Scholarship – The Truth Awards

Better Brothers LA assists Black LGBTQ+ youth with the cost of college and all its expenses.

Supporting Our Future Leaders

The scholarships support youth who have been admitted to or are attending an accredited degree, licensing, or vocational program. Scholarship funds are awarded to assist with tuition, purchasing textbooks, and other academic related costs. Scholarships range from $1,000.00 to $5,000.00, and are presented to recipients at the annual Truth Awards Ceremony. To date, over $300,000 has been awarded to our scholars.

This year’s scholarships will be awarded at the 11th Annual Truth Awards on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Scholarships are open to Black LGBTQ+ students across the country. The deadline to apply for the Better Brothers LA Scholarship is Friday, January 10, 2025, 8:00pm PST.

Better Brothers LA Scholars Where Are They Now?

Scholarship Recipients

Allen Williams

2015 Inaugural Scholar

2022 Graduate of University of San Francisco School of Law

Currently participating in LSFN Public Interest Law Post-Graduate Bar Fellowship program hosted by: Legal Assistance to the Elderly in San Francisco

After completing his Fellowship, Allen will join GAP Inc. working with their in house counsel

Olivia Jackson

2020 Scholar

Doctoral Student, Tennessee State University’s Counseling Psychology Ph.D program

Prospective research on how community violence effects the psychosocial and academic outcomes of Black adolescents

Currently working as a therapist with those who experience a barrier to mental health care and are HIV positive

Dr. Matthew Brinkley

2017 Scholar

Employed as a Clinical Assistant Professor of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California

Has private therapy practice focusing on Black and LGBTQ+ Mental Health, and is currently accepting clients

Recipient of the 2022 Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies Health Equity Scholarship

Recently got engaged to the love of his life, David Brandyn, in July 2022

Ciara Ray

2021 Scholar

2022 Graduate California State University Los Angeles

Office Production Assistant at The Walt Disney Company

Producing two short Sci-Fi thriller films with colleagues

Navigating life one day at a time, finding ways to uplift her community, and discovering what makes her happy internally and externally

Jeshurun Joseph

2016 Scholar

Licensed Clinical Social Worker obtained June 2020 and recently completed first renewal

Owner and Founder of Steps Toward Healing, a virtual psychotherapy private practice specializing in mental health treatment for Queer and trans people of color

Psychiatric Social Worker at Kaiser Mental Health Center providing needed care to severely persistently mentally ill patients

Taylor Vassar

2021 Scholar

Beginning Junior year at UCLA

Preparing to be a Data Coordinator at UCLA Calfresh and 3rd year as an Assessment and Engagement Intern at UCLA’s LGBTQ+ Center

Roller skating and training for Cross Country

Starting a garden on my patio!