Phyllis Wheatley YWCA Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Non-profit
Introduction
The Phyllis Wheatley Board of Directors established its Scholarship Program as a complement to the annual Mid-Summer Soirée — an event first introduced in the 1940s by former executive director Dr. Dorothy I. Height.
Talent Showcase
In 2017 the Board added a Talent Showcase to give Washington, D.C. youth a stage to display their creative abilities and compete for scholarship awards. Performances and entries can include, but are not limited to, vocal music, visual arts, spoken word or poetry, dramatic readings, dance, and projects in innovative technology.
Who is eligible
The scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors who live in the District of Columbia and attend a DC public, charter, or private high school.
Awards
Between one and five scholarships will be granted, each ranging from $1,000 to $2,500.
Application requirements and deadline
To be considered, applicants must submit a completed application by May 1, 2026. Submissions must include:
- A high school transcript showing a GPA between 2.5 and 4.0
- Required essays
- Letters of recommendation
- A description and identification of the talent the student will present at the Mid-Summer Soirée
Event details
Scholarship finalists will present their talents at the Mid-Summer Soirée, scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The event serves as a platform to highlight recipients’ abilities; previous scholarship winners are also invited back to speak about their college experiences and offer guidance to the new cohort.
Impact and additional information
Since the Talent Showcase began in 2017, the Phyllis Wheatley Board of Directors has awarded 33 scholarships totaling $62,000 and five book awards totaling $28,750 to deserving District of Columbia students. To see examples of past recipients and their work, please visit our YouTube channel.