Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan awards Reparations Scholarships to 10 students

Not-for-profit organization is working to address the racial wealth gap in Greater Lansing caused by centuries of systemic inequalities 

2026 recipients-supporters-by Paradiso Productions.jpg — Recipients of the 2026 Reparations Scholarships are surrounded by their families and supporters as well as volunteers of the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan at the Reparations Scholarship Reveal & Celebration event July 25.

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LANSING, Mich — Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan has awarded 10 Reparations Scholarships totaling $25,000 to college-bound students. This is the third annual distribution for scholarships from the Justice League’s Reparations Fund, created to address the racial wealth gap in Greater Lansing. The not-for-profit organization presented the $2,500 scholarships at an event with the recipients, their families and Justice League supporters and volunteers at Lansing Church of God in Christ, Saturday, July 25. “Every year this scholarship disbursement is monumental for our organization — the culmination of years in the making,” said Prince Solace, president and co-founder of the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan. "The program is the result of intergenerational and cross-racial and cross-denominational support stemming primarily from Greater Lansing, but also from beyond our community.”

He continued to define the support, “The Reparations Fund has been built by reparations payments from churches and individuals in Greater Lansing who have taken a proactive approach to social justice and from donations by Black advocates. Our African American Advisory Council and executive leadership provide wisdom, integrity and focus to our mission. And it’s through education and community engagement that this project takes root. We are thankful to all of our dedicated volunteers."

Recipients, their hometowns and high schools, and where they will study this fall are:

• Lundyn Elam, Bath Township, East Lansing High School, Michigan State University

• Gabrielle Ferguson, East Lansing, East Lansing High School, North Carolina A&T

• Jerimiah Jackson, East Lansing, East Lansing High School, Michigan State University

• Jah’Reice Kelso-McKinney, Lansing, J.W. Sexton High School, University of Michigan

• Kah’Reice Kelso-McKinney, Lansing, J.W. Sexton High School, University of Michigan

• Asa Pumphrey, Lansing, Lansing Eastern High School, Michigan State University

• Jayla Reese, Lansing, Everett High School, Ferris State University

• Josie Smith, East Lansing, East Lansing High School, Baker College

• Jaleah Townsley, Lansing, Waverly High School, University of Michigan

• Jeremiah Woods, Lansing, Capital Area K-12, Lansing Community College

Recipients were selected based on their essays, academic grades and interviews. Willye Bryan, vice president and founder, said applicants were asked to write essays that examined how they and their families have been affected by America’s racial wealth gap or by generational wealth. She said, “Centuries of systemic inequalities in the U.S. have strongly negatively affected African Americans’ ability to accumulate wealth and have created a racial wealth gap. The social and financial cost to Black Americans continues to be great. The time to address these disparities is now.”

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2026 Group-with-check-by Paradiso Productions.jpg — Recipients were selected based on their essays about America’s racial wealth gap and generational wealth; academic grades; and interviews

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Here are excerpts from three winning essays:

Courtesy Photo: Lundyn Elam-a 2026 recipient of the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan's Reparations Scholarship.

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“The racial wealth gap in America represents more than a difference in income or savings, it reflects generations of policies and practices that have systematically denied Black families the opportunity to build and sustain wealth. From slavery and Jim Crow to redlining and discriminatory lending, this gap is rooted in injustice, not individual failure. Understanding this reality has shaped how I view my own journey to college and my responsibility to contribute to meaningful change.” —  LundynElam

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Courtesy Photo: Jaleah Townsley is a 2026 recipient of the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan's Reparations Scholarship. Photo Provided]

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“While many define wealth by a bank account, my family and I define it as the 66 acres of land beneath my grandmother's feet down south, and the tireless work ethic passed through our bloodline. These aren't just inheritances, but they are the raw materials for a foundation that I, as a future engineer, am tasked to build upon. Growing up with family property and a strong work ethic in the family has instilled a sense of responsibility in me. I recognize my ancestors laid down a solid foundation and worked hard to leave us with what we have now. However, this foundation is far from finished. By pursuing an engineering degree, I am taking the skills I learn to build something bigger and increase my family's generational wealth. My goal is to ensure that our land and hard work turns into a legacy that continues to grow for generations.” — Jaleah Townsley 

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Courtesy Photo:Jerimiah Jackson is a 2026 recipient of the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan's Reparations Scholarship.

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"Do I think the racial wealth gap will be closed in my lifetime? Honestly, no. That answer does not come from negativity, but from understanding how deeply rooted the issue truly is. The wealth gap did not just appear randomly; it was built over generations, beginning with slavery and continuing through systems like the grandfather clause and Jim Crow laws. These systems did not just limit rights, they restricted access to education, property, and financial opportunities for Black Americans in ways that still affect people today.”  — Jerimiah Jackson 

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The 10 essays are posted on the Justice League’s website: www.JusticeLeagueGLM.org.

Eligible applicants were descendants of enslaved African Americans and residents of Ingham, Eaton or Clinton counties.

The Justice League was founded in 2021 to address the racial wealth gap in Greater Lansing. 

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Lundyn Elam-family-by Paradiso Productions.jpg — Receiving accolades is Lundyn Elam, with from left, Willye Bryan, Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan; Lundyn Elam, Lundyn’s mother Kendra Elam; and Prince Solace, Justice League

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About Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan

The 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization was founded in 2021 to repair the breach in Greater Lansing caused by the nation’s historical damage of slavery. Reparations are in the spirit of repentance for the sin of slavery, its aftermath of gross human rights violations — including genocide, violence, land theft, incarceration and police violence — and complicity in the misbelief of white supremacy. 

The solution is a faith-based model of reparations. The Justice League builds relationships and facilitates reparations between houses of worship, collaborative partners and individuals to close the racial wealth gap that exists between Black and white residents. This specifically means increasing wealth equity for descendants of enslaved African Americans. Financial reparations will support home ownership, education and entrepreneurship. More information is at www.JusticeLeagueGLM.org.