Oscar award winner Lupita Nyong’o gave hope to 40 NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) youth members by surprising them with Ksh.1.2 million scholarships during the ACT-SO award ceremony in Atlantic City.
“Since I was a child, I have always had big dreams, and my education has played a huge part in helping me realize them,” said the Actress.
ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics) colloquially known as the “Olympics of the Mind,” is an NAACP youth program “designed to recruit, stimulate, improve, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African American high school students.”
Lancôme, (French luxury perfumes and cosmetics house that distributes products internationally), announced its partnership with the NAACP in 2021, specifically its ACT-SO achievement program, a yearlong program that provides scholarships for high school students and helps fuel their growth in disciplines through various projects and efforts.
“I’ve always loved learning and I believe that learners change the world. I am so thrilled to join Lancôme, on behalf of their Write Her Future Scholarship Fund, to award this incredible group of women with these game-changing scholarships,” continued Lancôme’s first black ambassador, Lupita.
Derrick Johnson, CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, expressed his enthusiasm for the program, which he hopes will impact the youth and the next generation.
“We’re excited to once again provide talented young women across the country the opportunity to further develop their creativity and achieve their academic dreams with purpose and unrestricted passion,” said Derrick.
“Young people are the future. We’re excited to see how participants in the program will positively impact their communities and create change for themselves and the next generation,” he continued.
