Breaking barriers, building futures: Brayboy Brooks Scholarships awarded

The legacy of breaking barriers came full circle at the third annual Brayboy Brooks Scholarship Breakfast, held Sat., Sept. 13 at the Aiken Electric Cooperative Building. Before an audience of faculty, alumni, and community members, two USCA students were awarded $1,000 scholarships that honor Barbara Alicia Brayboy Brooks—the first Black student to enroll at the university in 1965.

Nearly six decades after her historic enrollment, Brooks looked on with pride as the scholarship bearing her name was presented to Kamya Brooks, a senior Communications major, and Makayla Shedrick, a junior studying Psychology. Both students were celebrated for their academic excellence, leadership and commitment to continuing the spirit of progress that Brooks helped begin.

“Proudly witnessing two outstanding students receive scholarships in my name simply warms my heart,” Brooks said.

For Kamya Brooks, the scholarship arrives at a pivotal time. “I’m super grateful to receive this scholarship—it helps take the financial burden away,” she said. “For many students, how they’re going to pay for college is the biggest question. This makes things so much easier as I prepare to graduate in December.”

Shedrick reflected on what it means to carry forward Brooks’ legacy. “I’ve worked hard since my freshman year, and being recognized for that work, especially with an award tied to such an important legacy, means everything. A lot of times, as a student leader, I walk into rooms where few people look like me. Knowing that Barbara Brayboy Brooks paved the way helps me stand tall in those spaces.”

The program also featured a keynote address by 2012 alumna Daniele Ligons, Manager of Marketing and Strategic Communications at Aiken Electric Cooperative. Ligons shared her journey from small-town roots and working on her grandfather’s farm to building a career in communications, crediting resilience, faith, and mentorship for her success.

Her message resonated as both encouragement and challenge: “Success isn’t about being the best in the room. It’s about making the room better because you were in it,” Ligons said, dedicating her words to her daughter and to the generations of students who will follow.

Daniele Ligons, 2012 USCA alumna (far left); Carmen Williams, USCA director of Alumni Relations;
Barbara Brayboy Brooks, USCA's first Black student in 1965; and Dr. Daniel Heimmermann,
chancellor of USCA (far right).

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.