Gaines-Jones Scholars
College Scholarships & Advocacy for African-American Students
2026 Scholarship Applications are now open through March 15th.
Our Scholars
“Academic success for first-generation professional students takes a village. Gaines-Jones Scholars has been part of my village since 2012 when I graduated from Albany High School. Scholarship support from GJS supplemented my college, medical school, and physician training expenses.
Thirteen years of education and training have been a huge financial undertaking. My family and I are extremely grateful for the years of support that have relieved some of that burden.
For today’s students, secondary education continues to become more expensive and less accessible. Now, as a practicing OBGYN, I am honored to be a GJS donor to ensure that the next generation of students can have the same support.”
— Chelsea Fitzhugh, MD, OBGYN & Assistant Professor, University of Alabama Medicine, and 12-time GJS Scholarship recipient
Our Story
Gaines-Jones Scholars was created in 2001 in memory of Mrs. Irene Gaines Jones, Dr. Betty J. Jones and Mr. Silas Jones: the family of co-founder Anita Jones Roehrick. Shown here is Flora Devine, Anita’s bestie since 8th grade; also a founding Gaines-Jones Board member who says:
“It’s an honor to have a deep personal connection to an organization built on a legacy of service in education.”
“You will find Gaines-Jones Scholars a compelling public charity. The organization supports scholars who have a positive impact in their communities! It’s a beautiful thing.”
— Marion Weinreb, long-time GJS major donor
Our Impact
Many of our Gaines-Jones Scholars are the first in their family to attend college. We currently have three Scholars in medical residency programs, our 2017 San Francisco State Cinema major had his student film screened at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, and our very first Scholar (pictured here) came back to give back.
Timothy Hardwick, Vice Principal at Radium Springs Middle School in Albany, GA, serves on our Board of Directors and is driven by pure grit. He says,
“My predominately Black students need to see the example of me.”
Gaines-Jones Scholars is a public charity (501(c)(3) founded in 2001 by Anita Jones Roehrick and husband Robert M. Roehrick to mentor youth, promote youth advocacy and provide need-based annual college scholarships to African-American students in southwest Georgia and the San Francisco Bay area, many of whom are the first in their family to go to college. We invite you to become a donor and see the impact your support makes possible.
$400K+
Total Given in Scholarships
300+
Total Scholarships Awarded
180+
Students Served 120 Female/62 Male
Get Involved
Our efforts are not full-time or part-time, but strictly love-time. We are 100% volunteer-run: no brick and mortar building, minimal overhead and no staff. Streamline operations mean every dollar donated goes directly toward a Gaines-Jones scholarship.
The best way to get involved and have an impact is to donate, or raise money on our behalf inside your social groups and community; at your work place, church, school or wherever you can creatively garner support for helping us help Black students graduate from college debt-free.
For Students
HOW TO FIND MORE SCHOLARSHIPS
Gaines-Jones Scholar Fanta Jamissa, Class of 2024, UC Berkeley, B.S in Public Health, shares her tried & true methods for doing college DEBT-FREE.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS
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