The Rhode Island Black Business Association is Now Accepting Scholarship Applications

Scholarship applications for students entering college or university will be accepted until May 27, 2021. Providence, RI – February 23, 2021 – The Rhode Island Black Business Association, and its charitable arm that focuses on empowerment and training related activities – the Institute of Economic Empowerment & Development (IEED), are now accepting applications for their 2021 scholarship. Scholarship award amounts vary from $500-$1000 for each individual student. To date, RIBBA has given out over $45,000 in scholarships to Black students entering college or university.  

We’re extremely excited to be accepting applications for this year’s Scholarship Program. There are a wide number of systemic barriers and challenges that Black young adults face, and we hope this scholarship opportunity helps each recipient reach their full academic and career potential, said Amanda Roman – Director of Program Development & Operations at RIBBA. “Financial investments are an essential part of creating a more equitable education system and we are proud to be providing this and other opportunities to students.”


 The Scholarship Program is just one component of the LEAP Initiative, launched earlier this year by RIBBA’s charitable arm – IEED. Other activities and opportunities within the initiative include, a mentor program, executive coaching, financial literacy training, and skills development. The initiative’s wrap around programs and services were developed with RIBBA’s Community Advisory Board of Young Adults and will support scholarship recipients on their academic and career journey.  

“Before receiving the RIBBA/ IEED Scholarship, I didn’t have access to a laptop and had to use the library as a resource. This definitely impacted the amount of sleep and study time I had – since it was dependent on their schedule. With the scholarship funds, I was able to purchase a laptop for school and textbooks, all which enabled me to do my work on my own time – not on the library’s. Receiving this scholarship helped me, the son of two-hard working minority parents, advance my academic dreams. I’m a great example of RIBBA’s mission of promoting and aiding minorities within their community.” Jean Touze, 2017 recipient of RIBBA/IEED Scholarship and recent graduate of University of Rhode Island and currently employed by EY – Ernst & Young. 

To be considered for the 2021 Scholarship, applicants must be a resident of Rhode Island, a high school senior in the Fall of 2021, and will begin their Freshman year at an accredited college or university in the Fall of 2022. Scholarship applications are reviewed by a Scholarship Committee and awardee announcements will be made in August of 2021. Applications must be completed and received by May 27, 2021 at 4:00 PM. 

For more information and to download the application, go to: www.ri-bba.org/scholarship.  In addition, individuals who are interested in donating to RIBBA’s Scholarship Fund, can do so by clicking here 

The Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing business opportunities and vitality of Black-owned and minority businesses in Rhode Island through access to capital, contracting, business development resources, entrepreneur training, business advocacy, meaningful investor services, and workforce development. 

The Institute for Economic Empowerment and Development is the 501 (c) (3) charitable arm of RIBBA and provides mentorship/career/ business readiness training and financial support for RIBBA’s initiatives and programs by the way of grants and fundraisers. Learn More, call 401-383-1179 or e-Mail: Info@ri-bba.org