Purpose: To provide a financial award to a Black occupational therapy or occupational therapy assistant student in Florida exemplifying leadership and civic engagement in their community or school. Eligibility: 1. Full or part-time students attending an accredited or developing entry-level Florida state Occupational Therapy or Occupational Therapy Assistant program. 2. Successful completion of two semesters of an OT or OTA program with a 3.0 GPA or better. 3. Demonstrated commitment to leadership and service within the last two (2) years (both the prior and application years). Click the link below for additional eligibility requirements and application or contact SFBOTC for further information. |   Dr. Sandra Dunbar-Smalley (Sandee) DPA, OTR/L, FAOTA Dr. Sandra Dunbar-Smalley, known as Sandee, serves as Chief Learning Officer for AdventHealth, where she oversees leadership development and learning initiatives impacting more than 100,000 employees. A recognized leader in occupational therapy and organizational development, she has dedicated her career to advancing effective leadership practices within healthcare and academic settings. She earned her Doctorate in Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University, her Master of Arts degree from New York University, and her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Loma Linda University. Dr. Dunbar-Smalley has received numerous academic and service honors, including three Golden Apple Awards recognizing her excellence in teaching. She is deeply committed to mentorship and takes pride in seeing many of her mentees emerge as influential leaders in the profession. She is the author and co editor of An Occupational Perspective of Leadership (three editions), a foundational text that supports practitioners and educators in applying leadership theory within everyday clinical and classroom experiences. She has presented nationally and internationally on visionary leadership, supporting others in achieving organizational goals, family centered care, occupation centered practice, and early intervention. On a personal note, Dr. Dunbar Smalley is married to Arnold Smalley, CEO of Small World Solutions, and is the proud mother of two adult children. |
Current application deadline is Saturday, February 21, 2026, 11:59 PM EST
Winner will be announced during Black History Month (February 2026) via an in-person or virtual event
Scholarship Recipients
2026 Recipient: Alexis Alexander
Alexis Alexander is an occupational therapy student at Nova Southeastern University. | TESTIMONIAL "I am deeply appreciative to have been selected as a recipient of this scholarship. It is an honor to be recognized, as it affirms the hard work and dedication I continue to pour into my journey of becoming an occupational therapists. I do not take this opportunity lightly. I am especially grateful for the privilege of being named the 2026 Sandra Dunbar Scholarship recipient. Being present at the various South Florida Black Occupational Therapy Caucus events and surrounded by so many strong, passionate, and accomplished individuals in this field has continually inspired me. Watching others who look like me lead, advocate, and excel has pushed me to keep refining my skills and striving toward my goal of becoming a practitioner who not only provides excellent care but is also someone others can look up to. I am committed to using the skills and knowledge I acquire to positively contribute to the profession of occupational therapy. I look forward to providing meaningful and impactful therapeutic services to diverse client populations. This scholarship strengthens my dedication to growth, leadership, and service within our profession." (Alexis Alexander, 2/26/26) |
2025 Recipient: Mikayla Dunn
Mikayla Dunn is an occupational therapy student at Nova Southeastern University. She received the scholarship during the second year of her OTD program. While she is still exploring which specialty she would like to pursue, Ms. Dunn notes having a strong passion for community engagement and outreach. | TESTIMONIAL "I am truly honored to be selected as the 2025 recipient of the Sandra Dunbar Barker Leadership Scholarship. This recognition means more to me than words can express. As a student leader, I am grateful for the opportunities I've had at Nova Southeastern University to engage in impactful initiatives with dedicated individuals who share a passion for making a positive difference. As a future occupational therapist, I am committed to using my skills and experiences to improve the lives of others. This scholarship will support my continued academic journey, allowing me to make a meaningful contribution to the community. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity - thank you once again." (Mikayla Dunn, 2/14/25) |
2024 Recipient: Kyrah Maduro
Kyrah Maduro is an occupational therapy student at Nova Southeastern University. She received the scholarship during her third year of her OTD program. Her interests in the field include pediatrics with a special interest in infant mental health and early intervention. She is also interested in mental health across an individual’s lifespan. | TESTIMONIAL
"I am grateful for the privilege to be selected as the 2024 Sandra Dunbar Scholarship recipient. Having met Dr. Dunbar at the AOTA 2024 conference, I am delighted to be honored of such. I intend to use my acquired skills to positively contribute to the profession of OT and to the South Florida Black Occupational Therapy Caucus, acting as a mentee and mentor for rising occupational therapists as well as providing therapeutic services to a wide variety of client populations." (Kyrah Maduro, 5/20/24) |
2023 Recipient: André Johnson
André Johnson is an occupational therapy student at FAMU. He received the scholarship in 2022 while in his second year in the MOT program. André’s research interests include public policy, the impacts of technology on everyday life, mental health, social determinants of health, student empowerment, disabilities, pediatrics, obesity, and male mental well-being. | TESTIMONIAL "I am honored to be selected as the 2022 Sandra Dunbar Scholarship recipient. Dr. Sandra Dunbar-Smalley's presence and impact as a leader in the field of occupational therapy and nationally is well known. Dr. Dunbar has had a tremendous impact on my leadership journey, as her Leadership Development keynote at the Florida Occupational Therapy Association’s leadership development program in 2017 left a lasting impact on me. To now be the recipient of the South Florida Black Occupational Therapy Caucus (SFBOTC) leadership scholarship in her name is a dream come true. This award will help ease the financial costs of earning my occupational therapy degree and help pay for my attendance at an occupational therapy professional conference. I will continue my work for SFBOTC, while continuing to open new doors and provide mentorship for the next generation of occupational therapists & occupational therapy assistants from around the world." (André Johnson, 2/3/23) |
2021 Recipient: Connie Awuku-Darkoh
Connie Awuku-Darkoh is an occupational therapy student at FAMU. She received the scholarship in 2021 while in her second year in the MOT program. Connie is interested in working with clients with concussions and spinal cord injuries, including student-athletes. | TESTIMONIAL "I am honored to be selected as the 2021 Sandra Dunbar Scholarship recipient. Dr. Sandra Dunbar-Smalley's presence and impact as a leader in the world of occupational therapy is remarkable, and it is a privilege to be recognized for this scholarship. This award will help ease the financial costs of earning my occupational therapy degree. I hope in the future to work with adults with cognitive and physical injuries while using my leadership skills to open new doors for the next generation of black occupational therapists from around the world." (Connie Awuku-Darkoh, 1/5/22) |
2020 Recipient: Adriana Foster
Adriana Foster is an occupational therapy student at Jacksonville University (JU) OTD program. She received the scholarship in 2020 while in her second year of school at JU. Her interests include outpatient pediatric, community practice, and diversity. Adriana’s professional goals include becoming a leader in her profession by opening a community center focused on adolescents with disabilities. | TESTIMONIAL "I am honored to be a recipient of the Sandra Dunbar scholarship. This award will help ease the burden of fees associated with attaining my degree. It is bringing me one step closer to achieving my goals of becoming an Occupational Therapist so that I can increase the percentage of minority practitioners within the workforce. I hope that I can continue to serve as a leader in the community to uplift the standards set by those before me." (Adriana Foster, 12/17/20) |
2019 Recipient: Esther (Shade) Ojo, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Esther Ojo is currently practicing in the area of pediatric home health and outpatient orthopedics. She received the scholarship in 2019 while she was a student at Nova Southeastern University (Tampa Campus). Her interests include neurological disorders, early intervention, diversity, and mentorship. Dr. Ojo professional goals include becoming a leader in her profession and opening a pro-bono clinic/program. | TESTIMONIAL "It is a privilege to have been a recipient of the Sandra Dunbar scholarship. It is an honor to be thought in the likes of such a graceful leader. I am forever grateful for all the guidance and mentorship Dr. Dunbar and the entire SFBOTC leadership staff have shown me. This scholarship allowed me to buy books and other lab supplies necessary for my OTD program." (Esther "Shade" Ojo, 6/5/20) |
.jpg)
2018 Recipient: Jessica Henry, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Jessica Henry is an occupational therapist practicing in orthopedics. She is the first recipient of the Sandra Barker Dunbar Leadership Scholarship in 2018. A graduate of Nova Southeastern University's occupational therapy doctorate program in Tampa, Fl., Jessica's interests include hand therapy, community involvement, advocacy, diversity, and inclusion. Her professional goals include becoming a certified hand therapist, a fieldwork educator, and possibly exploring academia at a local university. | TESTIMONIAL “It was an honor to be the first recipient of the Sandra Barker Dunbar Leadership Scholarship and I am incredibly thankful for the organization’s continuous support. Dr. Dunbar is one of my inspirations and she was that influential person to introduce me to the organization during my first year at Nova Southeastern University in Tampa, FL. With this award I was able to mediate some of my tuition and book expenses, which allowed me to engage in professional development opportunities and additional continuing education.” (Jessica Henry 5/05/2020) |
Don't live in Florida or looking for another chapter?
Click here to check out the NBOTC's current chapters and resources
Featured member
South Florida Black Occupational Therapy Caucus is a 501(c)3 public charities non-profit organization