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Our founders Merle Palmer and Rev. Al Davis created Palmer Scholars to address the societal inequities that prevent otherwise highly capable young adults of color from achieving their dreams and ending generational cycles of poverty.

At Palmer Scholars, we do not believe a 4-year degree is the only avenue to a successful life. We expose our Scholars to all educational and career pathways and give them the tools to choose the postsecondary program that best fits their strengths, whether that is a 2-year, 4-year, or apprenticeship program. We have several entry points for Scholars receiving our services:

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Serving young adults of color from the time they are juniors in high school through postsecondary program completion. Scholars may choose to attend any postsecondary program, whether that be 2-year, 4-year, technical college or apprenticeship.

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Serving young adults of color between 18 and 26, who are neither enrolled in a postsecondary program nor gainfully employed and have an interest in pursuing a career in the trades.

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Serving young adults of color between the ages of 16-24 who are disconnected from education or gainful employment and have an interest in learning how to take the next steps for their future. 

Our IMPACT

Over 817

PROMISING STUDENTS OF COLOR SERVED ACROSS PIERCE COUNTY SINCE 1983.

$370,750.70

AWARDED
TO
SCHOLARS IN 2023

93%

TOTAL GRADUATION RATES FOR LEGACY AND PATHWAYS PROGRAMS IN 2023

Latest News

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“Palmer Scholars has given me the first step into my next chapter in life and I couldn’t be more grateful. College means a lot to me and Palmer helping me through the process and walking me through lessons has helped me so much and I will carry on these lessons throughout the rest of my life! I’ve made lifelong friends and mentors that I can’t have been more grateful for and on top of that valuable lessons to help me through tough times in life. I didn’t think I was going to be chosen for the scholarship but after I took the jump to apply little did I know it would change my life. I’m eternally grateful to everyone at Palmer Scholars and can’t thank y’all enough for all the love and support you all have given me throughout my time here. I can’t wait for college and life after that, with support from Palmers I know I can do it! Palmers is a family, it’s a place to learn, to feel, and to unite and I’ll never forget those teachings and feelings.”

Nevaeh Dawkins-Watson, Current Legacy Scholar

 SUPPORT OUR MISSION TODAY!

Palmer Scholars acknowledges that our work is carried out on, and our office space is located within, occupied Coast Salish land, specifically that of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. We pay respect to Coast Salish Elders past and present and extend that respect to their descendants and to all Indigenous peoples. To acknowledge this land is to recognize its longer history and our place in that history; it is to recognize these lands and waters and their significance for the peoples who lived and continue to live in this region, whose practices and spiritualties were and are tied to the land and the water, and whose lives continue to enrich and develop in relationship to the land, waters, and other inhabitants today.

 

We also pause to recognize and acknowledge the labor upon which our country, state, and institutions are built.

We remember that our country is built on the labor of enslaved people who were kidnapped and brought to the U.S. from the African continent and recognize the continued contribution of their survivors. We also acknowledge all immigrant labor, including voluntary, involuntary, trafficked, forced, and undocumented peoples who contributed to the building of the country and continue to serve within our labor force. We acknowledge all unpaid care-giving labor.

 

To the people who contributed this immeasurable work and their descendants, we acknowledge our/their indelible mark on the spaces in which we operate today. It is our collective responsibility to critically interrogate these histories, to repair harm, and to honor, protect, and sustain this land.

Physical Address - 

4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW BLDG 16

Lakewood WA 98499-4004

Mailing Address - 

PO Box 7119, Tacoma, WA 98417

Phone - (253) 317-7627

Email - info@palmerscholars.org

To contact someone directly visit our staff page here: Our Team

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