Program Update

Ivory Freeman with Regina Scott, retired LAPD Deputy Chief, at the Community Award at NOBLE conference.

New Academic Scholarship Program

Education is a cornerstone for success. As the Foundation evolves, academic scholarships are an excellent way to assist bright, young scholars in reaching their dreams to attain higher education. Even for those who have been awarded financial aid, the funds are not distributed until after the school session has begun which makes it difficult for some to purchase school supplies and dorm furnishings to prepare for campus life.

The Bessie Morris Foundation is proud to introduce its new Academic Scholarship program. The program was launched when the Southern California Chapter of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives recognized Ivory Freeman and the Foundation and presented them with the Community Award in the form of the Mom and Pop Reddick Scholarship. Roberta Reddick, for whom the scholarship was co-named, was an extraordinary trailblazer for African American women in law enforcement. She began her career with the Los Angeles Police Department in 1947 when there were less than ten black women in the department. She was a "first" in many law enforcement roles during her thirty-year career. Roberta was an inspiration for many aspiring black women.

The Bessie Morris Foundation was honored to select four inaugural awardees who are committed to giving back and making a difference in their community and embody the spirit of Roberta Reddick. Our Inaugural Awardees are:

• Brielle Y. Terry will start her college studies in the fall at Mount St. Mary’s University, Los Angeles, majoring in English.
• Janis-Joey King-Synagogue will continue her studies as a senior at California State University, Chico, majoring in Sociology.
• Noella Bih will begin medical school at American University of Antiqua in the Caribbean Islands this August.
• Jaelyn Garrard is a Computer Science major at California State University, Long Beach. She will be a junior in the fall.

2022 Prom Dreams Winners

This year’s Prom Dream winners were Loren Araya of Hawthorne High School and Brielle Y. Terry of Verdugo Hills High School. Loren will be attending University of California, Santa Barbara in the fall.

You Can Help Inspire Underserved Women

Since 2005, the Bessie Morris Foundation has been inspiring young women to realize their dreams through an emphasis on academic performance, self-esteem, self-confidence and self-sufficiency. The Foundation offers leadership development, health education, mentoring, personal development, and character-building programs to at-risk, underprivileged Los Angeles area girls.

The Bessie Morris Foundation is especially grateful for the Los Angeles City Council District 10’s sponsorship. We send a “shout out” to all of our friends and supporters who donated twenty dresses - you helped students of Miguel Contreras Learning Complex in Downtown Los Angeles enjoy their prom.

You can support our mission with your generous donations. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

With much thanks,

Ivory Freeman

Founder
The Bessie Morris Foundation

PDF version of Newsletter

More About Academic Scholarships

About the Prom Dreams Program