Vince Carter Launches Scholarship & Mentorship Program For Youth In Toronto

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Vince Carter Launches Scholarship & Mentorship Program For Youth In Toronto

 

In the 1998 NBA Draft, Vince Carter was initially drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the fifth overall pick. But he was traded to the Toronto Raptors for the fourth overall pick, Antawn Jamison, on draft night – the beginning of a new era in ‘The 6ix’.

Highlight-reel dunks, game winners, well actually wins in general, a fabulous one-two punch with his cousin Tracy McGrady and NBA playoffs. Vince Carter was the man in Toronto between 1998 and 2004. After not making the playoffs in the 2003-04 season, General Manager Glen Grunwald and the entire coaching staff were fired during the summer, which made Carter angry and frustrated with the Raptors’ front office. Eventually, Carter asked for a trade, and on December 18, 2004, the Raptors traded Carter to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Alonzo Mourning, Eric Williams, Aaron Williams and two first-round draft picks.

Toronto fans felt that Carter betrayed them and were mad. Carter jerseys were burned, and new merchandise like ‘FUVC’ and ‘Wince Carter’ shirts went on sale. In his first game back (and in games for years to come) in Toronto, on April 15, 2005, Carter was heavily booed Raptors fans.

Today, the issue with the Raptors has long been solved and it is all love now (as it should be), Carter, who retired this past season after an NBA record 22 seasons, now even went back to the roots, and announced the launch of a new mentorship program designed to level the playing field surrounding access to educational opportunities.

The Vince Carter Scholarship and Mentorship Program was created for high school students in Toronto, who strive to pursue careers in media, music, film, fashion and sports and is aligned with internship and mentorship opportunities. Per Paris Media Group:

 

The program will offer scholarships to select private high schools in Toronto and the GTA. It is geared towards students 16-18 years old entering the 11th or 12th grade in September 2021 and each academic year forward. Advanced academic career pathways are encompassed in the programs including sports, music, film, fashion, broadcasting, media, STEM.

While the programs are open to all, we encourage the following groups to apply: Black; Indigenous; people of colour, females and other underserved communities.

Auxiliary programs for younger students (10-15 years old) will also be available via employment and career workshops; summer camps.  The aim is to engage families to expand and explore the education and career perspectives of their children.

The scholarship program was launched in Toronto as a tribute to where VC began his illustrious career. The groundwork and foundation is being laid for the program to be replicated in the additional 7 USA cities VC called home throughout his career.

We are proud to invest in the next generation and position them for future success.  We hope that these programs will be a stepping stone to inspiring, activating and uniting our communities.

 

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