Scholarship fund sees growth
Johnny Leroy Dawkins, Jr’s mother and sister started a scholarship fund in his honor after he was killed in 2008. {Contributed photo}
The Johnny Leroy Dawkins, Jr, Scholarship [JLDS] was established 10 years ago. In 2008, Dawkins, 25, was killed as a result of gun violence. He was the father of son, Jayden Dawkins, 16, and daughter, Leeleean Dawkins, 12. Dawkins was a graduate of Lexington Senior High. According to his mother, Angie McDuffie, and sister, Dia Nyarko, he was loved and well-known.
McDuffie and Nyarko launched the scholarship. The mission of JLDS is honoring the legacy of a loved one by investing in the higher education of male, graduating seniors – Black, Indigenous and People of Color, while joining the fight against gun violence. Their goal is to provide minority males the opportunity to go to college and receive higher educations. So far, there have been 25 scholarship recipients.
Dawkins’ son, Jayden, mother, Angie, and sister Dia, holding her daughter, Angel.
{Contributed photo}
Both family members agreed that Dawkins would’ve wanted to be a part of something that contributed to a greater purpose for the community.
“I think he would’ve found a way to make an impact in the community,” Nyarko stated. “Whether or not it would have been through scholarship, I’m not sure. But I know making a positive impact in some type of way was important to him.”
McDuffie expressed that the work done over the years for the scholarship has opened her eyes and given her a sense of comfort in knowing she has helped many young men get to where they are now.
Throughout the years, the JLDS has been supported by family, friends and a fish fry fundraiser. Fortunately, the fund has exceeded expectations and recently became a nonprofit organization. The long-term goal is to provide five $1000 scholarships annually. Every year, Jayden and Leeleean participate in the fish fry to honor their father.
Dawkins daughter, Leeleeann, assists yearly with fundraisers in honor of her father. {Contributed photo}
“His son and daughter are almost always present at the fish fry and support this effort in recognition of their father,” McDuffie and Nyarko shared. “It’s our hope they remain involved and that we will establish such a firm foundation with the scholarship fund they will be able to keep it going long after us should they desire to do so.”
Nyarko and McDuffie will continue to honor Dawkins by spreading awareness of senseless gun violence in Lexington.
“He [Johnny] was just an amazing person, and, as my tattoo states, he will ‘forever be in our hearts and will always be on our minds,’” Nyarko stated.
For more information about JLDS, visit https://jldscholarshipfund.org
