Korean Group Awards Scholarships

In a symbolic nod to Inglewood’s diverse ethnic population, a newly formed Korean business association awarded 28 scholarships this week to Inglewood students in elementary school through high school.

The scholarships, ranging from $50 to $500, are for students with financial hardships who are succeeding academically, said Brian Lee, a spokesman for the Inglewood-Airport Area Korea Business Assn., an organization of about 300 businesses. Lee said the scholarships show that ethnic groups can coexist harmoniously.

Inglewood officials have sought to ease tensions among Korean shop owners and black and Latino residents before they escalate into the pickets and boycotts that have broken out in other cities.

The City Council adopted Kyongu, South Korea, as a sister city earlier this year. Inglewood officials also invited Korean merchants to a series of sensitivity workshops to address residents’ complaints that they are treated rudely across the counter.