Scholarships

Makeba Orr Smith Scholarship

Why we do this...

Makeba Orr Smith was a nationally certified interpreter, speech pathologist, and child of a Deaf adult (CODA). Everyone in our field loved her bubbly personality.

 

Makeba was passionate about elevating more minority interpreters to nationally certified status. She was also motivated more than ever to improve her own skills.

 

Her excellence and passion for this work is inspiring. The dedication to expanding minority representation in our field is a noble cause. The SOS Agency has decided to honor her legacy by creating a scholarship that will mentor and fund minority interpreters to become nationally certified.

Who is this Scholarship for?

BIPOC Interpreters

who are not yet certified nationally & display a financial need like testing multiple times

What does this scholarship cover?

Paid NIC Performance Exam

& Virtual Mentoring Sessions with The SOS Agency

When are we accepting applications?

Fall 2024

Applications are open September 16, 2024 and closes on October 14, 2024.

How will the recipient be announced?

Contact via email

The recipient will be notified via email directly. We will also announce on our website and social media platforms.

Are there additional items to submit along with the application?

Interpreting work sample

Yes! All applicants must submit a video sample of their interpreting work, unrehearsed. ASL to English and English to ASL. Video samples must be submitted via email by October 14th, 2024 to scholarship@thesosagency.com.

Where do I apply?

On our website:

APPLY NOW

FAQs

Yes! As long as you submit your work sample by the deadline, your application will still be accepted.

2021 Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Dreu Davis for winning our Makeba Orr Smith Scholarship!

As the first winner of the scholarship, Dreu has made us proud. She passed the national interpreting exam! 

Who’s next? 

2022 Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Monique Johnson for winning our Makeba Orr Smith Scholarship!

Monique took her national certification exam in spring of 2023. 

Who’s next?