Janae Artis Bass, a graduate of Wayne Early Middle College High School, is the recipient of a $2,000 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship, awarded by the North Carolina Association of Educators and the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children, the charitable arm of NCAE. Scholarships are given annually in honor of Dr. King’s life and legacy.

Presented by the NCAE Human and Civil Rights Commission, the scholarships provide financial assistance to graduating seniors who plan to further their education beyond high school. Money for the scholarships consists of donations from NCAE members, staff and public education supporters. Selection criteria for students include scholastic achievement, character and personality.

Bass has been accepted at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, where she plans to study vocal performance. As president of the Student Council Association, a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and of her school’s Performing Arts Club prior to graduation, she said Dr. King’s philosophy of non-violence inspired her to harbor an emotional intelligence like no other. “I admire the amount of eloquence and power encompassing his speeches; the master visionary he was motivates me to acknowledge the vital role I play whenever I speak in front of an audience. How I carry myself and handle difficult situations are all channeled through his principle of non-violence.”

Bass also has a newfound interest in politics and social movements, prompting her to register a non-profit organization geared toward teens in high school called “Gem Droppin News.” She aspires to continue advocating for underrepresented and marginalized communities as she solidifies her career as a professional vocalist.