End of Year Update

December 2025

To our incredible donors,

As we close out 2025, I’m filled with deep gratitude—and fierce determination.

This year marked five years since EverGreen Dreams was born from a conversation on a park bench and a bold belief that Black women deserve more than the barriers society puts in their way.

They deserve access, support, and investment—not just in their potential, but in their present.

Because of your generosity, belief, and partnership, we’ve now awarded ten Building Opportunities for Sistas to Shine (B.O.S.S.) Scholarships in five years. That’s ten young Black women whose educational journeys have been made lighter because a community chose to invest in them. We started by awarding $1,000 scholarships in our first year, and in 2025, each of our recipients received $2,000—the original vision we set out to achieve. That growth didn’t happen by accident. It happened because people like you leaned in—again and again.

This year, you helped us raise over $4,400 through Bid Like a B.O.S.S., High 5 Our Future, and Giving Tuesday—alongside generous major gifts and our incredible recurring donors, whose consistent monthly or quarterly gifts are the quiet engine behind everything we do.

If you were able to join us at our September 27th Donor Recognition and Anniversary Celebration, thank you for coming!

That afternoon wasn’t just a celebration of what we’ve built together; it was a call to keep going. Because we are just getting started.

In 2026, we’ll continue our B.O.S.S. Scholarship program and launch a new fall webinar focused on financial literacy and scholarship navigation. We’re also taking important steps toward strengthening our long-term sustainability—including expanding our recurring giving community, which will be essential to sustaining and growing our impact. You’ll find more about our future goals in the “Vision” section of this newsletter, but let me say this now: in a world where access to education and support for Black women is being systematically reduced, we will continue to move forward—louder, bolder, and more committed than ever.

To our new donors, welcome. To our longtime supporters, thank you for walking with us year after year. And to our board members—past and present—thank you for building this foundation and helping us rise.

We’re not here to patch broken systems. We’re here to build something lasting.

And the next five years? They’re about power, purpose, and planting seeds that grow for generations.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Melissa “Mel” Green
Executive Director

Five years ago, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and amid the isolation of the pandemic, EverGreen Dreams was born from a moment of heartbreak as I sat in one of my favorite “hiding spots” near my apartment building—a decision to transform grief into action and build something that would outlive the pain. We’ve awarded ten Building Opportunities for Sistas to Shine (B.O.S.S.) Scholarships, rebranded to reflect our updated mission and vision, and built a community of supporters who refuse to accept the barriers placed in front of Black women. Now, as we look ahead, we’re not just continuing what we’ve built—we’re expanding it in ways that will create lasting, generational change.

Here’s what the next chapter looks like: We’re strengthening our core B.O.S.S. Scholarship program while adding hardship scholarships of up to $500 for recipients facing unexpected challenges. Because sometimes the difference between staying in school and dropping out isn’t full tuition—it’s that car repair before finals, that crashed laptop, that emergency that threatens to derail everything. We’re also launching our first educational webinar in fall 2026, focused on financial literacy and scholarship navigation, to equip even more young Black women with the tools they need to succeed.

But we’re dreaming even bigger. We envision workshops that build life skills—leadership development, professional networking, and graduate school exam prep. We’re working toward an endowed scholarship fund with a minimum of $50,000 that will generate ongoing support, creating security and sustainability that doesn’t depend on annual fundraising uncertainty. Imagine a permanent foundation ensuring young Black women receive support year after year after year, with scholarship recipients who graduate and become donors themselves, creating a perpetual cycle of empowerment.

Why does this matter more than ever? Because Black women carry the highest student debt burden of any demographic—$41,466 on average following graduation, with 43% more undergraduate debt than white women. Because the attacks on diversity and support programs aren’t slowing down—they’re intensifying. Because when institutions roll back support, organizations like ours become essential. Every dollar we provide today saves our scholars from decades of debt that could limit their choices, their freedom, and their futures.

We’re not just building a scholarship program—we’re cultivating a legacy. We’re not just writing checks—we’re building relationships that last beyond graduation. The next ten years of EverGreen Dreams will be defined by the partnerships we build today and the vision we pursue together. When you invest in us, you’re investing in future doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who will change systems from the inside out. The future is evergreen. The dreams are limitless. And together, we’re just getting started.

Q. What are your plans after graduation?

“Apply and enroll in a graduate school with hopes of obtaining a degree in urban education policy.”

Q. Looking back on your college journey, what’s one thing you’re most proud of?

“Networking and meeting as many people as I could. ”

Q. What advice would you give to younger B.O.S.S. recipients who are just starting out?

“Try new things. Give others the chance to say “no” before you say no to yourself. You’re doing yourself a disservice by limiting your outreach—open the door to every opportunity. Take “no’s” as a redirection and a time for reflection.”

Q. How did receiving the B.O.S.S. Scholarship as you entered college impact your freshman year and set the tone for your college journey?

“The B.O.S.S. Scholarship helped me establish a home in Greensboro, North Carolina. I used this scholarship to support my transition from New Jersey to North Carolina, covering the gas for the eight-hour drive and the room décor that made my space feel welcoming. This scholarship made an overwhelming move feel manageable, allowing me to focus on settling in and beginning my academic journey with confidence.”

“The EverGreen Dreams Scholarship was an investment not just in me, but in my greater community. I am forever grateful for this support because it laid a strong physical foundation that allowed me to thrive academically. Since receiving the scholarship, I have completed over 100 hours of community service through mentorship, public engagement, and collaborative outreach efforts—using the opportunities it provided to pour back into the communities that shaped me.”

This fifth year for EverGreen Dreams has been one of meaningful growth and immeasurable impact as we continue cultivating endless possibilities for our Building Opportunities for Sistas to Shine (B.O.S.S.) Scholarship Program.

Our 2025 fundraising efforts kicked off with our annual fundraising week celebration from March 10–14, featuring a lively and competitive virtual Bid Like a B.O.S.S. Auction. Supporters bid on amazing items from the comfort of their homes—gift cards, original artwork, designer handbags, jewelry, sporting event tickets, and once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences. This fun-filled and fast-paced event raised $2,472.84.

We followed up the auction with our Annual Giving Day on October 27, 2025: High Five Our Future. This campaign celebrated EverGreen Dreams’ fifth anniversary by encouraging supporters to “high five” the future of our scholarship recipients by giving in multiples of five. This spirited event raised $1,675. For our final 2025 fundraising effort, we participated in Giving Tuesday on December 2, 2025—an annual worldwide movement of generosity that encourages donations to charitable causes. Supporters showed just how passionate they are about our work by donating another $250, and we welcomed one new recurring donor.

The financial contributions of our supporters allow us to advance our mission: providing the resources, mentorship, and opportunities Black women need to succeed in education and in life. EverGreen Dreams ensures that all fundraising proceeds go directly toward easing the financial barriers faced by B.O.S.S. scholarship recipients.

As we close out 2025, we want to thank all of our donors and advocates. Your generosity and support continue to make lasting differences in the lives of our scholars. With your continued partnership, the possibilities for EverGreen Dreams to create meaningful impact are endless.

If you missed any of our fundraisers but would still like to support our work, please visit our website (EMPOWER HER JOURNEY) or scan the QR code below to donate to the general fund.

Stay connected with us by following along on all social media platforms.

We’re thrilled to share that in Fall 2026, EverGreen Dreams will be launching our very first webinar—and we’re starting with something that matters deeply to every young woman navigating her educational journey: financial literacy and scholarship opportunities. “Money Moves & Scholarship Secrets” will be designed specifically for our scholars and for junior and senior Black women in high school who are ready to take control of their financial futures and unlock doors to higher education funding. This is about more than just finding scholarships—it’s about building the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about money, debt, and investing in yourself.

This webinar represents an exciting evolution in how we support our community. For five years, we’ve been providing scholarships that open doors, but we’ve always known that our scholars deserve more than a one-time investment—they deserve ongoing resources, guidance, and a community committed to their long-term success. By creating educational programming like this, we’re deepening our impact and ensuring that young Black women have the tools they need not just to access college, but to thrive throughout their academic journeys and beyond.

We’ll share full details about registration, dates, and featured speakers in our mid-year newsletter this June, but we wanted you to know now: EverGreen Dreams is growing, and we’re bringing you along for every step of this journey. Stay tuned—something powerful is coming.

At EverGreen Dreams, we believe the future isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we build. As we prepare for the 2026 B.O.S.S. Scholarship cycle, our focus remains clear: creating pathways for the next generation of Black women to thrive.

This work is powered by a dedicated community. Our donors do more than provide funds—they help dismantle barriers and equip students with the resources they need to succeed. Our former recipients serve as living proof of what happens when talent meets opportunity, setting a powerful example for those who follow.

Because of this collective support, we’re ready to cultivate new possibilities for the Class of 2026. Here’s the official roadmap for the upcoming cycle:

The Timeline

February 1, 2026: Applications Open
The portal goes live, accepting submissions from aspiring scholars ready to shape their own destinies.

March 31, 2026: Application Deadline
The submission window closes as we begin identifying the next wave of changemakers.

April – May 2026: The Review Period
Our Board and reviewers evaluate applications to select candidates who embody the passion and vision of an EverGreen Dreams scholar.

May 22, 2026: Recipient Notification
Selected scholars receive their acceptance notifications.

June 2, 2026: Public Announcement
We formally introduce the 2026 B.O.S.S. Scholars to the world.

Focused on Impact

As we approach the February 1st launch, we invite our community to help amplify this opportunity. Share it with the brilliant Black cisgender and transgender women in your network who are ready to embrace their potential.

Partners and donors can look forward to our Mid-Year Newsletter on June 9th, where we’ll celebrate the new cohort you helped empower.

February 1, 2026

2026 Scholarship Application Goes Live

March 9-13, 2026

March Into Empowerment – Annual Fundraising Week

June 9, 2026

Mid-Year Newsletter