The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program
Mission Statement:
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program was established in Brooklyn, New York in 1996 by Founder/Executive Director Jermaine Somerset. The scholarship program honors Jermaine's grandfather, Fred Somerset. The mission of The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program, Inc. is to serve as a fund to promote community development and unity for youth, young adults, and their families who are negatively impacted by inequality and racial disparity in the areas of physical and mental health, literacy, education, finance, and cultural awareness, as well as to encourage educational advancement through the award of scholarships to deserving and financially challenged students. In remembrance of the elder Somerset's favorite saying: "Your wealth won't be measured by how much money you have; your wealth will be measured by how many lives you touch," the scholarship program was created as a legacy to Fred Somerset and his teachings on selfless service to community. We proudly serve Northern Virginia; Richmond, Virginia; Southern Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Western Pennsylvania; Northeastern Ohio; New York tri-state area; Southeastern Pennsylvania; the country of Barbados; and the Republic of Brazil.
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program is a cumulation of the lessons learned from the cherished wisdom of yesterday, with the educational excellence and youthful intelligence of today, to promote the insurmountable advancement and elevation of our tomorrow through financial donations, community events, fundraisers, workshops, sponsorships, and grants.
THE FRED SOMERSET MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
JOIN US as we do this work. Through our 501(c)(3), your support is now tax-deductible!! For more information, please email us at the.somerset.program@gmail.com
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F- Funding for those in need
R- Rooted in black culture & African American history
E- Educational excellence
D- Determined to make a difference
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program is pleased to announce The Education and the Arts Project for the period of October 2023 through November 2024. Additional details, including session announcements, are coming soon.
The Education and the Arts Project will benefit the residents of the historic Capitol Hill and Anacostia communities in Washington, D.C.; as well as Northern, Central, and Southeast Virginia, by using the arts as a catalyst to improve the generational development of families through positive health and economic means. The Education and the Arts Project will utilize workshops to educate its participants by addressing a need to encourage improved dietary habits through the knowledge of healthier food options; assisting in the eradication of food insecurity; stressing physical fitness to combat high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity; in addition to promoting mental and physical health by discussing early detection of anxiety and depressive disorders, learning disabilities, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Additionally, financial professionals will divulge processes to promote financial literacy by teaching strategies for the development of short-and-long-term savings and investment plans, family financial planning by using budgets, financial and debt management tools, and stressing the importance of using life insurance as a generational wealth practice. The project will also educate our participants regarding the benefit of the grant application versus loan application process for higher learning funding. The Education and the Arts Project workshop facilitators will consist of local educators, health professionals, financial professionals, local historians, and curators. By using the arts, including the early achievements and contributions of African Americans to our society, our participants will receive exposure to unique experiences that will foster improved cultural awareness and fuel advancements in their educational achievement through the knowledge of African American culture obtained from professional members of the community who may not have been easily accessible to our participants previously.
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program is proud to sponsor Springfield Central High School's Class of 1988 during their 35th Class Reunion. Our organization is especially excited to sponsor the reunion this year in honor of our board member, Edward "Jamil" Miller, who is a very proud member of the Class of 1988. The great Class of 1988 enjoys a reunion every five years and is known for producing multiple educators and community leaders. Springfield Central High School is located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program sends congratulations to the Class of 1988!! Furthermore, during this Veterans Day weekend, we would like to recognize our board member retired SKC Chief United States Coast Guard Mr. Edward "Jamil" Miller for his 25 years of service!!!! Salute my Brother!!!
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program would like to thank Ms. Mariana Souza, Director of Finance, and Ms. Sabrina Schwab, Human Resource Director, at the JW Marriot Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for meeting with our Executive Director, Jermaine Somerset, to discuss a partnership for The Marriott English Language Project. The Marriott English Language Project is our newest scholarship project created specifically to benefit associates of the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro who desire to speak the English language fluently. Associates in the project will be awarded financial assistance to enroll as students in “Path to Fluency.” The Path to Fluency course is taught by instructor, Mr. Jonatas “Teacher Jonatas” Lourenco. Our organization intentionally collaborated with Teacher Jonatas for The Marriott English Language Project because we have great confidence in Teacher Jonatas’ qualifications to accomplish the vision of this unique project. Our organization has already enrolled two JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro associates in The Marriott English Language Project: Ms. Lorraine Santos and Ms. Erika Bento. Ms. Santos and Ms. Bento are members of the hospitality staff, and both are experiencing a significant increase in their ability to speak the English language and to confidently engage with hotel guests who visit the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro.
Jermaine Somerset, Executive Director of The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program attended the Juneteenth celebration in Farrell, Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program would like to extend our gratitude again to Mayor Kimberly Doss and the Farrell Police Department in support of the recent Legacy Cultural Project, a cultural trip to Selma and Montgomery, Alabama sponsored by the program during which Farrell, Pennsylvania high school students, family, and community leaders explored deep South history and engaged in nightly Q & A sessions reflecting on the day’s activities and the creation of steps aimed at increased positive community development for the future. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program stands together with Mayor Doss and the Farrell Police Department in combined efforts to continue the goal of the Legacy Cultural Project with discussions of innovative and progressive ideas to embrace a collaborative approach to the fostering of healing by bridging divides within the City of Farrell.
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program is extremely excited to have sponsored Farrell, Pennsylvania high school students, family, and community leaders on The Legacy Cultural Project, a cultural trip to Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. Student Syon Rain (Class of 2024), his mother Roxanne West, Student Destini McDonald (Class of 2026), her grandmother Deborah Gavins, Student Brielle Foore (Class of 2028), her mother Tonya Foore, Mayor Kimberly Doss, School Board Member Reverend Tiffany Holden, and Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Emily Clare attended the trip hosted by The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program and its Founder/Executor Director, Jermaine Somerset (1991 Farrell High School graduate). The group visited the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama (the site of the brutal “Bloody Sunday”), The Legacy Museum (located on the site of a former warehouse where Black people were forced to labor), the Riverfront Park in downtown Montgomery, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice (a memorial to the 4,400 African Americans who were lynched in this country between 1877 and 1950). Mr. Somerset engaged the group in nightly Q & A sessions to reflect on the day’s activities and the development of steps aimed at increased positive community development for the future. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program understands the importance of building strong community relations. To accomplish this goal, the program focuses on the “Four Pillars” that are a foundation of our communities: Citizens, Community Leadership, Law Enforcement, and Education. We are strongly committed to the process of activism, and we promote a collaborative approach to the fostering of healing by bridging divides between those four pillars. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program is proud to continue its mission of giving back to the City of Farrell, Pennsylvania.
I had a great meeting with Chief of Police Charles (Chuck) Rubano of the City of Farrell, Pennsylvania. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program along with Mayor Kimberly Doss of the City of Farrell are proud to announce The Legacy Cultural Project. The Legacy Cultural Project is an educational trip designed to embrace cultural diversity, promote unity, and encourage positive community and police relations within the City of Farrell, Pennsylvania. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program is excited to partner with the City of Farrell to host five students and their parents, together with city officials (school board and faculty, city council, and law enforcement) in Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. The group will travel to Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma and The Legacy Museum and Riverfront Park in Montgomery to explore deep South history. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program wishes to extend its greatest appreciation to Mayor Kimberly Doss; City Manager, Mr. Ben Prescott; Chief of Police Charles (Chuck) Rubano, and Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction for Farrell Area School District, Dr. Emily Clare, for supporting this project.
https://businessjournaldaily.com/farrell-students-leaders-to-visit-civil-rights-sites/
To support this project, please make your tax deductible donations at:
PayPal
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=EF4T3T724PVE2
Zelle
the.somerset.program@gmail.com
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$thesomersetprogram
Mr. Jermaine Somerset receives a Proclamation from Mayor Ollie McKeithan of the City of Farrell, Pennsylvania for his community service and dedication to cultural unity through the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program.
SummerFest 2 Benefit Concert July 30, 2017. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program and the City of Farrell, Pennsylvania welcomed world renowned recording artists Slick Rick, Kangol Kid of UTFO, and Grandmaster Dee of Whodini. Funds were raised in support of health screening and donations were made to the local food banks. In addition, The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program donated funds to the Farrell High School Football Boosters.
The Staff at the Hilton Atlanta Airport, in Atlanta, Georgia welcomed the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program and program contributor, Kangol Kid of UTFO. The Hilton Atlanta Airport is instrumental in providing temporary accommodations for students during life changing events.
Please meet Ms. Lorraine Santos. Lorraine is originally from Nova Iguaçu, a city located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and currently works in hospitality at JW Marriot Rio de Janeiro located in Copacabana. Lorraine is also studying administration.
Brazil is a Portuguese speaking country. Learning to speak the English language adds great value to the overall success of one in the country. Lorraine dreamed of an opportunity to increase her ability to speak English. So, the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program partnered with language instructor, Mr. Jonatas Lourenço, to make Lorraine's dreams come true. Instructor @teacherjonatas runs an online academy to teach languages, including English, to adults. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program, along with Instructor Lourenco, is proud to give Lorraine this opportunity to learn the English language and further her educational and professional milestones.
Please meet Ms. Erica Monica Bento. Erica is originally from Campo Grande, the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso d Sul. Erica currently works in hospitality at JW Marriot Rio de Janeiro located in Copacabana. Erica is motivated to continue her professional growth as a Marriott associate, and her hobbies include reading, traveling, and enjoying nature.
Brazil is a Portuguese speaking country. Learning to speak the English language adds great value to the overall success of one in the country. Erica's has express the desire to increase her ability to speak English. So, the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program partnered with language instructor, Mr. Jonatas Lourenço, to make Erica's goal come true. Instructor @teacherjonatas runs an online academy to teach languages, including English, to adults. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program, along with Instructor Lourenco, is proud to give Erica this opportunity to learn the English language and further her educational and professional milestones.
Ms. Michaela Clarke is a Barbadian born student who attended the University of the West Indies Cave Hill where she studied social work. Michaela was so moved by her undergraduate placement program that she decided to pursue her studies further. Currently, she is enrolled as a student of King's College London pursuing a Masters in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Michaela is hopeful these two degrees will allow her to fulfill her goals and interests in working with institutionalized children in residential care.
Mr. Ny'Lan Hosey is a 2019-2023 recipient of The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program. Ny'Lan is a 2017 graduate of Farrell High School in Farrell, Pennsylvania. Ny'Lan is attending Thiel University in Greenville, Pennsylvania. He is studying Exercise Science at the undergraduate level.
Ms. Yasrian Carvey is a 2011 recipient of the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program. Yasrian received her bachelor's degree in Psychology at Clemson University and Studied Organizational Leadership and Learning at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Yasrian is pictured on the left and her mother on the right.
Meet Ms. Jordan Sutton, a 2021 recipient of The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program. Jordan is a 2019 graduate of South Brunswick High School in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. Jordan’s desire is to open multiple adolescent mental health clinics in underserved black and brown communities. By obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree at William Paterson College in Wayne, New Jersey, Jordan strives to become the adult she needed when she was a teen.
Congratulations to my son, Mr. Markell Somerset. He received his bachelor's degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Network & Information from George Mason University College of Engineering and Computing, Fairfax, Virginia. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program would like to congratulate all students of the Class of 2023!!!!