Lupita Nyong'o, LANCÔME Present $400K Worth Of Scholarships To NAACP Youth Members

According to a press release, the scholarship was given to the winners of Lancôme’s Write Her Future Scholarship Fund during the annual NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics convention. ACT-SO is a year-long program designed for high school students nationwide interested in visual arts, business, performing and culinary arts, among others, to advance their skills through scholarship opportunities.

“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 President & CEO of NAACP Derrick Johnson, according to a press release. “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.”

Lancôme and Nyong’o —who serves as an ambassador for the French luxury cosmetics house— cemented a partnership in 2021 with the NAACP and ACT-SO to establish equity in education and foster career development. The recent scholarship is the continuation of a four-year pledge to distribute $2 million by 2025 and honors a shared mission between Lancôme and Nyong’o to support the development of women through mentorship, literacy, education, and entrepreneurship.

“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 Nyong’o, according to a press release. “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.”

The winners will be supported in various ventures including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), business management, marketing, and writing. Winners include Ada Okolo, Ebony Nkrumah, Jeanne Lubika, and Nia Hipps.

“Lancôme at its core seeks to bring happiness to its customers, but nothing brings us more joy than seeing the winners of our first Write Her Future Scholarship Fund receive their awards today,” said Lancôme USA General Manager Giovanni Valentini, according to a press release. “We’ve been so impressed by all the applicants, but we couldn’t be prouder of the amazing finalists recognized today and see our mission of providing equitable educational opportunities for young women of color come to fruition today.”