State Rep Kenyatta Johnson's 'Have You Done It Yet' Campaign Encourages Students To Apply For College Scholarships
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Peace Not Guns Caucus held its first annual "Have You Done It Yet" Awards Banquet at Yesha Banquet Hall on Thursday. The group honored students who decided to take control of their future.
The Point Breeze section of Philadelphia has been plagued with gun violence over the past few months. State Representative Kenyatta Johnson says he created the "Have You Done It Yet" campaign to empower youth by raising awareness about college scholarships.
"For me, this initiative was about encouraging young people to take responsibility for their education, which will help them follow their dreams," said Johnson.
Johnson says his group held rallies at 10 schools and provided outreach to nearly 1,000 students. Naheemah Salaam, 18, is a senior at Audenreid Charter High School. In just two days, she applied for more than $100-grand in scholarships and won an extra $1,500 from the caucus for her hard work.
"[The campaign] helped me find out all of the scholarships out there. They give scholarships away just for wearing glasses or just for being a heavy-set girl."
Johnsons says the students applied for a total of $200,000 in scholarships, but his goal for next year is even bigger.
"We are going to shoot for $1 million and we are going to make sure that the scholarship money grows and grows and grows."
