Jackson State University (JSU) is a recipient of the $100,000 BeyGOOD Foundation Renaissance Scholars Scholarship, founded by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Ten JSU scholars will each receive $10,000. Following the announcement of the RENAISSANCE World Tour, Knowles-Carter committed $1 million dollars to support education and impact 10 colleges and universities worldwide to fund 100 students with the $10,000 award.
The BeyGOOD Foundation seeks to help organizations, institutions, and people work to transform their communities into places of well-being, economic prosperity, generosity, and justice.
BeyGOOD was established in 2013 and focuses on economic equity by supporting marginalized and under-resourced programs, committed to serving people through educational scholarships, the advocacy of internships, and access to resources for advancing entrepreneurship and small business sustainability across the country and abroad.
The scholarship seeks to award college students who exhibit outstanding potential, mentorship, and a strong desire to impact society positively and portray academic excellence.
“Being a U.S. Navy veteran, I have always had service in mind. Many young people look to me for guidance and leadership,” said Sir Johnathan Rucker, a graduate student in the public policy and administration program at Jackson State. “Being a recipient will most definitely motivate me to help other young people to apply for scholarships. I want this to encourage others that no matter how “late” it may seem in life, keep going. I am 38 years of age and received this scholarship.”
Rucker shares that in April 2018, he was elected as the youngest Black person to serve as alderman in Yazoo City, Mississippi. In 2022, he ran for mayor but was not elected. However, he says he continues to serve the community. Rucker currently serves as the assistant to Commissioner Willie Simmons in the Mississippi Department of Transportation for District 5, and is a Yazoo City native.
