The Riah Milton Scholarship Fund

Black transgender women are among the most vulnerable groups in American society — to unemployment, to poverty, to homelessness and to physical violence. The American Medical Association described anti-transgender violence as an epidemic in 2019, noting that most victims of transphobic murders were women of color.

Ariel Mary Ann, the sister of Riah Milton, chose to found this scholarship in her sister’s name to celebrate and honor her life. A Black, trans woman herself, Ariel is passionate about uplifting the voices of Black, LGBTQ youth and helping grant them the same opportunities and experiences she herself had through Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

“I want to root for these kids, advocate for them, support them. This is about uplifting young people who don’t have the space to live their truth as authentically as they can.” – Ariel Mary Ann, sister of Riah Milton

When you make a gift to this fund, you help students from all backgrounds, especially those who are marginalized across multiple identities, gain access to high-quality arts experiences. Every child has the power to create, and CSC’s summer camps nurture those instincts through supportive, ensemble-based experiences rooted in Shakespeare. Your gifts directly underwrite tuition and transportation scholarships administered through this fund, and ensure that CSC can continue to offer these opportunities for years to come.