2023 RBSP Fall Newsletter by Vanessa Evans-Grevious

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ON THE COVER:

TY MOORE

2002 RON BROWN SCHOL AR

A M ESSAG E F RO M O U R P R ES I D E N T

THERE’S A LESSON TO BE FOUND S

ome of you may not know this, but I’m an avid gardener. As the days grow shorter and the air a little crisper, the mounting leaf piles on my lawn mark not only the waning of summer, but the beginning of a new school year. There’s a lesson to be found amongst the shagbarks and maples: the end of one season always heralds the start of the next. Even when the exuberant growth of summer lies in drifts on the grass outside my window, the bare trees only look dead— they remain busy, invisibly sinking their roots deeper into the soil and storing up energy in preparation for Spring. The Supreme Court’s decision this summer to reverse decades of settled law by ending affirmative action in higher education has meant that not only the leaves, but the very landscape of American higher education will be changing. Many of you have asked me what these changes will mean for the Ron Brown Scholar Program and for the students we serve. Even as things seem to grow darker, I see reasons for hope. Before Tony Pilaro tapped me to found the Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP), I worked in undergraduate admissions at the University of Virginia. Many of my colleagues shared my recognition that monoculture is not healthy. Like plants in a garden or trees in a wood, people thrive in diverse ecosystems. The synthesis of perspectives, experiences and backgrounds that accompanies such biodiversity, is an indispensable building block of dynamic and innovative institutions. The good news is that colleges recognize this as well. The Court may have abandoned the Civil Rights – era belief that diversity in and of itself constitutes a compelling state interest, but— like you— our institutions of higher learning have not. Ron Brown Scholars and Captains will always find a home wherever achievement is recognized and excellence valued. As a Program, we are exploring exciting new ways to partner with the nation’s

universities to help them pursue the dream of equal opportunity we all share. So, against the growing darkness, I suggest we take a lesson from the plants. Scientists are only now beginning to unravel the complex mycorrhizal networks that allow the trees of the forest to communicate, sharing both information and resources. It is time for us as a community to attend to our roots, to sink a little deeper into our own soil and strengthen our ties. Now more than ever, we ourselves must create the conditions that will enable our Scholars and Captains to flourish. The Ron Brown family is united in our shared commitment to supporting these talented young people. Whether you give time, money, expertise or care, your contributions are precious, and I am so very grateful for them. I want to especially recognize my friend Josh Rales, the president of the Norman R. and Ruth Rales Foundation. The Foundation’s generosity has enabled us to support an additional 25 Ron Brown Scholars each year for the last three, a quantum leap in the Program’s reach and impact. The Foundation is also underwriting an inspiring new graduate fellows program at Carnegie Mellon University whose goal is to diversify the next generation of STEM leaders. You can read more about that effort—and RBSP’s role in it—in these pages. On behalf of the whole Ron Brown family, a warm welcome to the new members of our Boards. Peter Boyce, II and Kani Keita, Ron Brown Scholars from the class of 2008 have joined the Board of Trustees with fellow Scholar, Robert Kabera (RBS 2007) and Jermaine VP, Morgan Stanley serving on the Advisory Board. We are extremely grateful to have them lend their wisdom and insight to the Program as we continue to tend to both the short-term needs and the long-term health of the organization. All the exciting developments you’ll read about in this newsletter have been made pos-

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Tracy “Ty” Moore II ’06 concluded a series of speeches preceding University President Claudine Gay’s inaugural address. P H OTO C O U R T E S Y O F T H E H A R VA R D C R I M S O N SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

sible by you, our network. I cannot wait until we are all together again. Our annual American Journey Awards (AJA) will take place in Washington, DC on March 22, 2024. The gala is an opportunity to meet the newest finalists in our scholarship competition, reconnect with old friends and celebrate members of our community who have made an outsized impact in their communities. It is also our major fundraiser and your generosity at the AJA and throughout the year enables us to keep doing the work we do. But as much as I am looking forward to gathering in DC, I am embracing the opportunity this season presents to nourish the subterranean empire of cords and filaments that stretches between us all. Winter may be coming, but it offers us the chance to fortify the connections that bind us to one another and to this land we share, in preparation for the fresh growth of Spring.

With heartfelt thanks,

Michael A. Mallory

PRESIDENT & CEO, RON BROWN SCHOLAR FUND

RON BROWN SCHOL AR SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

BEING WELL WHILE DOING GOOD

he annual Ron Brown Scholar Summer Leadership Conference took place August 4-6th at the offices of our corporate partner Deloitte in Arlington, VA. This year’s theme “Being Well While Doing Good,” discussed the different aspects related to individual wellness; mental, nutritional and financial and how each affect one another. Mr. Brian Siegal, Principal at Deloitte and member of our Board of Trustees, welcomed the more than 120 attendees, including Ron Brown Scholars and Alumni, donors, partners, sponsors and friends. The weekend activities included an opening reception, followed by a day of workshops and panels, a business pitch exhibition and multiple mindfulness and yoga sessions. Throughout the conference, Scholars and Alumni had the opportunity to listen and engage with our five wellness presenters who

B R I A N S I EG E L ( S H OW N L E F T ) W I T H J O N P I P E R ( R B S 1 9 9 8 ) , M I C H A E L M A L LO RY ( R B S P P R E S I D E N T & C E O ) A N D M I C H A E L B I L L I N G S ( R B S 1 9 9 7 ) AT T H E 2 0 2 3 A U G U S T L E A D E R S H I P C O N F E R E N C E .

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SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE CONT’D

shared ways of experiencing wellness within different aspects of life, as well as the opportunity to dive a little deeper into their different specialties during the mini-workshop sessions. Starting the conference with a mindfulness session, set the perfect tone and balance for the day. Led by Lora Strum (RBS 2013) Communications Strategist, ACLU and Yoga Teacher, Lora focused on breathing and stretching exercises to help reduce stress and tension and focus on the mindbody connection. Lora continued to provide 10-minute sessions throughout the day and encouraged all to practice these as part of everyday life. Crystal C. Joseph, a licensed mental health therapist and author, shared her insights to help Scholars and Alumni recognize mental health challenges, systemic barriers and culturally traumatic experiences. Drawing on her professional experience, Crystal provided resources for mental health treatment. Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist with the USDA, Chinwe Obudulu (RBS Captain 2014) talked passionately about her own personal health journey and educated the group in cultural understanding and nutrition recommendations to make healthy choices the

KARLA AGHEDO (RBS 2001) MODERATES WELLNESS PANEL.

MAXWELL JULIUS (RBS 2023) AND KISHANTI BARMOH (RBS 2023) SHARE A MOMENT DISCUSSING CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITIES.

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easy, accessible and affordable way. The final workshop was presented by Donald P. Lord, Financial Advisor with The Family Firm and Salil Phandis, Global Industry Analyst at Dodge & Cox, providing guidance on how to approach financial planning at each stage of life, as undergrads and young and seasoned Alumni. The conference ended with a Business Pitch Exhibition where three Ron Brown Alumni pitched their business ventures to a panel of investors and entrepreneurs. Caleb Franklin (RBS 2001), Founder and CEO of Matter Entertainment, along with Michael Billings (RBS 1997), Global Investor and Advisory Board member and Startup Investor and Entrepreneur, Dana Goldsmith served as the panelists providing insight and perspective into some of the challenges and/ or obstacles our entrepreneurs were facing. Kristian Edwards (RBS 2005), Founder and Owner of BLK+GRN, an all-natural marketplace with products made by Black women Artisans shared her experiences. Kristian helps source and fund Black women entrepreneurs’ who create non-toxic person-

BRITTANY COLEMAN (RBS 2009) PITCHES HER BUSINESS VENTURE TOUGH CUTIE TO SCHOLAR, ALUMNI AND A PANEL OF EXPERTS FOR FEEDBACK ON HER BUSINESS MODEL.

al care products. Products marketed to Black women and are filled with synthetic and toxic chemicals, causing a profound negative impact on their health. Black women spend $7.5 billion annually on beauty products which is 80% more on cosmetics and twice as much on skincare than their white counterparts. BLK&GRN educates their consumers about the importance of investing their dollars in healthy, sustainable products created by Black women. BLK+GRN has been featured in publications such as Essence, Forbes, Blavity, USA Today and The New York Times. Karla Aghedo (RBS 2001) is founder of Houston Wellness Workshops for Women (H3W). Through H3W, Karla curates wellness experiences, information and resources for professional women who want to reclaim their power through wellness. Karla offers wellness workshops, retreats, networking events and memberships to create a community of support for the mental, physical and spiritual health of its community. Combining her own experience with the recurring themes from hundreds of conversations with

women – lawyers, doctors, engineers, nurses, teachers, accountants and professors facing the same struggles, Karla started H3W with the whole woman in view: mind, body and spirit. Brittany Coleman (RBS 2009), is Founder of Tough Cutie, an outdoor sock brand that keeps women in mind with their design and decision-making processes. Tough Cutie was created because Brittany noticed that most outdoors and lifestyle brands were highly male-focused and did not consider women in the decision-making process. Tough Cutie is now the first and only outdoor sock brand with a majority women-owned value chain, and Brittany is a part of 1% of founders in the outdoor industry who identify as people of color. The knowledge and business acumen shared by Caleb, Michael and Dana proved invaluable to the panel of presenters and Scholar attendees, as they move forward with the next stages of their ventures. If you are interested in learning more about the three Ron Brown Scholar owned businesses, please check out the following links:

KRISTIAN EDWARDS RBS 2005 Founder and Owner of BLK+GRN blkgrn.com

KARLA AGHEDO RBS 2001

Founder of Houston Wellness Workshops for Women (H3W) h3whouston.com

BRITTANY COLEMAN RBS 2009 Founder of Tough Cutie toughcutie.com

Tyrell Russell (RBS 2012), President of the Ron Brown Scholar Alumni Association closed the weekend by reflecting on the daylong conference featuring sessions focused on “Being Well While Doing Good” stated, “My hope is that Scholars and Alumni left the conference knowing that the Ron Brown Scholar Program is a holistic support system. The love and support are real, the resources are endless and the connections are for a lifetime.” We look forward to sharing details of our next Triennial Conference in August 2024.

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PA R T N E R S H I P

CMU RALES FELLOWS PROGRAM

RON BROWN SCHOLAR PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY AND THE RALES FOUNDATION

on Brown Scholar Program (RBSP) is proud to partner with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the Rales Foundation in launching the CMU Rales Fellows Program, which is now accepting candidates for its very first cohort! Candidates for the Rales Fellows Program must submit a candidacy form alongside their application to an eligible MS or Ph.D. program in CMU’s College of Engineering, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mellon College of Science, School of Computer Science or an in inter-college program in neuroscience or computational biology. Fellows will join a distinctive and transformative program dedicated to developing a diverse community of exceptionally talented STEM leaders. In September, CMU Rales’ Executive Director Dr. Moises Padilla kicked off our Fellowship Week, an annual Leaders Network program devoted to helping students secure funding to continue their education beyond college graduation. Dr. Padilla encouraged Ron Brown Scholars, Captains and Alumni interested in graduate studies in the sciences (and related disciplines) to explore the many benefits of this exciting new program. In addition to an exceptional education at a world-class research institution, master’s and doctoral students selected for the CMU Rales Fellows Program will receive: • Holistic, small cohort-based experience • Mentorship from world-class, diverse faculty and researchers • Exclusive professional development and networking events with academic and in-

LEFT TO RIGHT: RBSP DIRECTOR OF THE CARNEGIE-RALES FELLOWSHIP CHRISTOPHER HUNTER (RBS 1998), CMU PRESIDENT FARNAM JAHANIAN, CMU VICE PROVOST FOR EDUCATION AMY BURKERT AND RBSP PRESIDENT & CEO MICHAEL MALLORY.

dustry leaders • Personalized career coaching from a dedicated advisor • A financial award that covers tuition and fees, as well as a stipend to cover living expenses, housing, and health insurance (a total award of $85,000+) Throughout the year, Chris Hunter (RBS 1998), Ron Brown’s Director of Graduate and Postdoctoral Partnerships, will be meeting with students and Alumni on campuses across the country to help spread the word

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about this remarkable opportunity. Interested candidates in our network will receive a fee waiver from CMU for grad school applications and RBSP will also support our applicants by providing one-on-one help with drafting and revising personal statements and resumes, interview prep and practice, and networking opportunities with faculty, staff and current Carnegie Mellon students. For more information, please visit CMU’s website or email Chris Hunter directly at chunter@ronbrown.org.

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G P S FA L L U P D AT E

GUIDED PATHWAY SUPPORT PROGRAM (GPS) FALL UPDATE SCALING UP WITH BELLEJAR FOUNDATION

fter counseling 911 African American high school seniors in the Class of 2023 through high school graduation, the Guided Pathway Support Program (GPS) is scaling up to serve 1,500 African American high school students during the 2023-2024 academic year, and 5,000 students by the end of the 2027-2028 academic year, due to the generous financial support from the BelleJar Foundation. As of early October 2023, GPS has accepted over 1,100 African American high school juniors and seniors and counting, including over 954 seniors in the Class of 2024. Funding from the BelleJar Foundation has helped GPS to serve more seniors in the first three months of this fall admissions cycle than it served during the entire 2022-2023 academic year. This funding has allowed GPS to empanel the new Ron Brown Scholar Advisory Corps, a group of over 35 Ron Brown Scholar alumni who will expand the Pro-

gram’s capacity to provide expanded college advising services and mentorship. The RBS Advisory Corps will also bolster the GPS program’s partnership development and public relations infrastructure. Established in 2009, the BelleJar Foundation provides grants in the education sector and to improve the standard of living for lower-income families and physically disabled persons.

CORNELL UNIVERSITY AWARDS $73,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO GPS PROGRAM STUDENTS

ducational Partner Cornell University awarded $73,000 in scholarships to Guided Pathway Support Program juniors to take credit-bearing summer courses at the Ivy league institution before their senior year of high school. Students enrolled in courses such as Intro to Behavioral Neuroscience, Intro to Cognitive Science and

Science, Technology, and Politics. “Participating in the Cornell University Precollege Summer Program was a great way to learn with like-minded peers as well as begin to explore potential careers in neuroscience, all while earning college credit,” GPS student Lauren Williams said. “The course covered topics from psychology to linguistics to AI, and offered a broad-based overview of the field of neuroscience with an in-depth look at the inner workings of the mind. Thank you so much to Cornell University for making this incredible opportunity possible for me!” Covering the same course material as regular undergraduate courses, the summer program courses allowed GPS students to earn a Cornell transcript to submit with their senior year college applications, improve their study skills in rigorous classes and work closely with field-leading faculty members. Cornell University has been a GPS Educational Partner since 2019.

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G P S FA L L U P D AT E C O N T ’ D

VENTURE CAPITAL EXTERNSHIP WITH GENERAL CATALYST

or the third consecutive year, global venture capital firm General Catalyst welcomed a corps of GPS students to explore the fintech space through its Summer Venture Capital Externship Program. Created by Ron Brown Scholar and Board of Trustee member, Peter Boyce II (RBS 2008), Founder and Managing Partner of Stellation Capital, the externship allows tech-savvy high school entrepreneurs to build skills and connections in venture capital before their first year of college. “After talking to investors, founders, former news anchors and doctors, I learned there is a place for me in VC, no matter my path,” GPS alum Michelange Senat, a first-year student at Brown University, said. During the externship, GPS students participated in fireside chats featuring industry leaders such as global firm chairman Kenneth Chenault, workshops led by startup founders of color and complete a rotation in each of the firm’s major departments. Workshops cover topics such as investor relations, how a fund operates and building your personal brand. “The knowledge, guidance and insights I gained through this program have been invaluable to my growth as an aspiring venture capitalist,” first-year computer science student Damilare Sunmola said. General Catalyst supports an array of founders who actively seek to change the status quo, helping to build enduring companies that create outsized financial and social impact across every stage and sector, from creation to IPO. “Thank you to everyone involved in the externship,” current GPS high school senior Evan Jones said. “I appreciate this opportunity to learn what VC and startups can do and all of the tips on how to get involved early while navigating college.”

GPS EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS

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CONGRATULATIONS TO TRACY “TY” MOORE II (RBS 2002) on his recent election as the President of the Harvard Alumni Association. Ty is honored to serve Harvard’s global community of more than 400,000 alums in this capacity. Anyone who knows Ty wouldn’t be surprised that “Be the energy” is his number one motto. The Harvard Gazette published an article announcing Ty’s appointment, as below:

INCOMING HAA ALUMNI PRESIDENT TRACY MOORE II ’06 IS DEDICATED TO BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, HONORING IDENTITIES, AND CONNECTING ACROSS DIFFERENCES

LEADING WITH AUTHENTICITY BY K A I T L I N B U C K L E Y H A R VA R D C O R R E S P O N D E N T D AT E : M AY 1 8 , 2 0 2 3

racy “Ty” Moore II ’06 lives according to a simple motto: “Be the energy” — a reminder to always give his all to whatever he takes on. As he prepares to step into the role of alumni president of the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) on July 1, Moore is eager to apply this core value to supporting the HAA board of directors and global alumni community. Inspired and energized by his fellow alumni, Moore seeks to understand their journeys and nurture community across identities. “Whether they graduated in 2022 or 1942, grew up in the suburbs, the city, or in a rural town in the United States or elsewhere around the world, every single alum has a powerful story,” he says. An impact-driven entrepreneur and executive coach dedicated to elevating others, Moore began his career as founding executive director of Leadership Scholars, a nonprofit mentoring program for underserved youth in his hometown of Cincinnati, and later co-founded the Hidden Genius Project, a nonprofit that addresses opportunity gaps in tech by training and mentoring young Black men. In his current role as co-founder of the executive coaching and leadership development firm VeraVis, he aims to FA L L 2 0 2 3

PHOTOS BY KRIS SNIBBE/HARVARD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

LEADING WITH AUTHORIT Y CONT’D

empower people to lead from their souls — a mission driven by his upbringing and his Harvard experience. Growing up, Moore learned the importance of giving back from his father, a pastor who served in a low-income neighborhood, and his mother, who spent countless hours volunteering in the church. But his childhood was also spent navigating different realities of socioeconomic status and race: he sang in the choir at his father’s church, lived in a lower middle-income neighborhood, and made a shift from public to private education. Academically oriented, he studied Latin and excelled at piano, but he was bullied for not fitting the image others expected. While this was challenging, it helped him develop an understanding of how to connect with people across differences. Moore’s world expanded even further when he arrived at Harvard as an undergraduate. “Harvard empowered me to be my true self by equipping me with the freedom to simply be and do — reinforcing the idea that I could do anything I put my mind to,” he says. “Surrounded by others who felt the same way, I learned the importance of establishing a big vision that inspired other people.” A Classics concentrator, he pursued a wide variety of interests — from performing with CityStep and the Harvard South Asian Association’s Ghungroo show to mentoring local students in an after-school program through the Phillips Brooks House Association. Seeking opportunities to deepen his connection to the Black community, Moore joined the Black Students’ Association and took on leadership roles with the Black Men’s Forum (BMF), eventually serving as president. “The BMF helped me develop a better understanding of what it means to be a Black man,” he says. “I was engaging in stimulating intellectual conversations with fellow Black male students who were similarly driven, talented, and curious, but who also had a range of backgrounds that added dimension to both our conversations and the direction of the organization.” Moore has remained actively involved with Harvard since graduation as a volunteer for the Harvard Club of Cincinnati, an alumni interviewer, and in multiple roles on the HAA board.

“TY IS A KEEN OBSERVER OF PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS, AND AN EXPERT AT COACHING THEM TOWARD IMPACT,” SAYS CURRENT HAA PRESIDENT ALLYSON MENDENHALL (RIGHT).

CONNECTING ON A HUMAN LEVEL During the past year Moore has worked closely with current HAA president Allyson Mendenhall ’90, M.L.A. ’99, and he aims to continue the initiative she led on amplifying alumni voices to better communicate alumni sentiments to the HAA and the University. He credits the process-oriented, designthinking approach Mendenhall honed at the Harvard Graduate School of Design for its ability to ensure all members of a team understand the purpose behind a goal before setting out to achieve it. “Allyson is a phenomenal human being,” he says. “She’s a very inclusive leader who seeks to understand the thoughts and feelings of those she leads.” Mendenhall characterizes the experience of connecting with alumni around the world as deeply rewarding. “Being among our international community, even virtually, has underscored the importance of making room at the table for a diverse set of alumni voices across our global community,” she says. Looking ahead, Mendenhall is excited to pass the baton to Moore. “The HAA board

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will be in great hands under Ty’s exceptional leadership,” she says. “Ty is a keen observer of people and organizations, and an expert at coaching them toward impact. He is passionate about boosting inclusive alumni engagement and hearing all perspectives.” Moore is thrilled to harness the opportunities that emerge to advance the alumni community and thoughtfully navigate challenges along the way. His goals for the year ahead include furthering valuesdriven, mission-aligned board initiatives while helping the alumni community understand and connect with the work of the HAA. He also wants to help uphold a community that treats each person as a human being who can feel safe, respected, and valued as their authentic selves, regardless of their perspectives and experiences. “Respect, kindness, and true appreciation of other individuals — both who they are and where they come from — are the essential building blocks of human society,” Moore says. “I’m hopeful that being compassionate and kind will enable our alums to more powerfully connect with others, redoubling the strength of our community.”

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L E A D E R S N E T W O R K FA L L U P D AT E

RON BROWN - RUTH AND NORMAN RALES LEADERS NETWORK FALL UPDATE

ach year over 4,000 African American high school students compete for the prestigious Ron Brown Scholarship, receiving a total of $40K over four years toward college expenses. Candidates undergo a rigorous screening which involves assessment of their academic achievements, leadership experience, writing skills, commitment to service and financial need. Fifty students will be awarded and named Ron Brown Scholars. The remaining top 2-3% of applicants are awarded the distinction of Ron Brown Captain and join our invitation only Ron Brown - Ruth & Norman Rales Leaders Network where they receive personal and professional development services alongside the Scholars. Throughout our 27year history, we have awarded Scholar and Captain distinctions to 4,026 students. Of those, 634 were awarded the highly competitive Ron Brown Scholarship and are called Ron Brown Scholars. Corporate Partners within the Ron Brown - Ruth & Norman Rales Leaders Network provide a trusted source of campus and early career job and internship opportunities for the Ron Brown Scholars and Captains facilitated through networking and recruitment activities. Our young leaders and corporate partners stay connected through a variety of communication channels, virtual programs, regional events and our annual conferences.

RON BROWN LEADERS’ SUMMIT

he 2023 Ron Brown Leaders’ Summit occurred June 22-24th in New York city. The annual Summit brings the community of college students and alumni in the Ron Brown – Ruth & Norman Rales Leaders Network together for engaged dis-

2023 ANNUAL RON BROWN LEADERS’ SUMMIT

cussion and camaraderie. The Summit also connects students with corporate Partners for networking and professional development. Partners share career advice with our young leaders while introducing them to professional opportunities within their organizations. The 2023 Summit kicked off with a virtual networking session on Thursday evening, with the remainder of the events in-person hosted at the offices of our corporate Partner, Latham and Watkins, LLP. The event began with an opening reception and welcome from our host, Jason C. Ewart, Partner at Latham and Watkins, followed by a fullday of conference events. These included one for women in STEM, breakout sessions, a networking and career fair and small group discussions. Over 170 alumni or current Ron Brown undergraduate students attended and were joined by our partners, sponsors, staff, and friends of the Ron Brown Scholar Program.

RON BROWN SCHOLAR PROGRAM LEGAL LAUNCH

he second annual RBSP Legal Launch took place August 3 - 4th in Washington DC. The participants of the program were 17 Ron Brown undergraduates and alumni who had completed their LSAT/GRE and intend to start law school in 2023 or 2024. Our pre-law students spent two days immersed in the legal community as they toured law firms, attended panel sessions and interacted with attorneys from the Ron Brown legal community. Students had the opportunity to hear from Ms. India J. Pinkney, Executive Director, Office of International Affairs at the Federal Aviation Administration during a keynote session at Steptoe and Johnson, LLP. Ms. Pinkney shared reflections and words of wisdom from her personal jourFA L L 2 0 2 3

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LEADERS NETWORK PARTNERS LEGAL LAUNCH PARTICIPANTS, RON BROWN STAFF, AND SPONSORS/INVITEES AT THE RECEPTION AT DENTON’S.

ney, from law school to her current position with the FAA, encouraging students as they embark on their legal education and career. Additionally, representatives from the University of Virginia Law School participated in a panel session the following day at Skadden, LLP focusing on the admissions process. This was followed by another panel session led by Ron Brown Scholar Ellen Yiadom Hoover (RBS 2002), Senior Manager, Diversity and Inclusion, Skadden and focused on different areas of law. Ron Brown student, Nigel Davis stated, “As an incoming law student at University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law, I appreciated hearing candid perspectives from Black individuals in the legal field.” Many thanks to our firm sponsors for making this event possible – Paul Hastings, Dentons, Latham & Watkins, Steptoe & Johnson and Skadden.

RON BROWN WELCOMES NEW PARTNER MORGAN STANLEY Ron Brown – Ruth & Norman Rales Leaders Network welcomes Morgan Stanley to our portfolio of corporate partners. Morgan Stanley is a leading global investment bank and wealth management firm. This partnership is a great fit for our students and alumni with interest in the finance and investment banking fields. www.morganstanley.com

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S C H O L A R S P OT L I G H T

CALEB FRANKLIN RBS 2001

highlight of our leadership conference weekend is always connecting with our Scholars and Alumni who join us from all over the world. This year, we had a special treat by having Caleb Franklin, RBS 2001, join us all the way from India. Caleb is the founder and CEO of Matter Entertainment, a premium television and film production company with offices in Mumbai and Singapore. Matter Entertainment is at the forefront of the premium content revolution, producing high-quality films and series for audiences around the world. Matter’s literary management division also represents some of the leading authors, writers, filmmakers and producers across Asia. In addition to his responsibilities at Matter, Caleb is also the founder and CEO of HeyHey! where he is leading the development of a cutting-edge Web3 platform that brings together consumers, brands and entertainment IPs from around the world. With a strong presence in India, Japan and

beyond, HeyHey! works with its brand partners to drive customer loyalty and retention through its technology platform. According to Caleb, his greatest impact to date has been driven through his founding of Matter Entertainment. As a content curation and production company, Matter specializes in crafting premium films and OTT series designed for the global Indian audience. Matter is currently in development and production on shows for leading global platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Sony and Disney+. They’ve recently found success in other markets like Japan, where they successfully produced the famous ‘Got Talent’ format in Japan - “Japan’s Got Talent” and the US where they are producing two premium series. Beyond the work in the filmed entertainment space, Matter also works with leading global companies to help them grow their business in the Indian marketplace. In this work, Matter has advised companies such

as Snapchat, Newscorp, Amazon, Signal, and Coca Cola among others. Through their combined work, they have been able to employ over 250+ excellent team members and also have been able to support great non-profits in India focused on initiatives such as empowering vulnerable children, women’s rights, and access to higher education for youth. Prior to founding Matter and HeyHey, Caleb spent a decade working for the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where he represented clients across the global landscape of media, entertainment, technology and sports. He was also a part of the founding teams of CAA’s Middle East and India businesses and led many of the agency’s international initiatives. Caleb is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard University, where he earned a B.A. in Social Studies with a minor in South Asian Studies. He currently lives in Mumbai with his wife Anisha.

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RBSP PODCAST

RBSP PODCAST SERIES: THE VALUE OF ONE, THE POWER ALL W

hat started as an idea from a Ron Brown scholarship application has come to life as a powerful platform to capture the essence of the RBSP community, starting by highlighting 10 Scholars and their business ventures. Following this first season on entrepreneurship, The Value of One, The Power of All will soon explore the impact of Scholars in politics and education. Listeners can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify or visit ronbrown.org/ WATCH news-events/podcasts/ to listen to HERE previous podcasts.

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RAY PRYOR (RBS 2015)

ETHAN MONREAL-JACKSON (RBS 2008)

ROBERT KABERA (RBS 2007)

BRITTANY COLEMAN (RBS 2009)

JAVAUGHN LAWRENCE (RBS 2010)

TYRELL RUSSELL (RBS 2012)

KRISTIAN EDWARDS (RBS 2005)

BRANDON HILL & COLIN WEBB (RBS 2011 & 2014)

JEFF NELSON (RBS 2006)

LOWELL CAUDLER (RBS 2005)

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S C H O L A R S P OT L I G H T

DR. KU MCMAHAN RBS 1999

r. Ku McMahan (RBS 1999) never planned to pursue a career in international development finance. With a PhD in water and sanitation hygiene and environmental microbiology, his first focus was on improving access to safe drinking water. But after developing, then selling, a company built around low-cost water quality testing, he jumped at an invitation to take the lead on a USAID Grand Challenge focused on Securing Water for Food. Since then, he’s led a second USAID Grand Challenge dedicated to reducing water use and carbon emissions in food production. Recently, he transitioned into a role as a Deputy Director of Technical Assistance at the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

“I didn’t grow up with a lot of money,” Ku says, “and the Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP) opened up opportunities for me.” One of those opportunities included a trip to Costa Rica which, he says, helped “me see the whole international piece. I’ve spent the last twenty years of my career focusing on water quality, air quality and now on investments… and had it not been for RBSP, I would’ve never even looked at this avenue.” Today, he says, the work he did with USAID has helped more than ten million farmers produce more than eight million tons of food using reduced water and energy. At USAID, Ku led a team that gave out first, grants, and later, investment funding, to tech companies helping farmers in Africa, the

Middle East and Southeast Asia use water and energy more efficiently. “I was in the field every day talking to farmers and learning how they were using these technologies to help them grow more food and help their families,” Ku says. “Sometimes their government wasn’t willing to help and they needed more assistance. Sometimes things were going really, really well and they’d tripled or quadrupled their income.” He remembers a trip to a woman-owned orange farm in South Africa. “These were Black South African women who had taken this farm over from white South Africans,” he says. “They transitioned from traditional agriculture to high-tech agriculture–monitoring the health of the plants, having moisture sensors all around the farm, and increasing efficiency.” The women also gave out internships, and, later, jobs, to students, a massive boon in a place where unemployment rates are high. “I was asking them how they ran the farm so efficiently, and they said they did it ‘from themselves for themselves,’” he says. “The technology [they were using] was from some guys in Australia, but it transitioned to Southern Africa and really started to scale. It felt good to support that and to watch how it changed things.” Mostly, though, the products used by farmers came from the same communities as the farmers themselves. “This isn’t a bunch of US or European companies going into Africa or Asia. These are Indonesians or Vietnamese or South Africans or Zambians. They would talk to the village chiefs or the local officials [to say] there was a problem…. the rains weren’t coming at the same time as they used to, or they came too much. How did the community grow and shift and change to adjust to that?” The technologies McMahan helped spearhead investment in “were able to help, which is why they were so rapidly adopted.” He adds, “[We’re in] a time of crisis. The water problems in the Middle East are the same water problems that California is having, that North Carolina is having, that Arizona is having. And the solutions that people with less money and resources come up with can be really useful and effective here. People everywhere can teach each other.” He credits his career ascent to his ability to be flexible, saying, “I think it has to do with being willing to push the envelope when you need to, but to be patient when you have to. That’s a really good skill-set that a lot of young Ron Brown Scholars have, just based on their backgrounds.” He points out that a handful of other Scholars are also working in this same field, building, for example, wastewater plants or energy microgrids in Africa. “Now,” he says, “I’m on the other side, in the groups that fund that kind of work.”

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W E LC O M E N E W B O A R D M E M E B E R S

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS W e are proud to welcome the following new members to the Board of Trustees and Advisory Board as we continue to strengthen the growth and sustainability of the Program.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

KANI KEITA

PETER A. BOYCE, II

Kani is a Principal at TPG Capital, focused on private equity investments in the Industrials and Services sector. Prior to TPG, Kani worked at Goldman Sachs in their Principal Investing Area (“PIA”), including several years in Goldman PIA’s London office. Kani attended Harvard College, graduating with honors with a major in Political Science, a minor in Economics, and a citation in French. Kani serves on the Board of Directors of Transplace, a technology-enabled logistics services company and a formerly served on the Advisory Board of the Ron Brown Scholar Program.

Peter is the Founder & Managing Partner of Stellation Capital, an early stage venture capital firm headquartered in Brooklyn. Prior to founding Stellation, Peter spent eight years as a Partner at General Catalyst, a venture capital firm that invests in powerful, positive change that endures. In addition to his work at GC, he also co-founded & advises Rough Draft Ventures: a program to support technology entrepreneurship on college campuses. Through his work with universities, he supports a portfolio of over 275 early stage startups founded by students & recent graduates. Peter is a graduate of Harvard University, earning a B.A. in Applied Mathematics and a Secondary in Computer Science. He grew up in New York City, where he graduated from Stuyvesant High School. He is proud to be a Ron Brown Scholar. Outside of his time investing, Peter is proud to serve as a non-profit board member to support communities he is passionate about: The Shed, The Studio Museum in Harlem, The New Museum, and the Harvard College Fund - Executive Committee. He is also a Rock Venture Capital Partner at Harvard Business School, Program Advisor for the HBS MS/MBA Program.

(RBS 2008)

ADVISORY BOARD

(RBS 2008)

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ROBERT KABERA (RBS 2007)

Robert Kabera is a refugee, an engineer, and an entrepreneur. His background has allowed transformative breakthroughs, from bringing credit scoring to unbanked farmers to designing power systems to prepare humanity for natural disasters. Since his time at Stanford, Robert has focused his work on using artificial intelligence to predict risk across energy, climate, agriculture, and financial services. He currently serves as President, Arebak LLC. Robert was named in the 2018 Forbes Energy Sector 30 Under 30 list and is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Robert was honored with the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability’s 2022 Early- to Mid-Career Alumni Award. The award recognizes alumni who have made highly significant and long-lasting contributions in the civil, government, business, or academic communities within 20 years of receiving their Stanford degrees.

SAVE THE DATE

ANNUAL RONALD H. BROWN AMERICAN JOURNEY AWARDS THE RITZ-CARLTON, WASHINGTON, DC 1150 22nd St NW, Washington, DC 20037

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

JERMAINE LOWERY Jermaine is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in information technology and financial services. With expertise in network and cyber security, Jermaine excelled as an Account Executive, Consultant, and Support Technician. In 2012, Jermaine shifted his focus to the financial services industry. He joined the esteemed Morgan Stanley team in 2014, his mission to provide comprehensive financial solutions that enable clients to maintain their current lifestyle, plan for retirement, and create a lasting legacy. Through his financial awareness and planning services, Jermaine assists clients in achieving their lifestyle goals and embracing all stages of life. Alongside his professional pursuits, Jermaine has a passion for technology trends in the arts, particularly music. He actively engages in community service, offering his expertise in consulting to various nonprofit and religious organizations.

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RON BROWN SCHOLAR RECIPIENTS

EMERGING LEADERSHIP AWARD Brandon L. Nicholson, PhD (RBS 2001) Executive Director, The Hidden Genius Project

THE CHRISTOPHER A. PILARO FELLOWSHIP IN THE ARTS AWARD Margaret Ivey (RBS 2007) Actress and Singer THE ROBERT B. BINSWANGER COMMUNITARIAN AWARD Carmelle Norice-Tra, MD-PhD, (RBS 1997) Clinical Director, Infectious Diseases Clinical Research, Merck Research Laboratories

FURTHER D ETAILS TO FOLLOW

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NEW TEAM MEMEBERS

WELCOME NEW TEAM MEMBERS

SAMANTHA CHILDS

BARBARA ELLIS

BRIANNA WILSON

Samantha Childs joined the RBSP family in 2023 as a Program Associate. Samantha graduated from Mary Baldwin College, a small liberal arts school in Staunton, VA where she served as captain of the women’s varsity tennis team for two years. She earned her BA in Business with a concentration in management. She started interning with RBSP summer 2022 and continued working during the academic year, supporting efforts in Scholar and Donor relations, updating databases and social media. Sam looks forward to getting to know and supporting the Ron Brown community.

Barbara joined the Ron Brown team in 2023 as a College Access Advisor. An advocate of student and community-led education, she homeschooled her sons, who are now students at Harvard. She’s taught private school students on Philadelphia’s Main Line, facilitated AP and economics courses with homeschoolers, and directed a workforce development initiative empowering teens in leadership and civic engagement in West Philadelphia’s Promise Zone. She most recently served as the director of a pre-law fellowship, coaching underserved applicants through the law school admissions process. Barbara enjoys helping young people find resources that help them thrive. As a personal passion project, she researched and posted free academic, extracurricular, and summer opportunities across social media for years, gaining thousands of followers. She is currently a community journalism fellow at PhillyCAM, where her radio and television work center the voices and stories of Philadelphia teens. Barbara holds an MSEd from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and a master’s in Writing Studies from Saint Joseph’s University. An animal lover, she lives with her husband, three dogs, and cat in a 160-year-old farmhouse near Philadelphia.

Brianna Wilson joined the RBSP Family in 2023 as an Outreach Fellow. Brianna graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in Sociology, minoring in African and African American Studies and Social Entrepreneurship. Upon graduating, she spent a year working as a Career Fellow in the Career Center at the University of Virginia, helping students figure out what majors or careers interested them and with preparing their application materials such as resumes and cover letters. Brianna is excited to be a part of the RBSP Family and to get to help support the Ron Brown students. In her free time, Brianna enjoys spending time with her friends and family, watching movies and shows, shopping, going to fun events, and trying out Pinterest ideas (crafts, meals, etc.).

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

COLLEGE ACCESS ADVISOR

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OUTREACH FELLOW

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S C H O L A R S P OT L I G H T

KEEPING THE LADDER DOWN LUTHER WILLIAMS (RBS 1997) WELCOMES PIERCE ELLIS (RBS 2021) AS AN INTERN AT VERISTAR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP.

e are excited to report the first internship where both the intern and employer are Ron Brown Scholars. Peirce Ellis (RBS 2021) interned with Luther William (RBS 1997) this past summer. Luther grew up in Oakland, CA and went on to earn a degree from Harvard College in 2001. Today, he serves as Partner, Head of Research at VeriStar Capital Management LP. For Luther, creating an internship program at Veristar was important because he had a great experience with an “old-school value investor” during his freshman year of Harvard. That internship helped him solidify his career path. His own experiences helped him see the value of an internship for a young person’s career. When thinking about who to reach out to for this internship, Luther immediate-

ly knew he had to connect with the Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP). The recommendation had to come from a trusted source and there was no one better suited for this type of referral. Mike Mallory was very attentive and made sure to ask the right questions to determine the best fit. He said “Give me 24 hours” and that is when he connected Peirce Ellis, Harvard College, Class of 2025 to Luther. Peirce was a natural fit, with Luther saying, “What sealed it for us was after the first meeting, I could tell he was genuinely interested in learning about investing. Creating this internship program from scratch required time and investment on our part, and so we wanted someone we believed would really appreciate and benefit from our summer together, and we could tell Peirce 100% fit the bill. You could tell he

would put in the effort to get the most out of it and his eagerness to learn really shown through.” Peirce was integrated into day to day life; he sat in on meetings that discussed investment, listened to calls from experts and company reps, and would detail some of the analysis they did. He shared meals with everyone and really was treated as one of the staff. His day would start with reading the company news in the morning, then perhaps he’d focus on fundamental research on the industry, model the company, and would then put together a thesis from scratch. He looked at strengths and weaknesses as well as growth drivers. These analyses helped Peirce learn how to understand not just the company but the industry it’s in. The internship was resolute with a focus on tasks you wouldn’t necessarily learn in the classroom. Sitting in on meetings and being in real time discussions, is not something that you can learn from a book. The internship lasted about two months and Luther was determined to fit in as much as possible during that time. As an internship supervisor, Luther also learned a few things, as he realized just how much the environment has changed in the intern space. He said “It seems much more competitive, students are more sophisticated about various professions, and even the clubs on campus are more involved than they used to be. I think the basics of what leads to good outcomes haven’t changed, but the environment definitely has.” While Peirce was learning, so was Luther, as he learned what changes and improvements he could make for the internship program moving forward. Some words of advice from Luther, “It’s not just hard work that leads to great outcomes, it’s also about being out there, learning from others and forming relationships.” Internship programs like the one Luther created provides Scholars with that opportunity; to form those connections, to learn from others and grow. Growth is what makes a successful internship and both parties grew immensely. Ron Brown is a family. As Luther remarked, “The Ron Brown Scholar Program represents progress to me; I think a ton of talented people are passed over and not empowered to contribute because of differences. Not just race, but because of differences in culture that have nothing to do with getting the job done. I think that’s changing, but I think programs like RBSP help us progress by making sure talent does not go unnoticed and underutilized.”

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2 0 2 3 G AT H E R I N G S

SCHOLAR GATHERINGS

SCHOLARS AND ALUMNI IN WASHINGTON DC ENJOY A GOOD MEAL AND LAUGHTER THIS SUMMER.

ATLANTA AREA SCHOLARS SUPPORTING MARGARET IVEY, RBS 2007, AT HER PLAY, THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND.

ANDREA HEADLEY, RBS 2010, AND PROFESSOR AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CONNECTING WITH OUR UNDERGRAD SCHOLARS AT GEORGETOWN.

MICHELLE ROBINSON, RBS 1997, AND PROFESSOR AT UNC-CHAPEL HILL CONNECTING WITH OUR STUDENTS (UNDERGRAD AND GRAD) ON CAMPUS.

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SCHOLARS AT YALE ENJOY DINNER AS THEY WELCOME EACH OTHER BACK TO CAMPUS TO START THE FALL SEMESTER.

S C H O L A R S P OT L I G H T

HALLE CLOTTEY RBS 2019

HALLE CLOTTEY (RBS 2019) MENTORS YOUNG STUDENTS IN HER SUMMER ARTS PROGRAM EASA (EMBRACING YOU AUTHENTIC SELF THROUGH THE ARTS).

alle Clottey (RBS 2019) is one of two Harvard College Class of 2023 graduates who received the Banga Family Social Entrepreneurship Post-Graduate Fellowship. This opportunity granted her the ability and resources to develop a socially innovative venture that exhibits great social impact. In June, Halle instituted a flagship summer arts program at her former high school where she worked with under-resourced students in order to help them discover their authentic voices while fostering a positive racial/ethnic identity among her students. EASA (Embracing your Authentic Self through the Arts) is an empowering sum-

mer program targeting black and brown high schoolers in the greater Chicago area. Through programs organized around the practice of critical literacy, critical arts and radical love, students were immersed in a transformative experience where poetry, theater and acting were the leading artistic platforms. Not only did the students learn to write poetry, but they learned to feel it and to use it as a powerful tool for critical engagement. Acting techniques transformed into channels for self-expression and authenticity, while their poetry and artwork told their unique, diverse stories. Unfortunately, black and brown youth are often compelled to feel insecure about

themselves and their racial identities due to the racialization and dehumanization of BIPOC individuals across the United States. This can lead to a detrimental silencing that can paralyze creativity, imaginative dreaming and the desire to pursue one’s goals. EASA aims to mitigate these harms by fostering an environment that promotes self-love and high morale. EASA’s impact, however, extends beyond the art it produces; it augments students’ literacy and public speaking skills, builds trust and community and nurtures students’ confidence by providing access to relatable, engaging literature. EASA underscores the invaluable truth that students’ voices and creativity matter.

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R B S P BOA R D M E M B E RS

BOARD MEMBERS BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2023 SAMUEL Z. ALEMAYEHU (RBS 2004) Co-Founder and General Partner, C1 Ventures (C1V) PATRICK BAKER Manager/Producer NICOLE K. BATES, DRPH Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Pivotal Ventures PETER A. BOYCE, II (RBS 2008) Founder & Managing Partner, Stellation Capital DR. L.D. BRITT Brickhouse Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School TERRI DEAN Retired Corporate Executive AMBASSADOR DIANA DOUGAN Chairman, Cyber Century Forum MEREDITH EGGERS Philanthropist JORDAN GOLDBERG Entrepreneur JONATHAN GREENBLATT CEO, Anti-Defamation League DANE E. HOLMES CEO, Eskalera MICHELLE C. IFILL ESQ. Executive Coach and Consultant, McIfill Consulting, LLC

KANI KEITA (RBS 2008) Vice President, TPG Capital MICHAEL A. MALLORY President & CEO, Ron Brown Scholar Fund Executive Director, Ron Brown Scholar Program GAVIN MCFARLAND Philanthropist ANDREW C. PILARO Chairman, CAP Properties Ltd ANTHONY M. PILARO (Chairman, Emeritus) Chairman Emeritus RBSF Board of Trustees BRIAN SIEGEL Principal, Deloitte MARY SNITCH Senior Manager, Global S&T Industry Engagement, Lockheed Martin Corporation AARON WILLIAMS Senior Advisor—Emeritus, International Development & Government Relations, RTI International

EMERITUS

JACK LESLIE Senior Advisor and Former Chairman, Weber Shandwick THADERINE D. MACFARLANE Philanthropist JONATHAN MARINER Former Corporate Executive

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MARVA A. SMALLS EVP, Global Head of Inclusion, Paramount EVP, Public Affairs, Kids & Family Entertainment Brands, Paramount KATHY THORNTON-BIAS President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee MICHAEL TREISMAN General Counsel, Global Capital Markets, Bain Capital TOM WERNER Chairman, Boston Red Sox Partner and Co-Founder, Carsey-Werner LLC

ADVISORY BOARD 2023

KARLA AGHEDO (RBS 2001) Founder and CEO, The Aghedo Firm & Houston Wellness Workshops for Women (H3W) MARCUS BANKS Basketball Strategy and Team Counsel, LA Clippers JOEL BERVELL (Ron Brown Captain, 2013) Medical Student, Washington State University Social Media Medical Educator MICHAEL BILLINGS (RBS 1997) Global Investor MATTHEW D. CUTTS Head of US Policy & Government Relations, Dentons US LLP

ELIZABETH BOGGS DAVIDSEN VP, Office of Development Policy, U.S International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

STEPHAN JOHNSON (Ron Brown Captain, 2011) VP, Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Goldman Sachs

CHRIS FOLEY, PHD Senior Consultant and Healthcare Practice Lead, Plus Delta Partners

ROBERT KABERA (RBS 2007) President of Arebak, LLC

DANA GOLDSMITH Entrepreneur SHAVONNE GORDON Head of Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Morgan Stanley

M. MICHELLE ROBINSON, PHD (RBS 1997) Associate Professor of American Studies, UNC, Chapel Hill

GREG LORJUSTE Assistant Secretary for Executive Operations, New York Executive Chamber

GEORGINA SANGER SVP-Strategic Partnerships, EverFi, Inc

JERMAINE LOWERY

LYNNE HALE VP, Publicity and Communications, Lucasfilm Ltd. (retired)

SHARON BRICKHOUSE MARTIN VP, Health Services Integration, VHC Health Founder and President, Brickhouse Martin Healthcare Engineering

MORGAN HARPER (RBS 2001) Director of Policy & Advocacy, American Economic Liberties Project JUDITH HARRISON Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Weber Shandwick RITZA Y. HENDRICKS Communications Manager, Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System Founder and Chief Content Producer, R.Y.Ink! LLC ANN D. HORNER Retired Business Executive TRACEY BROWN JAMES Managing Partner, The Cochran Firm

EILEEN CASSIDY RIVERA VP of Communications, MAXIMUS Corporation

CALVIN C. LAROCHE Co-Founder, DC Ventures & Associates, LLC

ANTHONIE GOUDEMOND SVP and Head of HR, Siemens Healthineers

AZADEH HARDIMAN Business Leader, Level20, Progressive Insurance

JOSHUA B. RALES President, The Norman R. and Ruth Rales Foundation

VP, Financial Advisor, Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley

ETHAN MONREAL-JACKSON (RBS 2008) Founder, General Partner, Newtype Ventures LESIA BATES MOSS President/CEO, Bates Consulting Group CYNTHIA R. MURRAY President, Cynthia Murray Enterprises, LLC

ELSIE WILSON THOMPSON Attorney JONICE GRAY TUCKER Partner, Paul Hastings LLP DR. MICHAEL A. WILLIAMS Chief Medical Information Officer, University of Virginia Health System TYRONE “WOODY” WOODYARD VP, Communications, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company DANIELLE PURFEY WRIGHT Managing Director and Head of Global Talent Brand and I&D, Accenture

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DR. CARMELLE NORICE-TRA, MD-PHD (RBS 1997) Clinical Director of Infectious Diseases at Merck Research Laboratories KAJA ORKAND Manager, Orion Technology Solutions, LLC JONATHAN PIPER (RBS 1998) Chief Scientific Officer, MIM Software

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W I T H YO U R H E L P

WAYS TO SUPPORT RBSP

s we continue to grow and provide support to over 2,000 students annually - Scholars, Captains and GPS Navigators - through our three initiatives, we hope you will consider extending your generosity once again. Below you will find a list of opportunities for your consideration - we appreciate every gift, no matter the size. A gift envelope is enclosed should you wish to make a donation, or you may donate online at www.ronbrown.org. EMERGENCY FUNDS/DONATIONS AND MONTHLY GIFTS: https://www.ronbrown.org/section/contribute/start-giving-today or check made payable to Ron Brown Scholar Fund and mail to: 485 Hillsdale Drive, Suite 206, Charlottesville, VA, 22901

MATCHING GIFTS Matching gifts are offered by many companies to encourage philanthropy giving amongst their employees. Please check with your company to learn if they participate in a matching gift program. SHARE INFORMATION WITH FRIENDS We encourage you to share information about the Ron Brown Scholar Program and the Scholars with friends/family/colleagues who may be interested in learning more or making a donation. Or let us know if you would like us to reach out to anyone directly. HOST A FUNDRAISER Please consider hosting a virtual fundraiser or set up a fundraiser on social media to support the Ron Brown Scholar Program.

REMEMBERING OUR DEAR FRIENDS LANCE BLANKS

SEPTEMBER 9, 1966 – MAY 3, 2023

R. KENLY WEBSTER

MAY 16, 1933 - MAY 26, 2023

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SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENTS Four-year Scholarship Agreements Fully fund a $40,000 scholarship to support one Ron Brown Scholar over four years of college. Endowed Scholarship Agreements $250,000 to support an annual $40,000 Scholarship in perpetuity. Scholarship Agreement options include naming rights as well as other considerations, such as but not limited to, the college the recipient may be choosing to attend or field of study. Please contact Michael Mallory mmallory@ronbrown.org or Anita Karadia akaradia@ronbrown.org PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS LEADERS NETWORK PARTNERSHIP Consider joining the Ron Brown – Ruth and Norman Rales Leaders Network as a corporate Partner and connect with 1,200+ talented and inspiring undergraduates to help achieve your company’s recruitment efforts. Please contact Holly Duke hduke@ronbrown.org GPS EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS By partnering with GPS, you would enjoy access to the entire GPS community, comprised of 1,000+ high school juniors, seniors, and their parents, and advance your recruitment efforts. For more information contact Kiya Jones kjones@ronbrown.org or Randy Tripp, Jr. rtripp@ronbrown.org.

T H A N K S TO O U R S U P P O R T E R S

FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OCTOBER 1, 2022 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMS

THE RON BROWN SCHOLAR PROGRAM WISHES TO THANK ALL OF THE FOUNDATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, FRIENDS AND RON BROWN SCHOLARS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED OUR MISSION.

SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS

Scholarship Sponsors are very special and generous people who have provided the funding to fully support a Ron Brown Scholar and without whom we could not award the number of scholarships we do, nor support Ron Brown Scholars in the unique way that is the foundation of our mission. • Boggs Family in Memory of Thomas Hales Boggs, Jr. • Brown Advisory • Harry and Jean Burn • Stephen and Mary Anne Burns • CAP Charitable Foundation • Goldman Sachs • Jonice Gray • Dane E. Holmes in Honor of Jonas Holmes • Ann D. Horner • Kani Keita (RBS 2008) in Honor of Dawn Kim • Donald and Mary-Mac Laing • Phyllis and Melvyn Leffler • John McAllister • Ethan Monreal-Jackson (RBS 2008) • Norman R. and Ruth Rales Foundation • Dr. Donald S. and Kim Orkand • PepsiCo Foundation • Anthony M. Pilaro • Joshua B. Rales and Susan Weissman • Ron Brown Scholar Alumni Association • Sanofi - Genzyme Corporation • Bowdy Train and Georgina Sanger

RON BROWN – RUTH AND NORMAN RALES LEADERS NETWORK PARTNERS

Our Leaders Network Partners share valuable career advice with our young leaders while introducing them to professional opportunities within their organizations. • Apex Clean Energy • Brown Advisory • Capital One • Deloitte • Dodge & Cox • General Catalyst • Goldman Sachs • Google • Jane Street Capital • LA Clippers • Latham & Watkins LLP • Morgan Stanley • Norman R. and Ruth Rales Foundation • Otis Elevators • Paramount • PepsiCo Foundation • Plume Design • RTI International • Siemens Healthineers • Verizon • Wake Forest University School of Business • Weber Shandwick

GUIDED PATHWAY SUPPORT (GPS) PROGRAM

Colleges, universities, educational organizations, foundations and friends who share in the Guided Pathway Support Program’s mission to help talented African American youth defy the college access gap.

FRIENDS

• BelleJar Foundation • Boule Foundation • Capital One • Ambassador Diana L. Dougan • Fund II Foundation • HJ Russell Company • Meta • Motivate Labs • Dr. Donald S. and Kim Orkand • S. Sonjia Smith • The College Board • Walmart

EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS

• Amherst College • Carnegie Mellon University • College of William & Mary • Cornell University • Florida A&M University • George Washington University • Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy • Johns Hopkins University • Middlebury College, • Mount Holyoke College • Northwestern University • St. John’s University • Tufts University • University of Virginia Jefferson Scholars Foundation • Washington University in St. Louis • Wellesley College

• Amazon Smiles • Apple • AT&T • Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area • Comcast NBCUniversal • Ecolab • ESPN • Exelon Corporation • Goldman Sachs Gives • Google • Lockheed Martin Employees’ Political Action Committees (LMEPAC) • Melcare Fund - Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust, Inc. • Microsoft • Pivotal Ventures LLC • Plus Delta Partners • Surdna Foundation • The Walt Disney Company Foundation

OUR FRIENDS

FOUNDERS CIRCLE

• Ambassador Diana L. Dougan

SCHOLARSHIP CIRCLE

• Anonymous (3) • Dana M. Emery • Ann Horner • Danai Kadzere and William Nygard • The Peter B. And Adeline W. Ruffin Foundation • Peters Pharis Foundation

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

• Gayle and Roland Driver • Meredith and Barry Eggers • Epsilon Zeta Boule Foundation Inc. • Chris Foley, PhD • Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation • John Webster Leslie, Jr. and Caroline Pech • Thaderine D. MacFarlane • MacFarlane Partners Investment Management, LLC • Cathy and Andrew Moley • Sondra Raspberry • Kim and Troy Stanfield • Steptoe and Johnson LLP • Angela Vallot FA L L 2 0 2 3

T H A N K S TO O U R S U P P O R T E R S

BRIDGE BUILDERS

• Ryan Athearn • Charlottesville Daily Progress • Michael Davidsen and Elizabeth Boggs Davidsen • Amb. Susan Esserman and Andrew Marks • John M. Fuscoe and Dr. Gayle DiLalla • Shavonne Gordon • DC Ventures & Associates, LLC • Sharon Brickhouse Martin • Maximus • Lynn and Chuck Mills • Drs. Christopher K. Payne and Jeannette Potts • Marcy Dutton Segre and David Segre • Cari and John Shurman • Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity/Boule • The Stephen A. Schwarzman Education Foundation

INNOVATORS

• Anonymous (2) • Diego Anderson • Caren and Max Aronin • Patrick Baker and Esme Howard • Dr. Nicole K. Bates • Joseph Brand • Sundaa Bridgett-Jones • Leniece and Delano Brissett • Michael Calhoun and Cheryl Janey • Rosamond Casey • Michele Causey • Caroline and Kevin Childs • Lisa and Jim Considine • Arthur Dean • Mariya Filippova • Barbara & Hamilton Fox • Terry E. Gaskins • Dana Goldsmith and Stephen Gunther, MD • Amy Goldson • Mark and Stephanie Goodwin • Anthonie Goudemond • Brennan and Andre Gould • Azadeh Hardiman • Lee and Bob Harper • Grady Hedgespeth • Heiner Family Fund • Mark and Theresie Houghton • Michelle Ifill, Esq • Richard Juhnke • Sylvie Kern • Barbara and Jay Kessler • Denice Kronau • David Loo • Dr. Dexter Love • Sandra and Carl Lowe • Chinyere Mathewson • Kamonte McCray • Dale McElveen • Gavin R. McFarland • Deb McMahon and Dan Gioeli • Charles Mitchell • Jonathan ODee

• Roberta Olson • Jeffrey Osterman • Clyde Robinson • Brian Siegel • Mary and Tom Snitch • Elizabeth “Gib” Staunton • The Estate of Twila Richmond Stofer • Mark Taylor • Elsie and Mac Thompson • Carolyn Thornhill • Randy and Steven Toll • Micheline Tusenius • Raymond E. Vickery, Jr. • John Waits and Gloria Rockhold • Aaron S. and Rosa Williams • Esther Wojcicki • Danielle Purfey Wright

AMBASSADORS

• Steve Alley • Anonymous (4) • Margaret and James Barrett • David and Carolyn Beach • Dr. George Beller and Katherine Brooks • Sue and John Berry • Susan and James Blackman • Mary Brady • Kyle Breckenridge • Francis Briwb • J. Noah Brown • Donna Broshek • Linda Brunner • Janice L. Burnham and Steven D. Cooper • Chad Burns • Keith Cain • Asila Calhoun • Dr. Melody Carter and Curtis Ellis • Lisa Cratty • Lynn and John Dillon • M. Dodson-Hatcher • Regina Donaldson • Stu Eizenstat • Michael and Carolyn Ellis • Richard Feinstein • Howard A. Foard III • Marc Freeman • Jim Garrett • Kelly Geary • Tom Geismar • Joan Goldmann • Neil Grammer • Harold Hallock • Judith Harrison • Farrah Holder • Kristine Holland • Christopher Howard • Ed Hubbard • Yolanda Hudson • John Ikonmar • Dr. Toni Irving • Lorraine Jordan • Cindy Joseph • Mandinema Kumbula-Fraser • Craigh Leonard

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• Peppy Linden • Gregory Lorjuste • Jermaine Lowery • Paul and Nancy Mack • Rob Maggin • Mary Magloire and Beatrice Birman Fund • Rick Martin • Anita McGinty • Robert S. and Sylvia Melvin, Jr. • Joal Mendonsa • Ricardo Michel • Edward and Janet Miller • Mark Moore • Paulette J. Morant • Elizabeth Morgan • Ian Morse • Lesia Bates Moss • Cynthia Murray • Jessica Nagle • Anita and John O’Connell Family • Lisa Olsen • John O’Sullivan • Susan Payne • Laura Phelan • Vivian W. Pinn, MD • Patricia Price • Yolanda Pruitt • Junius Randolph, Jr. • Gregg Rapaport • Drs. Anthony Rene & Mary Ann Sestili • Eileen Cassidy Rivera • John and Kyoko Robinson • Lynne Robinson • Paavana Sainath • Geri and Bruce Schirmer, MD • Peter Sherin • Craig Slingluff, MD • Jennifer Smith • Jenny Swanson • Konrad Trewick • Mark Troppe • Laura Washington and Jon Shoates • Benjamin and Ruth Wilson • Jonathan Yarowsky

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

• Linda and Michael Allderdice • Anonymous • Melanie Avery • Moses Bamuwamye • Lestrino Baquiran • Joseph Barden • Valerie Bartlett • Kat Bloomfield • Cleo S. Brown • Beth Buck • Kimme Carlos • Alfred Carroll, Jr. • Arvenita Cherry • Tod Cohen • Mia Contreras • David M. Crowe • Michele Dancy • Maurice and Lisa Dawson

• Honorable Alice M. Dear • Patricia Diggs • Dru Ealons • Vanessa Evans-Grevious • Greg and Tierney Fairchild • Roger and Lisa Fairfax • Benjamin Falk • Greg Fenner • Joan Fenton • Regan and McDara P. Folan, III • Maxine Franklin • Mara and Tim Burnett Frechette • Kendra L. Gaither • Hannah Gross • Bradley H. and Meredith Gunter • Sidney Hankerson, II • Linda Hill • Andy Holden • Kinte Ibbott • Marcia Invernizzi • Malika James-Vassell • Valerie Jefferies • Dan and Lou Jordan • Anita Karadia • Markita and Michael Keaton • Brieann Kinsey • Joyce Kline • Louis Kolodner • Lansing Lee III, JD • Flo1yd H. Lewis, Jr. • Petrice Malcolm • Karen Brickhouse Martin • Carol Mathison • Quincy McBride • Deborah Meyers • Kathleen Nathan • Charles Neal • Ranga Ocholi • Emmanuel Oga • Karen O’Neil • Julian Osbourne • Lucas Patterson • Sarah Pinkney • David Rardin • Scott Rechler • Maria Richardson • Willis Richardson • Richard Rosenfeld • Lois J. Sandy • Jill A. Schuker • Craig Schwartz • Marc J. Selverstone • Susan Shortreed • Gregory Silber • Victor Spano • Shameka Stewart • Tammy Stevens • John Stone • Matthew Sware • Melody Vaughn • Johnny Warren • Henry Weinschenk • Bethany Dickerson Wynder • Charles W. C. Yancey • Marion Yongue

T H A N K S TO O U R S U P P O R T E R S

IN HONOR/ TRIBUTE OF

Matthew D. Cutts • Michael and Ann Hankin David L. Evans • Anonymous Ann D. Horner • Brown Advisory Charitable Foundation Robert Kabera (RBS 2007) • Joshua B. Rales (Rales Foundation) Jack Leslie • John Agwonobi • Mimi Alemayehou • Ritu and Ajay Banga • Jon Banner • Kathy Calvin • Ray Chambers/The MCJ Amelior Foundation • Jeffrey DeLaurentis • Coralie Egger • Kenneth R. Feinburg • Kristine Fitton • Erik and Mary Lou Fyrwald • CD Glin • Maureen Golga • Judith Harrison • Pam Jenkins • Abebe Kebede • Katharine King • Chip Lyons • John Monahan • Lance Morgan • Maura O’Neill • PepsiCo Foundation • Liz Schrayer • Nancy Spiesman • Kathryn Walters • Weber Shandwick • Marion Yongue

William J. Raspberry • Sondra D. Raspberry Leslie Rathjens • Bill Dorsey • Ann D. Horner Steven H. Rubin • Anonymous R. Kenley Webster • Brittany Bolen • Stephen Cohen • Stephen Dempsey • Laurence Kirsch • Frederick Klein • Cynthia Nowinksi • Jing Shi • Andrew Shoyer • Rebecca Troth • Katherine Webster • William Williams

RON BROWN SCHOLARS GIVING CIRCLES

SCHOLARSHIP CIRCLE

• Kani Keita in Honor of Dawn Kim • Ethan Monreal-Jackson

BENEFACTORS CIRCLE • Danai Kadzere

LEGACY CIRCLE

• Sheila Adams James • Sean P. R. Nolan, PhD • Carmelle T. Norice Tra, MD-PhD

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE

Gregory Lorjuste • Sarah Rosen Wartell

• Chaz M. Beasley • Eleanor W. Branch • Jasmine M. Browne • Travis A. Gayles, MD-PhD • Miles A. Johnson • Luis M. Jones • Angela A. Smedley

IN MEMORY OF

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Robert B. Binswanger • Benjamin Binswanger • John and Gay Binswanger • Josh Binwanger • Morgan Binswanger Thomas Hales Boggs, Jr. • Boggs Family • Lansing B. Lee, III Christopher A. Pilaro • Patrick Baker and Esme Howard • Andrew R. McFarland • Gavin R. McFarland

• Amber M. Bailey • Jordan C. Brewer • John A. Burton • Folake I. Dosu • Marco F. Ellis, MD • Sebastian Flores • Brennan Gould • Afaf Ibraheem • Tiffany R. Jackson, MD • Sade M. Lawrence • Michael Mekonnen • Daren W. Miller • Michelle Robinson, PhD • Errol C. Saunders, II,EdD • Rassan Walker • Luther G. Williams

PATRON’S CIRCLE

• Jason Adulley • Grant T. Alexander • Kaizen Derrick Asiedu • Joseph P. Browne • Tyrone Clay • Cameron W. Drake • Matthew Espy • Immanuel R. Foster • Geraldine Pierre Haile, PhD • Andrea Headley, PhD • Taylor L. Howell • Christopher A. Hunter, PhD • Danielle C. Lovell Jones • Kory D. Kantenga • Bruke Kifle • Ku McMahan, PhD • Ijah Mondesire-Crump, MD • Brandon L. Nicholson, PhD • Jonathan W. Piper • Aliya J. Sanders • Frelicia N. Tucker

SUPPORTER’S CIRCLE

• Danielle M. Allen • Jordan Alston • Alicia C. Augustin • Jennifer M. Banner Sobers • Jocelyn T. Bell • Abel Berhan • Isaac Brown • Jason Brown • Sharlene M. Brown • Jordan Burstion • William S. Chichester, III • Karasi Cotler • Natalie R. Davis, PhD • Mya L. Thompson Doelling • Wendy F. Francois • Abel Geleta • Njeri Grevious • Sara Hailu • Morgan Harper • Desmond Howard • Ollie M. Howie • Dorothy Smith Jones • Julian Jordan • Devin Kilpatrick • Sarah B. LaBrie • Diarra K. Lamar, MD • Nhaomi Lartey • Martha Leplae-Arthur • Miles Malbrough • Jonathan B. Marable • Saaleha Medlock • Keylonnie L. Miller • Desiree C Montgomery • Antavion Moore • Dasia Moore • Adora I. Mora • Andrew Moton • Jayda Murray • Emily N. Ndiokho • Andrew Ntim • Sando K. Ojukwu, MD

• Esther O. Owolabi • Gregory D. Perryman, Jr. • Kara M. Lee Pierre • Raymond Pryor, IV • Marques J. Redd, PhD • Jerry Registre • Tyrell Russell • Carolanne Sanders • Rebecca Schmitt • Marcus K. Shallow • Nicholas A. Smith, MD • Lora Strum • Harlem Taylor • Saron Tefera • Kiah C. Thorn • Veronica H. Threadgill • Kai Tinsley • Maria I. Velazquez, PhD • Imani Wade • Colin Webb • Armon Williams • Ryan O. Williams-French • Olivia J. Woods • Ellen T. Yiadom Hoover

RON BROWN CAPTAINS

PATRON’S CIRCLE • Noah A. Faison

SUPPORTER’S CIRCLE • Nenye Anagbogu • Leah Winston

VOLUNTEERS We extend a special thanks to the phenomenal members of our Board of Trustees, Advisory Board, Leaders Network Advisory Council, National and Local Selection Committees, GPS volunteers and our many community volunteers. We thank you for your dedication, time, advice and wisdom. Without you, we could not do what we do.

FA L L 2 0 2 3

THANK YOU. W W W. R O N B R O W N .O R G

485 HILLSDALE DRIVE, SUITE 206 • CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA 22901 434.964.1588 • FAX 434.964.1589

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