A. Grace Lee Mims Vocal Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Cleveland Foundation

Introduction
The A. Grace Lee Mims Vocal Scholarship provides financial support to African American graduate students in voice who are U.S. citizens and committed to keeping the Negro spiritual alive through performance and/or teaching. Applicants should be pursuing graduate-level study in vocal performance or in music education with a vocal emphasis, and demonstrate dedication to the spirituals tradition as modeled by Roland Hayes, Paul Robeson, Marian Anderson, Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, and other notable artists. The award’s central aim is to ensure the continued performance and teaching of the Negro spiritual—a musical form created by African American enslaved peoples in the Diaspora.

Eligibility
To be considered, applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be an African American who is a U.S. citizen.
- Be enrolled or intending to enroll full-time in a graduate program (vocal performance or music education with emphasis on voice) at an accredited public or private nonprofit institution.
- Hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
- Show a clear commitment to preserving the Negro spiritual through either performance or pedagogy.

Required Application Materials
In addition to the completed application form, submit the following items:
- The most recent academic transcript.
- Two letters of recommendation from voice teachers or college/university music professors that speak to your musical ability, moral character, and commitment to the survival of the Negro spiritual.
- Two concert/program booklets that document at least a two-year span and include performances in which you sang Negro spirituals.
- Your financial aid award package showing cost of attendance and any scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans.
- A video of a recent performance (concert or recital). YouTube links are acceptable.
- One personal statement (see guidelines below).

FAFSA and Financial Documentation Note
We recognize there may be delays and changes related to the 2025–2026 FAFSA cycle that could affect other financial aid documents. If your application is otherwise complete but you have not yet received required financial information, please submit your application on time. We will coordinate with applicants to accommodate later submission of financial documents and discuss deadline options as needed.

Personal Statement Guidelines
Prepare a 500–750 word personal statement addressing the following:
- Your most significant strengths, achievements, or obstacles 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 promote and preserve it through your performance or teaching career.
- Your specific field of interest, career objectives, and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in that area.
- Ways in which you have served—or plan to serve—your community.

Application Saving and Editing
You may save your progress at any time by clicking the small gray “Save” button at the bottom of the application page. To return later and continue editing, log into your Smarter Select account and select “Edit Application.”