THE HOLLAND FUND
A scholarship young black girls graduating from a high school within the Baltimore metropolitan area with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA entering into their 1st year of college. They must be attending a HBCU in the DMV area, completed 100 hours of community service and demonstrated leadership skills within their 4 years in high school.
The Holland fund is named after the founder's mother Deanna Holland which is her maiden name. A lot of people know her as Deanna Ikhinmwin or Mrs. Ikhinmwin but before the Ikhinmwin she was Deanna Holland.
Deanna's journey began as a scholarship student at Delaware State University. At a time when few Black women were attending college, she became the first in her family to pursue higher education. After starting at Delaware State, she transferred to Howard University in Washington, DC, to study African Studies.
Following her graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree from Howard University in Washington D.C., she invested considerable time and energy in creating innovative, educational, social, cultural, and environmental activities. These initiatives have contributed to the growth and development of university students, faculty, staff, and the community. Notably, she has successfully combined university student skills, interests, and abilities to address the problems of juvenile delinquent at-risk adolescents, youth in foster care, and young adults in need of remedial education.
Mrs. Ikhinmwin developed community service programs that have introduced countless young people to higher education. Her flagship program, KUUMBA, at Morgan State University, offered first-time juvenile offenders a glimpse into college life, inspiring them to pursue new paths. Parents and former students continue to thank my mother for the life-changing impact she had on them, and many of these young people have since attended college themselves.
Deanna V. Ikhinmwin has dedicated fifty (50) years to providing exceptional leadership at various colleges and universities across the United States. She has held numerous faculty and administrative positions. As the Director of Community Service at Morgan State University for the last thirty (30) years, Mrs. Ikhinmwin has systematically identified the needs and interests of the surrounding community. This has resulted in the creation of over fifteen (15) innovative tutoring, mentoring, and cultural programs for youth in the metropolitan Baltimore City area, attending elementary, middle, and high schools.
Her ability to effectively articulate the mission and vision of the different programs created by the Office of Community Service is evident in the proposals she presented to private, non-profit, and government agencies. As a result of these proposals addressing a variety of problems faced by at-risk youth, Mrs. Ikhinmwin has received funding from ten (10) city, state, and private organizations.
Ms. Ikhinmwin firmly believes that providing substantial opportunities for youth to realize their academic potential, engage in outstanding leadership activities, and interact with successful achievers will enable them to make important contributions to society.
It’s clear that Deanna Vivian Ikhinmwin is a true trailblazer and an advocate for others. It’s with great honor to offer students who will follow in her footsteps the Holland Fund.