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Past Recipients
2024 Recipients & Brochure
Educational Consultants Consortium
Founded in 1955 by 4 retired Manatee County educators and 2 business men. They strive to maximize the chances of high school graduation and post graduate success. The project funded is Iron Sharpening Iron, a Summer Engagement Program. The project is a bridge between the close and start of the school year. Rising 6th-12th graders are connected with summer employment, academic resources, workshops and activities that keep them out of potentially dangerous situations.
Rosalyn Walton Education & Enrichment Services, Inc.
Founded in 2016 to support the achievement of African American youth by providing equitable education resources and opportunities. The project receiving an award is the funding of technology needs of the Freedom Leadership Academy. This award will fund technology equipment, black history text books, IXL licenses and 4 laptops.
Sisters Sowing Seeds, Inc.
Founded in 2015 by Monica Donley to support African American women and girls through personal development and mentoring programs. The project receiving an award is their Sisters in Schools Initiative. This is a 12 week after school program which will serve 25 African American girls in Booker Middle, Braden River and Lee Middle Schools. Their goal is to cultivate humility, integrity, character and to provide a safe place to talk, listen to others and support one another.
The Multicultural Health Institute
Founded by Lisa Merritt with programs to educate, identify and test for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, COVID 19, diabetes, infant mortality, obesity, stroke, and other health issues affecting underrepresented communities. The project funded is a successive 8 week Healthy Living Class at Sarasota Housing Authority’s two housing locations in Janie’s Garden and Orange Ave.
United Community Centers
Founded in 1937 by local activist Minnie Rogers, Mary McCloud Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt to provide a safe haven for recreation, cultural, social and educational activities serving youth in low-income neighborhoods of central Bradenton. The Project is STEAM Dreams which will provide funding of necessary resources, including computers and accessories, a 3D printer and interactive displays.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe of Florida Inc.
Founded in 1991 by Nate Jacobs to promote and celebrate African American culture, heritage and talent in performing arts. The Project receiving an award is Stage of Discovery, an intensive 5 week summer theatre camp for 30 youth, aged 13-18, 90% whom are African Americans.
2023 Recipients
Minorities in Shark Science ($10,000) grant to support a week-long marine science summer camp designed to increase accessibility to the ocean and marine science for 20 teens of color ages 13-17, and to promote diversity and inclusion in shark science.
Jasmine Graham, President & CEO
ASALH Freedom School ($7,320) grant to support The Manasota branch of the Association for the Study of African American History Black History school for K-12 African American students on Saturdays at the Betty Johnson library in Newtown.
David Wilkins, President of ASALH (Association for the Study of African American Life and History)
Take Stock in Children – Sarasota ($10,000) grant will support a college readiness & admissions mentoring and college for low-income, at-risk children in Sarasota County.
Marilyn Stewart, Director, Leaders for Life Fellowship
All Faiths Food Bank ($10,000) grant to help provide a mobile food pantry to bring food directly to the areas of highest need in the African American community.
Becky Wright, Manager of Special Events & Donor Engagement
Good Samaritan Pharmacy & Health Services, Inc. ($5,080) will provide free medication and medical services to diabetic clients in North Sarasota.
George Forcier, Volunteer
Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, Inc. ($8,963.73) grant will provide funds to repaint the walls, window trim, door and finishing touches at The Leonard Reid House, the site of the first African American Museum in Sarasota.
Vicki Oldham, President
Meals on Wheels, Sarasota ($10,000) provides and delivers meals to homebound, mentally or physically disabled or elderly persons who can’t prepare meals themselves. The grant will help provide 5 meals/week for up to a month to 125 African American clients in North Sarasota.
Rhonda Leiberick, APR Executive Director & Tom Flanagan, Secretary
Habitat for Humanity – Manatee ($3,000) grant will partially underwrite the rehabilitation of a home for an African American special needs teacher and her two children.
Kaveecia Moore, Director of Homeowner Services
Habitat for Humanity – Sarasota ($10,000) grant will partially underwrite the rehabilitation of a home for a single-family home for an African American family.
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Renee Snyder, CEO & President & Susie Ellis Resource Development Coordinator