The Porters Support Education Even As Recession Bites

Thanks to Alfred Porter Sr. and his family for their outstanding, visionary leadership. More organizations should embrace and support our students.

[Education]


This has been a year dominated by grim economic outlook. Many organizations have tightened their purse strings and donations to charities have decreased.

There is also no shortage of unflattering news about today’s youths in the media. However, in spite of this grave forecast, a rose has sprung up in Brooklyn. This treasure, vital to life as the blood that flows in our veins, is the Porter Foundation, and they continue to give substantial scholarships to High School graduates every year because they truly recognize that only a sound education can brighten our youth’s horizon.

A recent celebratory function for the Porter Foundation helped highlight the importance of giving for education.

The Porters opened their establishment, The LAB Catering & Entertainment Hall, located at 1428 Harriet Tubman Blvd. (Fulton Street) in Bedford-Stuyvesant on June 26th for their fifteenth Annual Scholarship Awards Reception. It was breathtaking to see 16 young ladies and gentlemen in the procession. One recipient, Imani Francis, a 16 year old with an Advanced Regents Diploma, is on her way to college on the path of becoming a Pediatrician. This is the quality of the fabric from which the awardees is cut.

Last year, 22 scholarships were awarded to graduates. Mrs. Doris Porter outlined the statement of purpose for the Porter Foundation which also honors the memory of late family members. This Not-for-Profit foundation is true to its goals, one of which is,” to cultivate and stimulate the educational achievement and intellectual development of individuals by all available means and methods.” The Porters have awarded more than 200 scholarships to youths since the creation of the Porter Foundation 15 years ago and each scholarship has been for $1,000 or more. These actions by the President and Chairman Alfred Porter Sr., his wife Doris and the entire Porter family are a testament to their commitment to the education of our children.

There was an aura of cultural pride and accomplishments. The guests at the recent well-attended function, were from all walks of life and they exuded respect for a job well done by the Porters and each parent. The elders do recognize that the torch is being passed to a capable and worthy generation of future leaders.

Mr. Porter said, “Children of African Ancestry are worthy of our investment, and James Weldon Johnson also envisioned this moment in 1900 when he stated in the lyrics of lift every voice and sing ‘out of the gloomy past, till now we stand at last, where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.'”

Thanks to Alfred Porter Sr. and his family for their outstanding, visionary leadership. More organizations should embrace and support our students.

“Speaking Truth To Empower.”

                            

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