PURPOSE: TOBA awards annual Jetie B. Wilds, Jr. “Youth Leadership and Community Service” scholarships to college-bound high school seniors based on demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, community service, and financial need. This scholarship was named in honor of the late Jetie B. Wilds, Jr., a former Tampa Organization of Black Affairs (TOBA) board member.
Mr. Wilds attended public schools, graduating from Middleton Senior High School in 1957. He graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. After college, he became a teacher at Booker T. Washington Junior High School in Tampa. His thirst for knowledge led him to earn a Master’s Degree from Portland State University in Oregon. He continued to pursue courses in urban studies, completing all coursework toward his doctoral degree. After leaving Tampa, his work took him to West Virginia, Portland, Oregon, Columbia, Maryland, and then back to Tampa in 1996. He worked diligently in the Job Corps as an Adjunct Professor at Lewis and Clark University. He ended his career as a Senior Executive in the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Mr. Wilds was a former member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity for more than 50 years, and a lifetime member of the NAACP. Upon his return to his birthplace, he hosted a radio program, “The Citizen’s Report,” on WTMP 1150AM, where he engaged the community in discussions about the important issues of the day involving education, health, family, and politics. He was also a community leader and a Co-founder of the Saturday Morning Breakfast Group, a group dedicated to improving public policy and broad community involvement. He also wrote a column for the tri-lingual local newspaper, La Gaceta.
CRITERIA: The students eligible for assistance must be graduating high school seniors who reside in Hillsborough County, Florida, and intend to continue their education at a college or university. Consideration will be given to academic achievement, financial need, and the student’s community service record. This scholarship was developed and funded to award African-American high school students who exemplify dedication, perseverance, work ethic, community service, a commitment to excellence, character, and discipline to continue succeeding in college and future endeavors. Selected scholarship awardees must have demonstrated hard work to overcome adversity and the challenges facing other youth in their generation. By receiving this award, the awardee will bring pride to their family, school, community, and most of all themselves.
GUIDELINES: In a partnership involving TOBA, the Hillsborough County School Board, and the Superintendent of the Hillsborough County School District, students from Middleton and Blake High Schools are required to complete the scholarship application. They must also specify a high school representative—such as a teacher, counselor, or administrator—who will serve as a reference, highlighting the student's leadership qualities, academic accomplishments, and commitment to community service.
AWARD AMOUNT: Each scholarship awarded will be a minimum of $1,000. Awarded scholarship funds will be sent to the college or university of the student’s choice upon confirmation and verification of acceptance or directly to the student if deemed more helpful. To receive these funds, the student must submit a letter of acceptance and confirmation of enrollment from their college or university before their incoming year of attendance.
DEADLINE: All scholarship nominations must be submitted to TOBA by Friday, November 20, 2026, by 11:59 pm