Black Heart Foundation supports Sixth Former with scholarship

The Black Heart Foundation is changing the lives of three GDST Sixth Form students, including one pupil at Sheffield Girls’, by funding the girls’ two year Sixth Form education.

The Black Heart Foundation was founded by Ric Lewis, named as Britain’s most powerful black person by the Powerlist in 2018. Its primary goal is to remove any and all barriers to the aspiration and achievement of young people in life and education and aims to support young people irrespective of their background. To date, it has allocated more than £5 million in grants, awards and scholarships - including a donation of £500k from grime artist Stormzy’s Merky Foundation. 

Sheffield Girls’ Black Heart Foundation Scholar, Ella said: “I was delighted to be awarded the Black Heart Foundation Scholarship, which has enabled me to thrive in such an inspiring and supportive environment. Because of this, I really do look forward to coming to school each day, where I am surrounded by like-minded individuals, and have already grown so much in confidence.”

Ella, who previously attended Forge Valley School, joined Sheffield Girls’ in September 2020 and is studying English Literature, History and Religious Studies.

Head of External Relations, Alison Gardner said; “Sheffield Girls’ has a tradition of enabling bright and talented girls to join Sheffield Girls' irrespective of financial circumstance and we’re so grateful to the Black Heart Foundation, for supporting Ella as one of their scholars this year. It has been wonderful to welcome Ella into our Sixth Form and she has really embraced all of the opportunities our Sixth Form has to offer in her first six months here.” 

Cheryl Giovannoni, Chief Executive of the GDST, said: “We are honoured to be working with the Black Heart Foundation. Like the GDST, they are committed to ensuring that a lack of financial resources does not prevent talented young people from achieving their full potential; work that has become more crucial as a result of the Covid pandemic. This partnership represents our shared commitment to social mobility, diversity and equality, with girls’ education being one of the key contributors to future prosperity in countries around the world, including the UK.”

Find out more about the Black Heart Foundation on their website.