It began as a dream between friends and former classmates during several conversations at the 2007 Black & White Ball. The dream: To give back to the community that raised them…never forgetting their roots; to be role models to the youth of the community; to encourage and help young African Americans in Columbia in their pursuit of higher education; and finally to leave a legacy of responsible, accountable, and productive citizens who lift up their community.  Nearly two years later, that initial conversation has blossomed into the Columbia African American (CAAA) Scholarship Fund.

The CAAA Memorial Scholarship Fund will be presented in honor of former Columbia African American high school students who are now deceased.  This year we will award $500 scholarships to three (3) talented young African Americans students currently enrolled in Columbia (Mo.)  Public Schools and graduating in the Class of 2010, to assist in their pursuit of higher education.  The scholarship is open to any 2010 high school graduate with post-graduation plans to pursue an education at an accredited higher learning institution approved by The Higher Learning Commission in the Fall of 2010.

     While it takes a village to raise a child, so too, does it take a village or an entire community to pull off a project of this magnitude.  While the entire community of Columbia – proper and extended – has played key roles in bringing this dream to reality, this effort has been spearheaded by the tireless work of five individuals: Melvin Clayborne (Hickman, Class of 1980) Anthony Van Buren (Hickman, Class of 1979) and Keener Tippin (Hickman, Class of 1979), Vanessa Brown Haywood (Hickman, Class of 1979) and Wesley Buckner (Rock Bridge, Class of 1979).

Who We Are

MELVIN  A. CLAYBORNE

Melvin A. Clayborne is a graduate of David H Hickman High School Class of 1980.  Upon graduating from Hickman, Mr. Clayborne enlisted in the United States Army.  

Mr. Clayborne assignments included the 101st Airborne Division Fort Campbell, KY, Spangdahlem Air Force Base Germany, 1st Infantry Division Fort Riley Kan.,, St. Louis Recruiting BN Mo., Dexheim Germany and 10th Mountain Division Fort Drum, NY.

 Mr. Clayborne is a graduate of the Primary Leadership Development Course; Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course; Advanced Non-Commissioned Officers Course; Battle Staff Non-Commissioned Officers Course; First Sergeants Course. Other military schools include: the Air Assault; Army Management Staff College Advanced; The Army Management Staff College Intermediate Course; The Army Management Staff College Basic Course and the Foundation Course.  He also holds a Bachelor of Science form Empire State College of New York, Master of Training in Emergency Management form Troy College and Recognition Certificate Management Studies City Colleges of Chicago.

His awards and decorations include the , Meritorious Service Medal (Two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (Four Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (Eleven Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal (two silver knots), the National Defense Service Medal (With Bronze Star), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, The Iraqi Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), the Army Service Ribbon, The Army Overseas Ribbon (Numeral 2), the NATO Medal,  the Air Assault Badge, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award and the Army Superior Unit Award.

Mr. Clayborne served in the United States Army for twenty three years before retiring in Black River, NY, with his wife Carla and two children, Antonio and Jasmine.  He is currently employed with the Department of the Army in Human Resources.

Mr. Clayborne is actively involved in community service.  He volunteers at the 12:30 Gospel Service Fort Drum and several project related to President Barack Obama’s call to change America.

Chief master sergeant  Anthony D. VanBuren, Sr

Chief Master Sergeant Anthony D. VanBuren Sr. represents the top one percent of the United States Air Force enlisted ranks and is responsible for leadership, development, training and utilization of 4500 Airmen located through out the United States.  He currently serves as the Logistics Readiness Division Superintendent for the National Guard Bureau, Air National Guard Readiness Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland.

Chief VanBuren was born and raised in Columbia, Mo., and graduated from David H. Hickman High School in 1979.   He has served his country with honor and dedication for the past 26 years as a member of the USAF. 

His background includes various positions in the logistics field, at base level, NATO, major command, Pacific AF Inspector General Team, National Guard Bureau, and Air Staff (Pentagon).  His assignments include bases in Georgia, Korea, Florida, the Netherlands, Croatia, Hawaii, Washington D.C., and Maryland. 

He has graduated from all levels of professional military and civilian education, which include the Non-Commissioned (NCO) Officer Leadership School, NCO Academy, Senior NCO Academy, Chief Leadership Course, USAF Senior Leadership Course, Diversity Champions Course and the Leadership Challenge Course.  He earned a B.S. in Logistics Management and an M.A. in Human Resource Management from Wayland Baptist University, Texas. 

The Chief has won numerous awards and decorations such as the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (3), and the Air Force Achievement Medal (3). 

Chief VanBuren has always been active in the community, involved with activities such as the African American History Month, local churches, local schools, homeless shelters, Special Olympics, food kitchens and the Angel Tree Foundation to name a few. 

He is married to the former Debra Estes and the proud father of two children.   Anthony Jr., 22, a Senior Airman in the USAF and ShaVon, 19, a freshman attending Northern Virginia Community College. 

KEENER A. TIPPIN II

Keener A. Tippin II is a 1979 graduate of David H. Hickman High School.

After 10 years in the media relations office at Kansas State University and an adviser to the Black Student Union, Tippin recently returned to his hometown of Columbia. He currently serves as the communications coordinator for the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

Previously Tippin worked at the Manhattan Mercury, Topeka Capital-Journal and Columbia Daily Tribune.

Tippin won first place for investigative reporting from the Kansas City Press Club’s Heart of America Excellence in journalism Awards (1995); second place in personal column writing, Kansas Press Association (1995); and has received a gold award for science writing (2000); a silver award for opinion/column writing (2004); and a bronze award for news release writing (2000) from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. In 1997 he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, from the Department of Communications, Lincoln University.

Tippin has also received the Commerce Bank Presidential Faculty Award for Distinguished Service to Minority Students, Kansas State University; the Alpha X-Cellence Award, Kappa Tau Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award, Kansas State University.

A graduate of Lincoln University, Tippin served as a public affairs specialist in the U.S. Air Force, 1985-91.

Tippin believes in a philosophy of “blooming” wherever he is planted and is actively involved in the community: director, Ujima Academy; member, Douglass Community Center Advisory Board (Manhattan, Kan.); Riley County (Kan.) Youth Task Force; Wonder Workshop Children's Museum Board of Directors (Manhattan, Kan.); Earl Woods Youth Golf Academy Board of Directors, Kansas State University; USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden School District Diversity Commission, (Manhattan, Kan.);Leadership Manhattan);Co-chair, Martin Luther King Observance Week Committee, Kansas State University; Lady Deuces/ Young Deuces Basketball Program; NAACP Education Committee, (Manhattan, Kan. Chapter);Site Council, Eisenhower Middle School, (Manhattan, Kan.); Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

Most recently he served as an assistant coach for the Rock Bridge High School girls basketball team.

Tippin is married to the former Sheila Collins and the proud father of seven children.