2019 LOUD Scholarship Awards

For the 10th year in a row, the LOUD Business Foundation has invested in the future of deserving students by way of cash scholarships.

On May 16, 19 individuals were recognized for their contributions and achievements in LGBTQ+ communities across Canada at the 10th annual LOUD Scholarship Awards Gala. Each recipient received a cheque for $2,000 to be dedicated to future education.

LOUD board member Blair Smith notes the awards are not just about the money.

“Many of our younger students have shared their experience that receiving the award changed their sense of self-worth and, in turn, changed their relationships with their families,” says Smith. Students have reported that by listing their award on their resumes, interesting conversations opened up during job interviews increasing their success rate and opened further doors.”

Smith says the LOUD Foundation is always open to collaborations for named scholarships with individuals, organizations, academic institutions and businesses. New this year is LOUD’s partnership with the Rainbow Foundation of Hope, which resulted in an ongoing scholarship specifically for refugee students.

“But, any of our scholarships have always been open to conventional refugees and refugee claimants,” says Smith, who adds LOUD believes that by supporting youth in smaller towns, it contributes to healthier communities for LGBTQ+ students.

“We do not ask about sexuality in our applications, recognizing that gender and sexuality are fluid,” says Smith. “Besides, we need to support our allies, too. Many allies are the founding members of [gay-straight alliance clubs] in high schools and are also doing important work in fields of study benefitting the LGBTQ+ community in Canada.”

Smith says the late Jim Deva referred to the day of the scholarship awards as his favourite day of the year.

“We all echo that sentiment and know that Jim is with us in spirit,” says Smith. “The Jim Deva Memorial fund has awarded $38,000 since inception in 2015.”

Donations to this dedicated fund and others can be made online at loudbusiness.com/donate.

The LOUD Foundation, founded by LOUD Business — the LGBTQ+ Business Association of Vancouver — was created as a way to invest in future leaders of the Canadian LGBTQ+ community.

The LOUD Foundation scholarship program is supported by donations from Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium and Jim Deva, Javier Barajas and Kasey Reese, Adriaan C. de Vries, Pride Youth, June Thompson and Terri Holizki, Phil Collins/Gallery Apartments, Vancouver Art and Leisure and the Foundation of Hope.