POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS Valley hip-hop band starts fund for scholarships

The amount of the two scholarships has yet to be determined.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A Valley hip-hop band that recently recorded a controversial song about the city police department has established a scholarship fund for high school seniors here and in Youngstown.
Blaqsun, a band based in Youngstown, established the fund to express its concern for the future of the Youngstown-Warren area, said Laurence J. Haley.
"We didn't raise this issue to make a quick buck," said Jason Jackson, a Blaqsun member. "We genuinely care about the community and want to bring attention to the recent events in Warren between the police department and the streets they patrol. This will give the voice of our generation an opportunity to step forward and speak up about they feel."
The amount of the scholarship has yet to be determined.
"We started it off with $200, and we are asking some businesses and the community to donate to the scholarship fund," Haley said. Donations can be made to the Blaqsun Rise Scholarship Fund at any National City Bank.
The contest will be open to high school seniors in the Youngstown and Warren public city schools. There will be two recipients -- one student from Youngstown and one from Warren.
"We will ask those who apply for the scholarship to write a one-page essay," Haley said. "The essay will be an answer to this question: On both sides, what steps can be taken to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve?"
Entries must be typed and submitted between Monday and May 7.
Essay submissions can be sent to Blaqsun Rise Scholarship Fund, c/o Laurence Haley, 466 W. Ravenwood Ave., Youngstown 44511.
"It's a community issue, and I'm sure there's things that both sides can do to improve this divide that unfortunately we see in so many inner cities," Said Jahi Harvey, producer and Blaqsun member. "That's exactly the reason we are challenging the community to contribute. It's more than just our crusade ... this should be something we all embrace."
sinkovich@vindy.com