New York Councilman Robert Cornegy and Jean Alerte Award ‘Do Right, Do Good’ Scholars

Kareem Crump

Kareem Crump is a product of Brooklyn, New York and of the Medgar Evers College Preparatory school. In his own words he explains his personal philosophy: “I learned that you don’t always have to be the loudest to make a change in the world. Sometimes the biggest change is to start locally, then to expand globally. All you need is the spark, an idea to influence your greater surroundings … Change starts within you, and is reflected in change of the world.”

Service to his community is the driving force behind Crump’s desire to go to college. Aside from the proactive, hands-on service he knows he will provide to his community on completion of his collegiate studies, his example as a young man of color in his community pursuing higher education already is a source of inspiration. Crump’s acute awareness of the need to work in service of others found expression long before his high school years–at his Alma matter, Meyer Levin Junior High School, he enjoyed volunteering as a youth service worker.

Crump acknowledges that being a leader did not always come naturally for him. One of the most difficult challenges he faced was being unexpectedly thrust into a leadership role during a corporate presentation for a program of which he was a part at Goldman Sachs. His CEO and COO were unable to attend the presentation and now his team was dependent on him to lead them. What resulted was a series of stumbles and technical difficulties but he and his team persevered. Crump learned that in order to be an effective leader he had to let go of his fears and tackle the situation head on.

With plans to major in criminal justice, Crump envisions a career in public advocacy with hopes to eventually promote positive change on a global scale. He cites countries like Iran, North Korea, and Nepal as places where expression is stifled and “free thought” materials are suppressed. Armed with compassion and perseverance, who knows what this young man can achieve in his efforts to promote equality and an improved human condition? His future is extremely bright.