Regardless of fame and fortune, Lady A member Dave Haywood said Augusta will always have a place in his heart.
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Born and raised in the CSRA, he spent his childhood attending school, church and engaging in other activities throughout Columbia and Richmond counties. When he began to contemplate what he could do to support racial reconciliation, his heart brought him back to Augusta, he said.
Childhood memories inspired him to work with Augusta University to provide a scholarship to undergraduate students majoring in history. Established through the musical group’s nonprofit organization, LadyAID, Storytellers Scholarship is aimed at first-generation college students who self-identify as members of historically under-represented groups, according to AU’s website.
Haywood has worked directly with AU professor Holly Pinheiro and the university’s Racial & Social Justice Project, sponsored by the Center for Social Science Research.
“I have had weekly conversations with Augusta University professor Dr. Holly Pinheiro, which have been incredibly honest and transparent conversations on social justice, history and many topics about racial reconciliation,” Haywood said in a Feb. 18 email. “We put our heads together and brainstormed how we can do our part to support those within our community. Dr. Pinheiro made it abundantly clear how life changing getting an education can be for a first-generation student or someone from a marginalized community, and the positive impact it can have for many generations to come. From that belief the Lady A Storytellers Scholarship was born.”
The LadyAID fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee is a philanthropic effort founded by the Grammy award winning band Lady A. Its primary goal is to “bring awareness to numerous initiatives around the world,” according to the band’s website. Members of the band include Hillary Scott and Augusta-natives Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley.
More information about AU’s Racial and Social Justice Project can be found at: https://augustauniversity.box.com/s/xk4cbmzib69dnue66aulhykcy32ywy5w
Shellie Smitley is a staff writer for The Augusta Press. Reach her at shellie@theaugustapress.com
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