Frequently Asked Questions

Who - What - When - Where - Why
      .... "Celebrate BTW"?

About The Ambassador Scholarship Program:
   Who is eligible for a scholarship?
   What is meant by "Ambassador"?
   What is the amount of the Scholarship?
   How are scholarship recipients selected?
   What is required to apply?
   How many schools are named for Booker T. Washington?
   Are scholarships restricted only for "Booker T" high school students?

About The Society:
   Is the Society a "501c(3) non-profit" organization?

About Sponsorships:
   Are there sponsor support opportunities at Society events?

    Celebrating BTW
Who organizes the 'Celebrate BTW' and "CharacterPower" Workshops, conferences & events?
The Booker T. Washington Society, Inc. to cultivate and encourage character, education and opportunity among young people of America.

What are the occasions?
  The Anniversaries of the birth of great American, Booker T. Washington.

When & where are Annual "CelebrateBTW" conferences held?
  Generally in April, Booker T's birthmonth, in Washington DC.
Additionally, we encourage local & college student organizations throughout the country to invite speakers to their campuses to learn about Booker T and the relevance his approach to life has for us all today.

Why "CelebrateBTW"?
  Indeed, why not?  Booker T imparted vision and values thru relevant messages that " we 'need to heed' as much today as a century ago.

    Ambassador Scholarships
Who is eligible for a scholarship?
  In our 1st year (2006), students from any high school in the country named for Booker T. Washington were eligible. In 2007, students from many New Orleans high schools were invited to apply for a Booker T. Washington Ambassador Scholarship. For the high school Class of '09 and beyond, scholarships to be offered will depend on contributions.

What do you mean by "Ambassador"?
  An Ambassador Scholarship entails much more than money and a trip. Recipients should anticipate a lasting relationship with the Society to help them develop and enhance their self-respect and confidence in overcoming adversity. The Society provides Ambassadors with ongoing encouragement and mentoring support via personal and regular phone & e-mail contact. In return, BTW Ambassador Scholars are expected to act as mentors and role models for others in their community.

What is the amount of the Scholarship?
  Generally, $1,000 has been awarded for post-high school studies in science, technology, engineering, math or vocational/trade training. In the past, winners, along with a parent ormentor, have flown to Washington DC as our guests to attend a multi-day celebration that includes panel discussions, banquets and a tour of the City.

How are scholarship recipients selected?
  To be completely objective and yet account for different academic levels in schools and grades, the Society enlists the help of a local service organization (such as Rotary or Optimists Club) to judge essays submitted to the Society by students attending school in their area. (We number the essays and strip them of names before forwarding for judging.) Thus, local judges select the winning essay from among those submitted in their community.

Is anything required besides just applying?
  Each application must include an up-to-250 word essay response to this question:
       "Based on your studies of Booker T. Washington's life and legacy,
       what lessons have you learned and how will you apply them to your life?"

How many schools are named after Booker T. Washington?
  Currently, twenty middle and high schools as well as twenty-five elementary schools. There were several more at one time, but were closed or have been re-named. A school in Washington DC is named for Margaret M.Washington, Booker T.'s wife. She was an important factor in Tuskegee's success.

Are scholarships only for students from communities with a "Booker T" school?
  No. However with limited funds, our initial focus was where the knowledge of Booker T. Washington should have been high. In 2007, we focused on several high schools in New Orleans LA (NOLA). We hope is to reach more students from more schools. However, we have no endowment and depend entirely on support from people like you.

    The Society:
Is the Society a "501c(3) non-profit" educational & charitable organization? Yes. (See our Corporate Articles).

    Sponsorships:
Are there sponsor support opportunities at Society events?
  Yes! We depend on your donations & support to continue, for we do not solicit nor accept government funding.