Our Story: A Moment That Sparked a Movement

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Our Story: A Moment That Sparked a Movement

The I Can Scholarship Foundation Inc. was born from a moment of clarity, conviction, and love—a moment that sparked a movement.

In early 2022, founder Jawnt’e M. Everette was weighing the decision of when to launch the scholarship—should he wait until 2023, or move forward that same year? As he sat contemplating the timing, his mother, Tonya Everette, looked at him and said, “Jay, you can do it.”  Those words stopped him in his tracks. In that moment, everything aligned—and I Can was born.

With the help of his mother and close family, Jawnt’e hosted the Foundation’s very first fundraiser—a chicken plate sale in their hometown of Hamlet, North Carolina. It was grassroots and personal, but it was powerful. The fundraiser raised enough to award a $1,000 scholarship to a local high school senior, planting the very first seed of what would become a growing mission.

What began as encouragement from a mother to her son became a bold and empowering statement for students everywhere. I Can  isn’t just a name—it’s a mindset, a movement, and a mission to help others believe in their ability to succeed.

Jawnt’e went on to serve as the founding Executive Director, leading the organization through its foundational years from 2022 to 2024 with passion and purpose. He now serves as the Chief Strategy Officer, continuing to shape the Foundation’s vision, partnerships, and long-term impact.

Our Mission Today

At the I Can Scholarship Foundation Inc., we’re committed to:

• Expanding access to higher education and career opportunities, with a special focus on  promoting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
• Investing in community development and youth empowerment
• Spreading a culture of confidence and self-belief in every student we support.

Every scholarship, every event, and every dollar we raise echoes back to one simple message:
“I Can.”