“Sauda Efia Baraka”
Scholarship for women or men who reside in CT. Sauda Efia Baraka retired from the State of Connecticut Judicial Department/CSSD Adult Probation after 22 years of service. Ms. Baraka held the position of Chief Probation Officer II, managing the Bridgeport, CT office, which encompasses the Fairfield Judicial District (Bridgeport, Fairfield, Trumbull, Stratford, Easton and Monroe) and the Geographical Area 2, Courts, Probation Offices and until the reorganization the Bail Commissioner’s Office.
Presently, Ms. Baraka is the President of the Board of Directors for Believe in Me Empowerment Corporation, located in New Haven, CT, and provided professional support to The Reading for Reasoning Program serving Children of Incarcerated Parents for the four (4) years, from conception to conclusion (2016).
As a community activist, Ms. Baraka has served the Bridgeport community, advocating for parents and children for thirty years. She served on her children’s elementary Parent Advisory Council’s (PAC) Executive Board, then as PAC co-chairperson from 1990-1998. She moved with her children onto high school and served on the Parent Teachers Student Organization (PTSO) Executive Board from 1996-2005. She was also the Chairperson of the Kennedy Stadium Renovation Project 1998-2000.
Ms. Baraka is a member on the Bridgeport Public Library Board since 1991 and has served as the Secretary/Treasurer and is currently the Vice President.
Ms. Baraka serves on the Executive Committee of the Bridgeport Chapter of the NAACP as the Chairperson for Criminal Justice.
Ms. Baraka served three terms as an elected member to the Bridgeport Board of Education. She was elected in 2005 and served until 2017. During her tenure, she served as Chairperson of the Board of Education, 2013-2014, and as Vice Chair 2016-2017. She also served as the Chairperson of the Student Engagement and Activities Committee; Chairperson of the Parent Committee, member of the of Strategy #6 Parent Involvement School Strategic Plan, and Chairperson of the Facilities and Operations Committee. She also founded and served as Board liaison to the Great City Schools “Males of Color” Committee, coordinating the first Bridgeport Board of Education’s Males of Color Forum (2017).
Ms. Baraka has received several awards and citations: The Bridgeport Girls Rock Award from the AKA Polished Pearls Foundation; The Professional Award from Elm City Clubs; The Community Service Award from Action for Bridgeport Community Development, Inc.; The Progressive Political Leadership Award from the Connecticut Working Families Party; The Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Award; Bridgeport School District Volunteer Award; Islamic Women’s Award and The African American Women’s Award.
Ms. Baraka is a graduate of Florida A&M University.
Ms. Baraka is married to Allen E. Jones, and has five (5) children and five (5) grandchildren.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: June 21st, 2019
Applicants should be high school seniors and should have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Please see below for more restrictions in greater detail.
Eligibility Requirements
| GPA: | 2.5 |
| Class year: | High School Senior |
| Residency: | Connecticut |
| Gender: | Female, Male |
| Income | Household Income of $70K and under |
| Other selection criteria: | Academic Achievements,Enrollment or acceptance as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution located in the United States of America. |
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We will need the following:
| ATP’s Application: ATP’s 2019 Scholarship Application |
| A ‘Letter of Recommendation’ from a teacher |
| 2 References |
| Financial Statements such as: Most recent tax returns |
| High School Transcript(s) – Unofficial |
| SAT/ACT Reportings |
| 500 word essay on how you faced and overcame adversity – Should be typed in 12 pts, Arial font & double spaced |
