A. Grace Lee Mims Vocal Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Cleveland Foundation

Overview — What this scholarship is about
The A. Grace Lee Mims Vocal Scholarship supports African American graduate students (U.S. citizens) who are studying vocal performance or music education with an emphasis on voice. Its goal is simple and important: to keep the tradition of the Negro spiritual alive through performance and teaching. The scholarship honors a lineage of artists — Roland Hayes, Paul Robeson, Marian Anderson, Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, and others — whose work exemplifies this repertoire.

Who is eligible
You should apply if you meet all of the following:
- African American and a U.S. citizen
- Pursuing graduate-level studies in vocal performance or music education (voice emphasis)
- Enrolled or enrolling full time at an accredited public or private nonprofit institution
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.0
- Committed to preserving the Negro spiritual through performance and/or teaching

Required application materials
In addition to the completed application, submit the following:
- Most recent transcript (official or unofficial, as specified by the application)
- Two letters of recommendation from voice teachers or music professors that speak to your musical ability, moral character, and commitment to preserving the Negro spiritual
- Two concert or recital programs spanning at least two years that include your performance of Negro spirituals
- Your financial aid award information (cost of attendance and any scholarships, fellowships, grants, or loans)
- A video recording of a recent performance (YouTube links accepted)
- One personal statement (see guidelines below)

Personal statement — instructions and topics
Length: 500–750 words. Address each of the following:
- Your greatest strengths, significant accomplishments, or challenges you have overcome
- Why you are applying for the A. Grace Lee Mims Vocal Scholarship
- What draws you to the Negro spiritual and how you intend to preserve it through performance or teaching
- Your specific field of interest, career goals, and reasons for pursuing the degree you are seeking
- How you have served, or plan to serve, your community

Notes about FAFSA and financial documents
We recognize there may be delays or changes to the 2025–26 FAFSA and related financial aid timelines. If your application is otherwise complete but you don’t yet have final financial aid documents, submit the rest of your materials now. The selection committee will work with applicants to accommodate deadlines for outstanding financial documents.

Application tips
- Save your work often: click the small gray “Save” button at the bottom of the page while filling out the application.
- To return and edit, log into your Smarter Select account and select “Edit Application.”

If you have questions while preparing your materials, reach out for clarification — it’s better to ask than to guess. Good luck; this is a meaningful opportunity to advance both your career and an important musical heritage.