December 5, 2023
Hampton Sophomore Wins $30,000 Mary J. Blige X PepsiCo Scholarship
Brooklyn Miller is a second-year journalism major and says the scholarship will allow her to further her academic and career goals.
Hampton University has announced that journalism student Brooklyn Miller is the recipient of the Pepsi x Mary J. Blige “Strength of A Woman” Scholarship.
The institution celebrated the second-year journalism major on Tuesday, Nov. 28, for winning the $30,000 renewable scholarship.
“What a way to begin the week!” Hampton wrote in a Nov. 30 Instagram post spotlighting the sophomore. The caption complemented the university’s video of Miller’s educational achievement.
“I chose journalism because I really never felt like I was able to amplify my own voice growing up,” she said. “Journalism kind of was that outlet for me where I didn’t necessarily have to always talk about my feelings. I could write about them.”
Miller said her major taught her to vocalize her feelings and amplify the voices of others who look like her or may share similar life experiences.
The student believes the scholarship will allow her to focus solely on school and further her academic and career goals without worrying about financial burdens like student loans. “I also want just to give a big thanks to PepsiCo. for providing this opportunity for me.”
She said the opportunity offers her the time to do what she wants to do post-grad life.
According to the University, Blige announced the winner live during a special event in the university’s Ogden Auditorium on Nov. 28.
As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Blige launched her “Strength Of A Woman” scholarship for women-identifying sophomores at the private Virginia HBCU in October. Inspired by the R&B singer’s 2017 album, the scholarship seeks to offer recipients financial and communitive aid as they complete their degrees. Recipients of the $30,000 award can renew the tuition funds annually for the last three years of the completion of their degree.
Miller is a reporter and anchor for WHOV-TV, Hampton University’s weekly newscast produced by the institution’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications students.