The 6th Annual Joseph L. Earley, Jr. Foundation Scholarship Luncheon

THE 6TH ANNUAL JOSEPH L. EARLEY, JR. SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON

Programme Welcome Lisa M. Earley Invocation Sonya Glover Musical Selection Asa Simpson Cole Special Remarks Aaliyah D. Earley Foundation Overview Gloria Earley Mentoring Value Steve Miller Introduction to the Keynote Speaker Lisa M. Earley Keynote Address Dr. Valerie Collins Introduction to Scholarship Recipients Lisa M. Earley Scholarship Recipient Remarks Charity Davis Lyric Ransom Musical Selection Asa Simpson Cole Closing Remarks Joseph L Earley,Sr.

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Welcome to the 6th Annual Joseph L. Early, Jr. Scholarship Luncheon

Welcome to our 6th Annual Joseph L. Earley, Jr. Scholarship Luncheon! On behalf of our Board of Directors, THANK YOU for your unwavering support of the Foundation, and your outstanding support today. Your continued support has allowed us to remain strong during these unprecedented times, and continue our tradition of honoring another banner list of deserving high school seniors. These businesses have shown resilience throughout 2020, and have also taken time to excel in their studies and our community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today’s event will showcase, through our honorees, the embodiment of the goals of our founders and our C Foundation: providing an avenue to mentor young men and women from single parent homes. These students have shown a “can-do” spirit and have figured out how to survive and thrive during these unparalleled times, and we honor their resilience. Although many in our community struggle, which is not lost on us, these awardees and our event today give us something to feel good about; to recognize that we should not give up the fight to survive and excel, personally, and educationally. Their win is our collective win. And, their giving spirits, common in our community, underscore the fact that we continue being positive and move forward, no matter the odds.

Thank you for spending your valuable time with us this afternoon, and for your generous support. Sit back and enjoy this inspiring virtual experience as we “Celebrate Resilience”!

Best,

Gloria Earley President/C.E.O. The Joseph L. Earley, Jr. Foundation

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Joseph L. Earley, Jr.

W

ho was Joseph L. Earley, Jr.? He was born to Joseph L. Earley, Sr. and Gloria J. Earley on January 11, 1967, in Massillon, Ohio. Joe was the brother to Brian Earley, Heather Jordan, Jennifer Smith, Lisa Earley, Racina Burke and the father to John Adkins, Aaliyah and Jeremiah Earley. Joseph was “Uncle Joe” to his 10 nieces and nephews. He was affectionately called “Ario” by many of his friends.

Joe was a 1985 graduate of McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio. He attended Mansfield Business College and Buff State.

The majority of his adult life was spent in New York. While living in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Joe and a friend established a mentoring program for local youth to get them off the streets. They obtained a building and provided a safe place for youth to gather. The teens were able to study and receive assistance as well as recreational activities such as learning to shoot pool, play chess and other games. He quickly gained support from city officials who bought into the vision. Joe had a passion for mentoring and helping those less fortunate. He believed that knowledge was power and the key to success.

Joseph L. Earley, Jr. was a dedicated, hard worker. He was an entrepreneur, comedian, and a true trail blazer. Joe owned and operated five different clothing stores as well as a restaurant and performed standup comedy. He trained teenagers in salesmanship. Joe taught them how to organize a store, and work the retail business, letting them know that one day they could also own their own business. He enjoyed teaching youth and provoking them to think critically and come up with answers and solutions.

Joseph was extremely intelligent. He wanted the best education for his children, and longed for the same for children who were victims of societal woes falling into the “less fortunate” category.

As you can see, Joseph was an awesome person. He cared deeply for others. Joe was a giver!

Through Joe’s dreams, the Foundation was established to reach out particularly to children from single parent homes. The mentorship program will instill values and the desire to obtain education and training beyond high school. On an annual basis, the scholarship program will award a high school graduating student (or students) a scholarship to pursue post-secondary education. ■

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Dr. Valerie Collins

B

orn in Zanesville, Ohio, Valerie D Collins, MD is a Buckeye through and through. Dr. Collins is the youngest of 3 siblings, all of whom reside in the Columbus area in addition to her parents. As a child, she always dreamed of becoming a physician but as a teenager life threw her the 1st of many curveballs.

In high school, Dr Collins was shocked to learn she was pregnant and gave birth to her only child James at age 16. She was overwhelmed like many single mothers at this age and initially believed her dream of a life in medicine would not come to fruition. However, with strong family support and perseverance, Dr Collins went on to graduate valedictorian from Northland High School and earned a full tuition Minority Scholarship from the Ohio State University.

Dr Collins excelled in her studies during college, graduating magna cum laude with a B.S. in Business Administration in 2002. Again bolstered by the support of her loving family, she made the difficult decision to entrust the care of her son to her parents so she could attend Columbia University College of Physician and Surgeons.

Upon graduating from medical school in 2007, Dr Collins decided to pursue a residency in anesthesiology, completing her intern year at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, OH. From there, she moved to St. Louis, MO to complete her residency training at Washington University in St Louis Barnes Jewish Hospital. She developed a special interest in the care of pregnant women and completed a fellowship in high risk obstetric anesthesiology in 2012.

Since 2012, Dr Collins is a board certified anesthesiologist at Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark, Ohio where she serves as Vice Chairperson of the Department of Anesthesiology. She is now also a proud grandmother and enjoys spending time with her family. ď‚Š

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2021

Charity Davis

H

ello, my name is Charity Davis. I was born and raised here in Columbus, Ohio. I have 3 younger siblings who look nothing like me. Growing up I lived on the westside of Columbus for most of my life until I moved closer to my school after my dad passed away. I currently live with my three younger siblings and my wonderful mother who puts all her effort in to make sure I'm prepared for adulthood.

I go to Centennial High School and enjoy doing Marching Band, Theatre, and Swim that my school offers. Although I love doing theatre and playing my instrument, the one I consider most impactful is Swim because it helped me get a job as a swim instructor/ lifeguard. That same job made me realize that I want to go into some type of job with kids and where I helped them reach their goals. I want to go into/ major in occupational therapy and work with kids to help them reach their full potential. I want to study this major at Osu so I can stay and help my mom.

Occupational therapists treat the disabled through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. My mom works with the special needs and I’ve seen the light in her eyes when she has made an impact on one of them. I’ve seen the improvement she's made for them and how she helps them reach the goal she's set for them. I want to be like that, I want to feel the happiness she feels when she sees their smiles. I loved children and I have an even deeper love for the special needs. So, I want to work with children with special needs in the future and carry on my moms kindness.  6 THE 6TH ANNUAL JOSEPH L. EARLEY, JR. SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON

2021

Lyric Ransom

M

y name is Lyric Ransom, I am seventeen years old, and I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I have attended only Columbus City Schools throughout my schooling years; Northtowne Elementary, Arts Impact Middle School, and Columbus Africentric Early College (CAEC). I have also taken many college courses at Columbus State Community College, through College Credit Plus. Additionally, I am a part of the Graphic Arts and Design program at Fort Hayes’ Career Center.

Approaching my senior year at CAEC was nerve-wracking at first; Covid-19, senior year, college, etc.

However, I have received an abundance of support from peers, mentors, etc. I feel more ecstatic now than worried. Also, I am involved in multiple sports programs. I play three sports; basketball, softball, and volleyball. Although I am upset about the toll Covid has placed on my senior year, I have been making the best of it.

I will be entering college as a first-generation college student. I plan on majoring in psychology. Overall, my goal is to become a clinical psychologist who specializes in children. I plan on bringing more acknowledgment about mental health in the inner-city.

There is a lack of conversation about the traumatic events that occur within our community. Moreover, the effect it has on children. Higher education will enable me with the tools needed; to provide information and guidance, to help African American and minority children overcome such gruesome events. ď‚Š

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“My Joey”

Those big brown eyes and big bright smile Would turn your sadness to gladness Whenever he stepped into a room.

Laughter was this way to make your day.

With style and swag, He made a fashion statement with flair For this he was known everywhere.

Well read, intelligient, informed, and engaged He was versed and vibrant in speech, Profoundly communicating the prophetic.

His family he loved with a great love, With unmeasured love he lavished his children.

With a huge heart of gold he gave, He gave until he could give no more.

With courage, strength, and a smile, He fought a good fight.

God said, “Son, you finished your course Now come with me and see My Glory!”

Author ~ Your Mama, E. Gloria “Glo” Laney Earley

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Mission Statement The Foundation will provide an avenue to mentor young men and women from single parent homes. The Foundation will build strong futures for these young people through establishing healthy value systems. It is the goal of the Foundation to decrease gang activity, violence, drugs, bullying and teen pregnancies.

The Foundation will provide annual scholarship benefits to those students who qualify and meet the criterion of the Foundation’s guidelines.

The Joseph L. Earley, Jr. Foundation P.O. Box 328624 Columbus, OH 43232 614.397.2019

www.jleorganization.org

Patricia Neal Columbus, OH

Carol L. Taylor Columbus, OH

Augustus & Rita Van Buren Columbus, OH

Gloria Stokes Tallahassee, FL

Eagle Heating and Cooling, Inc. Pataskala, OH

Sylvia Thompson Durham, NC

Lisa Cardinal Alexandria, VA

Ruby Robinson Columbus, OH

Dee & Ivan Miser Blacklick, OH

Kenny Jones Akron, OH

Sam & Ruth Collins Columbus, OH

Shelley Tims Grant Washington, D.C.

Frances F. Jolley Canal Winchester, OH

Evelyn Perry Reynoldsburg, OH

Geraldine L. Chavis Massillon, OH

Traylene Kenley-Hines Columbus, OH

Kimberly Cort Gahanna, OH

Briant Sowell Charlotte, NC

Josephine Laney Canton, OH

Cyndy Bass Columbus, OH

Coretaxservices@yahoo.com Tel: 614-547-3254 Fax: 614-635-2845

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