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The Fund
Board of Directors

Robert W. Sorrell was motivated to establish the R.W. Sorrell Scholarship Fund simply because he felt  the need to repay a kindness he received through a basketball scholarship from an HBCU, Benedict College. Bob often stated, college was out of reach for him financially. Without a scholarship and all the mentors who provided him with valuable experience and insight to sustain him, he was certain his career path would have been different.  By establishing the scholarship fund, his goal was to open a window of opportunity for other minority students of color who needed financial assistance to pursue higher educational goals.

 

The Fund focuses on keeping youthful dreams alive, emphasizing the value of advanced education, training and giving back to communities through volunteerism and community service.

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The R.W. Sorrell Scholarship Fund is a 501C-3 tax-exempt organization that was created to promote and support higher education goals for minority students of color throughout the following five Delaware Valley counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia.

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Scholarship Priorities

The Fund supports youth who:

  • have successfully completed high school

  • have a sincere desire to further educational goals

  • have demonstrated their commitment to community development through volunteerism and community service.
     

  • have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership ability

 

Special emphasis will be given to youth who plan to continue their community service after graduation.

 

How You Can Help

Through endowments and direct donations, the Fund provides a mechanism for families, businesses, and institutions to pay tribute to their heroes.

Board of Directors

Robert W. Sorrell, Chairman 

Posthumous Emeritus

Retired President/CEO, 

Philadelphia Urban League

 

Alma Jean Taylor, President and
Acting Secretary

Retired Special Advisor to Commissioner
of Philadelphia's Dept. of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services

 

Ronald Heigler, 2nd Vice Chairman

President of BGH Consulting, 

Retired President & CEO Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc.

 

Brian Clark, Treasurer

CEO, Greater Philadelphia
Health Action, Inc.

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Royal E. Brown

Retired VP, Treasury Services

Independence Blue Cross

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Rev. Raymond T. Blue

Zion Baptist Church - Minister of Outreach & Evangelism Owner & Operator Best Exterminating Company

Nicole Connell, M.ED

Sr. Exec. Director for Southeastern PA

Adult Behavioral Services

Merakey

 

A. Bruce Crawley

President & CEO

Millennium 3 Management

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Elson R. DeVan

Senior Vice President

Senior Wealth Investment

Wilmington Trust N.A.

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Sandy Moon Hightower

Retired Educator 
Philadelphia School District

 

Jazmin Jervis

Law Clerk

Portnoff Law Associates, Ltd.

 

Martha Johnson*

Retired Administrator
Salvation Army

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Aaron D. Patterson

Vice President, Wealth Manager

BNY Mellon Wealth Management

Chester Riddick

President & CEO

Professional Solutions, Inc.

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Chase Roberts

North American Cash Manager

W.L. Gore & Associates

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Evelyn Sample-Oates

Executive Director, Government
Affairs, Advocacy & Engagement,
School District of Philadelphia

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Dennis K. Thomas

Experienced Insurance and
Reinsurance Professional,
Principal Dennis K. Thomas, LLC

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Charmayne Thompson

School District of Philadelphia

Senior Project Manager
Office of Academics

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*Honorary Board Member

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