Atlanta native and rapper Future is giving back to his community in a significant way yet again. On Friday, the “Life is Good” rapper announced that he wanted to help lessen the financial blow on college freshmen and their families as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in Georgia, according to the rapper’s FreeWishes foundation.
Through his foundation, Future, whose real name is Nayvadius DeMun Wilbur, launched the I’m Still a Dreamer Georgia COVID-19 Scholarship. In a press statement last week, the rapper stated, “you don’t have to be in the perfect situation or come from the perfect background to reach for your dreams.” He added, “Despite this COVID-19 pandemic, I encourage all dreamers to continue to dream big.”
The scholarship is open to 2020 high school graduates, and applications are made by submitting a personal video describing how the pandemic has affected one’s life. Applicants must have a minimum 3.00 grade point average, reside in the state of Georgia, and be enrolled in an accredited college for fall 2020. The maximum scholarship award is $2,500.
According to the FreeWishes website, applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges with professional expertise ranging across the spectrum of fields for which scholarships are awarded. It’s also noted that the judges are independent of the FreeWishes Foundation’s board and staff and will operate under a strict conflict-of-interest policy and an anti-discrimination clause. The site also states that one email submission is allowed per applicant, and the deadline to submit all required materials is July 27 at 3 p.m. Winners will be announced on Aug. 4.
Future co-founded the nonprofit organization with his mother Stephanie Jester and sister Tia Wilburn-Anderson with the intent of making an impact on young and old lives alike in the metro Atlanta area by making their dreams come true.
Last summer, the 36-year-old awarded the FreeWishes College Scholarship, two tickets to a concert on his “Legendary Nights” tour with co-headliner Meek Mill, and an exclusive “I’m a Dreamer” sweater to a fan at each tour stop.
The I’m Still a Dreamer Scholarship comes on the heels of Future’s efforts earlier this year to assist those impacted by COVID-19. In March, the rapper launched the Mask On Campaign — a name derived from his 2017 hit single “Mask Off.” Future partnered with Atlanta Sewing Style to “create, cut, sew and deliver the much-needed masks” to health care workers and hospitalized patients.
“There is so much that needs to be done during this crisis. And if everyone can step up in some way, we can all get through this together as we serve our community,” Jester stated in a press release at the time. She added, “I think that our healthcare professionals are the heroes in this situation, and they are risking their lives for everyone, so it is our responsibility to help protect them.”
To apply, visit FreeWishes.org
