Erin Goldson is expanding Vineyard Icon with a new scholarship for future Black leaders.
The scholarship marks a new chapter for the platform she founded on Martha’s Vineyard. It builds on her work celebrating Black leaders across different industries.
Nearly 200 students applied for the inaugural scholarship. They represented more than 85 colleges and universities.
The program considers academic performance, financial need, leadership, and community impact. Eight students were selected as the first recipients.
Goldson now wants to take the idea even further. Her long-term plans include larger scholarships, cultural programs, and new ways to preserve Black history on the island.
Erin Goldson Launches Vineyard Icon Scholarship for Future Leaders
The Vineyard Icon Scholarship is rooted in Goldson’s own family story.
She dedicated the scholarship to her mother, Amy Goldson, and her late father, Dr. Alfred Goldson. Her father died unexpectedly while Goldson and her sister were in high school.
That loss happened during an important period of their college application process. Her mother then became a source of stability and opportunity for the family.
Goldson said the scholarship reflects the purpose behind Vineyard Icon.
“It is about honoring the people who created opportunities for us and using what they gave us to create opportunities for someone else.”
Nearly 200 Students Applied for the Vineyard Icon Scholarship
The scholarship came together through a partnership with Color Vision.
Goldson serves on Color Vision’s board. She and founder Mia J. Davis discussed scholarships during a conversation last December.
That conversation revealed a shared interest in supporting the next generation of leaders. Vineyard Icon fully funds the scholarship, while Color Vision manages payments to recipients’ colleges and universities.
The first application process attracted nearly 200 students. Applicants came from more than 85 colleges and universities.
Students needed at least a 3.0 GPA. They also had to demonstrate financial need, leadership, and community impact.
A committee reviewed eligible applications using the same criteria. Eight students were chosen as the inaugural recipients.
Goldson Wants Students to See Themselves as Future Icons
The scholarship application asked students to think beyond grades.
Applicants reflected on what made them rising icons and future leaders. They also considered the legacy they wanted to leave.
Another question asked what students had learned from challenges they had experienced. Goldson said that process itself was valuable.
“It gave each student an opportunity to see the icon in themselves, articulate their purpose, and think intentionally about the impact they want to make.”
The eight scholarship recipients will be announced through Vineyard Icon’s social media channels. Two recipients will also attend the Color Vision conference in Washington, D.C.
They will be recognized there during Congressional Black Caucus weekend.
Vineyard Icon Could Grow Into a Major Scholarship Program
Goldson’s plans for the scholarship do not stop with its first group of recipients.
She wants the Vineyard Icon Foundation to eventually provide six figures in scholarships every year. A venture capital firm on Martha’s Vineyard has already pledged support for future scholarships.
The firm has shown particular interest in creating more opportunities in technology.
Goldson also wants the scholarship to carry lasting value for recipients.
She hopes “Vineyard Icon Scholar” will eventually become a meaningful credential. She envisions a future employer recognizing what the designation represents.
“One day, a hiring manager might see it on a resume, recognize what it represents, and use it as a point of connection.”
How Erin Goldson Built Vineyard Icon in Less Than 60 Days
The scholarship is the newest part of a much larger project.
Goldson created Vineyard Icon after seeing a need on Martha’s Vineyard. The island attracts Black executives, artists, creatives, public servants, and families every summer.
However, she wanted an event centered on the people themselves. She wanted to celebrate their contributions rather than the companies around them.
Goldson has spent a decade working in marketing at Unilever. She has led campaigns for major brands, including American Express and Dove.
Her connection to Martha’s Vineyard is also personal. Five generations of her family have called the island home. Her parents met and married there.
The Vineyard Icon Awards Quickly Became a Major Gathering
Goldson booked a venue for the first Vineyard Icon Awards in May 2025.
She had no honorees or sponsors at the time. She also had no detailed plan beyond her belief that the event was needed.
Less than 60 days later, the inaugural awards were ready. The event brought together prominent Black leaders from entertainment, business, politics, media, and film.
The first celebration included former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and music executive Troy Carter.
Stephanie and Floyd Rance, Shelley Stewart III, and Dawn Porter were also honored. The audience included Gayle King, Cory Booker, Lynn Whitfield, Elaine Welteroth, and LeToya Luckett.
Vineyard Icon Returns With New Honors and Consulting Work
Vineyard Icon returned for its second annual awards celebration in August 2026.
The latest honorees included former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Dr. Sharon Malone. They received the Trailblazer Couple Award.
Music executive Sylvia Rhone received the Cultural Vanguard Award. Entrepreneur and investor Tarrus Richardson received the Business Impact Award.
Goldson also introduced Vineyard Icon Consulting during the 2026 programming.
The advisory practice helps organizations build stronger community connections. Its work combines cultural strategy with purpose-driven experiences.
Its first client was Slauson & Co., a venture capital firm visiting Martha’s Vineyard for the first time.
Vineyard Icon Is Creating a Digital Window Into Black Life
The platform has also developed a growing digital presence.
One video Goldson shared featuring Michelle Obama on Martha’s Vineyard reached 2 million views. The milestone came on the same day Goldson had hoped to reach 10,000 Instagram followers.
She described the moment as one of the signs she looks for while building the platform.
Today, the Vineyard Icon Instagram provides a year-round look at Black life on the island.
That reach extends beyond people who visit Martha’s Vineyard. It also connects with people who feel connected to the island’s Black culture and community.
Erin Goldson Has a Bigger Vision for Black Legacy
Goldson’s plans for Vineyard Icon stretch far beyond awards and scholarships.
Her ten-year vision includes a museum focused on Black joy and Black legacy on Martha’s Vineyard. She also hopes to create a documentary and a podcast.
She wants the scholarship program to grow enough to influence career paths. She also hopes the Icon award will eventually expand beyond the Vineyard.
Goldson says the platform is already becoming something larger than its original purpose.
“What began as an awards show is becoming something much bigger,” Goldson said. “What we’re really building is a lasting legacy rooted in community, impact, and the belief that today’s icons have a responsibility to invest in tomorrow’s.”
A Surprise Award for Goldson’s Grandmother Brings the Vision Home
The 2026 awards ended with a personal tribute from Goldson.
She surprised her grandmother with the first Centennial Icon Award. The honor came ahead of her grandmother’s 100th birthday.
Goldson then invited the room to sing happy birthday. The crowd spontaneously moved into Stevie Wonder’s extended version of the song.
The unscripted moment reflected the personal meaning behind Vineyard Icon.
Goldson is building a platform that connects recognition with opportunity. The scholarship now adds another layer to that mission.
Her goal is to honor the people who created opportunities while helping create those opportunities for others.
As Goldson said afterward, “I just love us.”
