SmileDirectClub Partners With NAACP For New Scholarship

Rhea-AI Summary

SmileDirectClub (Nasdaq: SDC) has announced the launch of the SmileDirectClub Scholarship, in partnership with the NAACP, aimed at supporting African American students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Applications are open until June 18, 2021, with ten students to receive $15,000 annually for up to four years. This initiative reflects the company's commitment to diversity and innovation. Cheryl DeSantis, Chief People & Diversity Officer, emphasized the importance of inclusivity in fostering future innovators.

Positive

• Launch of the SmileDirectClub Scholarship to support students in STEM.
• Partnership with NAACP enhances company’s commitment to diversity.
• Each scholarship provides $15,000 annually for up to four years.

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• None.

The SmileDirectClub Scholarship Empowers the Next Generation of Innovators in STEM

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SmileDirectClub, Inc. (Nasdaq: SDC), the next generation oral care company with the first medtech platform for teeth straightening, has partnered with the NAACP, the nation’s preeminent social justice and civil rights organization, to launch the SmileDirectClub Scholarship. As part of SmileDirectClub’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and groundbreaking innovation, this scholarship program aims to provide financial support to African American students or people of color pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to be used toward their college education, empowering future innovators.

Applications for the SmileDirectClub Scholarship are now open through June 18, 2021. Ten students will be selected as recipients of the scholarship by N-SPIRE, a committee within NAACP that focuses on the creation, development and awarding of scholarship programs. The selected students will be announced August 9, 2021, and each will receive $15,000 to use towards their tuition fees. The scholarships will be annualized over each student’s remaining years of college education, receiving at least $3,750 each year that they are enrolled, with a maximum of four years, if eligibility requirements continue to be met.

To learn more about the application process, eligibility or to share with friends or family who may be interested in applying for the scholarship, please be sure to visit https://naacp.org/find-resources/scholarships-awards-internships/scholarships/smiledirectclub-scholarship.

“Innovation and creativity flourish in an inclusive and diverse environment where all feel welcomed and they belong. There is a lot of opportunity to increase representation of people of color in STEM and we want to do our part,” said Cheryl DeSantis, Chief People & Diversity Officer, SmileDirectClub. “Through the SmileDirectClub Scholarship with the NAACP, we’re investing in the next generation of innovators and supporting the growth of diversity in STEM, a field that affects almost all aspect of our everyday lives.”

“The SmileDirectClub Scholarship will help empower students in the Black community studying STEM with financial support so they can pursue their education with less of an economic burden,” said Yumeka Rushing, Chief Strategy Officer, NAACP. “This partnership is one of the ways the NAACP is working to secure educational equality of rights to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and wellbeing of everyone.”

Eligibilty Requirements for the SmileDirectClub Scholarship:

Applicants must:

• Be African American or a person of color and a member of the NAACP.
• Be currently enrolled full-time or accepted to an accredited college or university in the US.
• Be a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student.
• Possess a grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 system.
• Demonstrate interest in pursuing careers in STEM.
• Be a US resident.

About SmileDirectClub
SmileDirectClub, Inc. (Nasdaq: SDC) (“SmileDirectClub”) is an oral care company and creator of the first medtech platform for teeth straightening. Through its cutting-edge telehealth technology and vertically integrated model, SmileDirectClub is revolutionizing the oral care industry, offering consumers the ability to get clinically safe and effective treatment but without the 3x markup. SmileDirectClub’s mission is to democratize access to a smile each and every person loves by making it affordable and convenient for everyone. SmileDirectClub is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and operates in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain and Mexico. For more information, please visit SmileDirectClub.com.

Contact: SmileDirectClub Media Relations: Press@SmileDirectClub.com  

About NAACP
Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP is the largest and pre-eminent civil and social rights organization in the nation. NAACP has a network consisting of over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission to is secure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

Contact: Marc Banks, Press Secretary, dbanks@naacpnet.org

FAQ

What is the SmileDirectClub Scholarship?

The SmileDirectClub Scholarship is a program aimed at providing financial support to African American students pursuing STEM careers, in partnership with the NAACP.

How much funding does the SmileDirectClub Scholarship offer?

The scholarship offers $15,000 annually for up to four years to selected recipients.

When is the application deadline for the SmileDirectClub Scholarship?

Applications for the SmileDirectClub Scholarship are open until June 18, 2021.

Who is eligible to apply for the SmileDirectClub Scholarship?

Applicants must be African American or a person of color, full-time students, with a GPA of 3.0 or above, and interested in STEM careers.