Vancouver, Washington (PRWEB) May 03, 2017
An ambitious young woman in Portland has been given a boost in her education and quest to become a writer. Kia Addison was awarded the inaugural Mitchell S. Jackson Scholarship for Writers of Color. Kia is a student and University Scholar at Pacific University.
The $1,500 scholarship, underwritten by NW Injury Law Center and author/educator Mitchell S. Jackson, is a national award given to an incoming freshman student of color who wishes to pursue a degree in writing, journalism, English, communication, or a related degree.
Applicants submitted an essay, which was reviewed by Jackson and others. The essay topic was to answer the question: How has language helped to shape your identity? It’s based on an essay by James Baldwin titled: “If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is.” Baldwin argued that language “is the most vivid and crucial key to identity.”
Addison’s winning essay, “Downward,” focused on how the language used by people around her often pushed her down and gave her a false sense of degradation. She wrote how it influenced her self-image and led her to reconsider her own language – she turned downward into onward.
In addition to financial support from the scholarship, Addison will also have Mitchell Jackson as a mentor, guide and sounding board. Mitchell S. Jackson is a Portland, Oregon native who received his M.A. in writing from Portland State University and M.F.A. in Creative Writing from New York University. He recently published his novel The Residue Years to international acclaim and was awarded a 2016 Whiting Award.
“I was awarded two scholarships for writing when I was young,” Jackson said. “So it gives me great, great pride to pay it forward and help Kia in her own early start. I know how important support is. Thank you to Northwest Injury Law Center for underwriting the scholarship. And thank you to whoever put up the loot for me all those years ago. It made all the difference.”
NW Injury Law Center is a personal injury law firm licensed to practice in Oregon and Washington. The firm, led by Don and Jesse Jacobs, has over 35 years of experience fighting for the rights of people who have been wrongfully injured.
“We are proud to join with Mitchell Jackson in offering this scholarship,” said Jesse Jacobs. “Kia Addison is a worthy winner – a really impressive person. We were honored to give her this award and hope it leads to great things.”
To learn more about NW Injury Law Center and its dedication to the local community, please contact them today.
NW Injury Law Center
514 West 9th Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
http://www.nwinjurylawcenter.com/