A Penn Hills High School graduate wanted to find a way to give back to her community after seeing the financial burden college students go through upon graduating from Morgan State University in 2008.

“I got bogged down with student loans. I wished someone had given me knowledge on finances and financial literacy,” LaShawn Murray said.

Murray, who now lives in Turtle Creek, founded The Thirsty Mind Collective, an organization that focuses on education and self-awareness with young Black women to help them thrive academically, socially and financially.

Inspired to help those looking to further their education, Murray created The Thirsty Mind Scholarship in 2018. The one-time scholarship is given to Black girls in their senior year of high school looking to attend a two- or four-year college or trade school.

The scholarships are comprised of crowdfunded donations. Each year, Murray strives to give away more money. The first year, she was able to give away $250 out of her pocket. The second year, a Black Women In Art event in conjunction with the Queenpin Collective raised $1,500 to be split between two recipients. In the third year, $3,000 was split among three recipients.

Penn Hills School District guidance counselor Amy Alexander encouraged Murray to create the scholarship. Alexander first met Murray when she was one of her eighth grade teachers. Alexander said the scholarship has made a difference for students who receive it.

“It is giving and feeding into someone else’s dreams, and just a continuation of the ancestors to give and pay it forward,” Alexander said.

Alexander spreads the word about the scholarship and encourages students to apply.

Katrice Stallworth, a Penn Hills High School graduate, received one of the $1,000 scholarships in 2020. She is attending The Ohio State University, where she is studying psychology and minoring in African American and African studies.

Stallworth said she was honored to receive a scholarship aimed to give back to the same school community Murray attended.

“That’s special, and I was excited to be a part of that,” Stallworth said.

Stallworth was inspired to give back after receiving the scholarship. She hopes to use her expertise from school to help provide mental health resources to those in the community.

“It is never too early to give back to your community,” she said.

Murray is looking to expand the scholarship’s reach to other schools across the Pittsburgh area. She hopes to see enough donations roll in to give continuous scholarship money to recipients.

“I am glad I am able to bless these young ladies,” she said. “My vision for it is huge.”

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