Essie b. king ‘love in action’ community service award

The Essie B. King ‘Love In Action’ Community Service Award was established in 2023 by her daughter, Debra Taiwo, to provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors who attend high school in Forsyth County; reside in the Foundations service area; and who demonstrate a commitment to community service through dedicated action that see the pain, suffering, and needs of others and does something about it.

The Scholarship may provide two $1,000 non-refundable awards for students who will pursue full-time enrollment from an accredited vocational/technical school, community college, or college/university in pursuit of a diploma, certificate, or bachelors degree. Scholarships will be applied to the cost of undergraduate tuition fees, room and board, and other college expenses.

Born September 6, 1941, Essie Bailey King was a woman of strong faith who fluently spoke the language of love in her actions and deeds. Tall in stature, she had a welcoming smile, contagious laugh, and a engulfing hug that made you feel safe and loved all at once. Family and friends alike loved spending time in her presence and drinking from her fountain of wisdom, grace, and humor.

Essie was a mother who shared weekly dinners with the neighborhood kids and holiday meals with total strangers. She transported elderly to and from church on Sunday mornings, and accompanied her friends to cancer treatments, doctor appointments, and hospital stays whenever called upon. She was purposeful in affirming and encouraging others through life’s most difficult situations. She gave advice that spoke the truth in love and cultivated peace amid calamities. A visitor never left her home without a parting gift, be it a to-go plate after a festive meal or a gift bag from her overstock of purchases from Sears or Avon. Everyone always received a token of her heart.

Essie dedicated her life to serving the city of Winston Salem, the state of North Carolina, and the world at large. Her love knew no boundaries. This Scholarship is established to encourage and support those who, like Essie King, demonstrate bold love and compassion through acts of service.