LaToya Malcolm scholarship announced at Jamaica funeral
Minister of State Delano Seiveright has announced the LaToya Malcolm Scholarship for Resilience, awarding two Jamaican high school students $100,000 each for educational development. The tribute was unveiled at LaToya Malcolm's funeral on August 22, 2026, honoring the late Miss Universe Jamaica contestant who died at 35 in July.
The scholarship announcement landed on one of the most emotional days yet for Malcolm's family. As her mother, relatives and friends gathered to say goodbye, Seiveright — a friend of the late pageant star — pledged support for young people facing hardship while pursuing their education.
Key Takeaways
- Two high school students will each receive $100,000 through the LaToya Malcolm Scholarship for Resilience.
- LaToya Malcolm, 35, died on July 17, 2026; her funeral was held August 22 at Central Assemblies of God in Kingston.
- She competed in the 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica pageant and won Miss Bikini Jamaica International 2024.
- Minister Delano Seiveright announced the award as a lasting tribute to her resilience after personal loss.
- Memorial scholarships like this channel community grief into tangible support for the next generation.
What Is the LaToya Malcolm Scholarship for Resilience?
Member of Parliament and Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce Delano Seiveright created the scholarship in Malcolm's name. For its inaugural year, two deserving high-school students will each receive $100,000 toward their educational development.
Seiveright said the fund is meant to help young people keep pushing forward despite challenges — a theme that mirrored Malcolm's own life. "LaToya was special, she was loved, and she will not be forgotten," he told mourners. "I hope this assistance in her name will give two young people an opportunity to keep pushing forward despite the challenges they may face."
Who Was LaToya Malcolm?
LaToya Malcolm was a Jamaican actress, entertainer and dance instructor with more than a decade of experience in the entertainment industry. She competed in the 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica competition and later captured the Miss Bikini Jamaica International 2024 crown, also winning Best Figure, Best Legs and Best Condition.
Her pageant success came after profound personal loss. Malcolm's father, Winston, died earlier in 2024, yet she persevered through months of demanding fitness and dance training. She dedicated her Bikini International title to his memory — a story of resilience that now defines the scholarship bearing her name.
News of her passing on July 17 drew international attention, including coverage from major U.S. entertainment outlets. Miss Universe Jamaica alumna Gabrielle Henry and others in the pageant community publicly mourned her loss.
When and Where Was LaToya Malcolm's Funeral?
Malcolm's family held her funeral service on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Central Assemblies of God church in Kingston, Jamaica. The service drew visibly emotional tributes from her mother, family members and friends, who remembered her as exceptionally kind, loving and ambitious.
The scholarship announcement unfolded amid those scenes of grief, transforming a day of mourning into a forward-looking commitment. For more on how communities invest in youth opportunity, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.
Why Does This Scholarship Matter Now?
Malcolm's sudden death shocked Jamaica's entertainment and pageant communities. A memorial scholarship offers a concrete way to extend her legacy beyond headlines and tributes. By funding education for students navigating their own obstacles, the award keeps her story alive in daily life rather than only in remembrance.
Full details on the announcement were reported by the Jamaica Observer, which covered both the funeral and Seiveright's pledge. For families and fans still processing her loss, the scholarship represents hope that resilience — Malcolm's defining quality — will continue to inspire others.