T. M. Alexander Annual Scholarship

 

A scholarship for Exceptional Minority High School & College Students with the Mission to Champion Diversity in the Areas of Insurance, Business and Law. 

 

About the Scholarship 

 

The T.M. Alexander Annual Scholarship Award was established in 1990 for outstanding minority high school and /or college students in Georgia with career interests in the areas of insurance, business, and law. It seeks to reward deserving young minority students for academic excellence, community service, and for proudly promoting diversity. The annual award is presented by the AAIP, a non-profit organization comprised of insurance industry professionals who unite to provide professional development, mentoring, community outreach, and scholarships to students within our communities. 

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The Legacy of Theodore Martin Alexander 

 

Theodore Martin Alexander, Sr., was born March 7, 1909, in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended high school at Morehouse Academy in Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from Morehouse College with honors in 1931, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. Mr. Alexander was a leader in the Atlanta insurance industry and community activities for more than 50 years. In addition to founding his own insurance agency in 1931, he established the Southeastern Fidelity Fire and Casualty Company in 1951 and served as Executive Vice President and Managing Officer until the company was prematurely sold in 1967. Southeastern Fidelity Company provided more than $50,000,000 of property protection for its client groups, and was the first Black-owned multi-line insurance company. 

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Recognizing the absence of Black representation in electoral politics in both the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia for more than 90 years, Mr. Alexander embarked upon an ambitious effort and ran for the office of City Alderman in 1957 and for the State Senate in 1961. Although unsuccessful in each of these bids, his actions provided the motivation for other Blacks to become involved in seeking election of public office, thus paving the foundation for not only the first elected Mayor of the City of Atlanta, but also for numerous other elected positions throughout the South. 

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In addition to serving as the President of his insurance agency, T.M. Alexander & Company, Inc., with 

major offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C., Mr. Alexander has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Insurance at Howard University, Washington, D.C. Over the years, he remained a pillar of the community and assisted numerous other Blacks in gaining responsible positions in both the private and public sectors. 

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Source: Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History 2 

 

Eligibility 

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A student currently enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited four-year college or university during the 2024– 2025 school terms. A high school senior who has garnered accepted to a college or university, and intends to enroll as a full-time student at an accredited four-year college or university during the 2024 – 2025 school term is eligible if he or she meets ALL of the criteria listed below: 

1. Is a resident of the State of Georgia 

2. Has a minimum overall G.P.A. of 3.2 

3. Is a minority, belonging to one of the following groups: American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 

4. Is a U.S. citizen 

5. Will be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited four-year college/university during the 2024 – 2025 school terms. 

 

Application Process 

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All applicants must submit a completed application package including the following documents: 

1. One student essay (no more than two pages for the essay) 

2. Official college or high school transcript(s) 

3. Two Letters of recommendation from non-family references 

4. Resume (one page) 

 

Additionally, applicants are required to participate in an interview (telephonic or in person). Failure to attend the interview will lead to disqualification. 

 

Selection Criteria 

 

AAIP will select scholarship recipients through the evaluation of each candidate’s: 

• Academic record 

• Significant activities and contributions to their school and community 

• Letters of recommendation 

• Biographical sketch or resume 

• Essay 

 

All winners will be notified prior to any public announcement. 3 

 

Award 

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AAIP is excited to award a minimum of $1,000 (up to $10,000) in scholarship money. The scholarship money may be awarded to a single outstanding applicant or divided among as many as 5 qualified applicants (AAIP reserves this right). Funds will be paid directly to the college or university, split equally between the Fall and Spring semesters of 2024- 2025 school terms. 

 

Terms and Conditions 

In addition to the eligibility requirem

ents, we request that all recipients: 

• Attend the Annual AAIP Scholarship and Golf Tournament scheduled for May 30, 2024, where the public announcement and award presentation will be made regarding the scholarship recipient(s). Additional details regarding this event are available at http://www.aaip1988.org . 

• Send a periodic academic progress report (as requested). 

 

Submission & Questions 

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Return the completed application with all required items as an attachment by April 24, 2024, to: aaipscholarships@gmail.com  

 

Request additional information by email Kim Geter (Scholarship Chair) at aaipscholarships@gmail.com