The Kayla Spivey 4ever Sixteen Scholarship
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Kayla Spivey
The Kayla Spivey 4ever Sixteen Scholarship was established to honor the life and enduring spirit of Kayla Spivey. Kayla was a vibrant, driven, and compassionate young girl whose life was tragically cut short due to gun and domestic violence at the age of 16. Though her time was brief, Kayla left a lasting impact on her family, friends, and community- remembered for her leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to creating a better world.
This $1,600 scholarship is awarded annually to a young female change-maker who embodies the spirit and promise that Kayla carried with her every day- someone who has taken initiative in their community, shown courage in the face of adversity, and is actively working to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. The ideal recipient is a student who has shown leadership, service, and a commitment to uplifting their community, much like Kayla did throughout her life.
We seek to recognize students who embody the spirit of change: those who lead with empathy, advocate for justice, and inspire hope. Whether through activism, volunteer work, peer mentorship, or creative expression, the recipient of this scholarship demonstrates that leadership is not about age or circumstance, but about the heart, vision, and drive to act.
By supporting young leaders in Kayla’s name, we ensure that her legacy lives on- not only in memory, but in movement.
Meet Our 2025-2026 KS4S Scholars
Naomi Bolden
Ziyadah McKnight
Ziyadah McKnight
Naomi is the Founder and Director of Embold (@emboldproject / emboldproject.org), an initiative dedicated to empowering Black girls to embrace their natural hair. Through mentorship, workshops, and community outreach, she works to create spaces where young girls can challenge beauty stereotypes and celebrate their individuality. She was r
Naomi is the Founder and Director of Embold (@emboldproject / emboldproject.org), an initiative dedicated to empowering Black girls to embrace their natural hair. Through mentorship, workshops, and community outreach, she works to create spaces where young girls can challenge beauty stereotypes and celebrate their individuality. She was recently awarded the Princeton Prize in Race Relations (Certificate of Accomplishment) from Princeton University for Embold's work in advancing racial equity and understanding. In addition to her advocacy work, Naomi is a gymnastics coach and a cheerleading coach for the Special Olympics. She also interned in neuroscience research at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she contributed to research focused on frontotemporal dementia. At school, Naomi served as President of Doctors of Tomorrow and was involved in tutoring and service initiatives. She is passionate about combining leadership, education, and advocacy to create meaningful change in her community.
Ziyadah McKnight
Ziyadah McKnight
Ziyadah McKnight
Being a young Black woman in Newark has never been easy. Yet, I've always prioritized my intelligence and my skill to push towards obtaining opportunities that were once thought impossible to those before me. Growing up, I've had the chance to experience Kayla Spivey during middle school. Being two smart, independent, and passionate girls
Being a young Black woman in Newark has never been easy. Yet, I've always prioritized my intelligence and my skill to push towards obtaining opportunities that were once thought impossible to those before me. Growing up, I've had the chance to experience Kayla Spivey during middle school. Being two smart, independent, and passionate girls, we navigated the world how we saw fit. Receiving this scholarship, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. The money was not the goal; however, honoring my friend, my twin, and my sister was. Thank you so much for granting me this opportunity.
Johannah Prempeh
Ziyadah McKnight
Johannah Prempeh
My name is Johannah (Jojo) and I am deeply honored to receive the Kayla Spivey 4Ever Sixteen Scholarship, as it celebrates the life and memory of my friend, Kayla. Her impact on my life continues to inspire me every day, and everything I do is motivated by a desire to make her proud and carry her memory with me. Throughout my high school
My name is Johannah (Jojo) and I am deeply honored to receive the Kayla Spivey 4Ever Sixteen Scholarship, as it celebrates the life and memory of my friend, Kayla. Her impact on my life continues to inspire me every day, and everything I do is motivated by a desire to make her proud and carry her memory with me. Throughout my high school years, and especially during my senior year, I have worked hard academically, embraced new opportunities, and grown into a more confident and determined person. This fall, I will attend Temple University, where I plan to study speech-language pathology and pursue a career helping others. Receiving this scholarship is a meaningful reminder of Kayla’s lasting influence, and I will continue to honor her legacy through my achievements, service, and future goals.
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