West Haven Black Coalition plans first scholarship dinner since 2020

WEST HAVEN — For the first time since 2020, the West Haven Black Coalition will hold its annual scholarship dinner to support local students in pursuit of higher education.

Although the event took a two-year hiatus, coalition founder Carroll E. Brown still is calling it the 37th annual dinner, 36 years after the first one.

“It is to help raise money for scholarships and to recognize people in the community that have worked in community service most of their lives while they've been living. We recognize the unsung heroes usually unrecognized by other organizations,” she said.

To date, Brown said the coalition has disbursed more than $200,000 in scholarships to West Haven students attending college.

“This is a dinner to help put money in pockets to help students stay in school,” she said.

Linda Copney-Okeke, director of the Accessibility Resources Center at the University of New Haven in West Haven, said the scholarship will support a UNH student with $6,000 in tuition support.

Copney-Okeke said the university's affiliation with the scholarship dinner largely is due to carrying on the legacy of Donald R. Scott, a former university police chief.

“He was involved in the West Haven Black Coalition and a number of other community organizations. He was someone who was strategic in a number of community service organizations and did a lot in terms of supporting students here at the university. He cared about students,” she said.

Brown said that, in addition to the scholarship, the coalition honors unsung heroes from all over the state. She said there are many people who do not get accolades from other community organizations and nonprofits for their contributions to their communities, but the West Haven Black Coalition happily does so.

“If we know about them, they'll get recognized,” she said.

This year's dinner will be at Anthony's Ocean View on Feb. 25. Brown said tickets are $75 and can be purchased by inquiring with her.