(Dallas, TX – July 1, 2009) The Tom Joyner Foundation and Denny’s have awarded nearly $32,000 to 21 single parent scholars attending black colleges as part of a year long effort to help the parents complete their college education.
The partnership, which started last year, provides winners of the Tom Joyner Foundation® and Denny’s Single Parent Student Scholarship $1,500 grants toward their education at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). A new grant winner is awarded every week in 2009. The students hail from cities large and small all around the country, including Richmond, VA, Talladega, AL, Winston, NC and Dover, DE.
“This partnership with Denny’s has been huge reason why single parents at our black colleges are completing their education,” said Tom Joyner, the nationally syndicated media personality and host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, who created the Foundation in 1998 to help keep students enrolled in HBCUs. “During a time when many companies have been cutting back, Denny’s has stepped it up, and it really making a difference.”
April Kelly-Drummond, Denny’s Director of Corporate Diversity, said, “The partnership with the Tom Joyner Foundation® helps Denny’s further their commitment to building strong families, promoting community service and advancing educational opportunities. The scholarship program helps single-parent students further their education, providing greater opportunities for their own families and advancing the community as a whole.”
According to the United States Census Bureau, the number of single-parent families has steadily increased during the past five years. In 2006, there were more than 2.9 million single-parent, African American families in the United States. In 2004, the National Center for Education Statistics found that 30% of all students currently enrolled in a degree-granting institution were minorities, a 16% increase in the last 30 years.
The single parent scholarship is awarded each week to a single parent attending the Tom Joyner Foundation’s “School of the Month.” This joint partnership is a reflection of Denny’s and the Tom Joyner Foundation’s shared belief that a commitment to higher education is the key to a better workforce and improved conditions for all communities.
Since January, Denny’s and the Foundation have provided scholarships to students from Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA; Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO; Winston Salem State University, Winston Salem, NC; Allen University, Columbia, SC; Talladega College, Talladega, AL; and Delaware State University, Dover, DE. For the remainder of the year, selected single parent students will receive scholarships from Langston University, Langston, OK; University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD; Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL; Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA and Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA.
Here’s a list of the Denny’s Single Parent Student Scholars:
Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA
- Shatera Bradley, a freshman elementary education major from Chesapeake, VA., is a full-time student and single parent of a 7-month old daughter, Semajah. A track and field enthusiast, Bradley is a member of the Virginia Union track team, and she is an active member of the NAACP. After pursing her bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher in the Richmond public school system.
- SheNesia Hopkins, a senior biology major from Wilson, NC, is a full-time student and single parent of a 16-month old son, Xavier Nasim. She is a MARC U* Star trainee, a member of the MBR Rise Research program and president of the Young Democrats organization. After graduation, she plans to pursue her doctorate in physical therapy.
- Kelli Osborne, a senior accounting major from Sacramento, CA, is a full-time student and single parent of a 9 year old son, Robert. She is currently president of the Accounting Club, and is a student leader in the Student Leadership Development Academy on Virginia Union’s campus. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she plans to obtain a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on accounting. Her goal is to pursue a career in accounting.
- DeMario Light, a senior computer analysis major from Richmond, VA, is a full-time student and single father. He is a member of the collegiate chapter of 100 Black Men and was very involved in this year’s planning of the Community Awareness Day held in Richmond to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. After graduation, he plans to obtain his master’s degree in computer information systems and pursue a career as a computer analyst.
Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO
- James Curtis Dickens, a junior majoring in criminal justice from St. Louis, MO. He is a full-time student and single parent of five children, ages 4 through 14. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and the Lincoln University Marching Storm’s drum line. He also volunteers in the Jefferson City community, teaching young people to play drums and other musical instruments. Upon graduation, Dickens plans to pursue a career as a truant officer and work with troubled inner city youth.
- Elizabeth Mosby, a junior business administration student from Kirkwood, MO. She is the single parent of a 19-month-old daughter. She also is a cheerleader and volunteer freshmen orientation group leader. Upon graduation, she wants to work for the U.S. Postal Service and eventually become Postmaster General.
- Iuesha Wright, a freshman accounting major from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. She is the single parent of a 2-year-old daughter. An avid tennis player, she is a member of the school’s tennis team and is secretary of the International Student Association. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Ms. Wright plans to become a Certified Public Accountant and open her own accounting firm.
- Leslie Ferguson, a freshman nursing student form Fulton, MO. Ferguson is a volunteer with the AmeriCorps program at Missouri Girls Town. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue a career as a registered nurse.
Winston Salem State University, Winston Salem, NC
- Keren Williams, a senior majoring in Rehabilitation Studies and ASL- Sign Language, is a full-time student and single parent of two children: a son, age 14 and a daughter, age 12. She is a member of the Winston Salem State University Rehabilitation Studies Club, the Winston Salem Carmel City Thrashers Roller Derby League for Women, and volunteers at the Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement facility. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a graduate degree at Winston Salem State University in Deaf Studies.
- Leala Carter, a sophomore, is a nursing student from Winston-Salem, NC. She is full-time student and single parent of four children. She volunteers with Just for Me Life Group Power Builders, working with four and five year olds at the Agape Faith Church. Upon graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and attend a nurse anesthesia program.
- Joann Hairston, a senior majoring business administration from Philadelphia, PA. She is a full-time student and single mother of a 19-year old daughter. She is a member of Union Baptist Church and volunteers at the Winston-Salem Soup Kitchen and Homeless Shelter. Upon graduation, she plans to obtain her master’s degree in business administration and work for her alma mater, Winston-Salem State University.
- Diana Barker, a junior, is a social work major from Winston-Salem, NC, is a full-time student and single mother of two children, ages 2 and 8. She is “team mom” for their football and baseball teams. Upon graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in social work as a case manager working with senior citizens.
- Carlette Potter, a freshman, is majoring in business administration student from Winston-Salem, NC. She is a full-time student and single mother of two daughters. She is a youth leader at Transformation Ministries. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue her master’s degree of business administration and become an entrepreneur.
Allen University, Columbia. SC
- Sharonda Alston, of Conway, South Carolina, is a senior biology/pre-med student. She is full-time student and single parent of a 2-month old daughter, Anani. She is president of the collegiate chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and serves as a student leader and ambassador for the university. Upon graduation, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a general pediatrician.
- Sabrisha Jackson, of Winnsboro, South Carolina, is a freshman majoring in chemistry. She is full-time student and single parent of an 18-month old daughter, Trinity. She is a math tutor and a member of the Allen University Cheerleader team. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a Forensic Science Technician and serve as a mentor to others interested in careers in forensic science.
- Shaniva Portee, of Columbia, South Carolina, is a freshman majoring in business administration. She is full-time student and single parent of a 9-month old son, Kameron. She is a member of NAACP and works full-time at the Word of God Thrift Store, a non-profit organization in Columbia, SC that raises money to assist homeless women and children. Upon graduation, she plans to open a day care center.
- April Ford, of Georgetown, South Carolina, is a freshman majoring in biology. She is full-time student and single parent of an 18-month old daughter, Zoey. She is a member of the YPD’er (Youth Program Development Board) and the student chapter of NAACP. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a labor and delivery nurse.
Talladega College, Talladega, AL
- Joshua Clark, of Chicago, IL, is a senior Psychology student from Chicago, IL. He is a full-time student and single parent of two children, Alicia, 4 and Kaleb, 1. He is an active member of the Talladega College Pre-Alumni Council, treasurer of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and senator for the Student Government Association. In 2008, he was inducted into “Who’s Who among Black Colleges and Universities.” Upon graduation, he plans to attend graduate school and obtain a Ph..D. in Career Counseling.
- Skekneko Garrett, of Talladega, AL, is a freshman majoring in education. She is a full-time student and single parent of two children, a 23-month old daughter, Sommer and a 6-month old son, Desmond. In her spare time, Shekneko is a Crimson Ambassador and serves on the Talladega College Pre-Alumni Council. Upon graduation, she plans to obtain her master’s degree in business administration and enlist in the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Sharonda Witson, of Talladega, AL, is a senior business organizational management student from Talladega, Alabama. She is a full-time student, works full-time at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama and is a single parent of two sons, Christian, 9 and Keyshawn, 7. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the National Honor’s Society. She is also on the National Dean’s List. Upon graduation, she plans to take additional courses in Spanish, Braille and sign language, pursue her master’s degree in business administration and start her own marketing firm.
- Tekla Fluker, of Talladega, AL, is a senior majoring in business management from Talladega, Alabama. She is a full-time student and single parent of two children, Micah, 11 and Morgan, 4. Fluker serves as a Crimson Ambassador and is a member of the Talladega College Pre-Alumni Council. Upon graduation, she plans pursue her master’s degree in business administration and start a non-profit organization that assists the disabled and elderly.
About the Tom Joyner Foundation:
Founded in 1998, the Tom Joyner Foundation has focused on its primary mission of helping to keep students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). The Foundation has raised more than $55 million to help keep students enrolled in black colleges and has assisted more than 14,000 students and worked with more than 100 HBCUs. Throughout the week, the Foundation announces scholarship winners on the nationally syndicated radio show hosted by its founder, Tom Joyner. Each week, separate financial awards are focused on students who are single parents and “The Herc”, which is for black male students at the foundation’s ‘Schools of the Month’. The organization’s largest annual fundraiser is its “Fantastic Voyage”TM, which is a seven-day, six-night cruise that raises more than $1 million a year.
About Denny’s:
Denny’s is America’s largest full-service family restaurant chain, with more than 1,500 locations. For more than 50 years, Denny’s has been serving up real breakfast 24/7. Home of the famous Grand Slam® breakfast Denny’s provides a variety of flavorful food and beverage choices. For more information on Denny’s, please visit www.dennys.com.