To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, the AFL-CIO and Union Plus awarded $300,000 in scholarships to help graduating high school seniors realize their dreams of a college education. More than 600 students applied and 60 $5,000 scholarships were awarded.

“The dream of a college education has become out of reach for too many young people,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “I’m proud AFL-CIO unions gave from their hearts in order to make that dream a reality for a great group of kids from a diversity of backgrounds.”

The scholarship was initiated by AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker with the goal of creating a lasting legacy connected to the original goals of the 1963 march. While history remembers the “I Have a Dream” speech as a highlight, the march also called for action on the following goals:

• Equal access to public accommodations.
• Voting rights.
• The end of racial discrimination in employment.
• Decent housing.
• Adequate and integrated education.
• Jobs for all.
• A minimum wage worth more than $13 an hour today.

“Fifty years ago people came from across the country to march for a better life for future generations,” said AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker. “Today we honor that legacy with the Dreams of Jobs and Freedom Scholarship with the goal of providing quality education and access to opportunity for all young people who want to fulfill their dreams.”

As part of the application, students were asked to describe their dream for their generation. Each student has a family member who is involved with a union or one of our community partners. The recipients are (with the related organization):

Conner Calabro (AEA), Norbert Klusmann, Jr. (AFGE), Riley Magsino (AFGE), Amin Tmimi (AFSA), Yacin Tmimi (AFSA), Christian White (AFSCME), Ivie Eweka (AFSCME/AFSA), Mona Abutouk (AFT), Marcus Erdman (AFT), Yoseline Escalante-Buendia (AFT), Julian Sit (AFT), Kaitlyn Steigerwald (AFT/IRON), James Benedek (AFT/UAW), Jarray Davis (APWU), Kayla Gaskin (APWU), Justin Orr (APWU), Cullen Shay (ATDA/LIUNA), Victoria Manzo (ATU), Tyler Holman (BAC/USW), Alejandro Banuelos (BCTGM), Grace Hansen (CSEA), Jonathan Vega (CWA), Corinne Demler (IAM/APWU), Olivia Solomon (IATSE), Brandon Olson (IBEW), Kirsten Scherrer (IBEW), Victoria Vail (IUOE), Nicole Castillo (IUPAT), Kenya Colbert (NALC), Austin Pond (NALC), Javier Mery (NPMHU), Makeda Yohannes (OPEIU), Molly Prep (SAG-AFTRA/AEA), Madelyn Cole (TCU), Lauren Markovich (UA), Jessica Rice (UAW), Anna Zeerip (UAW), Camille Nostrates (UNITE HERE), Bryan Linn (USW), Moses Dany (APRI), Paige Williams (APRI), Deric Shindledecker (Assistance League of Temecula Valley), Carrie Berkstresser (Bridge Builders Alabama), Imani McLaurin (Bridges Academic Center of Excellence), Michael Donahue (Delegates of Christ), Whitney Shepherd (Georgia Stand Up), Jessica Norwood (Girl Scouts Council of Nation's Capital), Khera Colbert, Junior Ladies of Charity), Seung Yoo (K.W. Lee Center for Leadership), Dailen Harris (Labor Community at Work), Elizabeth Aryee (NAACP), Nia Lewis (NAACP), Gareth Young (National Society of Phi Delta Kappa), Isiah Foster (Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere), Brianna Bal (United Way), Elise Montes (Valley Community Baptist Church Student Ministry), Blake Stoner (World Botanical Garden & Conservation Fund), Cindy Cruz (YMCA Latino Achievers), Cinthya Ramirez (YMCA Latino Achievers) and Melissa Behling (Youth Empowered in the Struggle).