Scholarships > The Salem Foundation Willie B. Richardson Scholarship

The Willie B. Richardson Scholarship

Submissions open until March 31, 2025. 

 

Willie B. Richardson (1948–2023) moved to Oregon in 1978 and was active in civic and community organizations throughout her life. She was particularly committed to educating Black students and other students of color, and she served on the Salem-Keizer School Board from 1987 to 1991, the first Black person elected to that board.

Willie was co-chair of Oregon Black Pioneers’ founding Board of Directors, and she served as president of Oregon Black Pioneers (OBP) from 2004 through 2021. OBP researches, recognizes, and commemorates the culture and heritage of African Americans statewide. Under Willie’s leadership, OBP curated four exhibits at the Oregon Historical Society, provided consultation to many other history museums, published books on Black history, conducted bus tours, worked with partners to erect historical markers, and gave countless presentations on Oregon’s Black history throughout the state. Oregon Black Pioneers created this scholarship to honor Willie Richardson and extend her legacy.

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP:

  1. Applications are accepted until March 31, 2025.
  2. Mail an official high school transcript, in a sealed envelope, with the school’s seal, or a GED Transcript to:

The Salem Foundation – Willie B. Richardson Scholarship
c/o Pioneer Trust Bank, N.A.
P.O. Box 2305
Salem, OR  97308

Your official transcript must be postmarked by March 31, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

For the 2024/2025 school year, the recipient will:

  • Be an Oregon resident
  • Be a Black graduating high school senior planning to attend a community college, college, or university, either public or private nonprofit, anywhere in the United States
  • Have a demonstrated interest in Black history, preferably in Oregon’s Black history
  • Have a high school grade-point average of at least 3.0

Family members of the Oregon Black Pioneers Board of Directors, Oregon Black Pioneers Emeritus Board, or Scholarship Review Committee are not eligible to receive the scholarship.

AMOUNT AND USE

The amount of the scholarship is $1,000.00 and is for tuition.  The scholarship will be paid directly to the educational institution.

Questions?
Any questions regarding this scholarship should be directed to us at salemfoundation@pioneertrustbank.com.

You will receive an automatically generated confirmation email after your application has been successfully submitted.  If you have not received an email within 24 hours of submitting your application, please contact us immediately.

Scholarship Information
Name(Required)
Please list any activities in which you have participated and offices you have held.
Please describe your educational plans and how this scholarship will help you with those plans (200 words maximum).
Please write an essay about your demonstrated interest in Black history (450 words maximum).
Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, Max. file size: 10 MB.
Obtain two letters of recommendation, not from family members. At least one letter should describe your demonstrated interest in Black History. At least one should be from someone not affiliated with your school.
Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, Max. file size: 10 MB.
Obtain two letters of recommendation, not from family members. At least one letter should describe your demonstrated interest in Black History. At least one should be from someone not affiliated with your school.
I understand the application is not complete until I mail my official transcript (see address above)(Required)