Why a California Scholarship for Black Students Welcomes White Applicants

On September 22, 2025, students meandered through the campus of UC San Diego. Following a lawsuit from students and a conservative nonprofit regarding discrimination, the Black Alumni Scholarship Fund is now accessible to all races. The plaintiffs claimed that the fund breached laws, including the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, aimed to safeguard Black Americans. Student Kai Peters asserted he was denied the scholarship solely due to his racial identity, characterizing this rejection as “institutionalized racism.” Joshua Thompson, an attorney for the plaintiffs’ legal representation, stressed that government should not engage in discrimination practices. The scholarship has been renamed the Goins Alumni Scholarship Fund, honoring founder Lennon Goins. Each scholarship offers $2,500, with nearly 275 awarded since 2016. Changes to several California initiatives have arisen following the Supreme Court's decision to eliminate affirmative action in private universities. The restructured scholarship program now emphasizes community service and resilience without mentioning race.