Empowering the Next Generation of Community Leaders

The Pota Coston Memorial Scholarship honors the remarkable life and legacy of the Honorable Pota Coston—AVPRIDE’s former youth programs manager and Fayette County’s first African-American County Commissioner. A proud graduate of Marshall University, Coston dedicated her life to public service, youth development, and civic engagement until her passing in 2015.

A Legacy of Leadership and Service

Pota Coston’s impact on Fayette County and AVPRIDE was profound. She began as Director of Career Exploration at AVPRIDE and rose to lead the Workforce Development Program, where she spearheaded countless initiatives to uplift young people in the community.

Beyond AVPRIDE, Coston’s influence stretched across numerous organizations, including:

• Fayette County’s Ethics Board

• Fayette Chamber of Commerce

• Fayette FACTOR

• Friends of the Tyrone Library

• River Oaks Advisory Board

She was also a dedicated member of Elizabeth Baptist Church, where her faith anchored her passion for service.

About the Scholarship

Each year, AVPRIDE awards the Pota Coston Memorial Scholarship to one graduating high school senior from our youth development group, South Atlanta Youth Alliance (SAYA).

Unlike traditional awards, this $1,000 scholarship isn’t based on GPA or an extensive resume. Instead, it recognizes a student whose leadership, character, and service demonstrate the potential to make a lasting impact in their community and beyond.

This scholarship is more than an award—it’s a call to action. Just like Commissioner Coston, we believe that young leaders can shape the future through compassion, courage, and commitment to their communities.