Detroit's Operation Get Down Creates Aaliyah Memorial Scholarship Fund

Sep 4, 2001, 11:15 am PT

Operation Get Down of Detroit has set up a memorial scholarship fund in the name of the late singer/actress Aaliyah. The 22-year-old star, who died in a plane crash on Aug. 25 (allstar, Aug. 27), was a graduate of the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts.

The fund, which is being set up by Aaliyah's uncle, producer, and songwriting partner Barry Hankerson, will give four students the opportunity to attend the school for free. Scholarships will be given out starting in January 2002.

Hankerson, once married to Gladys Knight, co-founded Operation Get Down 30 years ago as a community organization that offered shelter and support to the homeless, as well as youth development programs, GED assistance, and family emergency services. Aaliyah performed at Operation Get Down events as a child.

Donations for the fund can be sent to the following address:

Aaliyah Memorial Scholarship Fund
First Independence National Bank
44 Michigan Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226

Meanwhile, as the investigation into the plane crash that took the life of Aaliyah and eight others continues, the plane's manufacturer has reported that the Cessna 402B was only certified to carry six to eight people. Nine were aboard the aircraft at the time of its crash.

-- Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna back to news