The Freedom From Religion Foundation is proud to announce that it has awarded three $1,000 scholarships to nonreligious students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The scholarships are part of FFRF’s Cliff Richards Memorial Student Scholarships and are in partnership with Secular Student Alliance.
FFRF is providing the scholarship funds and chose the students from a pool of applicants; the Secular Student Alliance has done the legwork and vetting.
Timothy is a first-year student at Tuskegee University majoring in aerospace engineering. Raised in an Independent Fundamental Baptist home, Timothy attended a private Christian school until eighth grade, then attended public school due to issues with bullying. As the first in his family to go to college, Timothy is a role model for his younger brothers. His secular identity is relatively new and started when his interest in science began to challenge his religious beliefs. At age 17, he left the church, which disappointed his parents, who then disabled his phone, tried to take his car and threatened to kick him out of the house. Timothy is involved in the Black Lives Matter movement and encouraged voting on campus. He also works with local organizations to combat institutionalized racism. As someone who had his thoughts and ideas hijacked from an early age, Timothy says: “It is very important to me that I do my best to encourage freethought among my peers. For when we have the ability to truly express our thoughts, then we may know who we really are and what we want.
