Anheuser-Busch Awards “Legends of the Crown” Scholarships to 30 Talented College Students

In September, a remarkable group of 30 students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country visited Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis to receive Legends of the Crown scholarships and attend a leadership symposium.

The Legends of the Crown scholarship program was inspired by the “Great Kings and Queens of Africa” art collection, a series commissioned by Anheuser-Busch in 1975 that has been viewed by millions to date. Each of the 30 paintings, created by 25 unique artists, depicts an African leader, celebrates African history and honors the legacy of African Americans. The second annual Legends of the Crown leadership symposium included a special viewing of the “Great Kings and Queens of Africa” art collection, which was on display at Anheuser-Busch throughout the event.

[caption id="attachment_541327" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Legends of the Crown artist Ken Calvert discusses the "Great Kings and Queens of Africa" art collection with a scholarship recipient at Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis[/caption]

To open the symposium, keynote speaker, actor, author and activist Hill Harper gave an interactive address to the scholarship recipients and representatives from UNCF as he underscored the power that having an impact and leaving a legacy can have in a person's lifetime. During the event, students also took a private tour of the St. Louis Brewery and participated in workshops with Anheuser-Busch leaders that covered important career-building skills, including resume-writing and interview techniques.

[caption id="attachment_541328" align="aligncenter" width="610"] Actor, author and activist Hill Harper delivers a keynote address to Legends of the Crown scholars at Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis[/caption]

On the final day of the symposium, the students joined several “Great Kings and Queens of Africa” artists to participate in a one-of-a-kind volunteer project to beautify Kingdom House, a local social services organization. St. Louis-based artist Cbabi Bayoc designed four distinctive panels with scenes representing leadership. While on site at Kingdom House, scholarships recipients painted the panels, with the help of several “Great Kings and Queens of Africa” artists, and enjoyed a performance from an African drum and dance troupe. The finished panels will hang on the walls of Kingdom House to leave a lasting impression on visitors and constituents for years to come.

[caption id="attachment_541331" align="aligncenter" width="610"] St. Louis artist Cbabi Bayoc talks to Legends of the Crown scholars before participating in a volunteer project at Kingdom House[/caption]

The Anheuser-Busch Legends of the Crown scholarship program is a prime example of the brewer's ongoing commitment to higher education. In the past decade, Anheuser-Busch has invested more than $75 million in educating tomorrow's leaders.

[caption id="attachment_541329" align="aligncenter" width="610"] 30 Legends of the Crown scholarship recipients display murals they painted to beautify the walls of Kingdom House in St. Louis[/caption]