Danroy "DJ" Henry Social Change Scholarship at Berklee

The Danroy “DJ” Henry Social Change Scholarship at Berklee was created in honor of Danroy “DJ” Henry, a Pace University student from Easton, Massachusetts, whose life was cut short in 2010 at the age of 20.

“The death of George Floyd was a traumatic reminder for our family and served as a wake-up call to the world. We ask our community to listen to the pain of those who are suffering and take peaceful action in order to achieve change. We continue to support and grieve with the many families who have been affected by economic disparities, by race-based violence, and by any police officer who ignores their duty to protect and serve. Together we can stand and continue to take action towards change,” explained Angella and Dan Henry, and the Henry family. Dan is a member of Berklee’s President's Advisory Council.

Based on the guidance of Dan and Angella, the scholarship will support Berklee College of Music and/or Boston Conservatory at Berklee students who are financially and academically deserving with the potential to make a significant contribution to society through the performing arts. “Our family is so delighted that DJ’s determination of peace and love will carry on through the endowed Danroy ‘DJ’ Henry Social Change Scholarship. What better way to tell the important stories that become our history than through music and creative arts,” they added. “Thank you to Roger Brown, Barbara Thomas, George Russell Jr., and the entire team for your desire to honor DJ in such a meaningful way. We are eternally grateful to be a part of the Berklee family forever in this way.”

For further information about the scholarship fund, please contact Barbara Thomas, Beth Platow, or Beverly Tryon. Other members of the scholarship committee include Robert Chambers, Michael Gamble, Kimberly Haack, Sandra Musella, George Russell Jr., and Jarritt Sheel.

You can learn more about DJ Henry in Boston Magazine, the Boston Globe, and on 48 Hours.

Thanks to an anonymous $10,000 matching gift and generous donations from many in the Berklee community, the fund has reached endowment level and will award its first recipient in 2021. We invite you to help us honor DJ’s life and legacy by contributing to the Danroy “DJ” Henry Social Change Scholarship Fund:

Faculty and Staff Contributions

Berklee faculty and staff may also support the scholarship through a payroll deduction. A recurring gift of $12 can make a large impact. The number 12 carries symbolic importance for the family, as it was DJ’s Pace University football jersey number.