2021 Cheatham-White Scholars

The Cheatham-White Scholarship, established in 2018, is named for Henry P. Cheatham and George H. White, two African Americans who represented North Carolina in the United States Congress around the turn of the 20th century. From difficult beginnings – Cheatham was born enslaved, and White, the son of a mother whom historians say was also likely enslaved – each worked hard to earn a university education before launching careers in teaching, law and ultimately public service.

The scholarship is a fully funded four-year award that covers the costs of tuition, student fees, housing, meals, textbooks, a laptop computer, supplies, travel and personal expenses. It also provides four summers of fully funded enrichment and networking opportunities that may include international travel and study. It is a truly complete award designed to recognize academic achievement and potential at the highest levels.

This year’s scholars are listed below in alphabetical order:

• Camryn Agee, son of Brandon Agee and Latonya Peeples, is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a graduate of Atkins Academic and Technology High School. He is studying computer science with a minor in Spanish, with a career goal of becoming a cyberspace operations officer in the Air Force.
• Amber Burton, daughter of Hilery and Carolyn Burton, is from Columbia, South Carolina, and a graduate of Dreher High School. She is studying political science with a minor in African American studies, with a career goal to become a civil rights attorney and political analyst.
• Genesis Clark, daughter of Michael and Ruthanne McDuffie, is from Greensboro, North Carolina, and is a graduate of Southeast Guilford High School. She is studying animal sciences with a minor in biology. Her career goal is to become a veterinarian and create innovative and economically friendly medical practice to benefit her community.
• Micaiah Coley, daughter of Richard and Danielle Morehead, is from Greensboro and a graduate of James B. Dudley High School. She is studying animal science with a minor in music performance, with the goal of opening an agriculture research center to identify the best therapeutic animals and address food insecurity in North Carolina.
• James DeBerry, son of Karlette Dandy-Brewster, is from Durham, North Carolina, and a graduate of Hillside High School. He is studying biomedical engineering with a minor in fine arts, with plans to impact his community by bridging the gap between technology and medicine and break barriers to save lives through advanced healthcare treatment, including diagnosis, monitoring and therapy.
• Samuel Dixon, son of Sammy and Clarissa Dixon, is from Durham and a graduate of Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School. He is studying computer graphic technology with a minor in management, intending to use that knowledge to expand his business of teaching others about financial literacy and create educational platforms and apps that will grant people accessibility to his business.
• Ariana Duval, daughter of Garfield and Arvian Duval, is from Garner, North Carolina and a graduate of Garner Magnet High School. She is studying agricultural and environmental systems (sustainable land/food systems) with the hope of building a business in fashion, cosmetics, bakeries and cafés.
• Joshua Fletcher, son of Craig and Jamila Fletcher, is from Cary, North Carolina, and a graduate of Panther Creek High School. He is studying chemistry with a minor in agricultural and environmental systems and plans to pursue a graduate degree in agricultural science or chemistry to lead research. He also is interested in enrolling in a culinary arts institution to transfer his knowledge of agriculture and chemistry onto the cutting board to one day own a renowned restaurant that gives back to the community.
• Jada Foote, daughter of Curleen Young and Sharon Allen, is from Austell, Georgia, and a graduate of Southern Cobb High School. She is studying business information technology with a minor in finance, planning to create J.F. Investments and invest in small businesses – especially minority-owned businesses – for a small portion of their company or profits, give back to her community, and help local businesses grow.
• Chayse George, daughter of Charlie and Trevia George, is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and a graduate of Carmel Christian School. She is studying marketing with a minor in communications with plans to earn a Juris Doctor and fight for social justice and equality for all people.
• Vincent Grady, son of Maurice and Ursula Grady, is from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a graduate of Cross Creek Early College High School. He is studying electrical engineering with a minor in Chinese and aims to aid our civilization in the permanent habitation of our entire solar system.
• Brooklyn Hodge, daughter of Derrick and Romika Hodge, is from Pittsburgh and a graduate of Barack Obama Academy of International Studies. She is studying entrepreneurship with a minor in mass communication and plans to be the CEO of her own chain of fine dining banquet halls.
• Andrew McCall, son of Vincent and Patricia McCall, is from Baltimore and a graduate Pikesville High School. He is studying electrical engineering with the goal of developing or inventing technology that will make a positive impact on society.
• Jadyn McCoy, daughter of Alton and Dreama McCoy, is from Garner and a graduate of Garner Magnet High School. She is studying professional theatre with a minor in physical therapy and wants to perform in screen acting and tell African American history from the screen.
• Maxximone McGlothian, daughter of Travis and Tashana McGlothian, is from Memphis, Tennessee, and is a graduate of Middle College High School. She is studying bioengineering with a minor in Spanish and plans to enter the field of clinical research through a Ph.D. program, medical school, or both, to eventually lead her to teach and assist others on the same path.
• Ethan McLean, son of Roderick and Kathy McLean, is from Arlington, Texas, and a graduate of The Oakridge School. He is studying chemical engineering with a minor in Spanish and plans to open and operate his own research lab to study various topics such as the prevention of birth defects in children, genetic manipulation for disorders like sickle cell and researching why certain people’s DNA reacts differently to medication than others.
• Mikella Pittman, daughter of Mike and Stacy Pittman, is from Scotland Neck, North Carolina, and a graduate of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. She is studying agriculture and environmental systems with a minor in Spanish and plans to establish a nonprofit restaurant to help bring sustainability to her community – influencing people to grow nutritious foods, eat healthily, and protect the environment.
• Chandler Redfearn, daughter of Cornelius and Tonya Redfearn, is from Durham and a graduate of Hillside High School. She is studying kinesiology with a minor in psychology and plans to become a kinesiologist.
• Maritza Torres Martinez, daughter of Severino Torres Franco and Yolanda Martinez Torres, is from Raleigh, North Carolina, and a graduate of Garner Magnet High School. She is studying chemistry with a minor in biology and plans to pursue a career in medicine – specifically as a physician and surgeon working internationally.
• Obieze Udemadu, son of Basil and Ogochukwu Udemadu, is from Durham and a graduate of Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School. He is studying computer science with a minor in management and plans to become a software developer and run a program that teaches financial knowledge and literacy skills to high school students.