Nationally recognized labor union leader awards scholarships to 22 deserving area students
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- Nationally recognized labor union leader awards scholarships to 22 deserving area students
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1408 Scholarship Fund awarded scholarships to 22 deserving area students during a ceremony today at Edward Waters University (EWU).
Established in 1995 by Jacksonville native Charles Spencer, the ILA 1408 scholarship program has awarded more than 1,000 scholarships totaling more than a million dollars throughout its 29-year history. Many recipients are first-generation college students.
One of Jacksonville’s most significant labor union leaders, Spencer grew up on Jacksonville’s Eastside near JAXPORT’s Talleyrand Terminal. He began working on JAXPORT’s docks in 1963 at 19 years old and has spent decades serving as a labor union leader with the ILA Local 1408, the local chapter of the International Longshoremen’s Association, AFL-CIO.
His decades of service to Jacksonville’s maritime community were recently recognized when the NAACP awarded him the 2024 Benjamin L. Hooks “Keeper of the Flame” Award for his “significant contributions to racial equality and commitment to fairness in the workplace.”
“Every year, my goal is to provide as many deserving students as I can with the opportunity to reach their dreams,” Spencer said. “I am thankful for all of the support in making sure the Fund continues its mission to provide financial assistance to academic high achievers or financially disadvantaged graduating students.”
Individual scholarship awards vary up to $3,000. One of the recipients is Joseph Stuckey, an incoming Sophomore at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University majoring in Business Administration.
“I am honored to be a recipient,” Stuckey said. “This scholarship is going to help me pay for my housing and meal plans. This will allow me to not have to take out any student loans in the fall semester.”
To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, complete community service activities and submit an essay. Stuckey has a 3.6 GPA, earned a high score on his application essay, and dozens of hours of community service, including summers spent engaging local youth with activities at the Jacksonville Public Library.
“I volunteer to give back and mentor students,” Stuckey said. “If I do my part, I can make an impact. Even if it’s just one student, that’s good enough for me. I want to be a good example because what they see is what they’ll be.”
Community and corporate sponsors support the Fund each year. This year’s Title Sponsor was Antoinette Rowe.
Students interested in applying for a scholarship through the Fund next year should visit ilascholarshipfund.org. Donations can also be made on the Fund’s website.