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Dr. Tony Alleyne, founder and executive director of Delaware College Scholars, won a national Black Voices for Black Justice award this year.
Dr. Tony Alleyne and his team have been helping Delaware students achieve success for years. His organization, Delaware College Scholars (DCS), is a leading college preparation program in the First State. Many of the students it serves are under-privileged, first-generation college students of color.
Students in the program spend three summers—beginning in 10th grade—living in a dorm setting with their peers. They also receive personal counselling throughout college.
The success rate of students in the program is astronomical compared to those in their demographic who don’t participate. A total of 100% of DCS students graduate high school in four years, and 98% start college right after that. Comparatively, those who don’t participate in the program see only a 64% on-time graduation rate, and only 24% begin college the following fall. DCS also reports that 95% of their college freshmen continue beyond their first year. Only 17% of freshmen in the same socioeconomic class continue past freshman year.
Thanks to this success and constant dedication, Dr. Tony Alleyne has earned the respect of his peers and community. He was one of Delaware Business Times’ 40 Under 40 in 2017 and has won awards from institutions where he studied education, sociology and African American history.
The Black Voices for Black Justice (BVBJ) award is his most recent, and perhaps most significant formal recognition. This national fund recognizes the impact of Black leaders across the nation. Its goal is to address under-investment in these leaders and remedy racial disparities. The award comes with at least $20,000 for recipients to put toward their work. The fund is chaired and co-chaired by prominent Black leaders, including actress and activist Kerry Washington.
“Our awardees are real champions for social justice who are working tirelessly every day in their communities to build a fair, equitable and anti-racist America,” says Shavar Jeffries, co-chair of the Fund and CEO of Education Reform Now. “We are thrilled to support their important and impactful work.”
BVBJ recognizes just a handful Black leaders from across the nation each year. Dr. Alleyne is one of 27 awardees in 2022 and the first-ever winner from Delaware.
“I am honored to receive this recognition,” says Dr. Alleyne. “As a Black-created, Black-led nonprofit organization, I am humbled to be acknowledged and know this is only the beginning for the work that our program, staff and scholars will do.”
To learn more about Delaware College Scholars, take a look at its website and follow the organization on Twitter or Facebook.
Related: Exceptional Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Delaware
