The $500 award supports international students in Michigan whose academic success and service reflect a deep commitment to building stronger, more equitable communities.

 

Wednesday, June 18th, 2025

 

Detroit, Michigan - The GABA Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the O. Rerhi Onomake Community Leadership Scholarship, a $500 award created to celebrate grassroots leadership and academic excellence among students of African and Caribbean heritage. This scholarship supports international students enrolled in Michigan-based colleges who are actively engaged in strengthening their communities while pursuing degrees that position them for long-term career success. The scholarship honors O. Rerhi Onomake, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association, whose work has long exemplified a quiet but powerful form of leadership rooted in service, equity, and transformation. This award recognizes students who embody that same spirit—those whose impact begins at the community level and radiates outward through education, discipline, and purpose-driven action.

 

“True leadership doesn’t always begin in the spotlight,” said O. Rerhi Onomake, Co-Founder of the Global African Business Association. “It often begins with small, consistent acts of service that make people feel seen, supported, and valued. This scholarship honors that kind of leadership—the kind that builds trust, uplifts communities, and leaves a lasting legacy.”

 

 

“At The GABA Foundation, we believe leadership begins at the grassroots—with individuals who choose to serve first, lead with integrity, and use education as a tool for transformation. This scholarship is about more than recognition. It is an investment in the quiet architects of community change—those who are building trust, solving problems, and creating systems that uplift others. We are honored to uplift this legacy through the O. Rerhi Onomake Community Leadership Scholarship,” said Rhonna-Rose Akama-Makia, President of The GABA Foundation.

 

Open to international students who are currently attending a Michigan-based college and enrolled in at least 12 credits of college-level coursework toward a bachelor’s degree, the Onomake Scholarship encourages academic rigor alongside demonstrated community impact. Preference will be given to students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree from any institution and who can clearly articulate how their education and service will create long-term benefit for others.

 

Eligibility Criteria:   

  • Must be an international student of African or Caribbean descent.
  • Must be currently enrolled at a Michigan-based college with at least 12 semester credits 
  • Must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25
  • Must not hold a prior bachelor's degree from any institution.
  • Must demonstrate a track record of service and academic excellence that supports career advancement.

 

Award Amount: $500

Application Deadline: August 31, 2025

Apply at: www.thegabafoundation.org/scholarships

 

This scholarship expands the Foundation’s commitment to building talent pipelines rooted in lived experience, cultural pride, and excellence in practice. As part of its broader investment in workforce development and community resilience, The GABA Foundation is actively identifying and supporting emerging leaders who represent the future of service-driven innovation. Faculty, mentors, and community partners are encouraged to share this opportunity with students who exemplify courage, service, and quiet power.