Phylicia Rashad and Taraji P. Henson Award $25K Scholarship to Unsuspecting Howard Student
Howard University junior Trinity Garrison thought she was heading to New York City for a backstage Broadway experience—instead, she walked away with a $25,000 scholarship.
The Dr. Andrew Allen Sr. Memorial Scholarship, created by Phylicia Rashad and her sister Debbie Allen in honor of their late father, had not been awarded to a student in the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts (COFA) for the past five years. But this year, Rashad and Henson revived the award and handpicked Garrison, a junior musical theater major, as the recipient.
The moment unfolded during a segment on TODAY With Jenna & Friends, where Garrison believed she was discussing the importance of the arts alongside the two Howard alumnae, Rashad and Taraji P. Henson.
As the “Cosby” star described the scholarship’s significance, Garrison appeared unaware of what was coming.
“In my head, I’m like, ‘That’s so great! Are we going to announce who got it?’” she told The Hilltop. The realization set in as Rashad and Henson congratulated her.
“In my head, I’m like, ‘That’s so great! Are we going to announce who got it?’” she recalled. The realization set in as Rashad and Henson congratulated her.
The surprise award comes at a critical time for Garrison, who has been balancing academic expenses with housing challenges. The junior did not receive a housing assignment, forcing her to seek off-campus living on short notice.
“That scholarship could not have come at a better time,” said her mother, Chimene Garrison, noting the financial strain of tuition and off-campus living.
Henson, who received the same scholarship while at Howard, credited it with helping her finish her degree after struggling financially. “I found myself pregnant in college my junior year. I really ran out of money. I didn’t know how I was going to finish,” she said, telling Rashad, “So you and your sister and your dad, may he rest in peace, Andrew Allen, have a huge part in why I’m even where I am.”
The College of Fine Arts has not responded to inquiries about why the scholarship was inactive for the past five years or the selection criteria for recipients. The last award was given in 2020 to Nevaeh Richardson.