Good Deed: Tom Joyner Offers Rachel Jeantel Full Scholarship to HBCU

Rachel Jeantel was thrust into the spotlight after she testified in the George Zimmerman trial, detailing her friendship with slain teenager Trayvon Martin.

However, instead of encouraging Jeantel and supporting the 19 year-old who will forever live with the burden of being the last person to talk to Martin before his death, she was berated for her speech, appearance, mannerisms and “lack of education.”

Jeantel’s testimony and her recent appearance on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight” greatly affected radio legend Tom Joyner, and since he first saw her on the witness stand, Joyner has been determined to help the young woman.

Tuesday morning on the “Tom Joyner Morning Show,” Joyner offered an olive branch to the embattled teen, offering her a possible full scholarship to any HBCU through the Tom Joyner Foundation.

Joyner said, “Hi Rachel, this is Tom Joyner, I love you, I really do love you.” Jeantel, shyly giggled before responding, “I know.”

But, Jeantel didn’t know how much she was loved because Joyner was to dramatically change her life, saying, “If you want to graduate from high school, and go to an HBCU, even if it’s not in Florida but especially Florida, like Florida Memorial, Edward Waters or FAMU, if you want to do that, I want to help you do that.”

Joyner not only offered his assistance in college tuition, but he wants to help her get there, adding: “I will help you get tutors to get you out of high school, tutors to help you pass the SAT and I will give you a full ride scholarship to any HBCU you’d like.”

Jeantel, who we later learned was in shock from the offer, simply responded, “thank you.”

Later in the interview, Jeantel hinted that she might pursue a career in law enforcement but she reminded Joyner and the crew she “doesn’t like bodies” or funerals.

Whatever Jeantel decides to do, she has the support of the Tom Joyner Morning Show. Co-host Sybil Wilkes expressed her encouragement before ending the interview, adding: “… I got to tell you that people on social media, whether it’s Tom’s Facebook page, whether it’s Twitter or text, Tom, everybody is supporting you, Rachel, and really want you to know that they are wanting the best for you.”

Listen to the audio below:
”

Source: BlackAmericaWeb.com

Independent journalism still matters.

We hope this story was worth your time. For over 14 years, Atlanta Black Star has stayed Black-owned and independently run. We didn't get here by waiting on ad budgets that were never built to prioritize us. Our readers did that.

Corporate support for Black media has always been thin. Outlets like ours get roughly 1% of the $170 billion spent on U.S. advertising each year, and that margin is shrinking further as advertisers walk back the DEI-linked commitments they made in 2020. That's the backdrop. It's not why we're asking.

The wider picture isn't any steadier. Newspaper ad revenue has fallen more than 80% since 2005, and local newsrooms are closing at a rate of roughly two a week nationwide. When outlets go under, it's rarely the ones built to center a Black perspective from the ground up that get to stick around.

We know a request for support isn't why you came here. But without readers choosing to fund this work directly, the depth of reporting we can do at home and abroad shrinks along with everyone else's. If you're not in a position to give, that doesn't change how much we value you as a reader.

If you are able to, a recurring contribution does more for us than a single one-time gift, because it lets us plan the next investigation instead of just the next invoice. It takes about 30 seconds, no long form, no account. Thank you for continuing to support independent journalism and freedom of the press.

Back to top