Our story
Empowering the Next Generation of Black Leaders
NAASA connects African American students with the scholarships, fellowships, and leadership programs that open doors — and keeps those doors open.
Our mission
Closing the Opportunity Gap
Every year, thousands of high-impact scholarships, fellowships, and leadership programs go unfilled — not because qualified students don't exist, but because they never heard about them. NAASA was founded to change that.
We aggregate, verify, and surface opportunities specifically designed for African American students, then give you the tools to track deadlines, compare awards, and apply with confidence.
From HBCU students to first-generation college graduates, NAASA is built for every student ready to lead.
What We Stand For
Access
Every student deserves to know what opportunities exist. We make the full landscape visible, not just the well-known names.
Accuracy
Deadlines, award amounts, and eligibility requirements are verified and kept current so you can plan with confidence.
Community
Leadership isn't a solo journey. NAASA connects students with peers, mentors, and alumni who've walked the path before.
Equity
We center the students most often overlooked by traditional scholarship search tools — and build every feature with them in mind.
The Team Behind NAASA
Educators, advocates, and former scholarship recipients who know firsthand what's at stake.
Dr. Aisha Williams
Executive Director
Former UNCF Scholar and Howard University professor. Aisha has spent 15 years connecting students to funding they didn't know existed.
Marcus Johnson
Director of Partnerships
Ron Brown Scholar alumnus. Marcus builds the relationships with organizations that keep our directory current and growing.
Priya Okafor
Head of Student Success
First-generation college graduate and CBCF fellow. Priya leads our essay coaching and application support programs.
DeShawn Carter
Technology Lead
TMCF Scholar and software engineer. DeShawn built the search and deadline-tracking tools that power the NAASA platform.
Ready to Find Your Opportunity?
Browse hundreds of scholarships, fellowships, and leadership programs — all in one place.