Richmond couple creates nonprofit to help current and future HBCU students

By Kendall Taylor, The Richmonder

Jessica Grimes was a sophomore at Nashville’s Fisk University when she first received a scholarship from KR Scholars.

She now describes the group as “family” to her. She has since graduated and is now attending one of the few historically Black medical colleges in the country, to pursue her dream of being a dentist.

Hers is one of a number of success stories touted by KR Scholars, a nonprofit founded by Kristen Johnson with her husband, Rufus.

Both are alums of Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Winston-Salem State University and Fayetteville State University. Their personal experiences led to a love of HBCUs, and after the events of 2020, the couple wanted to make attending these schools more accessible.

Coming off of the political unrest of that time, the couple decided to get involved and turned their philanthropic passions to the education sphere. 

Kristen Johnson describes HBCUs as a “national treasure,” and wants to help their students thrive after being so impacted in her college years.

“It just made sense to really invest back in helping students as they’re getting to school and through school,” she said.

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At KR Scholars’ inception, Kristen and Rufus made a personal investment of $1,500 toward a scholarship for HBCU students. The following year, the organization achieved nonprofit status, and has continued to award scholarships to HBCU students ever since.

“I just want to see us make a true impact in everything…to really fulfill the life that they have dreamt about,” Johnson said. 

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