The Henrietta Wells Scholarship Fund

About the scholarship fund and Mrs. Henrietta Wells: 

The monies in this fund are designated for scholarships for students attending Historical Black Colleges and Universities across the Diocese of Texas. The funds are to be used for choir scholarships and teaching internships in Episcopal schools while attending a Historic Black College or University (HBCU) in Texas. Eligible candidates may apply by clicking the button at the bottom of the page. All correspondence for this scholarship should be directed to wellsapplication@edotracialjustice.org.

 
henrietta wells.jpg

About

Mrs. Henrietta Bell Wells

Henrietta Wells was a social worker and educator who attended Wiley College. There, she was the first female member of the historic debate team, on which the movie, The Great Debaters, was based. Among several professional posts, she worked in higher education, having served as Dean of Women at Dillard University (a Methodist HBCU in New Orleans, Louisiana).

The wife of the Rev. Wallace L. Wells, she was an active lay woman in the Episcopal Church. Although she lived in many cities, working in numerous churches as she supported her husband in his ministry, the Rev. and Mrs. Wells founded a church in Gary, Indiana that is listed in the National Registry of Historic Buildings.

She was a devoted member of the Daughters of the King and very active in the 135th Street YMCA in New York City, New York. Mrs. Wells ended her life of ministry at St. James, Houston, located in historic Third Ward. She died at the age of 95 in 2008.

Ms. Henrietta Pauline Bell (Wells), Freshman year, Wiley College 
Photo: Courtesy of Wells Family/Family Executor, Dr. Ed Cox

 

Scholarship Eligibility

  • Scholarship applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) in the Diocese of Texas: Hutson-Tillotson University, Prairie View A&M University, Texas College, Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, or Wiley College

  • Undergraduate applicants must have 2.5/4.0 or 3/5.0 cumulative GPA. Graduate studies applicants must meet the criteria where they are matriculating.

  • The applicant must be affiliated with an Episcopal institution – church, Canterbury, school, or ministry

Scholarship Application Criteria

  • All applications must be submitted by Saturday, August 5 2023. No late applications will be considered.

  • All applicants must include the following with the completed application form

    • Sponsor letter from an Episcopal institution, such as a church, ministries within an Episcopal institution (including a school), Canterbury, or musician

    • 250-500-word essay answering “How has your life been impacted by your faith community in the past year?”

  • If a first-year student, provide a copy of your acceptance letter by the deadline. You must submit proof of registration once registered.

  • If a re-matriculating student, submit proof of registration for next semester. If registration is not available, submit proof of enrollment before the deadline. You must submit proof of registration once registered.

  • The Scholarship Committee will review all applications and will award scholarships based on available funds and scholarship criteria. Funds will be distributed to the Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) on behalf of the student per semester. You must submit proof of registration for each semester to receive awarded funds.

  • Awarded scholarship recipients and the educational institution will be notified via email of recipient’s selection.

  • Henrietta B. Wells Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Applicants may re-apply provided a new application is completed each year, and applicants meet eligibility requirements.

  • Once funds have been disbursed to an eligible student’s account, the amount disbursed- or any balance- shall not be returned to the fund or to an award recipient who withdraws, takes a leave of absence, or is subject to disciplinary action resulting in suspension or expulsion during an academic semester or year for which the award was granted.

  • ALL QUESTIONS/CORRESPONDENCE for the Henrietta Wells Scholarship should be forwarded to wellsapplication@edotracialjustice.org (NOTE: Applications will automatically be submitted to that address upon clicking the submit button at the end of the application.)

  • CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Henrietta Bell Wells Scholarship Update: Fall 2022-Spring 2023

For Spring 2023, the Henrietta Bell Wells Scholarship Committee received submissions from 37 eligible applicants and awarded $2000 per student the spring semester. In Fall 2022, the committee awarded 22 scholarships to eligible students for the fall semester.

2022 Henrietta Bell Wells Scholarship Recipients

Spring

(Recipients completed the application process and funds were allocated during the 2021 calendar year for the Spring 2022 semester )

Oluwole Akande, Prairie View A&M University
Episcopal affiliation: Prairie View A&M University Canterbury
Ruben Anvenue, Prairie View A&M University
Church affiliation: St. Francis of Assisi, Prairie View

Shadiamon Bain, Prairie View A&M University
Church affiliation: St. Francis of Assisi, Prairie View

Barrett Bailey, Texas Southern University
Church affiliation: Hope, Houston

David Burrows: Prairie View A&M University
Episcopal affiliation: Prairie View A&M University Canterbury

Sean Cooper, Prairie View A&M University
Episcopal affiliation: St. James’, Houston

James Fearon, Prairie View A&M University

Episcopal affiliation: Prairie View A&M University Canterbury

Kennedy Harris, Prairie View A&M University
Episcopal affiliation: Prairie View A&M University Canterbury

Talyce Hays, Huston Tillotson

Episcopal affiliation: RLCM

Andre Johnson, Prairie View A&M University

Episcopal affiliation: Prairie View A&M University Canterbury

Darryl Johnson, Prairie View A&M University

Episcopal affiliation: Prairie View A&M University Canterbury

Jalyn E. Jones, Texas Southern University

Church affiliation: St. James’, Houston

Bernard Nyarko, Prairie View A&M University

Church affiliation: St. Francis of Assisi, Prairie View

Celine Okwusogu, Prairie View A&M University

Church affiliation: Epiphany, Houston

Regan Reid, Prairie View A&M University

Episcopal affiliation: Prairie View A&M University Canterbury

Chantanice Taylor, Texas Southern University

Episcopal affiliation: Houston Canterbury

Craignal Wright, Prairie View A&M University

Church affiliation: St. Francis of Assisi, Prairie View

Ruel Wright, Prairie View A&M University

Episcopal affiliation: Prairie View A&M University Canterbury