Vince Carter launches Scholarship and Mentorship Program for youths in the GTA

BY PAUL JUNOR

Vince Carter will always be associated with the Toronto Raptors. From his start with the team in 1999, he raptured Toronto basketball aficionados for seventeen seasons. He was the only player in NBA history to play twenty-two seasons, in four different decades from his debut in 1999 to his retirement in 2020. He is well known for his extensive volunteer and philanthropic work that he did for many at-risk communities. Many of the basketball courts that he built in Toronto are still utilized by many youths. Even though he retired in 2020, he has not forgotten the city and has decided to invest in a mentoring and scholarship program for youths in Toronto.

Ca.nba.com announced on Monday, February 1^st, 2021 the launch of this program. The program reflects Carter’s life-long interest in education and his passion to improve the lives of impoverished youth. The Paris Media Group, who will be responsible for running the program, announced it. “The $25,000 per students scholarships primarily targeted high school students who have a passion for sports, music, film, fashion, broadcasting, media or science, technology, engineering or math (STEM).”

The Source (thesource.com/2021/02/04) released a statement from Carter, “I am doing my part, now it’s time for you to do yours by reaching out to kids, extended family, friends, educators and share this opportunity.” It quotes statistics, which showed that only 69% of black students graduate, and there is a 20% dropout rate in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). The scholarships are geared to students with a diversity of academic pursuits and will enable them to attend private high schools in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. The first school that students will be able to attend will be J.Addison School in Markham, Ontario.

Ca.nba.com states in the official release that, “While the programs are open to all, Vince

Carter strongly encourages the black community, Indigenous community, people of colour and young women to apply.” It reveals that there is under representation of minorities and women especially in certain employment sectors and executive positions within fields in the STEM areas.

Students who are between 16-18 years of age and are going into Grade 11 or 12 in the fall of 2021 are eligible to apply. Acceptance will be based on academic scores, personal scores, personal character, community service and a 500-word essay. There will be an extra program for students between the ages of 10 to 15 that will allow them to participate in summer camps specifically in civics and careers, fashion, film, music and leadership.

Students who receive the Vince Carter Scholarship will be able to attend: York University, Seneca College and Ryerson University. They will have to pursue a career in one of the fields that is specified in the scholarship application.

Toronto was selected because it was the city that Vince Carter started his NBA career. It will be extended to seven other cities that he played in after he was traded.

Any student who is interested in applying can access the exclusive application portal:

www.parismedia.org/community / or email info@parismedia.org.