Two Winners Announced for 2019 Curtis Mayfield Scholarships
The BMI Foundation, in partnership with the Curtis Mayfield Foundation, Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts), and Tri-Cities High School in Atlanta has announced ChiArts senior Jordan Davis and Tri-Cities High senior Cameron Weaks as the winners of the 2019 Curtis Mayfield Scholarships. Both students were presented with a $3,000 award by CheaaMayfield, the son of Curtis Mayfield and representatives of the BMI Foundation on Thursday, May 16, 2019 (Chicago) and Saturday May 18, 2019 (Atlanta) during graduation-related events.
Mrs. Altheida Mayfield describes her late husband as a caring man of great depth who took pride in helping young people achieve their musical dreams. Upon the announcement of the scholarship’s expansion to Atlanta last fall, she shared her hope that this gesture would be a way for the Curtis Mayfield legacy to remain connected with his Chicago roots and bring renewed awareness of his connection and musical influence to the Georgia capital.
The Curtis Mayfield Scholarship is presented annually to exemplary graduating seniors at both ChiArts in Chicago, IL and TriCities High School in Atlanta, GA. Both institutions are 4-year public high schools with dedicated programs and curriculum for artistically gifted students. The scholarship program honors the memory of the iconic Chicago-born songwriter, musician and producer whose prolific career and legacy includes such hits as “Superfly,” “People Get Ready,” “Move On Up,” “Do Do Wap is Strong in Here,” and “It’s All Right”, as well as the numerous soundtracks he created for film. Recipients are chosen based on need and musical merit, and preference is given to students going on to pursue college majors in performance, composition and songwriting.
Cameron Weaks stated “I am beyond thankful and honored to receive this Curtis Mayfield Scholarship award. Curtis Mayfield reminds me a lot of myself being that he was a musician at a young age. One of his popular songs, “Move On Up”, includes words to live by as a student musician...”Move on up towards your destination.” Tri-Cities Principal Termerion McCrary-Lakes offered, “It’s partnerships like this that allow us to debut our alumni in aspects that give back and support our students to become successful in their artistic endeavors. We are so elated”.
Jordan Davis added, "I am honored to be awarded this scholarship in honor of one of my favorite artists. This scholarship shows me that I am going in the right direction by continuing to be a performer, and no matter what I shall continue to love and create music."
Jordan Davis Raised on Chicago’s near southwest side, Jordan began singing in the Angels Choir at the Sunrise Baptist Church at age 4. As a freshman at the Chicago High School for the Arts, Jordan was awarded a Superior Medal at the Chicago Public Schools Arts Festival, and has been a 4-year participant in the Illinois High School Association music festival. Jordan was also selected to participate in the 2018-2019 Lyric Unlimited Program through Lyric Opera, and attended American Musical and Drama Academy’s High School Summer Conservatory in the summer of 2018. At the Conservatory at Merit School of Music in 2017, Jordan was awarded the Neal Abarbanell College Scholarship. Jordan is attending the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University next fall.
Cameron Weaks is an Atlanta native and senior Magnet student at Tri-Cities High School. An actor and singer, he is also skilled at piano, tuba, organ, and percussion. He is a member of the National Beta Club, the Senior Council and has participated in the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and the Jazz Band. Cameron was crowned as Mr. Tri-Cities for the 2018-2019 school year. Outside of school, Cameron is a member of the Greater Atlanta Urban Youth Jazz Experience (GAUJE) and the Metropolitan Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble (MAYWE). He is also an organist at his home church in Decatur, GA. In the Fall of 2019, Cameron will attend Alabama A&M University pursuing a degree in Music Business.