Jade Dawn Justice Research Award

Jade Dawn (they/them, formally known as Jade Myers) - A critical scholar who graduated from UNC Charlotte's undergraduate Communication Studies program (Health Communication & Psychology) in 2013 and graduated from UNC Charlotte's graduate Communication Studies program (with a Women & Gender Studies certificate) in 2016. They also served as Senator of the Communication Studies Graduate Student Association. 

Jade lived and breathed communication. They studied Black Lives Matter, trans and queer issues, and lived with chronic illnesses. Jade also contributed to the Wiley International Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods edited by Dr. Cris Davis, a professor in the Communication Studies department.

Quote from a family friend on Jade:

“I will remember [Jade] as the epitome of happiness with [their] shiny sparkles, unicorns, quick smile and infectious giggle. [Jade] lived … life to the fullest, true to who [they were] with honesty, integrity, compassion and empathy. A person who when [Jade] spoke to you, you walked away feeling heard and seen. [Jade] dedicated [their] life to helping others from being a bereavement counselor to pursuing a career as a social worker and so much in between. [Jade] was so much to so many. Jade had a way of touching lives everywhere [they] went.

Scholarship criteria: The award will recognize, reward and encourage students who use their research to persevere through tough conversations and advance our collective community. They must be current or incoming UNC Charlotte students, accepted into our Communication Studies graduate program. They must be able to demonstrate how their work fosters important conversations about intersectional social justice.

You can double or triple the impact of your gift if your employer participates in a matching gift program.  To see if your employer has a matching gift program, click here. If your company matches, complete your matching gift form and submit it to UNC Charlotte via mail (UNC Charlotte Foundation, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223), fax (704-687-7259) or email (mwinslow@uncc.edu).