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Vol. 18, N0. 1The Journey SPRING 2014
Message From the Executive Director
Newsletter
Board of Trustees
Advisory Board
Norma Barfield
SeventeenyearsagothisProgramwasatitsbeginning–therewasexcitementaswellasameasureofanxiety.Buttoday,astrongteamofRonBrownScholars,advisors,staffandthemanyfriendswhohavejoinedthisfamilymakeitunbreakable.
Soweareattheendofthebirth-to-collegecycleandabouttostepintothenewandIfeelasexcitedasIdidwhenourfounderandprimarybenefactor,TonyPilaroandIwerejustputtingourthoughts
together,imaginingwhatagroupofScholarscouldaccomplishintermsofselfrealizationandthenpayingitforward.Icanreportthattheyhaveexceededourexpectationsintermsoftheirinternationalpresence,creativity,sensitivityandaccomplishments.AllofourScholarscontinuetoamazewiththeirimpactfulachievementsanddedicationtoserviceandphilanthropy.Inaddition,theyhavea99%graduationrate–morethandoublethatofthenationalaverageforAfricanAmericancollegegraduates.
Nowisthetimetobuilduponwhatwehavelearned,andtogrowtheProgram,andforthemostimportantreason:InvestmentintheRonBrownScholarProgramhaspaiddividends.GreaterinvestmentswillfundmoreScholars—thiswillhavethe“multipliereffect”—thegreaterthenumberofScholars,themorechallengesandopportunitiesScholarstackle,themorewecaneffectpositivechanges.Thisincreasesthescopeanddepthofourimpact,whichwillgrowexponentially.Webelievethatonegreatleadercanimpacthundredsifnotthousandsofpeople.
OnMarch28,2014wewerehonoredtopaytributetoMr.KennethI.ChenaultatourFifthAnnualAmericanJourneyAwards.Mr.Chenault’sleadership,workethicandfocusonmeasurableachievementsinordertoobtainsuccessareamodelforwhatyoungpeopleshouldaspireto,bothpersonallyandprofessionally.HisAmericanJourneyinspiresusandchallengesustodiscoveranddemon-stratetheverybestinourselves.KenandhiswifeKathy’sgenerosityepitomizesRonaldH.Brown’svisionaryleadership,hisselflessnessandpassionforbuildingabetterworldcommunity:goalsdirectlyalignedwithourpurposetoadvancethecollectiveaspirationsandimpactofextraordinaryyoungleaderswhodefytheodds.
OnthesameeveningweweredelightedtoawardtheProgram’sfirstAmericanJourneyAwardforEmergingLeadershiptoRonBrownScholarJasonYoung.Jason’stalentforenablingotherstorealizetheirdreamshasbeenrepeatedlydemonstratedsincehewasthirteenyearsold.Recently,PresidentObamaannouncedtheappoint-mentofJasonasamembertothePresident’sAdvisoryCouncilonFinancialCapabilityforYoungAmericans.
This yearwehired an independent consultant to reviewand evaluate our support and services toRonBrownScholars. These services include, but are not limited to,mentoring, counseling, leadership de-velopment activities and high intensity interactions. What differentiates this review is thatwe have in-cluded a control groupof past scholarship competition semifinalists to better compare the impact of ourservices to ourScholars versus those that did not receive that same type of support. Wewant to evalu-ate howour direct supportmight bemultiplied and sharedwith other students from similar backgrounds.
There aremany things I could continue to tell you, butmost youwill read about throughout thisnewsletter.The past year has been exceptional and Iwant to thank each of you for your support, finan-cial and otherwise.We cannot be successfulwithout your genuine interest in ourRonBrownScholars.
Warmest regards,
Michael A. MalloryPresident, Ron Brown Scholar FundExecutive Director, Ron Brown Scholar Program
Director of Development & Planning, Com-munity Academy Public Charter Schools
Nicole K. Bates, DrPHDeputy Director, Global Health Policy & Advocacy, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Terri DeanChief Membership Officer, Girls
Scouts of Eastern PennsylvaniaAmbassador Diana lady Dougan Chairman, Cyber Century Forum
Jack leslieChairman, Weber Shandwick
Thaderine D. MacFarlanePhilanthropist
Gavin McFarlandPhilanthropist
Michael A. MalloryPresident, Ron Brown Scholar FundExecutive Director, Ron Brown Scholar Program
Jonathan D. MarinerExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Major League Baseball
Andrew C. PilaroChairman, CAP Advisers Limited of Dublin
Anthony M. PilaroChairman Emeritus RBSF Board of Trustees, Chairman, CAP Foundation, CAP Advisers Limited of Dublin
Christopher A. PilaroPresident, CAP Charitable Foundation
Marva A. SmallsEVP, Global Inclusion Strategy, VIACOM & EVP, Public Affairs and Chief of Staff, Nickelodeon Group
Mary SnitchDirector, NASA ProgramsLockheed Martin Corporation
Kathy Thornton-BiasPresident, Bang & Olufsen America Inc. (North America)
Michael B. S. TreismanGeneral Counsel, Tiger Management LLC
Thomas A. WallerSenior Director of Corporate Affairs, Constituent Relations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Tom WernerChairman, Boston Red Sox, Partner and Co-Founder, Carsey-Werner LLC
Aaron S. Williams Executive Vice President, International Development, RTI InternationalDonielle Buie (Ron Brown Scholar 2000)Entrepreneur
Melanie Avery
Director of Philanthropy, Veterans On The Rise, Inc.
Michele BallantyneSVP, Federal Government and Industry Relations, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
Geraldine Barber-HaleFinancial Manager
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Ron BRown ScholaR Selection weekend ReflectionS
Advisory Board (cont’d)
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2014 Ronald h. BRown ameRican JouRney awaRdS
Selection Weekend ReflectionsBy: Sojourner Ahebee, 2014 Ron Brown Scholar
UponmyarrivalforSelectionWeekend,Iwasgreetedwithfeel-ingsoffearandexcitement.IknewthatIwasonthebrinkofbeingsurroundedbyanexceptionallytalentedgroupofyoung
people,butIdidn’tknowwhatthisoccasionwouldbringandhowIwouldbechangedbyallthis.FromthemomentImettheotherfinal-ists,wefellintothedepthsofconversation,talkingaboutourfavoritecities,ourstudies,ourdreams,musicweloved,theschoolswecamefrom,thepeoplethattouchedourlivesforthebetter,andthereasonswhywekeepdoingwhatwedo.Itwastrulymagical,ineverysenseoftheword,tobetalkingamongstsomeofthebestAfrican-Americanmindsinthecountry,tofeelathomeagainwithvoicesandnarrativesthatcarriedsomuchpoweranddrive.
Friday eveningwe had the opportunitytomeetwithguestsat theAmericanJourneyAwardsdinnerandreception,includingRBSPBoardmembers,currentRonBrownScholarsanddonors.AsImademywayaroundtheroom,Iwaswitnesstoallthefabulousandexhilarat-ingstoriesthatvariousguestscarriedwiththem,and Iwas touchedby the overwhelmingyetthrillingexperienceofmeetingthem.Duringdinner,Mr.KennethChenaultgavethemostin-spiringandmemorablepresentation.Hetalkedaboutgivingbacktoyourcommunity,notasamoralduty,butasameansoflosingyourselfintheserviceofothers.Heremindedustonotturnourbacksonthosewhoarelessfortunate,buttolendahand,toplacealadderdownforthoseinneed.Iwillneverforgetthat.
Therestoftheweekendwasnothingshortofamazing.IremembersittinginaroomatPattonBoggsLawOffices,andasfinalistswentinandoutfortheirinterviews,variousRonBrownScholarscameintotheroomandsharedtheirexperiencesandtheirjourneys.Iremembersittingbackandthinking,wow,notonlyareRonBrownScholarsextraordinaryintheiractions,but theyareconsciously thinkingaboutothers,andwhat theycangiveback.The senseof selflessnessand intellectualism thatpermeated theweekendwassimplyenchanting.
Laterintheafternoon,Mrs.TraceyBrownJames,thedaughterofthelateU.S.SecretaryofCommerce,RonaldH.Brown,spokeaboutherfather’slegacyandthewayinwhichshelivesthroughhislegacy.ItwashearteningtoseehowRonBrown’slifehadservedasaphysicalforceinthelifeofMrs.BrownJamesandhowthisforcehadalmostbecomecontagious.HerkindnesswasatestamenttothestrengthoftheRBSPfamily.Shedistributedamemoirshehadwrittenaboutherfathertoallthefinalistsintheroom,eachbookcarryingapersonal,handwrittenmessage.Hermessagetomeread:“Sojourner,alwaysfollowyourdreams,andtellthetruth!”Ifyoudidn’tknowbynow,IwasnamedafterthefamousAmericanabolitionist,SojournerTruth,andherownlegacyhasfollowedmeforallofmylife.So,whenIreadherwords,Icouldnothelpbutfeelempowered,andabitspiritual.Herkind
OnFriday,March28,2014,500friendsandsupportersoftheRonBrownScholarProgramgatheredat theJWMarriott inWashington,D.C.for theFifthAnnualRonaldH.BrownAmericanJourneyAwards.Mrs.SharonEpperson,SeniorCommodities&PersonalFinanceCorrespondent,CNBC,was
ourenthusiastichostfortheevening,welcomingguestsandhighlightingtheimportanceoftheProgramandthescholarshipsupportitprovidestostudents.
Establishedin2009,TheRonaldH.BrownAmericanJourneyAwardseekstohonorthoseindividualswhoexemplifythevisionandtransformativeidealsofthelateSecretaryandserveasmodelstowhichtheScholarsshouldaspire.ItwaspowerfulandfittingtohonorthelegacyofthelateSecretarybycelebratingtheaccomplishmentsandserviceofMr.KennethI.Chenault,Chairman&CEOofAmericanExpress.
WhenthefirstclassoftwentyRonBrownScholarsgraduatedfromcollegein2001,wecreatedanAlumniAssociation.Mr.Chenault’snamewasthenoftenmentionedasaleadermostadmiredbyalumni,onetheywouldmostliketomeetandonewhose
RBSP Hosts Fifth Annual American Journey Awards
life’strajectorytheywouldhopetoemulate.NoneofuscouldhaveguessedthenthatMr.Chenaultwouldonedaybecomeafriendandstrongadvocatefor theRonBrownScholarProgram.
Mr.Chenault’s presence andwords brought the audi-encetoitsfeetasheremindedusthatleadershiphasmanydimensions,butthatoneenduringhallmarkofaleaderisrecognizingapersonalaccountabilitytogiveback,tobringthenextgenerationforwardandtomaketheworldaroundthemabetterplace.
“Commitment, dedication, courage, compassion, thepursuitofexcellence–theseareallqualitiesIlookforinleaders. TheRonBrownScholarProgram instills theseattributes in all of its students.By providing a brighterfutureforthesestudents,youprovideabrighterfutureforoursociety.IwasveryfortunatetohaveRonBrownasafriend,”saidMr.Chenault.“Ronwasacatalystforchange.Hewasnotonly thefirstAfricanAmericanSecretaryofCommerce,hewasthebest.Thisawardmeansagreatdealtomebecauseithashisnameonit.AndIknowhowstronglyRonfeltaboutprovidingopportunitiesforouryoungpeople.”
Mr.ChenaultconcludedtheeveningwithamessagetotheRonBrownScholarsandFinalists,whowerealldreamingofwheretheirownAmericanJourneysmightleadthem.“Keeppushingforward.Bedriventosucceed,tomakeadifference,butneverleaveyourpeoplebehind.Remember,youareleadersandneverforgetthattheroleofaleaderistodefinerealityandgivehope.Andyoucanonlyfulfillthisrolebyyouractions.”
RonBrownScholarDamianWilliamspresentedthe2014AmericanJourneyAwardtoMr.Chenault.“It’sanhonortopresenttheAmericanJourneyAwardtoMr.Chenault.He’sbeenaherotosomanyRonBrownScholarsandasymbolofwhatweshouldstriveforinlife.We’vebeenblessedtohavehimaspartofourscholarshipprogramandwehopetocontinuetomakehimproud.”
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lance BlanksFormer NBA General Manager
Pamela Blechman EllersonManaging Director, Robin Hood
John BurtDirector, North American Diversity Recruiting, The Boston Consulting Group
Kevin J. CarringtonVice President, The Segal Company
Matthew D. CuttsPartner, Patton Boggs, LLP
lauri Fitz-PegadoPartner, Livingston Group, LLC
Guy E. Flynn Partner, DLA Piper, LLP (US)
Nupur Parekh Flynn Managing Director/Co-Director of Marketing, Brown Capital ManagementEarl G. Graves Sr. Chairman and Publisher, Black Enterprise James Hackney Entrepreneur
Damon Haley Managing Partner, Urban Marketing Consultants of AmericaJudith Harrison
Senior Vice President, Staffing and Diversity & Inclusion, Constituency Management Group
Ritza J. Hendricks Managing Partner, R.Y. Jnk! LLC
Michelle C. Ifill Senior VP & Deputy Counsel, Verizon Enterprise SolutionsCalvin C. laRoche Co-Founder, DC Ventures and Associates
Sharon Brickhouse Martin Founder and President, Brickhouse Martin Healthcare Engineering
Emmit J. McHenry Entrepreneur
Ginger McKnight-Chavers Attorneylesia Bates Moss President, Seedco Financial Services
Cynthia A. Murray President, Cynthia Murray Enterprises, LLC
Joshua B. Rales Founder & Managing Partner, RFI Associates
Eileen Cassidy Rivera Vice President, Global Marketing and Communications, Harris Healthcare Solutions
Rodney E. Slater Partner, Patton Boggs LLP
V. Davis Smith Principal, Organizational Development and Executive Coach, Caste Energy LLC
Elsie Wilson Thompson Attorney
Maria Tildon Senior VP, Public Policy & Community Affairs, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Jonice Gray Tucker Partner, BuckleySandler LLP
R. Kenly Webster Attorney at Law Bethany Dickerson Wynder Director of Admission & Financial Aid, Trinity Episcopal School (Charlotte, NC)
M. Michelle Robinson (Ron Brown Scholar 1997) Assistant Professor of American Studies, UNC-Chapel Hill
Jason W. Young (Ron Brown Scholar 2000) Entrepreneur
In2014SojournerwillserveasoneoffiveNationalStudentPoets,thenation’shighesthonorforyouthpoetspresentingoriginalwork.
HostSharonEppersonandScholarDamianWilliams,presentMr.Chenaultwiththe2014AmericanJourneyAward.
OnthesameeveningweweredelightedtoawardtheProgram’sfirstAmericanJourneyAwardforEmergingLeadershiptoRonBrownScholarJasonYoung.Jason’stalentforenablingotherstorealizedreamshasbeenrepeatedlydemonstratedsincehewasthirteenyearsold.
“An awesome event and such a great cause! Michael Mallory’s commitment to this program is so inspiring. I was very honored to
be a part of the evening.”~Sharon Epperson, AJA Host and Senior Commodities & Personal Finance
Correspondent, CNBC
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Ron BRown ScholaR JaSon young Recognized
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fundRaiSing update 2014
Ron Brown Scholar Program Fundraising Update 2014
Asanorganizationourgoalistosecurefundingthatwillallowustoincreasethenumberofscholarshipsawarded,whileatthesametimeofferthesupportnetworkandsafetynetsthatleadtothesuccessofRonBrownScholarsandCaptains.
Wecontinuetomakegreatstrideswithourfundraisingeffortsandhavesteadilybeengaininggroundtogetbacktoawardingthenumberofscholarshipsperyearpriortothefinancialdownturnin2009.Wearepleasedtoreportthatweofferedtwenty-sixnewscholarshipsthisyear.Werecognizewestillhavemuchtoaccomplishtomeetourultimategoalofatotalof400RonBrownScholarsbyourtwentiethanniversary.Inordertoachievethiswehaveestab-
lishedafundraisinggoalof$1millionforfiscalyear2014and$22millioninendow-mentby2020.Weareonourway. Ourendowmentgrewfrom$10.2millionattheendofDecember2012to$13.5millionattheendof2013.2013wasanexceptionalyearforfundraisingaswell.Inadditionto theAmerican JourneyAwards,whichservesasourprimaryannual fundraiser,the Program established an EndowedScholarshipatHarvardinhonorofDavidL.Evans.Weraised$630,000ingeneral
Our2014RonaldH.BrownAmericanJourneyAwardfundraisingeventwasahugesuccessraising$740,000beforeexpenses,anincreaseofover$300,000comparedto2013.Each scholarship awarded is $50,000which includes $10,000 a year for four years towards educa-
tional expenses and an additional $10,000 in serviceswhich supportScholarmentoring and leadershipdevelopment.Wehavenostatisticalproofofthis,butthinkthereareveryfew,ifanyphilanthropicorganizationsinthe
countrythatcanequaluswhenitcomestominimalspendingonadministrativecostsandactualgivingtothosetheyserve.Ifyouhavenotmadeadonationtothe
Programthisyear,itisnottoolatetomakeadifference.Pleasetakeafewmomentsandconsiderfillingouttheenclosedgiftenvelope ormake a donation online atwww.ronbrown.org.We cannot achieveour objective of creating a network ofhigh-achievingleadersforservice,justiceandathrivingworldcommunity,withoutyourhelp.■
American Journey Award for Emerging Leadership Presented to
Jason W. Young, RBS 2000
JasonYounghasarecordofturningdreamsintoachievements.Asa13-year-oldin1995hefoundedtheJ.W.Young&Associatestravelagency,andonceitwasrunninghestarted(andmostlywas)theNewWorld
Tutorialservice.ThefirstblackvaledictorianatPacificHills(CA)HighSchool,JasonwenttoHarvard,wherehedoubledmembershipintheHarvardBlackMen’sForumandturnedtheclubintothethird-highest-grossingstudentorganization,atthesametimeincreasingten-foldattendanceatitsflagshipevent,theCelebrationofBlackWomen–andestablishingascholarshipforyoungblackwomenofexceptionaltalent.Whileanundergraduate,JasonspenttwosummerswithPriceWaterhouseCoopers.Graduatingwithadegreein
Economics,JasonwentfromHarvardtoMerrillLynch.Butidealisticentrepreneurshiphadbecomeanaddiction,andin2007helefttojointhefoundingteamofWikinvest.com,anearly-stagetechnologystartupthathelpsnormalpeople
CongratulationstoRonBrownScholarJasonW.YoungontheannouncementbyPresidentObamaofhisappointmenttoserveasamemberonthe
President’sAdvisoryCouncilonFinancialCapabilityforYoungAmericans.
“I am humbled to have been asked to participate on the President’s Advisory Council, and I look forward to helping to ensure that
the council leverages technology to deliver financial education in the most effective manner possible. As always, I remain grateful to my Ron Brown Family. I never would
have been able to take advantage of this opportunity without their support.” ‑Jason Young, RBS 2000
tomakebetterinvestmentdecisions.Whilethere,healsovolunteeredonthesidehelpingyoungadultswiththeirpersonalfinances.Throughthiswork,Jasoncametounderstandthatfinancialilliteracyhadreachedepidemicproportionsinourcountry.In2011,whileworkingasaKauffmanEntrepreneurialFellow,he
foundedMindBlownLabs,aneducationtechnologycompanythatcre-ates captivating,mobile, game-based solutions that empoweryoungpeople throughfinancial capability.MindBlown’s goal is to impact20Mlivesby2020.Heandco-founderandfellowRonBrownScholar,TyMoore,movedtoOaklandtolaunchtheirnewcompanyandwereimmediatelystruckbytheneedtoenablemoreblackstoentertheBayArea’ssignatureindustry:hightechnology.Alongwithseveralotherblacktechnologyentrepreneurs,theyfoundedtheHiddenGeniusProj-ect,amulti-yearprogramthattrainsunderservedblackmaleyouthinsoftwaredevelopmentandentrepreneurialthinking.JasonhasservedontheboardsoftheHarvardClubofSanFrancisco,
theHarvardBlackAlumniSociety,and,afirstforus,theRonBrownScholarProgram’sAdvisoryBoard.Histalentforenablingotherstorealizedreamshasbeenrepeatedlydemonstrated,andtheProgramisdelightedtohaveawardedJasonitsfirstAmericanJourneyAwardforEmergingLeadership.■
White House Advisory Council Appointment
fundsfortheProgramand$350,000fortheendowedscholarshipatHarvard.Weadded450newfriendstotheProgramandourtotalnumberofdonorsrose35%,from226in2012
to305in2013.Mostsatisfyingwasthefactthat62.4%(196)ofourScholarsdonatedfinanciallytotheProgramandallenhancedtheirserviceefforts.Collectively,RonBrownScholarsthemselvesdonatednearly$24,000totheProgramin2013.
JasonYoungnamedtothePresidentialAdvisoryCouncilonFinancialCapabilityforYoungAmericans.
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ScholaR Spotlight; RBSp outcomeS SuRvey
Scholar Spotlight: Crystal Boyd RBS 2006RBSChapterDelegate-NewYork
CrystalBoydisamulti-mediaartist,researcher,andproducerwhobeganhercareeratNYU’sTischSchooloftheArtswithaBFAinDrama.ItwasatTischwhereCrystalgainedexperi-encewithactors,filmmakers,andproducersalike.Uponleavingschool,Crystalco-founded
1990LexProductions,amulti-mediaentertainmentcompanythatdeconstructsmodernexperiences,exploresrelationships,andcelebrateswomen.WiththecompanyCrystalhascast,produced,and
BoaRd of tRuSteeS memBeR Spotlight
Spotlight: Dr. Nicole Bates, Board of Trustees MemberBy Lora Strum, RBS 2013
Dr.NicoleBates,agraduateoftheUniversityofVirginia,iscurrentlyDeputyDirectorofGlobalPolicyandAdvocacyat theBillandMelinda
GatesFoundation.Earlyexperienceswithhealthcaremotivatedhertogivevoicetothesilentandadvocateforimprovedlocalandglobalpublichealth.Inspiredandempoweredtomakeadifference,sheservedontheUniversityofNorthCarolinaChapelHillDissertationCommittee,theDecadesofVaccinesCollaborationandiscurrentlyservingontheRonBrownScholarFundBoardofTrustees.
“What I do now is give a voice to children because they are not walking the halls of congress or parliament.”
Dr.BatescurrentlyservesastheDeputyDirectorofGlobalPolicyandAdvocacyattheBillandMelindaGatesFounda-tion.Shehasembracedtheopportunitytobringlife-savingvaccinestochildrenindevelopingcountriesand,withherflagshipinD.C.,helpeffectimportantglobalpolicychangetoaidyouth.In2013,throughherworkattheFoundation,Dr.Batesgatheredtheworld’sleadersatthefirstGlobalVaccinesSummittodiscusspoliovaccinationanderadica-tion.Additionally,partneredwiththeGAVIalliancesheworkedtobringsustainablehealthresourcestotheworld’spoorestcountriestoprovidewithstandinggoodhealth.Recently,shehelpedraise8.3billiondollarstohelpchildrenreceivethenecessaryvaccinations.
The true blessing in my profession is I have the opportunity to work for people who are passionate and powerful and put that all towards a good cause.”
Dr.BatesbeganherjourneythroughpublichealthasasociologyandbiologydoublemajorattheUniversityofVir-ginia,whereshefirstmetRonBrownScholarFundPresident,Mr.MichaelMallory.Sincethen,hermentorshaveincludedSenatorEdwardKennedyandadvocatesattheCenterforDiseaseControl.UnderSenatorKennedyshewasabletoeffectchangethroughherworkonwelfarereform,familymedicalleave,andearlycareandeducation.Whatshecreditsashergreatestexperienceduringhercareer,however,wastheopportunitytohavementorswhotookapersonalinterestinherandexposedhertothingsshewouldn’thavesoughtotherwise.Thisenlightenmenthelpedhershiftherfocustoglobalhealthandprovidingcleanparksandeatingpracticestothoseofallraces,communitiesandsocioeconomicstatus.
Herworkinglobalhealthhastakenhertomyriadofdevelopingcountriesandexposedhertochildrenindireneedoflife-savingvaccinations,sterilefacilitiesandthefundstothrive.TravelingtoTanzania,Vietnam,CambodiaandMaliwheresickbabieswerewarmedbyspaceheatersinhospitalsthesizeofutilityclosets,shefindsthestrengthtosurviveashergreatestmotivation.
“The kids were just beautiful and fantastic. It was a different setting with the happiest and most generous people.”
Drawingontheinspirationshederivesfromtoday’syouth,Dr.BatesisexcitedtojointheRonBrownScholarProgramBoardofTrustees.ShehopestodofortheyoungerScholarswhathermentorsdidforher:introducenewconceptsandopportunitiestohelpshapethepromiseinyoungindividuals.
“Through this program the world’s future leaders are crossing in your path.”
editedvariousfilmprojectsintheNYCarea,includingtheSAG-AF-TRANewMediaseries,“DowntownGirls.”ShehasusedthecreativeartstoteachliteracyinternationallyforyoungstudentsinGhana,India,andNewYorkCity.HernextchapterwilltakehertoBerlin,whereshewillshootafilm,teachstudents,andresearchcreativepedagogyformigrantyouth.ThepartnersforCrystal’sworkinBerlinincludetheInternationalRescue
CommitteeinNewYorkCity,theSunshineChildren’sDevelopmentCentreinAccra,Ghana,theShanti-BhavanBoardingSchooloutsideofBangalore,India, and FEZ-Berlin, Europe’s largest non-profit children, youth andfamilycenterofferingcreativeplayandfocusongloballearning.Herre-
searchwillculminateina thesis paper thatwillinclude case studies of
WearepleasedtoshareearlyresultsofouroutcomesstudythathasbeenindevelopmentoverthepastyearwithBarryNagle,aseniorresearcherwithEvaluationandActionResearchAssociates.Currentlywehave250+pagesofrawdatathatBarrywillbeworkinghardtoanalyzeincreating
asummaryreportwhichshouldbeavailableinthecomingweeks.ThisreportevaluatesthepersonalandsocietalimpactsoftheRonBrownScholarProgramandsatisfiesafiveyearfollow-upstudyrequirement.Intheearlyresults,wewerepleasantlysurprisedtofindthatanoverwhelmingmajorityofScholarsreport
formingfriendshipswithotherScholarsduringcollege.Over80%ofouralumnisolidlyidentifyasbeingaleaderinsomeaspectoftheirlives.Andfurther,welloverhalfofallScholarsreportedbeinginvolvedinweeklycommunityserviceactivitiesandnearlyallScholarsoutofcollegedonateaportionoftheirannualsalarytocharity.Resultslikethisseemtovalidateourmissionofconnectingservice-mindedleadersforalifetime.Andalthoughthiscomesasnosurprise,wearestilldelightedtoreportthatthegraduationrateofRonBrownScholarscontinuestomorethandoublethatofthenationalaverageforAfricanAmericancollegegraduationrates.■
Ron Brown Scholar Outcomes Survey in the Works
Dr.NicoleBatesservesasDeputyDirectorofGlobalPolicyandAdvocacyattheBillandMelindaGatesFoundation.
individual studentsatFEZ-Berlin. Inaddition,CrystalwillcreatevideoofchildrenfromShanti-BhavanandtheInternationalRescueCommittee,aswellasfurthervideoandmediathatexplorethedevelopmentofmigrantyouthinBerlin.CrystalplanstousethisresearchtoengagewitheducationalsystemsintheUnitedStates,includingMichiganpublicschoolsaswellascharterschoolsthatspecialize in educatingyouth inunderdevelopedareaswithdenseimmigrantandimpoverishedpopulations.■
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2014 Ron BRown ScholaRS
Congratulations to the 2014 Ron Brown Scholars!
Sojourner S. AhebeeHometown:Philadelphia,PAHighSchool:InterlochenArtsAcademyCollege:StanfordUniversityAcademicInterest:History/InternationalRelations
Morgan T. Brewton-JohnsonHometown:Smyrna,GAHighSchool:PaceAcademyCollege:PrincetonUniversityAcademicInterest:Anthropology
Devon K. CashHometown:Houston,TXHighSchool:EpiscopalHSCollege:StanfordUniversityAcademicInterest:PoliticalScience/African
AmericanStudies
Tyrone D. ClayHometown:NewOrleans,LAHighSchool:SciAcademyCollege:SwarthmoreCollegeAcademicInterest:PoliticalScience/English
Nancy E. ColemanHometown:Tampa,FLHighSchool:H.W.BlakeHSCollege:WashingtonandLeeUniversityAcademicInterest:ChemicalEngineering
Joshua L. Davis Hometown:LosAngeles,CAHighSchool:JamesA.GarfieldHSCollege:DartmouthUniversityAcademicInterest:Psychology
Shanelle DavisHometown:Jamaica,NYHighSchool:BenjaminN.CardozoHSCollege:HarvardUniversityAcademicInterest:Undecided
Mathama M. BiilityHometown:Cary,NCHighSchool:SalemAcademyCollege:DukeUniversityAcademicInterest:PublicPolicy/Film
Lisa R. FrancoisHometown:Albany,NYHighSchool:EmmaWillardSchoolCollege:BrownUniversityAcademicInterest:PoliticalScience
Leonard A. GalmonHometown:NewOrleans,LAHighSchool:CohenCollegePrepHSCollege:YaleUniversityAcademicInterest:VisualArts
Quintin M. Hall Hometown:Chicago,ILHighSchool:LatinSchoolofChicagoCollege:VanderbiltUniversityAcademicInterest:Engineering
Shayla HarrisHometown:WestOrange,NJHighSchool:KentPlaceSchoolCollege:UniversityofChicagoAcademicInterest:PublicPolicy/UrbanStudies
Hassan Y. HassenHometown:Marietta,GAHighSchool:SouthCobbHighSchoolCollege:DartmouthUniversityAcademicInterest:Chemistry/Neuroscience
Gomian N. KonnehHometown:Philadelphia,PAHighSchool:JuliaB.MastermanHS
College:UniversityofPennsylvaniaAcademicInterest:Neuroscience
Sean T. MeansHometown:Charlottesville,VAHighSchool:MonticelloHSCollege:StanfordUniversityAcademicInterest:InternationalRelations
Idris N. MitchellHometown:Columbia,MDHighSchool:TheParkSchoolofBaltimoreCollege:YaleUniversityAcademicInterest:GlobalAffairs/Economics
Dasia S. MooreHometown:Reidsville,NCHighSchool:ChathamHallCollege:YaleUniversityAcademicInterest:GlobalAffairs/InternationalRelations
Andrew D. NtimHometown:Zion,ILHighSchool:Zion-BentonTownshipHSCollege:StanfordUniversityAcademicInterest:Undecided
Victoria Offei-DuaHometown:Huntsville,ALHighSchool:HuntsvilleHSCollege:VanderbiltUniversityAcademicInterest:Pre-Med
Odemi E. Pessu Hometown:Lawrenceville,GAHighSchool:ArcherHSCollege:BrownUniversityAcademicInterest:InternationalRelations/Economics
Michael C. ReidHometown:Dolton,ILHighSchool:MountCarmelHSCollege:HarvardUniversityAcademicInterest:Economics
Caelle V. RousseauHometown:Hamilton,NJHighSchool:NottinghamHSCollege:AmherstCollegeAcademicInterest:Biology
Oghenetegiri “T.G.” SidoHometown:Montgomery,ALHighSchool:LovelessAcademicMagnetProgramCollege:StanfordUniversityAcademicInterest:ComputerScience
Herbert Spurlock, IIIHometown:NewOrleans,LAHighSchool:JesuitHSCollege:FordhamUniversity
AcademicInterest:English/Spanish
Marjada F. TuckerHometown:Starkville,MSHighSchool:TheMississippiSchoolforMathandScienceCollege:RiceUniversityAcademicInterest:Chemistry(Pre-Pharmacy)
Colin O. Webb, IIHometown:Lawrenceville,GAHighSchool:GwinnettSchoolofMathScience&TechnologyCollege:MassachusettsInstituteofTechnology(MIT)AcademicInterest:Engineering
SPECIAL NOTE: Of the more than 5,000 applications received this year, 26 were awarded this honor in the Class of 2014.
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BoaRd of tRuSteeS
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Steven h. RuBin honoRed; david l. evanS event
WhatmakestheRonBrownScholarProgramstandouthasbeenourkeenfocusonbeingmorethansimplyascholarshipprogram.Oursuccessreliesheavilyuponvolunteersandsupportstaffextend-ingthemselvestoourScholarswhichispriceless.
Ron Brown Scholar Program Recognizes Steven H. Rubin
StevenH.RubinstartedvolunteeringwiththeProgramin1997andhassincedevotedmanyhoursandconsiderableenergytocultivatingandsupportingtheScholars.ItwasourpleasuretorecognizeSteveforhiscommitmenttothePro-gramandourRonBrownScholars.“SteveRubin,inshort,isamentor,uncleandfriend.HenurturedatalentI
didn’tgettoexplore;hechallenged,encouragedandmademebetter.Hecaredenoughtoreadbetweenthelinesandconnectonapersonallevel.Heencouragedmetopassiton.Hisimpactismultipliedwhenwecarryonthelessonsfromourinteraction.IfeelluckytoknowSteve.” —Stefon Q. Burns, RBS 2003.“ThetruegiftofbeingaScholarisnotthescholarshipitselfbuttheopportunityto
havepeoplelikeStevealongforthejourney.HetrulyembodiesthespiritoftheProgramandIamblessedtohavehimasafriendandmentor.”—Geraldine Pierre, RBS 2004.
WeareimmenselygratefultoSteveforhisintensepersonalinvolvement,wisdom,generosityandunwav-eringbeliefintheboundlesspotentialofRonBrownScholarsandtheProgram.■
TheestablishmentoftheRonBrownScholarProgramEndowedScholarshipatHarvardinhonorofDavidL.EvanswascreatedtopaytributetotheremarkablelegacyofMr.Evansasapioneerinhighereducation.BeginninginJuly2014,theendowedscholarshipwillfundatleastoneundergraduatestudent
atHarvard.Eachrecipientwillreceivefundingandbementoredandadvancedthroughouthis/hercareerviainternshipsandthenetworkoffriendsandadvisorswhoadmireDavidEvans.AsofOctober2013,ofthe314RonBrownScholars,105matriculatedatHarvardand8wereenrolledinthefreshmanclass.
Ron Brown Scholar Program Endowed Scholarship at Harvard in Honor of David L. Evans
AcelebrationforMr.EvanswasheldattheendofOctober,honoringhismorethanfourdecadesservingstudentsintheHarvardcommunityandbeyondandpayingtributetohislong-standingleadershipanddedi-cationtohelpingtheHarvardcommunitytotrulyrepresentournation’sdiversityandmulticulturalism.Theeventraisedover$350,000fortheendowedscholarship.TheundergraduatestudentatHarvardselectedforthe2014scholarshipwillbeannouncedshortly.
Theeventwasco-chairedbyMs.NormaC.BarfieldandMr.WilliamM.Lewis,Jr.,withhonoraryco-chairsMr.KennethI.Chenault,Chair-man&CEOoftheAmericanExpressCompanyandMrs.KathrynC.Chenault.TheeveningprogramincludedtributesfromMr.CharlesJ.Hamilton,Jr.,Dr.WilliamR.FitzsimmonsandkeynotespeakerHarvardLawProfessorDavidB.Wilkins.TheeventopenedwithareceptionforsponsorsandfriendsofDavidL.Evansandwasfollowedbythe
AwarmwelcomebacktoAaronS.WilliamswhobrieflyresignedfromourBoardwhileheservedasDirectoroftheUSPeaceCorpsfrom2009to2012.WearehonoredtohaveAaronreturntotheBoardofTrusteesandappreciatehiscontinuedsupportandcommitment.
AaronisexecutivevicepresidentofRTI’sInternationalDevelopmentGroup(IDG).BeforehisPeaceCorpsappointment,hewasvicepresidentofinternationalbusinessdevelopmentforRTIfrom2003to2009.PriortoRTI,heservedfor22yearsasaseniorofficialattheUnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment(USAID),whereheattainedtherankofcareerministerintheSeniorForeignService.Hisawardsincludethe
Welcome Back Aaron S. Williams
USAIDDistinguishedCareerServiceAwardin1998andthePresidentialAwardforDistinguishedServicein1988and1992.Aaronhashadadistinguishedcareerasaseniorexecutiveingovern-
ment,business,andnon-profitorganizations,withbroadexperience inpolicyformulation,strategicplanning,andthedesignandimplementa-tionofdevelopmentassistanceprograms.Hehasdirectedawiderangeofdevelopmentassistanceprogramsintheareasofeconomicpolicydevel-opmentandeconomicgrowth,tradeandinvestmentpromotion,bankingandfinance,democracyandgovernance,education,housingandurbandevelopment,andpublichealth.Hehasbroadexperiencein thestrategicdesignandmanagementof
assistanceprograms, includinglong-termassignments inSouthAfrica,Honduras,Haiti,CostaRica,andBarbadosand theEasternCaribbeanislandsregion.InhisroleasaseniorofficialatUSAID,Mr.Williamspro-
videdpolicyandprogramleadershiptomajorgovernmentorganizationalunits,bothinheadquartersandfieldassignments.Duringhiscareerasanexecutivewithfoundationandinternationalconsultingorganizations,Mr.Williamshasledprojectdesignteamsinseveralcountries,workinginLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean,Africa,theMiddleEast,andAsia.Hehascreatedandmanagedinnovativepublic-privatepartnershipsbe-tweenglobalcorporations,governmententities(intheUnitedStatesandhostcountries),nongovernmentalorganizations(NGOs),andinternationalfoundations.HeisamemberoftheCouncilonForeignRelations,andhehasservedontheboardsofdirectorsofCARE,
theNationalPeaceCorpsAssociation,andtheInstituteforSustainableCommunities.Heisafrequentlec-turerandpanelistoninternationaldevelopmenttopicsatuniversities,researchandpolicyinstitutes,andatUSandglobalconferences.
CongratulationstoBoardofTrusteesmember,KathyThornton-BiaswhorecentlyjoinedBang&OlufsenAmerica,Inc.asPresidentoftheirNorthAmericadivision.
“I am eager to join the Bang & Olufsen team, as the company raises the bar in innovation and design, and possesses strong brand legacy and a worldly reputation for providing incredible customer experiences and state‑of‑the‑art products.” – KathyThornton-Bias
Congratulations Kathy Thornton-Bias on Your New Role
(Continued on Page 12)
Board of Trustees Member Updates
DavidL.Evans(center)sharesamomentwiththeevening’shostDeborahC.WrightandkeynotespeakerDavidB.Wilkins.
celebrationdinnerhostedbyMs.DeborahC.Wright,Chairman&CEOofCarverBancorp,Inc.Generousdonationsfromkeysponsorsandfriendshelpedtomaketheeventpossible.TheRonBrownScholarProgramespe-
ciallywouldliketothankMr.&Mrs.KennethI.andKathrynC.Chenault,Mr.GeorgeW.Haywood,Mr.WilliamM.Lewis,Jr.,Mr.NeilBrown,BETNetworks,Mr.&Mrs.FrankandNinaCooper,Ms.JillFordandMr.DiarraK.Lamar,Mr.&Mrs.Jason
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Ron BRown ScholaR pRogRam Regional chapteRS
Ron Brown Scholar Program Endowed Scholarship at Harvard in Honor of David L. Evans (Continued From Page 10)
ThemissionoftheRonBrownScholarProgram(RBSP)extendsfarbeyondfinancialassistanceforcol-lege.OurProgramseekstocultivateafamilyofhigh-abilityAfricanAmericanScholarsforlife.Thisyear,welaunchedanexcitingnewinitiativeatRBSPthatservestokeepScholarsevenmoreconnected
tooneother:theRonBrownScholarRegionalChapters.Overthepastseveralmonths,wehaveworkedwithScholarsacrossthecountrytoestablishregionalchaptersineightmetro-
politanareas:Boston,Philadelphia,Chicago,NorthernCalifornia,SouthernCalifornia,NewYork,ConnecticutandDC.InareaswheretherearenotenoughScholarstowarrantaformalchapter,wehaveidentifiedScholarswhowillserveasRegionalDelegates.ARegionalDelegateexistswheretherearefewundergraduateandalumniScholarsbuttheDelegateagreestobearesourcetoScholarswhoarelivingnearbyormaytraveltothearea.TheRegionalDelegatesalsorepresenttheRonBrownScholarProgramwhenevereventsorinitiativesarehappeningnearthem.
RonBrownScholarChaptersserveasanaddedsupportnetworkforScholars.Scholarswithinthechapterareencouragedtocometogetherasoftenaspossibleforformalandinformalevents.Thesecouldincludecommunityserviceprojects,guestlectures,meals,parties,orattendingaspecialeventinsupportofaScholarsuchasaUniversityconcertorpoetryslam.Thereisnolimittowhatthechaptercandoasagroup.Chaptereventsoverthepastfewmonthshaveincluded:
•IndoorRockClimbing(NewYorkChapter)•FarmandWineryTour(DCMetroChapter)•DinnerandConversationwithSpecialVisitor,MichaelMallory(SouthernCaliforniaChapter)•ScholarDinnerGathering(NorthernCaliforniaChapter)•AuthorTalkwithwriterPaulTough,authorofHow Children Succeed(NewYorkChapter)•ScholarDinnerGathering(BostonChapter)•DinnerontheTown(ChicagoChapter)
Blue Pins:IndicateaChapterlocationPeople Icons:IndicateaRegionalDelegate
Ron Brown Scholar Regional Chapters Launched
andMelanieGoins,Mr.MichaelLynton,Mr.&Mrs.HenryandCeliaMcGee,Ms.HildaM.Ochoa-Brillembourg,Mr.FranklinD.Raines,Mr.MarcosRodriguez,Mrs.ElsieWilsonThompson,DigitasandPublicisGroupe,Dr.BruceDunson,Hon.LisaWil-sonEdwardsandMr.RobertH.Edwards,Jr.,Mr.&Mrs.MichaelandValerieGuthrie,Ms.CarlaHarris,Mr.&Mrs.AlbertandKatharineMerck,Ms.DeborahC.Wright,andtheVerizonFoundation.■
Welcome to the Ron Brown Scholar Fund Advisory Boardnew RBSp adviSoRy BoaRd memBeRS announced
WethankallmembersofourAdvisoryBoardfortheirstrategicadviceandgoodcounselaswemakestepstoensurethegrowthandlongevityoftheProgrambyprovidingstronggovernanceandleadership.WewelcomethefollowingnewmemberstoourAdvisoryBoard:
Melanie Averyisaleaderwithoversixteenyearsofexperienceinthefieldsofprojectmanagement,changemanagementandITandbusinessstrategy.SheistheDirectorofPhilanthropyatVeteransOnTheRise,Inc.,anotforprofitorganizationthatprovidestransitionalsolutionsforhomelessveteransintheDC,MarylandandVirginia.
MelanieisanactivememberoftheUniversityofVirginiaandUniversityofMarylandalumnias-sociations.Sheisayouthmentor,andamemberofAlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Inc.ShehasalsoservedonseveraladvisoryboardsthroughouttheNorthern,VAcommunity.MelanieisagraduateoftheThomasJeffersonHighSchoolforScienceandTechnology.SheearnedaBAinEconomicsfromtheUniversityofVirginiaandanMBAfromtheUniversityofMarylandSmithSchoolofbusiness.Sheisalsoacertifiedprojectmanagementprofessional(PMP).Shehasalsostudiedexecutivelevelnon-profitmanagementatGeorgetownUniversity.
Cynthia Murray isanauthor,motivationalspeaker,attorneyandsuccessandleadershipexpert.ShegainedmuchofherexpertisefrommorethansixteencombinedyearsofexperienceasaprosecutorandasaseniorlevelbusinessmanagementprofessionalforoneofthelargestandmostrespectedglobaldefensecontractorsintheUnitedStates.
Cynthiahasnegotiatedandmanageddozensofmultiplemillion-dollarcontractswithmorethanfifteennationsinNorthAmerica,Europe,AsiaandtheMiddleEast.Shealsofacilitatesseminarsforcorporateprofessionalshelpingtoimproveskillsetsinleadership,effectivecommunication,changemanagementandwork-lifebalance.
Sheisauthorofthenon-fiction,inspirationalbooks,Seasons of Change: Surviving and Thriving During Life’s Biggest ChallengesandThe Power of A Plan: Ten Keys to Achieving Your Goals and Winning!”
CynthiareceivedherJ.D.andB.A.fromtheUniversityofVirginia.
V. Davis Smithprovidesorganizationalsolutionsforbusinessesandconfidentialinsightstoindi-vidualsandexecutives.Knownasafixerwithhonedskillforprocessdevelopment,Davisoffersaleadingedgeapproachtohelpingorganizationsmanagechangeandcoachingindividualstoachievehi-impactresultsfromtheoutsidein.Resultsincludefunctionalperformanceimprovements,riskmitigation,andleadershipdevelopment.Clientsincludeenergycompanies,publicsectoragencies,smallbusinesses,multinationalexecutives,andindividuals.
Withfourteenyearsofexperience,Davishasservedascorporatecounselfocusingintheareasofcomplianceandethics,humanresources,operations,regulatoryaudits,andinvestigations.Herbusinessexpertiseincludesmanagingupwardsof$100millioninmonthlyenergytransactionsforaregionalelectrictransmissionorganization,asoneoftheyoungestandonlyAfrican-Americanstoholdsuchapositioninthecountry.Shebeganhercareerinenergysolutions,informationtechnology,andchangemanagementasaconsultantforWIPROTechnologies.
DavisholdsaJurisDoctorandBachelorofScienceinChemicalEngineering.SheiscurrentlypursuingaMasterofArtsdegreeinorganizationalpsychology.DavisislicensedtopracticelawinIndianaandWashington,DC.Herpassionsincludeteachingandyouthmentoring,backcountryhikingandcamping,andargentinetango.
Jonice Gray TuckerisapartnerwithBuckleySandlerLLP.Jonicerepresentscorporateandindividualclientsinmattersinitiatedbygovernmentregulatorsaswellasinprivatecivillitigation.Shealsoconductsinternalinvestigationsonbehalfofcorporationsandcounselsclientsoncompliancewithconsumerprotectionlaws.
JoniceisactiveintheAmericanBarAssociation,wheresheistheChairfortheRetailBankingandCon-sumerLawCommitteeoftheBankingLawCommitteeandCo-Vice-ChairfortheFairAccesstoServicesoftheConsumerFinancialServicesCommittee.SheservesontheBoardofTrusteesfortheWashingtonLaw-yers’CommitteeforCivilRightsandUrbanAffairs.ShealsoservesontheBoardofDirectorsoftheKolarCharitableFoundationandisamemberoftheExecutiveCommitteefortheYaleLawSchoolAssociation
JonicereceivedherJ.D.fromYaleLawSchoolandherB.A.fromtheUniversityofVirginia(PhiBetaKappa).■
Ron Brown Scholar Chapters and Regional Delegates
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RBSp coRpoRate paRtneRShipS
Corporatepartnershipsarecriticaltowhatwedo.Withthehelpfrompartners’stewardship,mentorship,jobandinternshipleads–wecanenhanceourprofessionaldevelopmentservicesnotonlytoourScholarsbutalsototheRonBrownCaptains.Captainsarethetop3%ofapplicantswho,thoughnotawardedascholarship,areaskedtojoinourinvitation-onlyprofes-
sionaldevelopmentprogramwhereweprovideaccesstoopportunitieswithourpartnersandcareerprepprogramming.CorporatepartnersreceivehighlycustomizedservicestomaximizetheirrecruitingeffortsamongourtalentedpoolofRon
BrownScholarsandCaptains.ThishasbeenaverysuccessfulyearforconnectingScholarsandCaptainstoourcorporatepartnersthroughdirectedoutreachandresumecollections.Belowisasampleofsummeropportunitiessecuredthroughourrecruitingeffortswithcorporatepartnersoverthepastfewmonths.
Corporate Partnership Update
DeloitteMichael Robinson, Princeton University
DLA Piper Undergraduate Legal InternshipNnamdi Nwaezeapu, Columbia University
Google Bold Discovery ProgramLaura Alston, Columbia University Lola Agabalogun, Harvard University Joel Bervell, Yale University Chileta Dim, Dartmouth College Jourdan Dorrell, Northwestern University Avery Fisher, Northwestern University Halimo Hassen, Dartmouth College Rafiat Kasumu, University of Pennsylvania Janae Savoy, University of Maryland, Smith School of Business Tiffany Onyejiaka, Johns Hopkins University
HBOKiah Clingman, Howard University, School of Communications
Ron BRown ScholaRS hoSt authoR paul tough
TheNewYorkChapterofRonBrownScholarshostedauthorPaulToughfordinnerandconversationatthehomeofRBSFTrustee,GavinMcFarlandonApril26th.ToughisaCanadian-AmericanwriterperhapsbestknownforauthoringWhatever It Takes: Geoffrey Canada’s Quest to Change Harlem and America and How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the
Hidden Power of Character.CurioustoknowwhatmotivatedScholarstoachieve,Toughinvitedthegrouptodiscusstheirbackgroundsandpersonal
experienceswithearlyeducationaswellascollege. CrystalBoydRBS2006observedthat thecollectivesharingofstoriesprovedtobeaverypowerfulexperience:“ThiswasthemostinspiringnightsI’vehadinalongtime.ItwaslikeI Have Risen intheflesh.”SomeScholarsreflectedonbeingmislabeledasremediallearnersinchildhoodandhowthatcreatedself-doubtevenastheyconsistentlyexceededexpectationsandoutperformedpeersinschool.Othersspokeofdeterminedfamilymembers
New York Chapter of RBS Hosts Author Paul Tough
The Ron Brown Scholar Alumni Association invites you to mark your calendars for the 2014 Summer Leadership Retreat, August 8‑10, 2014 in
Arlington, Va. at the offices of our partner and host, Deloitte.
This year’s conference will focus on Scholars coming together to support one another and strengthening the family bond. A day of dialogue and
break‑out sessions implementing our motto, “The Value of One, The Power of All”.
Exciting ideas for the conference are shaping up right now and friends of Ron Brown Scholars are warmly welcome to participate in the conference.
For more information or to join our planning committee, please contact Holly Duke, Scholar Development and Outreach Manager
2014 Summer Leadership RetreatAugust 8-10, 2014
Save the Date
orrolemodelswhoservedasfierceadvocatesfortheireducation.Thegroupalsodiscussedsharedchallengesduringcollegeforstudentswhoarenotinthemajoritypopulationoncampus.
ThistopicisofparticularinteresttoToughasheisworkingonanewprojectrelatedtocollegeeducation.Toughsharedhisowninfluencesinlife.Hereflectedonexperiencesincollegeandcareerthatledhimtocaredeeplyabouteducationpolicy.
WearegratefultoPaulToughforjoiningusforanightofengagingdialogueandweareeagertoseethenextprojectfromthisnewfriendofRBSP.■
Morgan Stanley, Richard B. Fisher Scholarship ProgramEliana Mason, University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School
VIACOM / VH1Cinneah El‑Amin, Columbia University Uniqua Flowers, University of Wisconsin
Siemens Mohammed Toure, Harvard University
Sikorsky Teferi Taylor, Georgia Institute of Technology
Weber ShandwickJordan Alston Harmon, Northwestern University
White House Internship ProgramVictoria Chigozie Akah, Columbia University
Thebenefitsofourcorporatepartnershipsarebestfeltwhenwereceivemessageslikethisfromthestudentsweserve:
“I am thrilled to be the second scholar, after Brandon Hill, working in the Office of Presidential Correspondence as a part of the White House Internship Program this summer. I owe this amazing opportunity to RBSP for referring me to the program.”
Chigozie Akah, RBS 2013ColumbiaCollege‘16“Without the Ron Brown Scholars Program, I would not have had access to the many career opportunities, advice, internships, and mentors that I have had the past two years. I am thankful for this program and admire the leadership within it. I am a Ron Brown CAPtain and am proud to represent this program. Knowing that there are people out there who have done what you want to do and are willing to do whatever it takes to help you exceed your potential is comforting and is frankly what I have loved the most about being a Ron Brown Captain.
Kiah ClingmanRonBrownCaptainHowardUniversityClassof2015HBOSummerIntern2014
To learnmoreaboutourCorporatePartnershipProgramcontactMrs.HollyDuke,ScholarDevelopmentandOutreachManager–Phone:(434)964-1588orEmail:[email protected].
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Ron Brown Scholar Program1160 Pepsi Place, Suite 206 Charlottesville, VA 22901
Phone: (434) 964-1588Fax: (434) 964-1589
email: [email protected]
Visit us atwww.ronbrown.org
RBSp newS StoRieS (cont’d)
Selection Weekend Reflections(Continued from Page 2)
wordsletmeknowthatitisokaytobelieveindreamsthatcan-notbescaleddown,itisokaytobeaseekerofthetruth.So,forthat,Ithankher.
It is trulyanhonortohavebeengiventheopportunitytobecomeaRonBrownScholar.ThisProgramismore thanascholarship,itisacommunitythatIcanseemyselfgrowinginto,becomingapartof,andthereisnothingmoreinspiringandheart-warming than that. So, I thank everyonewhohasmadethishonorarealityformeandfortherestofmypeers.■
Additionally,theeveningpresentedtheopportunitytomeetmanynewfriendsandintroducethemtoourfamilyofScholars,Finalists,staff,andlifelongfriends.Wearethankfultoallourfriendsandsupporterswhomadethisaparticularlymemorablenight.
Generous donations from corporate sponsors make the event possible. The RBSP especially would like to thank corporate partners American Express, Deloitte, Siemens, Major League Baseball, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Patton Boggs LLP, Weber Shandwick, BET, Viacom, MacFarlane Partners, RLJ Companies, AARP, The Cochran Firm, DLA Piper, Sikorsky, Boies, Schiller & Flexner, LLP, MIM Software Inc., Merck, Verizon, Lockheed Martin, Huawei Enterprise and Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide.■
“When it was announced Friday evening that the travel and lodging expenses of the 2014 Ron Brown Scholar Finalists for their trip to Washington were borne by Ron Brown Scholar alumnae and alumni, I was deeply moved. The munificence and obvious gratitude of these young people to the Ron Brown Scholar Program
brought to life the following words of rhyme about gifts received and owed.”It cost me nothing, but it wasn’t free.
Martin and others paid the bill for me.So give me the tab for those yet to come.
And please don’t tell them where the help came from.
–David L. Evans, Senior Admissions Officer, Harvard University
(Continued from Page 3)RBSP Hosts Fifth Annual American Journey Awards
Coming Soon!Redesigned Program Website
Wehavebeenspendingthepastfewmonthsrevampingourwebsitewithanew
design,improvednavigation,enhancedcontent,information
aboutourScholarsandexcitingstoriesabouttheimpactourAlumniare
makingaroundtheworld.Staytunedforthelaunchlaterthissummer.
