Our Story
It all began in a cafeteria line at Prairie View A&M University
When Carl Settles attempted to exercise his so-called “athlete’s privilege” and cut in line, Carol Ann Hadnot stood her ground.
She refused to move. Her resolve—and unmistakable fire—immediately caught Carl’s attention. Though he never did get ahead in that line, he eventually won her heart.
The inseparable couple went on to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Prairie View A&M. Years later, they returned—this time with sons Carl Jr. and Corey in tow—when Dr. Settles was called back to lead the counseling department.
For 48 years, Carl and Carol championed the transformative power of the HBCU community, living out their belief that education is a family’s greatest inheritance.
The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
While Corey was raised immersed in PVAMU culture, the family legacy found its modern heartbeat when he met LaBrena. As a first-generation college graduate and the eldest of four siblings, LaBrena’s path to an HBCU was anything but guaranteed. It was carved through perseverance and made possible by the generosity of others.
Without an academic scholarship, the door to higher education might have remained closed. Her journey—from a hopeful student to a proud Alcorn State University alumna—stands as a powerful testament to what happens when talent meets opportunity.
A Shared Mission
Today, the Settles legacy is not merely a story of the past; it is a living, breathing mission. Corey serves as a bridge between generations, while LaBrena embodies the very promise of the “open door” Carl and Carol spent decades advocating for.
Together, Corey and LaBrena have watched their own daughters walk across HBCU stages, completing a circle that began in a Prairie View cafeteria nearly 60 years earlier.
United by purpose, Corey and LaBrena share a deep commitment to creating opportunities for young adults. Their passion is rooted in the countless acts of generosity that shaped LaBrena’s path and defined the lifelong dedication of Carl and Carol. Establishing these scholarships is not just about honoring the past—it is about protecting the future. It ensures that the next first-generation student does not have to abandon their dream because of a financial obstacle.
This is more than giving back. It is paying it forward.
Eligibility Requirements:
Be rising college juniors or seniors for the 2026 school year
Be enrolled at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
Volunteer work on campus and/or within the community
Financial need as determined by the 2026-2027 FAFSA
Have a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average
Deadline: March 2, 2026
Support Future Scholars
Great futures start with a single opportunity. The Settles family invites you to help open doors for the next generation of leaders. Join us in paying it forward—your gift provides the financial freedom for a student to focus on their dreams instead of their debt.
Legal Disclosure: "The Settles Financial Freedom Scholarship is a project of Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and are administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta.