MLK Inherit the Dream Scholarship

"May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership... Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause." - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This scholarship was established in 2012 to honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, King was a minister and civil rights activist who helped to lead and promote various civil rights demonstrations including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington and the Poor People's Campaign. These protests led to key legislative changes in the US such as the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965), which eliminated previously upheld laws of racial segregation and disenfranchisement.

Rev. Dr. King, Jr. began studying medicine and law at Morehouse College at the age of 15. After graduating, he went on to Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and then Boston University where he earned a doctorate degree in theology and crossed Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. At 35 years old, Martin Luther King, Jr. became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent efforts to expand equal rights for Black Americans.

Throughout his fight for equality, he was jailed and subjected to violence as well as death threats on multiple occasions. Tragically, he was assassinated on April 4th, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 39. His leadership within, and contributions to, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s continues to influence social justice movements today. 

The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students who have a commitment to civic engagement, and who show promise for contributing actively to advancing Davenport’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion. Recipients are requested to attend the annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration, held in January.

Application closed

Scholarship benefits

  • Helps pay for tuition and routine fees after other government grants and scholarships are applied to recipients' Davenport student accounts.
  • Renewable for up to 4 years or bachelor's degree (whichever is shorter)

Application information

Students involved in community service and/or activities in support of diversity and inclusion are encouraged to apply.

  • Application deadline: December 1, 2024 (closed)