Joyce Grant Fund Launches Scholarship Program to Champion New Educational Opportunities for Black Women in Midlife

The Fund honors the legacy of Joyce M. Grant, an educator, administrator, community organizer, global activist, and lifelong learner. East Lansing, Mich. — The newly formed Joyce Grant Fund has opened applications for its first cycle of scholarship awards, with a mission to broaden educational access for Black women in midlife.

The Fund supports Black women age 30 and older across Massachusetts and Michigan as they pursue new educational pathways. By offering one-time scholarships of up to $5,000 for training or education, the organization honors the legacy of Joyce M. Grant, and her commitment to self-determination, lifelong learning, and empowerment.

“Joyce was a force, and she believed that education is the key to opportunity,” said June Pierce Youatt, a personal friend of Joyce’s and board chair of the Fund. “Her vision for the fund was to make a difference in the lives of women forced to put their dreams on hold earlier in life due to long-standing systemic barriers.”

Raised in Boston, Joyce Grant started her teaching career at an Episcopal school in Ohio during a time when Boston Public Schools did not hire Black teachers. Three years later, when the policy finally changed, she returned to Boston as a teacher and eventually became deeply involved in civil rights efforts. She helped organize Liberation Schools, community-led alternatives to white-dominated schools during the desegregation movement.

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After earning her undergraduate degree from Boston State College, Joyce later completed her doctorate at Harvard University. She later served as Deputy Superintendent of Boston Public Schools, where she navigated the intense challenges of desegregation firsthand, with courage and resolve.

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In the early 1990s, Joyce was recruited to Michigan State University to help lead the Michigan Partnership for Public Education. There, she worked toward institutional change through public education reform. Beyond her activism here in the United States, Joyce also spent time providing enhanced teacher training to schools outside of Lagos, Nigeria. It was this work that confirmed her belief that ambition paired with support can ignite lasting change for entire communities.

After Joyce’s passing in November of 2024, her loved ones and former colleagues established the fund in her honor, carrying forward her conviction that learning is lifelong, justice is personal, and educational opportunity should never expire.

Officially launched in June of 2026, the Fund supports a wide range of formal educational opportunities, including college courses, trade or certificate programs, professional training, and other formal learning experiences. With its emphasis on supporting Black women learners in midlife, it aims to spark long-term ripple effects for families, communities, and future generations.

“Joyce’s dream was to establish this scholarship fund. Her passion for education went beyond a profession; it informed how she moved through the world,” shared Youett. “It’s a privilege to help that passion live on through the Joyce Grant Fund. With every award granted, we reflect a life well-lived and a mind always open.”

For a full list of eligibility requirements, or to learn how to apply for the Fund, visit JoyceGrantFund.org.