40 Baltimore Students Receive Destiny’s Dream Scholarships
BALTIMORE, MD. (Wednesday, June 22, 2022) — Destiny Harrison was a compassionate mother, skilled beautician, and successful business owner. Then, in December 2019, she was shot and killed in her salon in front of her young daughter. She was 21 years old.
Last week, two and a half years after Destiny’s tragic death, I had the honor of hosting the second Destiny Harrison Dream Scholarship Fund ceremony at Mergenthaler High School. Together with Destiny’s family and educators from the recipients’ schools, we awarded $500 scholarships to forty Baltimore cosmetology students, ten each from Carver Vocational-Technical High School, Mergenthaler High School, Patterson High School, and Edmonson Westside High School. Supporting these young minds is one way that we address the trauma caused by homicide in Baltimore and help build a Healing City.
Cosmetologists, including employees at and owners of hair salons, barbershops, and nail salons, play a crucial role in Baltimore neighborhoods. Not only do they offer a specialized and vital service, but the nature of their work is deeply personal: as such cosmetologists often also lend a sympathetic ear to clients, providing emotional support and even mediating conflicts in their communities. That said, due to licensing fees and supply costs, cosmetology is an expensive field, posing a barrier to entry to young entrepreneurs.
Initially, the Destiny Harrison Dream Scholarship Fund set out to raise $5,000 to support five students from Mergenthaler High School, Destiny’s alma mater. However, after the murder of George Floyd, the fundraiser went viral, raising over $70,000. This allowed us to disperse many smaller awards to a greater number of students: now, forty students are one step closer to fulfilling their dreams.
Destiny’s death was a senseless tragedy, but through the power of compassion, generosity, and dedication, we were able to transform grief into tangible positive action. Thanks to the Destiny Harrison Dream Scholarship Fund, Destiny’s legacy will continue to uplift youth in Baltimore for years to come.
