McKeesport HBCU VISION awards scholarships, hosts college ‘sendoff’

Denise Sinkler honors McKeesport-area high school graduates who want to further their education at historically Black colleges and universities.

By THOMAS LETURGEY
For the MVI

A McKeesport woman is making it her legacy to “pay it forward” to others seeking to further their education.

Denise Sinkler, CEO and founder of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) McKeesport Vision, awarded three scholarships to young African-American women Saturday in Monroeville.

“HBCU matters,” Sinkler said before six students were slated to arrive at the event. “It raises awareness to support young college students with the economy being challenging.”

Sinkler grew up in McKeesport. “We were poor. I guess everyone was poor then,” she said. Her parents, Agnes and Eddie Sinkler Jr., met in Clairton. Her father worked in the steel mills and her mother raised four children. Denise and her brother Bryant were on hand Saturday afternoon. “My parents were good, Christian people,” she continued. “My mother swept the street to keep it clean.”

While McKeesport “is a special place for me,” at one time she did not feel hopeful. But after graduating from Clark Atlanta University with a degree in journalism, she did find her way. She has worked for FedEx for many years, and that has allowed her the incentive to give back.

“I want these girls to know perseverance, that they can have success,” she said.

Sinkler used popcorn fundraisers to bankroll the scholarships.

“They are good because no matter where you are, you can order popcorn and have it delivered to you. I was able to raise a great deal of money.” She admits to also digging into her own pocket in some cases.

Safiyah Allen-Crane, Miracle Kelley and Jurnee Murphy were all given $700 scholarship checks Saturday, while three others — Raven Bivins, Amyca Wilson and Nya O’Neal — have already received their financial gifts. All were on hand for a celebration and “sendoff” to college.

Last year, there were five students who were granted $600 each. Bivins, Allen- Crane and Kelley were among the first batch, and O’Neal, and Wilson were given their book scholarships right before the end of last year. Sinkler says O’Neal will receive a third scholarship before she graduates next year.

All six were also given framed letters of congratulations from U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, who attended Howard University, an HBCU.

O’Neal, whose parents, Geoffery and Aisha Tate, are both pastors in the AME Church, moved around a bit then settled in McKeesport “from seventh grade on,” she said.

“This scholarship means community,” O’Neal said. “It’s come in handy.”

She attends Howard University in Washington, D.C., to study legal communications and says, “I want to be an attorney.”

She is involved in the Black Women in Pre-Law group and has been elected as a senator for the School of Communications at Howard.

Because they all attended McKeesport Area High School, O’Neal met the other young women before Saturday’s event. She and Miracle Kelley graduated together and were both counselors at Healthy Village Institute in McKeesport, an African-centered learning process for all people.

O’Neal understands that Sinkler is someone who has “come back to support us, to push us up.”

O’Neal isn’t sure where she will go once she graduates next year, saying, “I’m a bit of traveler.” She does enjoy D.C.. “It’s a very fast paced place,” she said. “It’s slower paced here. There’s a community there.”

This is the second year for Sinkler and her mission. Last year, six young ladies received $600 checks. When asked if the scholarships that are handed out in postal money orders only go to women, Sinkler said not many young men who are preparing for institutes for higher education attend historically Black colleges or universities. “It’s a problem,” she said. On Saturday, the awardees and their families had lunch, mingled and got ready for college. “I go back in a week or so,” O’Neal said.

Sinkler is already planning for her next set of scholarships. “It all depends on the fundraising,” she says.