College Football Hall of Fame and Kia’s “Accelerate the Good” Program Award Five HBCU Scholarships for Third Consecutive Year

College Football Hall of Fame and Kia’s “Accelerate the Good” Program Award Five HBCU Scholarships for Third Consecutive Year

Scholarship program created to support incoming and current HBCU students and help supplement the cost of attending college

ATLANTA (Aug. 12, 2025) – The College Football Hall of Fame is proud to announce the third edition recipients of the Historically Black College and University scholarships created in partnership with Kia America’s “Accelerate the Good” program. After poring over numerous impressive applications, and conducting a meticulous selection process, the five outstanding individuals have been chosen for their exemplary achievements and dedication to academic excellence. The deserving winners of the five scholarships of $5,000 are:

● Samuel Draper – A freshman attending Grambling State University, majoring in Construction
Engineering, who is the captain of the football team, a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Society, and a member of the Johnston National Honors Society.
● Bryson Easley – A senior at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory attending Morehouse College in the fall, who is a member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll, as well as a member of the Strake Jesuit football team and Community Service Chair for the Black
Student Union.
● Olivia Germany – A sophomore at Howard University, majoring in Biology, who is an Achiever Scholar, a member of the Howard University Showtime Band Flashy Flags, and a member of the NAACP.
● Jordan Strange – A senior at North Atlanta High School, who is attending Alabama A&M in the fall, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, and is a member of the baseball team, the Future Business Leaders of America and the Black Student Union.
● Jadyn Wright – A sophomore at Jackson State University, who is majoring in Computer Engineering, and is a member of the Sonic Boom of the South Prancing J-Sette team.

“We congratulate Samuel, Bryson, Olivia, Jordan, and Jadyn on their outstanding achievements and extend our best wishes for all their future endeavors,” said Kimberly Beaudin, President and CEO of the College Football Hall of Fame. “This scholarship program underscores our dedication to the HBCU community, supporting the development and success of future leaders. The commitment to academic excellence and extracurricular activities set this group of students apart from a very competitive group of applicants.”

Applicants were required to meet stringent criteria, including possessing a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, demonstrating an unmet financial need, and the intent to major or currently major in one of the pre-specified disciplines within the STEM field in order to be considered for this prestigious scholarship opportunity. There was also an emphasis placed on prioritizing football
student-athletes.

“Kia is thrilled to work together with the College Football Hall of Fame and support the academic journeys of these outstanding HBCU students through our ‘Accelerate the Good’ program,” said Percy Vaughn, Director of Southern Regional Operations, Kia America. “We are committed to fostering opportunities and creating pathways for success. This scholarship initiative is a testament to Kia’s ongoing dedication to making a positive impact on our communities.”

The College Football Hall of Fame and Kia are proud to support these individuals on their educational journey, helping supplement the financial challenges associated with attending college, and express their gratitude to all who applied for consideration to the program. For more information about the scholarship program and to learn more about the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, please visit www.cfbhall.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Trevor Bowden
trevor@babbitbodner.com

Kia America - about us
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys. Kia is recognized as one of the TIME100 Most Influential Companies of 2023. Kia serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles sold through a network of over 775 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly
assembled in America*.
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(excludes HEV and PHEV models), and Telluride are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally
sourced parts.

About the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
The national Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame is dedicated to its mission to inspire and entertain by celebrating the passion and traditions of college football and its greatest players and coaches. The Hall celebrates the universal values of hard work, integrity and perseverance and fulfills its mission through storytelling, impactful programs and unique experiences focused on the core of preservation, celebration, and inspiration. Located in the heart of Atlanta's sports, entertainment and tourism district, the Hall provides visitors with a highly immersive, interactive, and engaging experience using a blend of historic college football artifacts and state-of-the-art, interactive multimedia exhibits. The National Football Foundation (NFF) founded the Hall in 1951 to immortalize the greatest players and coaches as role models for future generations and established its new home in Atlanta in 2014. The College Football Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that provides a national platform for community outreach, education, and character development initiatives, and serves as a premier special event venue. For more information on the Hall, a 10-year TripAdvisor ® Certificate of Excellence recipient, please visit www.cfbhall.com.