DURHAM — Calling Livingstone College his “last chance,” student Will McCorn delivered strong words of praise for the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation during its annual scholarship banquet on June 7.

“The success I have achieved since being there would not have happened had it not been for organizations like the Legislative Black Caucus,” he said. “Your belief in and support of students like me will continue to fuel our fire and propel generations to go forward into success.”

The event, officially named the William L. Wainwright Annual Scholarship Banquet, was held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham in effort to raise scholarship funds for students of historically black colleges and universities.

McCorn is an award recipient of the foundation’s scholarship and was selected to be the only HBCU student to give remarks on behalf of all scholarship recipients.

“In a political climate that encourages us to tuck our blackness into our back pockets, our HBCUs admonish us to wear it on our chests like Superman does; to wear it on our sleeves and walk around proudly,” McCorn said.

McCorn is a native of Ellicott City, Maryland and a former Morehouse student majoring in sociology. Outside of class, the honor student works at the campus radio station as an on-air personality and announces campus basketball games.

McCorn aspires to dedicate his time and energy toward advocating for education reform as a lobbyist or in the nonprofit sector.

“Will McCorn commanded attention from the time he took to the microphone at the event,” said Kimberly Harrington, assistant director of public relations at Livingstone College. “The response was magnificent. He received a standing ovation. We are extremely proud of him and the impact he had on the audience.”

Nine other Livingstone College students also attended the event.

“He was amazing,” said Warren Arrington, Jr., president of the Livingstone College National Alumni Association and the foundation’s treasurer. “I could have heard more from him. He was a great representation of my alma mater.”

Also addressing attendees were Gov. Roy Cooper, and N.C. Sen. Dan Blue, D-14, Senate Democratic Leader; N.C. Rep. Darren Jackson, D-39, House Democratic Leader; N.C. Sen. Paul Lowe, D-32, chair of the N.C. Legislative Black Caucus; and via video message, U.S. Congressman G.K. Butterfield of N.C.’s 1st Congressional District, U.S. House of Representatives.

Cash Michaels, columnist and film director, served as master of ceremonies. U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass of California’s 37th Congressional District was the keynote speaker. She is also chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and was introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Alma Adams of N.C.’s 12th Congressional District.

The foundation has announced that it would be able to increase its scholarship giving due to the event’s success. To learn more about the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation or how to apply for the scholarship, visit www.nclbcf.org.