Savannah native receives Unforgettable Dream Scholarship

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - He is halfway through college already, and now the first recipient of the Unforgettable Dream Scholarship is ready to return and complete his degree, which he says will be the best way he can repay the tremendous community support that took him all the way from Savannah to Louisiana - on a dream.

Whenever he’s home from his home away from home, Lavell Allen has to stop by his third home.

Allen says, “having that sense that someone from home is actually caring for you still and looking out for me and just giving me such a great opportunity. Just knowing that’s the case is such a great thing.”

Lavell is the first recipient of the Unforgettable Dream Scholarship and he has not forgotten who helped him complete two years at Xavier University of Louisiana with the pledge of seeing him through graduation in two more years.

“Miss Belinda’s done a lot for me and she wants to do this for other people in the future. I want everyone to understand that this is an amazing thing.”

Belinda Baptiste started her fund to put local student through an HBCU during the pandemic. She is halfway to completing her dream by sharing it.

“I have learned that people, when you come with the idea of giving, people will come alongside. Because people love giving and love to make an impact... I always remind him that it’s not Belinda, it’s us. The Power of Us is great,” said Baptiste.

Bapiste will be asking others to join her again next month, right before Lavell heads back to school. Funds are still needed to cover everything for his junior year and will be raised at an event on Sunday, August 4th.

“I will get with a group of people and we will cook a very amazing Caribbean dish for people to have. It will be a time to really talk about Lavell and the impact the community really had on his life.”

They’ll hear that from Lavell, who plans to attend the event at the Beach Institute and let everyone know how grateful he is for such unforgettable support.

“It’s just amazing. I’m ready. It’s going by so fast. It’s been two years already. I’m like, ‘two more years to go.’’