith, and hope, just like a little seed that’s planted in the ground, if you water and nurture it, all those gifts and talents locked inside unique to you will grow. They become something even more incredible than you can imagine.” – Andrae Gonzales, Vice Mayor, City of Bakersfield and Ward 2 Councilmember
Transitioning closer to the awards portion of the ceremony, Chairman of the Miss Fashionetta 2022 and 2024 Program, Soror Raquell Jones, introduced Miss Fashionetta 2022, Miss Iamanni Jackson, along with presenting the Miss Fashionetta Participant Award and the Miss Fashionetta Scholarship. The Miss Fashionetta Award culminates in a pageant where the young ladies showcase their leadership, poise and artistic talent.
Jayden Gridiron, Speaker & Award Recipient attending Morehouse College (Photo: Jason Land Jr)
Amongst the many esteemed and talented students honored at the African American Graduation Awards Program, Jayden Gridiron, a senior at Liberty High School stood tall as a student speaker. Jayden plans to major in Medicine and attend Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, a Historically Black College and University. His career goal is to become a medical doctor. Jayden’s teacher states that he is a leader in the classroom, community and around campus and is one of the most engaged students that he has encountered. Jayden commences his speech, detailing the importance of gaining admission to Morehouse College; Explaining that his narrative extends far beyond its gates. It begins in environments where faces mirroring his were scarce, prompting a solitary quest for self-discovery. In the absence of African American mentors within school to uplift Jayden during moments of doubt, he found solace in the unwavering example set by his parents. Their unwavering dedication to education and professional success painted a tangible picture of achievement, erasing any notion of impossibility from his aspirations.
All the honored students of the night pose for photos (Photo: Jason Land Jr)
Their triumphs in academia and their chosen fields not only served as beacons of possibility but also showcased the power of community. Witnessing the unwavering support Jayden’s parents received from fellow members of Kappa Alpha Psi and Delta Sigma Theta illuminated the transformative potential of collective effort within the African American community. As he continues his speech, Jayden explains that in his college admissions essay, he candidly addressed the challenges posed by his health, framing them not as obstacles but as catalysts for realizing his untapped potential. He emphasized the ethos that accompanies privilege: to whom much is given, much is required.
“I have been given the best parents, good sisters, and an amazing support system. I’ve also been given a medical condition that sometimes makes me forget all those good things that I have been given. Still, I worked through the pain, coordinated homework while sick, and challenged my body to overcome these challenges. Academically, though not perfect, have demonstrated the tenacity to persevere through times when my body tried to get the best of me.” – Jayden Gridiron, Liberty High School
Drion Kemp, another extraordinary student, was introduced as the next speaker of the hour. Drion is a student at Ridgeview High School and participates in Varsity Cheer, and Ridgeview Choir where she is the Vice President and Alto Section Leader of the choir. She earned a spot in the ACDA All State Honor Choirs and the ACDA Western Gospel Honor Choir. She plans to attend UCLA and major in Nursing. Like Jayden, Drion, too, had a heart wrenching story. As a young African American, Drion explains growing up navigating predominantly Hispanic environments from middle school through high school. Despite the presence of a supportive church community, the school landscape often presented a stark contrast. Ms. Kemp frequently found herself one of only a handful of black students in her K-8th grade institutions. This experience of feeling like an anomaly, consistently “othered,” left a lasting imprint on Drion’s self-perception, instilling a belief that her value was contingent upon academic excellence. Faced with a scarcity of high-achieving black peers, she internalized a sense of isolation, driving her to strive even harder to compensate for this absence.
This sense of isolation fueled a relentless pursuit of success, propelled by the desire to connect with like-minded individuals who shared Kemp’s drive and aspirations. The absence of visible representation of driven black students in her formative years served as both a challenge and a catalyst, inspiring her to become the very representation she yearned for. In aspiring to embody this role model, Drion sought to pave the way for future generations of black students, ensuring that they would not endure the same sense of isolation and could strive to create spaces where purpose-driven individuals could thrive.
“I want to be more involved in my community to inspire younger black girls to fill those spaces I felt so alone in as a child. I continue to work hard to achieve my goal, and my hope is that my story will encourage you all also.” – Drion Kemp, Ridgeview High School
As the speakers concluded their powerful messages, the night transitioned seamlessly into the heartfelt recognition of students who have exemplified excellence through their unwavering dedication and commitment to their academic pursuits. This night stood as another triumph for black children everywhere, marking a significant stride towards fortifying the bedrock of our community.
2024 Distinguished Scholarship Recipients
Norma Boyd Memorial Award
Aida Asamenew, Stockdale Julie Dawood, Stockdale Iamanni Jackson, Highland
Scholastic Achievement Award
Eze Anucha, Liberty
Susianna Anderson Book Award
Cairah Adams, Bakersfield
Dr. Caren Floyd Memorial Scholarship
Katie Johnson, Highland
Rochellege Butler Memorial Scholarship
Drion Kemp, Ridgeview
Velaska Carter Memorial Scholarship
Thomai Dunn, Bakersfield
Academic Excellence Awards
E’Majalay Allen, Mira Monte Isaac-Selah Bell, Highland Satavia Herron, Bakersfield Braylen Hill, Stockdale Jianna Miller, Bakersfield
Educational Excellence Awards
Katelynn Bolden, Independence Caleigh Adams, West
Aniyah Davis, Stockdale D’Anthony Wilson, Golden Valley Michael Baninge, Garces Memorial Deja Bell, Bakersfield
Chanel Cartwright, Stockdale Parris Cook, Highland
Kirk Harris, Bakersfield Shanaria Killebrew, North
Don W. Hicks Memorial
Braylen Hill, Stockdale
Kamilah Okafor Memorial
Katie Johnson, Highland E’Majalay Allen, Mira Monte Kirk Harris, Bakersfield
Keith Vernard McKnight Memorial
Isaac-Selah Bell, Highland
Soror’s Child Award
Katie Johnson, Highland
Pamela Baugher Award
Aromyk Harris, Highland
Arthur Ward Memorial
Genesis Porter, Ridgeview
Lueether Ward Memorial
Nariah Hinojos, Ridgeview
Maise Marie Baker Memorial
Jayden Gridiron, Liberty
Raymond David Memorial
Elijah Ivey, Centennial
Jesse J. Washington Memorial
Jahzara Calhoun, Ridgeview
Brent and Diana McClanahan Scholarship
E’Majalay Allen, Mira Monte
Charles Benjamin Hodge Education
Genesis Porter, Ridgeview
Lt. Paul Bradford Memorial Scholarship
Ezekiel Orlando Thomas, Ridgeview
Robert and Russell Reader Scholarship
Deja Bell, Bakersfield Iamanni Jackson, Highland
Lynn and Grace Edwards Award
Thomai Dunn, Bakersfield Kirk Harris, Bakersfield
Ruben and Vera Ford memorial Scholarship
Jahzara Calhoun, Ridgeview
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Malak Ahmed, South
Men With A Purpose
Katie Johnson, Highland Isaac-Selah Bell, Highland Caleigh Adams, West
Kimberly Carpenter Memorial Award
Deja Bell, Bakersfield
Upside Academy, Inc.
Katie Johnson, Highland Kaylynn Bolden, Independence Aromyk Harris, Highland
Ronnie and Holly Mitchel Scholarship
Iamanni Jackson, Highland Braylen Hill, Stockdale Jayden Gridiron, Liberty
Gwendolyn Johnson Award
Jahzara Calhoun, Ridgeview Kaylynn Bolden, Independence
Dr. Edward Charles and Karen Allen Award
E’Majalay Allen, Mira Monte
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
Katie Johnson, Highland Aromyk Harris, Highland
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Cairah Allen, Bakersfield
E’Majalay Allen, Mira Monte Aromyk Harris, Highland
Katie Johnson, Highland
Drion Kemp, Ridgeview Abdulraheem Okusi, Independence Kimora Rattler, South
African American Network of Kern County Buffalo Soldiers
Kaylynn Bolden, Independence
