Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation marks 45 years boosting Michigan students – The Detroit News
The Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation is set to celebrate 45 years as a Michigan-based group helping students attend college.
An anniversary gala is scheduled for Nov. 1 at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.
The event is slated to feature Detroit native and Emmy Award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance as the keynote speaker.
Jamal Simmons, a CNN political commentator and podcast co-host, is the alumni speaker.
Guests have the opportunity to attend a VIP reception in front of Parks’ historic bus, followed by dinner and dancing.
Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.
The foundation, which started in 1980, has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to at least 1,600 high school seniors across the state.
“Each recipient exemplifies Mrs. Parks’ ideals of courage, service, and leadership in their communities,” said Jim Rosenfeld, president of the foundation’s board, in a statement.
He added that funds raised at the upcoming event will support the next generation of students as they pursue higher education.
Monice Mitchell, an alum of the program, award-winning author and producer, credited the scholarship with boosting her confidence.
“The Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation…saw me and let me know that I was worthy,” she said in a statement.
The foundation was founded by Parks in partnership with The Detroit News and Detroit Public Schools.
Erica Thedford, Parks’ great-niece and a member of the board, said her aunt was “always pushing us to make sure we went as far as we could with our education and never stopped learning. That was the way to further everything – she was big on education and reaching back and pulling somebody up with you.”
mjohnson@detroitnews.com
