B
P M
BLACK PROFESSIONAL MEN, INC. ENSURING THE FUTURE OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALE
Serving the Baltimore Metro area for over 25 years
JOINBPM@BPMINC.ORG
Rays of Hope Scholarship Program About Black Professional Men, Inc. Black Professional Men, Inc. (BPM) (www.bpminc.org) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Baltimore, Maryland. BPM was established in 1991 to address the social, economic, and political awareness needs of the AfricanAmerican community, especially those of the African-American male. The mission of BPM is to “Ensure the Future of the African-American Male.” BPM is a 100% volunteer organization.
WWW.BLACKPROFESSIONALMEN.ORG
joinbmp@bmpinc.org BPM Executive Committee
Hasson Diggs – President Kendrick Tilghman – Vice President Louis Monk – Secretary Teddy Coates – Treasurer Joseph Tubman – Comptroller BPM Founders
Edwin Avent N. Scott Phillips Drew Hawkins
BPM Members Fitzhugh Alford Edwin Avent Elijah Best Christopher Blackwell Brian Bordley Leon Bridges Donald Brown Anthony Burrell Mel Butler Christopher Cain Major Cameron Greg Carey Rodney Carr Teddy Coates Francis Coffie John Crew Ellis Dawson Hasson Diggs Antonio Dildy Kerron Duncan Otis Eldridge Shadeed Eleazer Eric Eur Ishmel Fulton Reginald Gant Nigel Garcia William Garrett Malcolm Grimes John Harris Drew Hawkins Karl Hunt Theodore Hunter Ted Imes Damion Jackson Paul Johnson Larry Lewis John Lowery James Malone Kirsten McCane
O’Neill McDaniels Jr. Mark McFadden Leroy McKenzie Jr. Sugar McMillian Louis Monk Kenneth Morris Charles Morton Sylvester Nettles Howard Perkins Joe Perkins N. Scott Phillips Anthony Pitts Brian Olds Omar Rahman Dominique Richardson Darren Rogers Marcell Russell Mark Samuel, MBA Lee Session Marcus Scott Willie Simmons Quinton Alston-Spratt Cornell Smith Ricky Smith Willie Smith, PMP James Stevens Mark Strand Robert Street Jullion Taylor, Jr. Christopher Thames, CPP Kendrick Tilghman Johnson Toe Joe Tubman Sean Turner Maurice Walton Gerry Washington Ray White Ricky Williams Gerald Wilson
Dear BPM Family, Friends, and Supporters, Dear BPM Family, Friends, and Supporters, On behalf of the proud members of Black Professional Men, Inc., (BPM), it is our honor and pleasure to welcome you to the Black Professional Men’s 25th Annual “Rays of Hope Award and Scholarship Breakfast”. We are honoring the outstanding achievements of our 2018 scholars. These exceptional young men epitomize the true spirit of our organization in their pursuit of excellence. BPM was co-founded in 1991 by Edwin Avent, Drew Hawkins, and N. Scott Phillips, and ever since, we have been courageously dedicated to our mission of community service, political involvement, and economic empowerment. As the President of BPM, I would like to take a moment to thank our members, those current and past, who unselfishly dedicate and volunteer countless hours of their time, talents, and resources in support of BPM’s mission. So many times, you see people talking about the problem. I am so honored to lead an organization that is about taking action towards the solution and making tangible differences in people’s lives. We would also like to thank our 2017 ROHAS our VP of Operations, O’Neill McDaniels, and the other members for their outstanding dedication, execution, and leadership. We take great pride in working with young men to accomplish our mission. A few examples include: * Providing scholarships to over 250 scholars to study at the college or university of their choice for the last 25 years. To date, we have awarded more than $270,000 in scholarships * On-going mentoring and financial support for BPM’s past scholars. We remain an active part of our scholars lives during their college years and beyond * Continued mentoring and providing financial literacy to over 1000 students within the Metro Baltimore Area schools * Establishing small business and employment development programs Finally, BPM will continue to set higher standards, as we understand that each of us has the responsibility not just to ourselves, but to one another and to future generations. We would like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support for BPM as we strive to accomplish our mission of ‘ensuring the future of the African American male’. Sincerely, Hasson Diggs President Black Professional Men, Inc. www.bpminc.org (443) 379-4207
Rays of Hope Scholarship Program
Scholarships shall be awarded on a one time basis only. All funds awarded shall be used toward the completion of academic studies and student selection shall be bases upon requirements described in these guidelines. Funding for scholarships is primarily derived from BPM’s annual Rays of Hope Scholarship Breakfast. The amount of $1,000 shall be awarded to each selected scholar.
The Rays of Hope Scholarship Program, sponsored by BPM, was established in
1993 to provide financial assistance to African-American male students that have consistently demonstrated exceptional character and academic performance.
In addition, the Program seeks students who participate in school or community activities and exhibit strong leadership and communication skills. Apply on: http://www.blackprofessionalmen.org/scholarship/
Deadline December 1.
Scholarship Guidelines • Must be an African American male (legal United States citizen)
• Must be a Metro Baltimore Area resident and attend an area high school (25 miles from Baltimore City Hall) • Must have at least 25 documented community service hours • Must plan to attend an accredited academic program at either an accredited two-year or four-year college or university • Be officially enrolled as a full-time student, if declared as a dependent of parent or guardian, as defined by the selected institution’s policies (e.g., a minimum of 12 credit hours for both Fall and Spring semesters/quarters) • Have at least a 3.0 grade cumulative point average (GPA) in the subjects Math, English, History, and Science weighted on a 4.0 scale
2018
Rays of Hope Scholars Bruce Durant, III High School: Sparrows Point High School College Acceptances: Bloomsburg University, Bridgewater College, McDaniel College, Salisbury University, Thiel College Attending: Bridgewater College Intended Major: Exercise Science Quote: “Prove them wrong or prove them right”
Thomas Jeffrey Downs, Jr. High School: Milford Mill Academy College Acceptances: Hampton University, Lincoln University, and Radford University Attending: Franklin & Marshall College Intended Major: Psychology Quote: “As you climb your ladder of success, reach down and pull others along with you.” -Frank Sonnenberg
Ishmail Donnell Scott High School: National Academy Foundation Baltimore College Acceptances: Morgan State University, University of Maryland College Park, Frostburg State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Attending: Morgan State University (Clara I. Adam Honors College Intended Major: Electrical Engineering Quote: Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man; But soon or late the man who wins is the one who thinks he can.
Harry William Holt, III High School: Western School of Technology and Environmental Science College Acceptances: Rochester Institute of Technology Attending: University of Maryland Baltimore County Intended Major: Environmental Science and a minor in Computer Science Quote: Life to me is a constant learning, you have to take up new challenges in order to step up to the next level, and I refuse the idea of giving up as long as I am still breathing! -Yayan Ruhian
Jordan Washington High School: Archbishop Curley High School College Acceptances: Morgan State University, University of Bridgeport and Hampton University Attending: The University of Tampa Intended Major: Environmental Science Quote: “God will move someone who is holding you back, and put someone there who will open it for you........if it is meant for you�-Chadwick Boseman
Where are they now?
13 year streak of the BPM scholars obtaining at least a 3.0 GPA for their first semester in college a graduation rate of 85 percent for a five year attendance at a college. During the last twenty years, the Black Professional Men Inc. Scholars have produced: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
A Rhodes Scholar A Fulbright Scholar 2 Meyerhof Scholars A Presidential recognition of a scholar at Morehouse’s graduation ceremony 8 lawyers and law students 4 doctors and Medical Students 4 MBA’s 5 Ph.D candidates 2 Ministers 2 New York trained Jazz Musicians 2 New York actors 22 Post graduate students 2 Professional football players (with degrees) 1 European Professional basketball player 6 BEYA Student Leadership Award Winners 2 BME winners 1 Open Society winner 2 Echo Green winners A Valedictorian with 4.0 graduate from both the undergraduate and graduate program 15 STEM graduates
In October, 2015 BPM’s Sponsorship program was featured in Esquire magazine.
Over 25 Years of Service 26th Annual Black Professional Men, Inc.
Rays of Hope
Special Thanks to Our 2018 Major Sponsors
A Complete Application Package Must Include: More details about the about the requirements needed to submit is listed within the application: • BPM Scholarship Application Form: A photocopy of the scholarship application form is acceptable • Essay: Typed, 12 pt font, double-spaced, essay not exceeding two pages on the topic: • “How will you use your education to ensure the future the African American Community? Explain”
• Written Recommendation/ Character Reference: • Transcript: More information is available in the application. • Community service hour documentation • All applicants will be notified no later than December 15.
Make a Gift! Education. Exposure. Access. Opportunity. For over 26 years, BPM has been supporting our city’s young boys by providing supplemental resources to schools, kids and teachers; by providing relevant and meaningful cultural and college field trips to young people; and by providing access to college scholarship gifts. BPM is literally changing the trajectory of young people’s lives in our city. To make a gift to BPM’s Youth Development & Education fund, please send your donation to:
NOTE: Applicants receiving this scholarship are required to be present at all BPM scholarship
events leading up to and including the BPM Rays of Hope Scholarship Breakfast. By accepting this scholarship, the applicant is expected to comply with these terms. The required events and schedule will be provided at the time the scholarships are awarded. Failure to comply can result in rescinding of the scholarship award.