A former student from Bangor High School, Amara Ifeji, gained national recognition for speaking out against racism in the school system. She recently received the prestigious Marshall Scholarship for 2024, supporting her studies in environmental and climate action.
Amara, who graduated in 2020, now attends Northeastern University in Boston and serves as the policy director for the Maine Environmental Education Association. The scholarship gives her the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Oxford in nature, society, environmental governance, and African studies.
Amara became a key figure in bringing attention to racial issues at Bangor High School. Alongside Ijeoma Obi, she shared their experiences of racism and offensive comments during their time at the school. The revelations led to an investigation into how Bangor High School addressed racism against Black students.
The investigation confirmed the testimonies of Amara, her sister Kosi Ifeji, fellow student Ibby Konteh, and Ijeoma Obi. After the investigation, Bangor Schools Superintendent James Tager committed to addressing past racism issues and promoting equality in the schools.
Despite the challenges, both Amara and Ijeoma pursued successful academic careers, with Ijeoma attending Columbia University. The Marshall Scholarship, awarded to Amara, has a long tradition dating back to 1954 and is funded by the British Government, with contributions from various donors.
Amara Ifeji is one of the 39 scholars receiving the Marshall Scholarship for 2024. The recognition highlights her dedication to addressing racial issues and promoting equality in education.
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