T.I. Awards $25,000 Scholarship to Philander Smith College Student

Rapper Partners With VH1 And UNCF To Honor Late Sister

Little Rock, Ark. (May 9, 2019) ---  Philander Smith College junior and Little Rock native Tierani Scott received a life-changing surprise during the taping of VH1’s Dear Mama television special when she was presented with a $25,000 scholarship award.

Scott, a single mother and full-time student, was selected by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and VH1 to attend the taping of the annual Mother’s Day tribute show in Los Angeles, Calif.  Each year, Dear Mama: A Love Letter to Mom brings together celebrities who pay tribute to the powerful mothers and women who have made significant impacts on their lives. This year’s special, which VH1 originally aired Monday, May 6, featured singers Ciara, Ashanti, along with Grammy-Award winning artist H.E.R. and a host of other stars.

In honor of his sister Precious Chapman, "a single mother who worked to make life better for everyone she encountered," the rapper T.I. partnered with VH1 and the UNCF to award a deserving student a scholarship in her name. Chapman passed away Feb. 22, nine days following a car accident in Atlanta, Ga.

 It was during the VH1 taping that T.I. surprised Scott, bringing her onstage to receive the first Precious Chapman Scholarship in the amount of $25,000.

“I was thrilled just to be selected to fly to Los Angeles for the taping of the show. As a single mother to my four-year-old daughter, Jaide, it felt like an honor to be in the room with the mothers of all these talented entertainers,” said Scott. “When T.I. began speaking about the scholarship in his sister’s name and then called my name as the first recipient, I was floored, shocked and incredibly happy.”  

Scott, a sociology major, recently established Q.U.E.E.N. (Qualified, Unique, Educated, Elegant) a nonprofit organization designed to empower girls and women, ages 12-35, to be their best selves and pursue their purpose in the world.  Her career goal is to be a national recording artist and continue to give back to those who need encouragement and motivation to go after their dreams. “This scholarship is affirmation that I am headed in the right direction.”