Grenada To The World . . .
Gemma Raeburn-Baynes creates Gem * Stars with the GemStar Circle of Excellence Program and the GemStar Scholarship Fund
The GemStar Circle of Excellence is a program created by Grenadian-born Gemma Raeburn-Baynes , President and Founder of Playmas Montreal Cultural Association in Montreal , Quebec , to help Black and Caribbean students in Montreal achieve academic excellence . The program provides scholarships of $ 1500 to each student , mentorship , and other resources to help high performing Black students succeed in their studies .
The problem that Playmas Montreal Cultural Association is trying to solve with the GemStar Circle of Excellence program and the GemStar Scholarship Fund is the under-representation of Black and Caribbean students in post-secondary education due to several factors , including financial barriers , lack of access to resources and systemic racism .
The target audience for the GemStar Circle of
Excellence is Black and Caribbean students who are high performers and who are interested in pursuing post-secondary education . The program is open to students in Montreal in their final year of secondary school who are on the honor roll or maintain a 75 % average .
The impact of the GemStar Circle of Excellence will be significant . The program will help many Black and Caribbean students attend college and university . The program will also help to increase the number of Black and Caribbean students graduating from post-secondary education . The program will also help to increase Black students ’ confidence and motivation to succeed in their studies .
Overall , the GemStar Scholarship Fund and the GemStar Circle of Excellence program are valuable programs that are making a real difference in the lives of Black and Caribbean students in Montreal .
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