The Reparations Project

A HUGE congratulations to all of the QKF America 250 Fund ($250,000) Awardees and an equally HUGE thank you to our donors for making it possible!
 
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the QKF America 250 Fund of $250,000 supports ten Black J.D. students who either: (1) lost, experienced reduced access to, or would likely have received scholarship or stipend support through race-conscious targeted legal education programs that were eliminated, restructured, or broadened following post-2024 anti-DEI legal and policy changes; or (2) have real funding gaps due to the new OBBBA rules.
 
These awards counter federal rollback action in the way our generous donors have allowed us to support Black students in the pursuit of law and justice in honor of the national ideals America strives to achieve.  

Background: Since 2024, a growing number of race-conscious scholarship programs—including the ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship and numerous university-based diversity scholarships have either been eliminated, suspended, or converted to race-neutral eligibility criteria amid litigation and regulatory pressure following the end of affirmative action with Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023) and increasing pressure from the current administration to eliminate DEI programs.

Also, Graduate PLUS loans are ending for new borrowers. Historically, graduate and professional students could borrow:
up to $20,500/year in federal unsubsidized loans, plus
a Graduate PLUS loan to cover the remaining cost of attendance (tuition + living expenses).
Beginning July 1, 2026, new graduate students generally will no longer be eligible for Grad PLUS loans. 
That matters because Grad PLUS loans were effectively an “unlimited” federal borrowing option for expensive programs like law, medicine, and many master’s programs. 

We, and all these scholars, appreciate our donors who made this fund possible!

Especially amidst the current administration’s assault on DEI initiatives and higher learning institutions, we are proud to be able to award race-based scholarships specifically for those who have lost funding opportunities because of these policies. We could not be more excited to award this scholarship to Zaria Stevenson!

Zaria Stevenson is from Dallas, TX and a graduate of Howard University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Political Science.

Zaria is a rising 3L at Howard University School of Law. She is focused on litigation and has gained hands-on experience at a private law firm and in the courtroom. She also served as a graduate consultant at Columbia Law School’s Center for Public Research and Leadership, where she worked to improve educational outcomes across New York City public schools.

Education has always been central to Zaria’s journey, and she is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of students and future lawyers. Especially in today’s climate, she believes it’s more important than ever to help pave the way for young people, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to see themselves in the legal profession.

Zaria hopes to build a career rooted in advocacy and service, using her legal training to create opportunities for those coming up behind her.

Especially amidst the current administration’s assault on DEI initiatives and higher learning institutions, we are proud to be able to award race-based scholarships specifically for those who have lost funding opportunities because of these policies. We could not be more excited to award this scholarship to Adia Dunn!

Adia Dunn is a 2024 graduate of Howard University, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science, summa cm laude. Growing up in South Carolina, Adia distinguished herself early as a rising leader in her community, earning recognition for her advocacy in justice and equity even before beginning her undergraduate studies.

For the past two years, Adia has served as a Project Assistant with Sidley Austin LLP, working alongside attorneys supporting paralegals and attorneys with filings, pre-trial work, deposition preparation, and cite-checking. Her dedication to underserved communities was honored twice with the firm’s Annual Pro Bono Award, recognizing her commitment to expanding access to justice for populations historically underrepresented in the legal system.

This fall, Adia will begin her legal education at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. She plans to build a career in law grounded not only in excellence, but in service using her legal education as a tool to advocate for others.

Especially amidst the current administration’s assault on DEI initiatives and higher learning institutions, we are proud to be able to award race-based scholarships specifically for those who have lost funding opportunities because of these policies. We could not be more excited to award this scholarship To Kiara Limontas!

Kiara is from Boston, MA and a graduate of Boston University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.

Kiara is a rising 3L at Howard University School of Law. She is focused on litigation and has gained hands-on experience within the government, at a private law firm, and in-house. Having witnessed and experienced the displacement of spaces central to underrepresented communities and the families within them, Kiara came to law school hoping to advocate for the preservation of community, both physical and structural.

That commitment has only grown stronger, driving Kiara toward a career built on service and representation within the legal profession. Kiara plans to continue building her litigation skills in the years ahead, with a longer-term focus on decolonization movements, immigration legal services, and the protection of physical spaces for communities that have too often had them taken away.

Especially amidst the current administration’s assault on DEI initiatives and higher learning institutions, we are proud to be able to award race-based scholarships specifically for those who have lost funding opportunities because of these policies. We could not be more excited to award this scholarship To Cori’Anna White!

Cori’Anna White is a May 2026 graduate of Spelman College, where she served as Student Government Association President and graduated as Valedictorian as a member of the historic Spelman Seven. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate, she will matriculate to Columbia Law School this fall as a member of the Class of 2029.

As an incoming 1L, Cori’Anna was selected for Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Institute 1L Advocates Program, where she will receive specialized training in human rights advocacy. Her experiences include interning with Citigroup on Wall Street, presenting policy recommendations on Capitol Hill, leading community service initiatives in Africa, and tutoring students in South America.

Passionate about advancing justice and expanding opportunity, Cori’Anna aspires to build a career in law, public service, and advocacy that creates lasting impact for underserved communities.

Especially amidst the current administration’s assault on DEI initiatives and higher learning institutions, we are proud to be able to award race-based scholarships specifically for those who have lost funding opportunities because of these policies. We could not be more excited to award this scholarship to Carleigh Boyd!

Carleigh attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She valued making an impact on and off campus, which is exemplified by her involvement as a tour guide, a member of her university’s diversity recruitment team, and a Global Brigades volunteer in Ghana.

Carleigh spent the past year working at an inner-city public library in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. She cherished the opportunity to be a resource to the community, and her appreciation for serving underrepresented groups was deepened.

Carleigh is now pursuing a Juris Doctor to continue advancing causes that promote social, economic, and racial equity. She is passionate about reforming the criminal justice system in the United States, defending the First Amendment, providing representation for low-income individuals, and advocating for basic human rights for every person domestically and abroad. She is grateful for the privilege to seek a legal education and is devoted to enacting social change one case at a time.

Especially amidst the current administration’s assault on DEI initiatives and higher learning institutions, we are proud to be able to award race-based scholarships specifically for those who have lost funding opportunities because of these policies. We could not be more excited to award this scholarship To Emma Tolliver!

Emma Tolliver is a rising 3L at the University of Washington - School of Law. She is passionate about community care, rehabilitative justice, and freedom from violence. Born and raised in the California Central Valley, Emma studied English, Political Science - Public Service, and Human Rights Studies at the University of California, Davis (“UC Davis”). Following her graduation from UC Davis, she returned home to the Central Valley to work as a youth worker in Stockton, CA. There, her desire to challenge systems that perpetuate oppression and violence solidified her decision to attend law school.

In law school, Emma has gained practical experience through various leadership and service experiences. During the 2025-26 academic year, Emma served as the Vice President of the Black Law Student Association (BLSA), Administrative Director for Survivors + Allies In Law (SAIL), and Law Student Liaison to the Washington State Supreme Court Minority and Justice Commission. Additionally, Emma is the Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of Washington Law Review and will publish her comment analyzing how white supremacy manifests criminal legal proceedings that involve sexual violence. After receiving her J.D., Emma aims to become a public defender, with particular attention to trauma-informed lawyering, racial justice and equity, and crimmigration. 

Emma is extremely grateful to her parents, David and Su Tolliver, and her grandpa, Bill Tolliver, for raising her to know what fighting for racial justice looks like.

Especially amidst the current administration’s assault on DEI initiatives and higher learning institutions, we are proud to be able to award race-based scholarships specifically for those who have lost funding opportunities because of these policies. We could not be more excited to award this scholarship To Khalil Spight! (More announcements to come!) From Khalil:

“My name is Khalil Spight, and I am an incoming first year law student at Georgetown University Law Center. I currently serve as a Legislative Assistant for the Illinois Senate, where I support legislative initiatives and public policy efforts.

I graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, where I was actively involved on campus as a Resident Advisor, Event Coordinator of the Minority Association for Future Attorneys (MAFA), Secretary of the Association for Minorities in Political Science (AMPS), and Undergraduate Representative of the Political Science Climate Committee.

I also had the opportunity to intern with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), an experience that strengthened my passion for public service and advocacy. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to becoming a criminal defense attorney, where I hope to advocate for underserved communities and help promote a more fair and just legal system.

I would like to sincerely thank Sarah and Randy for their generosity and support through the QKF America 250 Scholarship. I am truly honored to receive this scholarship and grateful for their investment in my education. Their support allows me to focus on my studies without the added burden of financial stress.”

Especially amidst the current administration’s assault on DEI initiatives and higher learning institutions, we are proud to be able to award race-based scholarships specifically for those who have lost funding opportunities because of these policies. We could not be more excited to award this scholarship to Matthew Bellow!

Matthew Bellow is a native Memphian and a graduate of the University of Memphis, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in May 2021, double majoring in Political Science and Economics.

After graduating, Matthew began his career in community development as a Project Manager Intern with Maslow Development, a local nonprofit focused on neighborhood revitalization. He later joined the Blight Authority of Memphis, now known as the Memphis Metropolitan Land Bank Authority, where he served for four years. During his tenure, Matthew advanced from Manager of Neighborhood Initiatives to Vice President of Real Estate, gaining valuable experience in real estate development, community revitalization, housing, and property disposition.

Matthew is now pursuing a Juris Doctor degree to build upon his professional experience and develop the legal expertise necessary to advance his work in community development and housing finance. He hopes to use his legal education to help create innovative solutions that expand access to housing, strengthen neighborhoods, and promote equitable economic development in Memphis and communities beyond.

Especially amidst the current administration’s assault on DEI initiatives and higher learning institutions, we are proud to be able to award race-based scholarships specifically for those who have lost funding opportunities because of these policies. We could not be more excited to award this scholarship to Josh Rolling. (More announcements to come!)

Josh Rolling is a rising 2L at UCLA School of Law (Class of 2028), where he is an active member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and is committed to public service. A former Division I baseball player, Josh is passionate about using his legal education and athletic background to help create smoother transitions from sports to the professional world for athletes of all backgrounds.

His academic, athletic, and personal journey has strengthened his commitment to becoming a compassionate, thoughtful, and service-driven attorney while increasing representation in the legal profession. Josh plans on building a career at the intersection of law, sports, social justice, and advocacy, using the law as a tool to create opportunities and expand access for others.