Urban League of Greater Madison Young Professionals (ULGMYP) will recognize six local youth with scholarships at its second annual Legacy of Leadership Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday at the Madison Club.
The six recipients, all Dane County residents, represent a mix of recent graduates and current college students. They were chosen from 45 applicants, more than triple the number who applied for the first scholarships last year.
ULGMYP vice president Shonda Lewis said the applicants made the selection committee’s job “so hard.” She said some applications had identical scores – determined blindly by a committee of eight – and the decisions came down to the students’ personal statements and financial need.
“Their potential is very high,” she said of the scholarship recipients. “These students are just amazing. They’re so involved. Just involved in general within the community … I don’t even know them personally and I’m proud of them.”
The six will be honored at the luncheon from 12:30 – 2:30 at the Madison Club, 5 East Wilson Street. Tickets are available at this link. They are $20 in advance, $28.52 at the door and $12.51 for ULGMYP members.
Local businesses Ascendium Higher Education and Willy Street Co-op sponsored scholarships. Others were funded by foundation and private contributions.
The scholarship recipients are listed below.
A’lani Ross – Albert and Mattie Perry Scholarship
A’lani Ross is a graduate of Whitewater High School’s Class of 2025. This fall, she will continue her education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Musical Theatre. During high school, Alani was actively involved in wrestling, track, Hope Squad, National Honor Society, and the Drama Club.
Carina Caspar – Legacy of Leadership: Impact Scholarship
Carina Caspar, a graduate of Madison East High School, will attend Macalester College this fall as a Catharine Lealtad Scholar. At East, she led the Native American Student Association and Raza United (formerly the Latino Student Union). She interned at the Urban League of Greater Madison through the Bank of America Student Leaders Program and co-facilitated the National Youth Summit in Washington, D.C., in 2024. Carina also served as a Physical Therapy Youth Apprentice at UW Health and currently assists with onboarding new apprentices. She is gaining experience with the athletic trainers for the men’s soccer team at Forward Madison FC.
Dyshaun McDaniel – Legacy of Leadership: Inspire Scholarship
Dyshaun McDaniel is a recent graduate of DeForest Area High School, Class of 2025. In the fall of 2025, he will begin his undergraduate studies at the University of Northern Iowa as a freshman. He plans to major in psychology, with the possibility of adding a major or minor in sociology and/or social work.
Kayden Mixson – Legacy of Leadership: Invest Scholarship
Kayden Mixson is a dedicated student-athlete and soon-to-be graduate of Vel Phillips Memorial High School in Madison, Wisconsin. Throughout her high school career, she earned varsity letters in both basketball and track, demonstrating her athletic prowess and commitment to excellence. In addition to her athletic achievements, Kayden has been an AVID scholar for six years, reflecting her dedication to academic success. This fall, she is set to attend Prairie View A&M University in Texas, where she will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, aiming to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field by becoming a pediatric nurse practitioner or a labor and delivery nurse.
Jason Craft – Albert and Mattie Perry Scholarship
Jason Craft is a rising senior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, majoring in Sociology with an emphasis in Psychology. Hailing from Washington, D.C., he is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and currently serves as the Vice President of Inclusion and Wellbeing for the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) at UW–Madison. In addition to his leadership roles, Jason contributes to the university’s academic community as a research assistant. Upon graduation, he aspires to become a licensed therapist and education policy advisor, aiming to make a meaningful impact in the fields of mental health and education.
Sodik Gbadamassi – Willy Street Co-Op Scholarship
Sodik Gbadamassi is a Finance major at Hampton University with a minor in Leadership Studies. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, he is a first-generation college student passionate about financial literacy, investment banking, and community empowerment. On campus, he is actively involved in organizations such as the National Association of Black Accountants, Collegiate 100, and the Student Managed Investment Fund. Sodik also founded his own investment club, Legacy Launcherz LLC, to help others build generational wealth and economic awareness.
