“Legacy of Dawanda Griffin”

“Lifting Others”

Dawanda Griffin (April 24, 1978– November 3, 2022) believed that every individual deserves the opportunity to rise. She was a loving mother, a Military Veteran, a respected community leader in Meridian, MS, and a passionate advocate for education and self-improvement. The Dawanda Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund was established not only to honor her memory but to keep her unwavering belief in human potential alive for future generations of leaders. The scholarship is her continuing legacy.

• Military Service: Dawanda was a proud Military Veteran, demonstrating an unwavering dedication to her country and discipline. This foundation of service is in part what fueled her later commitment to community involvement.

• Community Advocacy: Dawanda was a very active and deeply caring and dedicated to the homeless community of Meridian, Ms. She was a passionate advocate and organizer, as can be seen in the video below.

• Personal Mentor: Throughout her life, Dawanda prioritized mentorship. She often took students and young professionals under her wing, actively challenging them to "be better and do better," believing in them even when they doubted themselves.

“Her Flame Lives On”

This scholarship serves as a everlasting extension of her love, life, and belief that everyone deserves a chance to make the best of themselves when given the opportunity to pursue their dreams through education. She often inspired and challenged all she came into contact with to be better and do better. She was the type of person to believe in you when you didn’t believe in yourself. One of her favorite quotes was, "‘The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.’ This fund helps to ensure that financial barriers will not stand in the way of a students self-determination and will to grow.”