The Equal Justice Initiative has awarded 19 Montgomery Public Schools with $10,000 Legacy Scholarships.

Each of Montgomery’s public high schools selected two seniors for a scholarship. One school opted to divide the scholarship among three students instead of two, bringing the total number to 19.

“We are incredibly excited to support these extraordinary young people who have distinguished themselves at their schools. Area students need to be supported, encouraged and affirmed when they work hard and strive to achieve greatness as these beautiful high school students have done,” said Bryan Stevenson, EJI director.

This is the first year EJI has awarded Legacy Scholarships, and the organization plans to double the number of recipients next year.

Overall, the nonprofit aims to award $1 million in scholarships to Montogmery public high school graduates over the next three years.

The scholarship program is a collaborative effort that grew from meetings between Melvin Brown, the superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools, and other leaders at EJI.

“We look forward to naming many more scholars in the coming years,” Stevenson said.

EJI is a private, nonprofit organization that focuses on social justice. Based in Montgomery, it provides legal services, community education and research in service of protecting human rights for vulnerable groups. It also created and operates the groundbreaking Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice

The 19 scholarship recipients are:

• Marti Baine, Booker T. Washington Magnet High School
• Paris Banks, Sidney Lanier High School
• Samantha Buhanan, Park Crossing High School
• Darryl Dees, Robert E. Lee High School
• Ken’Tavis Delbridge, Jefferson Davis High School
• Elizabeth Diaz, Robert E. Lee High School
• Shalaiah Lee, Jefferson Davis High School
• Joshua Maye, George Washington Carver High School
• Molly Mitchell, Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School
• Mekaiyah Portis, McIntyre Comprehensive Academy
• Eris Robinson, Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
• Jamerio Robinson, George Washington Carver High School
• Alberta Shuford, Booker T. Washington Magnet High School
• Andrea Smith, Sidney Lanier High School
• Bradyn Stallworth, Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School
• Landon Townsend, Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
• Tiana Vanburen, Park Crossing High School
• Shakela Walton, McIntyre Comprehensive Academy
• Alniajai Whatley, McIntyre Comprehensive Academy