A scholarship honoring Barbara Brayboy Brooks, the first Black student to attend the University of South Carolina Aiken, announced its 2026 recipients at a brunch held on September 19. The event took place at a North Augusta church, celebrating the legacy of Brooks and supporting current students.
The scholarship was established to recognize Brooks’s pioneering role at USC Aiken. Her enrollment marked a significant moment in the university’s history, paving the way for future generations of diverse students. The annual scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to students who embody academic excellence and community engagement, reflecting Brooks’s own dedication.
Among the 2026 recipients is Destiny Jenkins, a student actively involved with the Confident Unique Regal Leading Society. This organization, along with the Black Student Union at USC Aiken, plays a vital role in fostering an inclusive environment and supporting Black students on campus. The university, a key educational and cultural institution in Aiken, continues to emphasize diversity and inclusion as core values.
The scholarship brunch not only served to announce the recipients but also to bring together community members and university representatives to reflect on the progress made since Brooks’s enrollment. It highlighted the ongoing commitment of USC Aiken to its students and its historical figures.