Empower Advocacy Oxford Incorporated

10/11/2026

💙💛 Empower Advocacy Oxford, Inc., extends
a heartfelt Thank you to the ladies of the Theta Iota Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and the Theta Iota Sigma Philo Affiliate of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. for an empowering and phenomenal Breaking Barriers Brunch!

All in attendance were truly inspired by the speakers and the important messages delivered!

Yolett McCuin, our beloved Coach Yo, left us empowered to uplift others and find our circle of support. Ginny Brown with Baptist Cancer Center reminded us to know our personal and family health histories, prioritize early screenings, and be proactive about our health. Libby Lytle with Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi, Inc. encouraged us to listen with compassion and show up for others during difficult times. Our own Dr. Shanika Vershala Ward closed with a powerful reminder that silence is a danger to progress, and breaking the barrier of silence requires more than words— It requires action.

Thank you to each of the speakers and the ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated and the Affiliates for your service, hospitality, support, and encouragement. You brought people together for meaningful conversations that inspire action and strengthen our community!

✨ Breaking Barriers. Building Futures. Empowering Lives.

10/10/2026

For World Mental Health Day, Empower Advocacy Oxford Incorporated is highlighting a craft activity complete by our AUsome youth participants to explore feelings and express themselves in their own way.

From kindness rocks and friendship bracelets to colorful collages, these projects offer opportunities to share messages of hope: “You belong,” “Be kind,” and “You matter.”

Keep your eyes peeled for the kindness rocks while you’re out walking at Pat Lamar Park!

Every young person deserves to feel heard, valued, and supported. Let’s make space for creativity, different ways of communicating, and meaningful connection.

What message of encouragement would you put on a kindness rock? Share below! 🎨

10/10/2026

💙 Your mental health matters. 💛

This World Mental Health Day, Empower Advocacy Oxford reminds you that you deserve care, connection, and support—today and every day.

Check in on someone you love. Listen with compassion. Make space for honest conversations, and reach out when you need support. You don’t have to have all the right words to let someone know they matter.

Together, we can build a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Share this reminder and help keep the conversation going.

10/03/2026

Come on down to the Oxford-Lafayette Community Health Fair that’s happening RIGHT NOW at the Activity Center!!!

Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 PM
Location: 400 Price Street
Oxford, MS 38655

*Flu shots available from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

FREE RESOURCES, FOOD, & FUN for ALL!

09/28/2026

Reposting this from our friends and fellow community partners:

“Oxford Community Market’s longtime trusted colleague Abbie Austin of UMatter Ole Miss and The Univ of Miss Food Pantry is working to support a young adult in our community who could really use our help.

So let’s open our hearts and show some love! Anyone wishing to help can drop items listed above off at the OXCM Welcome Table on Tuesday at the Old Armory Pavilion.

Much gratitude for our generous community of vendors, shoppers, partners and volunteers!”

Oxford Community Market
University of Mississippi Food Pantry

Abbie Austin

09/21/2026

Empower Advocacy Oxford Incorporated’s Setting Up Success program has gathered scholarship application links for high school seniors. 🎓 💵🎓💵🎓💵🎓💵🎓💵🎓

Save and share this post, and begin with the earliest deadlines!

📅 SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship — $1,000
Apply:
https://www.digitalresponsibility.org/dont-text-and-drive-scholarship

College JumpStart Pay It Forward Scholarship — A chance to receive $1,000. Applicants must submit a personal statement.
Apply:
https://www.jumpstart-scholarship.net/application-pay-it-forward-scholarship

Courage to Grow Scholarship — $1,000 scholarship for eligible high school juniors and seniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Apply:
https://couragetogrowscholarship.com/

📅 OCTOBER 1, 2026

QuestBridge National College Match — Full four-year scholarships covering tuition, housing, food, and other expenses for qualifying high-achieving seniors from low-income households.
Apply:
https://www.questbridge.org/apply-to-college/programs/national-college-match

📅 OCTOBER 31, 2026

VFW Voice of Democracy — A recorded essay competition for students in grades 9–12. The national first-place scholarship is $35,000.
Apply and download the entry form:
https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships

📅 NOVEMBER 2026

NOVEMBER 1

NC State Park Scholarship — A four-year award covering tuition, room and board, books, and other expenses. Students must complete both the NC State admission application and the separate Park Scholarship application.
Apply:
https://park.ncsu.edu/apply/

NOVEMBER 3
Chick-fil-A Community Scholars — Multiple $25,000 scholarships for students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, and financial need. Applicants do not have to work at Chick-fil-A.
Apply:
https://www.chick-fil-a.com/community-scholars

NOVEMBER 3

Georgia Tech Stamps President’s Scholars Program — A full-ride scholarship for selected students. Mississippi applicants should confirm the nonresident Early Action deadline before submitting their Georgia Tech admission application.
Application information:
https://stampsps.gatech.edu/apply/

NOVEMBER 11

Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship — Need-based awards that can provide as much as $55,000 per year.
Apply:
https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/

NOVEMBER 12

Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship — Four-year scholarships for eligible U.S.-citizen high school seniors planning to attend an accredited four-year U.S. college or university.
Apply:
https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm

📅 DECEMBER 1, 2026

Hagan Scholarship — Need-based funding of up to $7,500 per semester. Carefully review the academic, household-income, employment, and continuing eligibility requirements.
Apply:
https://haganscholarships.org/application/

Ron Brown Scholarship — $40,000 over four years for eligible Black/African American high school seniors. The student application is due December 1, and required transcripts and recommendation letters are due December 15.
Apply:
https://ronbrown.org/ron-brown-scholarship/

📌 BEFORE YOU APPLY

Read each sponsor’s complete eligibility requirements, confirm the deadline and submission time, and request recommendations early. Give yourself enough time to proofread every response and make sure your application tells your authentic story.

Setting Up Success | Empower Advocacy Oxford, Incorporated
Empowering Every Next Step.

09/16/2026

09/16/2026

The board and members of Empower Advocacy Oxford, Incorporated proudly congratulate our Executive Director and Founder, Dr. Shanika Vershala Ward, on being named a 2026 Woman of Distinction by Girl Scouts Heart of the South!

This prestigious recognition honors Dr. Ward’s unwavering dedication to advocacy, education, community service, and the empowerment of individuals and families. Through her visionary leadership, she has transformed compassion into action, creating opportunities, removing barriers, connecting people with critical resources, and inspiring others to recognize the power of service.

Dr. Ward leads with courage, humility, kindness, and an unshakable belief that every person deserves the opportunity to be seen, supported, and empowered. Her commitment extends far beyond organizational leadership; it is reflected in every student encouraged, every family assisted, every returning citizen supported, and every community partnership strengthened.

We celebrate this remarkable honor alongside the MANY phenomenal women who were nominated and recognized for their leadership and service. We extend very special thanks to the amazing speaker, Kristina Carlson with Outrageous Kindness for delivering a powerful message.

Dr. Ward, your Empower Advocacy family is incredibly proud of you. Thank you for reminding us that leadership is not defined by a title, but by the lives we touch, the doors we open, and the hope we inspire.

May this honor serve as another powerful reminder that purpose-driven work matters, and that when we lead with love, serve with intention, and practice outrageous kindness, we can transform entire communities.

Congratulations, Dr. Shanika Ward, our 2026 Woman of Distinction! Your light continues to shine, and your work continues to make a difference.

💙 Empowering Lives. Strengthening Community.

09/11/2026

🇺🇸 Today, Empower Advocacy Oxford, Incorporated, joins our nation in solemn remembrance of September 11, 2001.

Twenty-five years later, we continue to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the survivors whose lives were forever changed, and the courageous first responders, service members, and everyday citizens who answered tragedy with extraordinary bravery and compassion.

September 11 reminds us that even in moments of unimaginable sorrow, courage and compassion can shine through the darkness. Today, we pause to remember every life lost, every family forever changed, and every hero who ran toward danger to help someone else. May we never forget those we lost, and may we continue to reflect the unity, kindness, and service that brought Americans together in the days that followed.

May the memories of this day inspire us to love more deeply, serve more faithfully, and never take for granted the precious gift of another day.

We remember. We honor. We stand together.

09/03/2026

Empower Advocacy Oxford Incorporated was honored to pour back into area educators by providing classroom resources to help support their students and learning environments. These dedicated educators 🍎pour so much into our students!

Congratulations to:
✨ Stacy Jackson of Grenada Middle School
✨ Ariel Booker of Lafayette Middle School

We appreciate your dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping students thrive.

Thank you for making a difference in the classroom every day!