Norco College student Imari McGhee has been awarded the 2025 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire (100 BMIE) Umoja Scholarship, receiving $1,000 in recognition of her perseverance, leadership, and academic excellence.
McGhee, a Business Administration major with a concentration in Management, maintains a 3.33 GPA and has already earned associate degrees in Administration and Information Systems, Social and Behavioral Studies, and Child/Adolescent Development. She also holds two teaching certificates, further demonstrating her dedication to education and lifelong learning.
Passionate about shaping young minds, McGhee plans to pursue a career in early childhood education as a kindergarten or first-grade teacher. She hopes to inspire children to discover the joy of learning, just as her own teachers once inspired her.
“I want to be what my kindergarten teacher was for me—someone who makes learning exciting and helps children develop confidence in themselves,” said McGhee. “There is so much confusion in the world today, and I want to be a positive role model for the next generation.”
Beyond the classroom, McGhee has demonstrated her commitment to service through coaching youth volleyball, facilitating children’s church programs, and mentoring young students. Despite facing significant personal challenges, including overcoming an unstable home environment during her teenage years, McGhee has remained steadfast in her education and faith.
“I’m proud of who I am, how far I’ve come, and where I’m going,” McGhee shared. “I hope my story can encourage others to keep going no matter what they face.”
The 100 BMIE organization’s motto, “What They See Is What They’ll Be,” reflects its mission to empower and inspire young people through mentorship and community engagement. The scholarship partnership with the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) Foundation underscores a shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities and pathways for students like McGhee to achieve academic and professional success.
About the 100 BMIE Umoja Scholarship Fund:
The 100 BMIE Umoja Scholarship was established through a Gift Agreement signed in May 2023 between the RCCD Foundation and 100 Black Men of the Inland Empire, an organization dedicated to mentoring, education, health and wellness, and economic empowerment for underserved youth in the region.
The 100 BMIE Umoja Scholarship Fund provides financial support to RCCD students who are active in the Umoja program, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, and plan to transfer to an HBCU or a four-year university. Awards are typically made in $1,000 increments, with the goal of supporting students across all three RCCD colleges.