JUST LAST month, Akilah Johnson was “surprised and overwhelmed” when she learned that she was a national finalist in the “Doodle 4 Google” contest for grade-schoolers....

“[It’s about] giving us opportunities… that allow teens to blossom.”...

The historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., awarded the scholarships at its annual HBCU College Festival....

Many of the youths are trapped by unemployment and gang violence....

“We hope they think it’s natural that a U.S. president would visit Cuba and the two peoples are working together,” Obama said....