Richmond couple creates nonprofit to help current and future HBCU students

Jessica Grimes was a sophomore at Nashville’s Fisk University when she first received a scholarship from KR Scholars.

She now describes the group as “family” to her. She has since graduated and is now attending one of the few historically Black medical colleges in the country, to pursue her dream of being a dentist.

Hers is one of a number of success stories touted by KR Scholars, a nonprofit founded by Kristen Johnson with her husband, Rufus.

Both are alums of Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Winston-Salem State University and Fayetteville State University. Their personal experiences led to a love of HBCUs, and after the events of 2020, the couple wanted to make attending these schools more accessible.

Coming off of the political unrest of that time, the couple decided to get involved and turned their philanthropic passions to the education sphere. 

Kristen Johnson describes HBCUs as a “national treasure,” and wants to help their students thrive after being so impacted in her college years.

“It just made sense to really invest back in helping students as they’re getting to school and through school,” she said.

She cited the organization's findings that 50% of HBCU students are first-generation college students, and 70% are Pell Grant eligible, so there was a need to make attending these colleges more convenient.

At KR Scholars' inception, Kristen and Rufus made a personal investment of $1,500 toward a scholarship for HBCU students. The following year, the organization achieved nonprofit status, and has continued to award scholarships to HBCU students ever since.

“I just want to see us make a true impact in everything…to really fulfill the life that they have dreamt about,” Johnson said. 

Their organization is supported through the help of sponsors and donors. They've given away over $50,000 dollars in scholarships, and they recently offered 500 fee waivers for Richmond Public School students that allow them to apply to HBCUs free of cost.

In addition to lessening financial burdens, KR Scholars offers programs in workforce readiness, financial literacy, and paid internship positions. The organization also provides “HBCU Starter Kits,” which give dorm room staples to low-income students entering college.

“For us to be able to give students a seamless, easy process where they can see their HBCU dreams become a reality is a huge accomplishment,” Kristen Johnson said.