2026 Kevin Johnson Presidential Scholarship

The 2026 Kevin Johnson Presidential Scholarship application cycle has concluded, as the annual submission deadline ended on February 1, 2026. Offered through the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) Scholars Awards initiative, this leadership program provides $5,000 tuition assistance grants alongside fully funded travel to the annual AAMA Scholars Summit in Washington, DC.

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Designed specifically for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the scholarship targets emerging leaders pursuing degrees in public policy, governance, political science, technology, healthcare, and related fields. Five scholars are selected each year—two undergraduates and three graduate students—to participate in direct policy discussions and executive networking with African American mayors from across the United States. Information verified August 2026 from official program communications.

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What the African American Mayors Association Is and Why It Funds HBCU Leaders

The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) is the sole organization exclusively representing African American mayors across the United States. Established to empower municipal leaders, exchange governance strategies, and advocate for public policies that uplift urban communities, AAMA represents mayors who collectively serve millions of residents in major metropolitan areas, suburban centers, and rural towns.

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Recognizing that sustainable civic leadership requires a continuous pipeline of young talent, AAMA created the AAMA Scholars Awards program, incorporating the Kevin Johnson Presidential Scholarship. By directly investing in HBCU students—institutions with a rich history of fostering civil rights, public service, and academic excellence—AAMA seeks to equip the next generation of policy makers, technology leaders, and healthcare administrators with direct exposure to local government operations, executive decision-making, and national legislative advocacy

Kevin Johnson Presidential Scholarship Summary

Selection Process and Framework

Selection for the Kevin Johnson Presidential Scholarship follows a holistic evaluation framework focused on academic consistency, public service orientation, and oral advocacy skills:

1. Stage 1 — Academic & Enrollment Audit: The selection committee verifies full-time enrollment status at an accredited HBCU, official transcripts for a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, and an eligible major.
2. Stage 2 — Video & Leadership Assessment: Panel reviewers evaluate the 2-minute video statement, scoring candidates on articulation of career goals, passion for public service, and clarity of vision.
3. Stage 3 — Recommendation & Final Committee Selection: Letters of recommendation from university professors or community leaders are reviewed alongside resumes to select five scholars (2 undergraduates, 3 graduate students).
4. Stage 4 — Award Notification & Conference Delegation: Selected scholars receive their $5,000 educational grants and travel itineraries to attend the AAMA Scholars Summit in Washington, DC.

Financial Benefits and Program Perks

Detailed Financial Benefits and Program Perks

The Kevin Johnson Presidential Scholarship delivers a dual-impact award package engineered to provide both direct financial relief and unparalleled professional mobility for HBCU scholars:

• $5,000 Direct Educational Grant: A non-repayable cash award disbursed directly to assist with institutional tuition costs, mandatory university fees, textbook purchases, technology equipment, or laboratory expenses. The grant helps alleviate the financial burden on undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in public policy, governance, healthcare, and technology.
• Fully Funded Travel to the AAMA Scholars Summit in Washington, DC: Complete coverage of all logistics required to attend the annual AAMA Scholars Summit held during the AAMA Annual Conference in Washington, DC (April 9–10, 2026). Covered travel expenses include:
  • Transportation: Round-trip airfare, train tickets, or mileage reimbursement to Washington, DC.
  • Lodging: On-site accommodation in official conference hotels for the entire duration of the summit.
  • Meals & Daily Stipends: Full coverage of meals, banquet functions, and local ground transit.
• Executive Mentorship & Local Government Engagement: Direct access to small-group roundtable discussions, closed-door strategy sessions, and ongoing mentorship pairings with sitting African American mayors, city managers, and municipal policy advisors. Scholars gain firsthand insight into local governance, legislative advocacy, urban management, and public sector innovation.
• VIP Access to National AAMA Events: Full registration pass to all main-stage keynotes, expert panel tracks, technical workshops, and private networking receptions. Recipients connect directly with influential industry executives, healthcare directors, technology partners, and national policy makers.
• National Recognition & Leadership Honors: Public celebration and formal induction as an AAMA Presidential Scholar. Awardees are featured in official African American Mayors Association national press releases, annual conference programs, digital media channels, and organizational publications, positioning them for post-graduation career opportunities in public service and technology.

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Detailed Eligibility Criteria

To ensure that scholarship funds directly empower future public servants and civic innovators, applicants for the Kevin Johnson Presidential Scholarship must meet a set of academic, institutional, and leadership standards:

• Active HBCU Enrollment & Status:
  • Must be currently enrolled as a full-time student in good academic standing at an accredited Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the United States.
  • Open to both undergraduate students (2 awards allocated) and postgraduate students pursuing Master’s or Doctoral degrees (3 awards allocated).
• Academic Performance Benchmark:
  • Must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent) across all completed college coursework.
  • Applicants must demonstrate consistent academic rigor through official institutional transcript records.
• Eligible Academic Fields & Disciplines:
  • Candidates must be actively pursuing a degree major or academic concentration in public policy, governance, civic leadership, or technical sectors that drive modern municipal development. Approved disciplines include:
    • Political Science & Government: Political science, international relations, pre-law, or public affairs.
    • Public Policy & Governance: Public policy, public administration (MPA), urban affairs, city planning, or community development.
    • Technology & Data Sciences: Computer science, information technology, data analytics, cybersecurity, or software engineering.
    • Healthcare & Public Health: Public health (MPH), health administration (MHA), healthcare management, nursing, or health policy.
    • Closely Related Fields: Other academic majors demonstrating a direct connection to public sector innovation or civic management.
• Civic Commitment & Demonstrated Leadership:
  • Must showcase a verifiable track record of voluntary community engagement, advocacy work, campus student government participation, or leadership in non-profit and public service organizations.
  • Candidates must articulate a clear vision for how their academic training will directly contribute to addressing societal challenges, improving local municipal outcomes, and fostering inclusive community growth.

Required Application Documents and Materials

Candidates must prepare and submit all required application documents through the online portal prior to the deadline:

• Professional Resume: A detailed resume highlighting academic history, honors, leadership positions, campus involvement, community service, and relevant work/internship experience.
• 2-Minute Video Personal Statement: A clear video recording (maximum 120 seconds) where the candidate addresses:
  • Their professional career goals.
  • Their interest in public policy, governance, technology, or healthcare.
  • How they plan to create a positive community impact through their chosen field.
• Letter of Recommendation: One formal letter from a college professor, academic advisor, or community leader attesting to the student’s academic character, leadership potential, and commitment to service.
• Official Academic Transcript: A clear copy of the student’s current official university transcript verifying cumulative GPA and active enrollment.

How to Apply Step-by-Step

1. Confirm that your university is an accredited Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and that your current cumulative GPA is 3.0 or higher.
2. Verify that your degree major falls within political science, public policy, governance, technology, healthcare, or a related sector.
3. Update your professional resume to highlight academic accolades and leadership roles.
4. Request a letter of recommendation from an academic professor or community leader early in the application process.
5. Script and record your 2-minute video personal statement in a quiet, well-lit environment, focusing on conciseness and strong delivery.
6. Obtain an official transcript from your university registrar’s office in digital format.
7. Access the official AAMA portal, complete all profile entries, upload your supporting files, and submit your application before the deadline.
8. Start your process via the official African American Mayors Association portal.

Deadline & Next Cycle Timeline

The 2026 application cycle officially closed on February 1, 2026.

• 2026 Status: Cycle closed. Awardees were notified ahead of the April 9–10, 2026 AAMA Annual Conference in Washington, DC.
• 2027 Cycle Expectation: The next annual application cycle is anticipated to open in late 2026, with the standard submission deadline set for late January or early February 2027. Prospective HBCU undergraduate and graduate candidates should maintain their GPA and prepare video statements in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this scholarship open to both undergraduate and graduate students?

Yes. Out of the five annual awards, two are reserved for undergraduate students, and three are allocated to graduate students enrolled at HBCUs.

Do I need to pay for my travel to Washington, DC if selected?

No. The scholarship covers all approved travel costs, accommodation, and conference registration associated with attending the AAMA Scholars Summit in Washington, DC.

Are students from non-HBCU institutions eligible?

No. The Kevin Johnson Presidential Scholarship is specifically restricted to students currently enrolled full-time at accredited Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

What video formats are accepted for the personal statement?

Most online application portals accept common video formats (MP4, MOV) or direct links to unlisted video uploads (such as YouTube or Vimeo). Ensure audio is crisp and the recording does not exceed the strict 2-minute limit.

Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, award values, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official sources as of August 2026. Information is subject to change without notice. Always confirm the latest details directly on the official African American Mayors Association website before submitting your application. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with AAMA

Official Application Portal