RAYMOND W. CANNON SCHOLARSHIP 

Raymond W. Cannon was a graduate of the University of Minnesota earning his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1913 and then received his Juris Doctorate from what is now known as Mitchell Hamline Law School (formerly William Mitchell School of Law). He worked in multiple organizations including the NAACP, the Urban League, and served as the 12th General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. from 1924 until 1928. As a civil rights activist, Raymond W. Cannon’s fight and commitment to racial equality lead to many integration victories for African American people.

The Raymond W. Cannon Scholarship
The Raymond W. Cannon Scholarship is awarded to male high school students of African descent who graduate from high schools in the Twin Cities metro area. Scholarship awardees will receive a one-time scholarship of $1,000 to be used toward their college education for the academic school year. Funds are contributed by the Raymond W. Cannon Education Foundation.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:
  • Identify as a male of African descent (Black/ African/ African American/ multiracial)
  • Graduate from a Twin Cities metro area high school
  • Achieve a minimum G.P.A. of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
  • Enroll in an accredited two-year or four-year post-secondary institution

A complete application will include:
  • Raymond W. Cannon Scholarship Application
  • Official High School Transcript
  • Typed Essay (200-500 word count)​

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS

2026
  • Alexander Mathis, Robbinsdale Cooper High School, Howard University
  • Princeton Normil, Twin Cities Academy, College TBA
  • Charles Logan III, St. Paul Central High School, Morehouse College
  • Zyree Shannon-Terrell, Armstrong High School, Valley City State University (ND) 
2025
  • Judah Johnson-Nixon, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Hampton University (VA)
  • Raphael Johnson-Nixon, Benilde-St. Margaret's, Hampton University (VA)
  • Nolan Kent, Minnehaha Academy, Florida A&M (FL)
  • Elijah Moen, Roseville Area High School, University of St. Thomas (MN)
2024
  • Devano Bethel, Hopkins High School; University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
  • Anthony Jarrick, Maple Grove High Senior School, Northeastern University (MA)
  • Ahmed Mahdi Mohamed, North Community High School, University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
2023
  • John Sneh Bessman, Hill-Murray School, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (MN)

2022
  • Dallas Ballentine, Maranatha Christian Academy,  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL)
  • Jayden Montez, Highland Park Senior High School, Hampton University (VA)

2021 
  • Caleb Johnson-Nixon, De La Salle High School, Morehouse College (GA)
  • Elias Abberra, Spectrum High School, William Penn University (IA)

2020
  • Kevin C. Drew, Twin Cities Academy High School

2019
  • Kentalé Useni. Morris II, St. Agnes High School, Fisk University - Nashville, TN
  • Justin Michael Pinnix, Park High School, Cottage Grove, Florida A&M University - Tallahassee, FL

2018
  • Jalen J. Jackson, St. Paul Central High School, Alcorn State University - Lorman, MS 
  • David D. Wright, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse - Lacrosse, WI 

2017
  • James T. Baker, De La Salle High School, Cornell University - Ithaca, NY
  • Ke'mondrez Isaiah Sanders, North Community High School, Augsburg University - Minneapolis, MN 

2016
  • Brandon Nathaniel Banks, Benilde-St. Margaret's High School, Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN
  • Blake Edwards Miller, Fourth Baptist Christian School, Liberty University - Lynchburg, VA

2015
  • Abda K. Nebi, St. Paul Central High School, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
  • Gilles Mally​, Roosevelt High School, St. John's University - Collegeville, MN​