Program Updates

Announcements and News about Bessie Morris Foundation Programs

In the Media: 2024 Academic Scholarships Winners

The Bessie Morris Foundation 2024 academic scholarship winners were recently highlighted in an article by LA Sentinel.

June 2024

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2024 Academic Scholarships Winners

The Bessie Morris Foundation is proud to announce our 2024 Academic Scholarship recipients. We are pleased to have identified ten scholars for both their excellence and need. We thank the Southern California Chapter of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives for funding two through their generous Community Service Award Mom and Pop Reddick Scholarship.

June 2024

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First Aid & CPR Training

Students of Audubon Middle School learned life-saving skills in CPR and first aid, such as calling 9-1-1 for help, performing chest compressions, and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).We are pleased to announce all twenty-three students will receive their certificate in CPR and first aid training. We would like to congratulate the students on a job well done!

April 2024

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In the Media: 2023 Academic Scholarships Winners

The Bessie Morris Foundation 2023 academic scholarship winners were recently highlighted in an article by LA Sentinel.

July 2023

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2023 Academic Scholarships Winners

The Bessie Morris Foundation is proud to announce our 2023 Academic Scholarship recipients. We are pleased to have identified ten scholars for both their excellence and need. We thank the Southern California Chapter of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives for funding three through their generous Community Service Award Mom and Pop Reddick Scholarship.

June 2023

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First Aid & CPR Training

Students of Audubon Middle School learned life-saving skills in CPR and first aid, such as calling 9-1-1 for help, performing chest compressions, and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).We are pleased to announce all twenty-three students will receive their certificate in CPR and first aid training. We would like to congratulate the students on a job well done!

May 2023

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Academic Scholarship Now Open for Applications

Available to college students and high school seniors accepted into accredited college for academic year 2023-2024.

Deadline: May 31

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Newsletter

• New Academic Scholarship Program Launched
• 2022 Prom Dream Winners
• Help Inspire Underserved Women

August 2022

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Janis-Joey King-Synagogue: Mom and Pop Reddick Scholarship Recipient

In Fall 2022, she will be a senior at California State University, Chico. Janis gave it her all to reach her goal to attend college while majoring in a field she enjoys — sociology.

August 2022

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Giving Back: Prom Dream 2022 Recipient Loren Araya

This motivated and determined eighteen-year old Hawthorne High School senior was selected for the Bessie Morris Foundation 2022 Prom Dreams scholarship. Loren also received an academic scholarship from the Bessie Morris Foundation.

August 2022

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Inaugural NOBLE Reddick Scholarship Awardee: Brielle Y. Terry

Multi-talented Brielle Y. Terry is grateful to have received the support of the Southern California Chapter of NOBLE for her first year as a Mount St. Mary’s University, Los Angeles student. Brielle will begin her college studies in the fall of 2022, majoring in English.

August 2022

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First Book Fair Held at 118th Elementary in Los Angeles

Bessie Morris Foundation gave each of the participating children a copy of Unstoppable Me by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer and Kristina Tracy.

November 2021

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Virtual Workshop at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

The first institution of higher learning founded for African Americans, Cheyney University held a virtual tour of the campus that inspired the youth participating in Bessie Morris Foundation's Leadership Academy onto the pathway of college.

August 2021

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Virtual Workshop at Cornell University for Leadership Academy MS Students

Thank you to the Kessler Presidential Scholars for facilitating College Prep Workshop.

June 2021

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Dresses Donated for "A Night in Paris"

For their 2018 prom, the Bessie Morris Foundation donated dresses to the Dorothy Kirby Center, a facility where young ladies and young men with mental health issues are detained in the justice system. This year's theme was A Night in Paris.

November 2018

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Tania John's Reflections on Her Prom

"The prom was great. I had a blast and it will definitely be a night to remember," says Tania. If I wasn’t picked as a winner, I wouldn’t have gone to prom. I would have missed out on one of the best times of my life.

November 2018

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Joycelyn Martinez Selected for 2018 Prom Dreamms - Exploring Life's Opportunities

"I was extremely excited and felt blessed to be given the opportunity to attend the most memorable night of high school." She is now attending California State University, Dominguez Hills

October 2018

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A Cinderella Story: Lorena Carreto

Sometimes high school can be a challenge. Sometimes there is just a little too much drama. For Lorena, one of her dreams was to walk into her high school prom radiant and beautiful just like Cinderella and and feel lifted above the drama. Poof! Enter fairy godmother Ivory Freeman, founder of the Bessie Freeman Foundation and its Prom Dreams program.

August 2018

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This Year's Leadership Academy Held at Johnnie Cochran Middle School

This after-school program runs for eight weeks and focuses on building self-esteem, college preparation, financial literacy and wellness for middle school girls. This year, the participants were surprised with t-shirts!

2017

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Newsletter

• Prom Dreams Alumni Honor Roll
• School Enrichment
• Leadership Academy
• Reach for the Stars Conference

Fall 2014

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Newsletter

• Prom Dreams 2012 Recipients
• In the Spotlight - Alumni News
• Leadership Academy - Tour of the Walt Disney Studios
• We Need Your Support

Spring 2013

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A Day at the Los Angeles Clippers' Game with Blake Griffin

We were blessed to received tickets ad share with students of 109th Street Elementary School in Los Angeles.

March 2011

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Newsletter

• Special Message from the Founder
• Prom Night Dreams 2009 Recipients
• Congratulations to Alumni Graduates
• Special Thanks

Spring 2010

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Newsletter

• Special Message from the Founder
• Letter from a Prom Dreams Recipient

Spring 2009

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Newsletter

• Prom Night Dreams 2007 Coverage
• Upcoming Events
• Special Mesage from the Founder
• Letter from Lauren Holmes
• 2007 Sponsors

Spring 2008

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Book Grant

Bessie Morris Foundation awarded a $250 grant to help fund her books to the 2005 Prom Dreams winnder Mercedes Cook. The BOok Grants were made possible by the generosity of Brotherhood Crusade.

2006

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In the News: LA Sentinel

Prom Dreams Comes Tue for Low-Income Students: Los Angeles Sentinel published artcile about Prom Dreams winnder Tatiana McGlorthan from Gardena High School, and her date Brenden Arakaki for the prom.

2005

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