The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce Education Fund and Foundation (GLAAACC Ed Fund) provided 12 high school seniors bound for college with some much needed financial assistance. GLAAACC Ed Fund hosted “Superstars for Success,” a reception to honor the scholarship recipients at Microsoft Technology Center in Playa Vista on June 20. The students from Washington Preparatory, Dorsey, Crenshaw and Jordan High Schools received scholarships ranging from $750 to $6,000 to defray college expenses.
“GLAAACC’s primary mission is to advocate and create favorable legislation for small minority businesses, but we also have a responsibility to make sure there is a pipeline of future business owners,” said GLAAACC Chairman Gene Hale. “We consider these scholarships a down payment on the future of minority businesses.”
Sponsor representatives from Union Bank, Merrill Lynch/Bank of America, Wells Fargo, CIT, Plenary, Southern California Gas and Northrop Grumman introduced the scholarship recipients and gave them words of advice and encouragement. Other supporters who provided financial support for the scholarship included LADWP, California Resource Corporation, JKH Consulting, Ogletree Deakins Law Firm, Valero, Concourse Concessions, Hensel Phelps, Lem Daniels, Felix Whittaker, The Hale Foundation, and California Bank & Trust.
As a part of their investment in underserved communities, LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS), the contractor for LAX Automated People Mover, donated $120,000 to GLAAACC Ed Fund. LINXS Inclusivity Manager Sophia Cavalli spoke about the business consortium’s “once in a generation opportunity” to make an impact upon students in South Los Angeles.
“Our partnership with GLAAACC will change many lives and we are proud to support students who are the future of Los Angeles,” said Cavalli.
GLAAACC Ed Fund Scholarship Chair Eric Boyd announced a special scholarship his family was awarding in honor of his mother who believed in the power of education. Joyce Boyd earned a college degree while working and raising five children. In addition to the GLAAACC Ed Fund Scholarship, four female students also received the Joyce Boyd Family Memorial Scholarship.
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas congratulated the students who graduated from high schools located in his 2nd supervisorial district. He also reiterated the Board of Supervisor’s commitment to education and spoke about the revitalization of the Vermont/Manchester area in South Los Angeles. This project includes plans for a public charter college-preparatory boarding high school that will prepare youth for a career and college pathways in the transportation and infrastructure industry. The academy is intended to focus on science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).
“Today, we need to make an enduring investment in tomorrow’s leaders and as you can see from all the projects that are in the works, transportation and infrastructure are where tomorrow’s jobs will be,” said Supervisor Ridley Thomas.
Since 1999, GLAAACC Ed Fund has provided 121 inner-city and foster care youth with over $472,000 in scholarships and provided financial support for educational programs that promote the academic progression of students with a particular emphasis on those students pursuing a business-related major.
For more information on GLAAACC Ed Fund or to make a donation, visit glaaacc.org.
