The Editorial Freelancers Association is pleased to announce that Kandon Fears of Lithonia, Georgia; Tervonna Pollard of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Jude Servius of Miami, Florida, are the recipients of the third annual EFA Ruth Mullen Memorial Scholarship in the undergraduate category, and Myles Moody of Baltimore, Maryland, is the recipient in the graduate category.

The four EFA scholarships—three for undergraduates attending an HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) and one for an HBCU alum pursuing a graduate degree—are available to students who are Black, African American, or of Black African descent and enrolled in a degree program leading to (1) employment in the publishing or communications industry, or (2) a career that could lead to their becoming a member of the EFA. Each $5,000 award will be paid directly to the scholarship recipient’s HBCU or graduate school in two annual installments of $2,500 on behalf of the recipient.

(L–R) Scholarship recipients Kandon Fears, Tervonna Pollard, Jude Servius, and Myles Moody

Mr. Fears is a broadcast journalism major at Florida A&M University and has served as a staff writer for the school’s online newspaper, The Famuan. He also hosts a podcast on the university radio station and was selected to participate in the 2024 Georgia Association of Broadcasters Radio Talent Institute.

“My career goal in journalism is to become a versatile and impactful storyteller, using my skills to inform, inspire, and advocate for positive change,” he said. “With a deep-seated passion for uncovering truths and amplifying diverse voices, I aim to pursue a multifaceted career that spans investigative reporting, feature writing, multimedia storytelling, and even editorial leadership.”

Ms. Pollard is a business major at North Carolina Central University with a focus on entrepreneurial skills, particularly digital marketing. She has worked in web design, social media and digital marketing, and content creation.

“I am passionate about assisting enterprises in enhancing their online presence,” she said. “With the support of this scholarship, I will be primed to continue striving for academic distinction while actively contributing to extracurricular initiatives that align with my professional aspirations. I am eager to seize the opportunities that come my way and leverage my education to empower others and foster positive change within my community and beyond.”

Mr. Servius is a student at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he is majoring in communications. His ambition is to become a speaker, spotlighting African American achievements and supporting Black youths’ success.

“My passion for communication has driven me to excel in my studies, and I am committed to using my degree to highlight the voices and achievements of underrepresented youth in underserved communities,” he said. “I also plan to use my communication skills to create platforms that celebrate young achievers in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The support of this scholarship will play a pivotal role in helping me take these steps toward making a meaningful impact on my community.”

Mr. Moody is a graduate of Bowie State University, the first HBCU in Maryland, where he earned a degree in public relations and advertising. He is currently studying television writing at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

“My professional goal is to become a showrunner in the television industry,” he said, “My love for the craft of screenwriting and the state of television has been evident since my elementary school years. It’s a screen that relays messages with the capabilities to shape worldviews, culture and more within the comfort of one’s home. It was with this realization that I charged myself to produce content that showcased the multifaceted layers of Black people all around the world.”

Andrea Reid, chairperson of the EFA Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Transformation (EDIT) committee and an HBCU graduate herself, said, “Awarding scholarships to HBCU students has been an absolute joy. I’m proud to share that each year we have been able to increase the number of scholarships we offer. In our first year, we offered two scholarships; in the second year, three scholarships, and now in our third year, we have awarded four scholarships! Being able to interact with the students, following their journey and seeing them excel in their respective fields, makes it all worthwhile.”

The EFA Ruth Mullen Memorial Scholarship, awarded in partnership with the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is named in memory of Ruth Mullen, longtime EFA member and volunteer. At the time of her tragic death in September 2021, Ms. Mullen was serving as an EFA co-executive.

“The EFA is proud to honor Ruth Mullen and her legacy through these scholarships,” said EFA co-chair Cody Sisco. “We are happy to support Kandon Fears, Jude Servius, Tervonna Pollard, and Myles Moody as they pursue their education and early careers, and we look forward to following their bright futures and celebrating their accomplishments.”

The EFA Ruth Mullen Memorial Scholarship program is being administered by the UNCF, the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. Founded in 1944, the UNCF is a groundbreaking organization made famous by its slogan, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” More than 500,000 students have earned degrees with the help of UNCF scholarships. Tax-deductible donations to the scholarship fund can be made by visiting the Ruth Mullen Memorial Scholarship page on the UNCF website.

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Sheryl Holmberg, Public Relations chairperson
EFA Board of Directors