Joseph L. Earley Jr. Scholarship Luncheon 2016 by DPI Graphic Design

Welcome Author Blair Nash Invocation Dr. Robert L. Murphy, World Harvest Church Musical Selection Maya Price Foundation Overview Gloria Earley ~ Lunch is served ~ Introduction of the Keynote Speaker Author Blair Nash Musical Selection Maya Price Keynote Address Dr. Sidney R. Childs Introduction of the Scholarship Recipient Joseph L. Earley, Sr., Gloria Earley Scholarship Recipient’s Remarks Derrico Holloway Closing Remarks Joseph L. Earley, Sr., Gloria Earley

_________________________________________ “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” ~Nelson Mandela

▲ Joseph L. Earley, Jr. (R) pictured with sister, Lisa Earley and business magnate Russell Simmons.

ho was Joseph L. Earley, Jr.? He was born to Joseph L. Earley, Sr. and Gloria J. Earley on January 11, 1967, in Massillon, Ohio. Joe was the brother to Brian Earley, Heather Jordan, Jennifer Williams, Lisa Earley, Racina Burke and the father to John Adkins, Aaliyah and Jeremiah Earley. Joseph was “Uncle Joe” to his 10 nieces and nephews. He was affectionately called “Ario” by many of his friends. Joe was a 1985 graduate of McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio. He attended Mansfield Business College and Buff State. The majority of his adult life was spent in New York. While living in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Joe and a friend established a mentoring program for local youth to get them off the streets. They obtained a building and provided a safe place for youth to gather. The teens were able to study and receive assistance as well as recreational activities such as learning to shoot pool, play

chess and other games. He quickly gained support from city officials who bought into the vision. Joe had a passion for mentoring and helping those less fortunate. He believed that knowledge was power and the key to success. Joseph L. Earley, Jr. was a dedicated, hard worker. He was an entrepreneur, comedian, and a true trail blazer. Joe owned and operated five different clothing stores as well as a restaurant and performed standup comedy. He trained teenagers in salesmanship. Joe taught them how to organize a store, and work the retail business, letting them know that one day they could also own their own business. He enjoyed teaching youth and provoking them to think critically and come up with answers and solutions. Joseph was extremely intelligent. He wanted the best education for his children, and longed for the same for children who were victims ► 3

of societal woes falling into the “less fortunate” category. As you can see, Joseph was an awesome person. He cared deeply for others. Joe was a giver! Through Joe’s dreams, the Foundation was established to reach out particularly to children from single parent homes. The mentorship program will instill values and the desire to obtain education and training beyond high school. On an annual basis, the scholarship program will award a high school graduating student (or students) a scholarship to pursue post-secondary education. ■

MISSION STATEMENT

he Foundation will provide an avenue to mentor young men and women from single parent homes. The Foundation will build strong futures for these young people through establishing healthy value systems. It is the goal of the Foundation to decrease gang activity, violence, drugs, bullying and teen pregnancies. The Foundation will provide annual scholarship benefits to those students who qualify and meet the criterion of the Foundation’s guidelines.

y name is Derrico Holloway and I am a senior honor roll student who attends Harvest Preparatory School. As a child I grew up in a single parent home with my mother, grandmother, and cousin. I was born two months after my uncleÍž brother to my mother and son of my grandmother was murdered in January of 1998. My cousin who was my uncle's only son and I were close in age only 2 and a half years apart and practically raised as brothers. We lived with my grandmother and I can remember her assisting a lot and being very influential in our upbringing. My grandmother gave us a structured christian home that showed us what Faith was all about. Although grateful that we were loved and had two parents in the household that still did not stop me from wondering why my father was not involved in my life. I can recall growing up and my mother or grandmother would be the one to show me things that my friendsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fathers were teaching them. My mother and grandmother were the ones who taught me to ride a bike, throw a ball, and shoot a basketball. I can remember at different times wondering why my father was not in my life. I wondered why my mother had to struggle alone to make sure that my cousin and I had what we needed to survive. I can recall looking at the photos of my mother and my uncle when they played basketball growing up. I then began to develop a passion for the game of basketball. Playing basketball was my everything. I loved to watch basketball at all levels and play basketball whenever I had the chance. I have always found it to be important to be successful in school so that I can continue to be successful throughout my life. My mom and my grandmother would always tell us to do our best in everything that we do. We were not required to be on the Honor Roll it was just something that I took pride in myself on. I want my mom and my grandmother to know that I appreciate all that they have sacrificed to make sure that I was afforded a great education as well as had what I needed while I was growing up. I have always prided myself in making sure that I do everything to the best of my potential. I will be the first one in my family that will actually graduate high school and go to college. I will make my mother and my grandmother proud and most importantly myself. â&#x2013; 5

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. Sidney R. Childs

r. Sidney R. Childs currently serves as the interim Vice President for Student Affairs at Bowling Green State University, where he has been a member of the administration since 1992. He has extensive experience with advising, student retention programs and initiatives, budget management; grant acquisitions and oversight of student programs. Childs formerly served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs for Access, Diversity and Inclusion programs, with the goal of increasing access to and success in higher education for underserved populations. In this role, for which he managed budgets of over $2.1 million, he had oversight of TRIO Programs, comprising Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement programs; as well as the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the LGBTQ Resource Center and Project SEARCH. Childs is an innovative higher education leader who has directed programmatic areas such as multicultural student services, academic support services and educational opportunity programs. He is a national trainer on federal educational

opportunity legislation and regulations and student retention strategies, and is a consultant specializing in using best practices in higher education to help organizational leaders align efforts and resources in pursuit of their strategic goals and objectives. An active member in several higher education organizations, including Ohio TRIO, the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education (NASPA), and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), Childs is a former member of the board of directors with the MidAmerica Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP) and the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE). In 2009, he received the James A. Ranking Award for dedicated service to minority and disadvantaged youth from the Ohio TRIO Association, and was the 2007 MAEOPP Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award winner. Childs holds three degrees from Bowling Green State University: a Bachelor of Science in business administration, a Master of Public Administration, and a doctorate in leadership studies. â&#x2013;

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Blair Nash

lair Nash is a relationship strategist, speaker, and author of the critically acclaimed book “Illuminating the Battlefield” which was released in the spring of 2015. Blair is also creator of “Single of the Week,” a highly popular series where both bachelors and bachelorettes have profiles that are posted via Social Media. In addition, Blair has logged over 2,000 hours conducting one-on-one and group counseling sessions for men and women suffering from co-dependency, sex, and love addiction. Blair’s specialty is dating advice. With a focus mostly on wisdom from his own dating and relationship experiences, Blair’s expertise has provided him the opportunity to tour the country and speak with thousands of single and married individuals. His audience varies tremendously, and his speaking engagements have included stops abroad, such as the Bahamas, as well as locations including Atlanta, Canada, Chicago, The Bellagio in Las Vegas, and many other cities and sites throughout the United States. Blair’s candor and life experience set him apart from other relationship and dat-

ing advice experts. Dubbed by many as “the next Hitch,” he can explain why that guy or girl didn’t call you, what NEVER to say on a date, and even what to do if you think your mate is stepping out on you. When asked to describe his maxim, Blair simply states “being in a good relationship is a constant thrill, and it should be. But make sure you spend time with and spoil the one person who is always there when you need them … YOU.” In less than three years, Blair has selfpublished his debut book, which has sold almost 10,000 copies worldwide. Today he uses his common sense approach to teach individuals how to leave toxic relationships, as well as how to stop attracting disrespectful suitors in their dating lives. Blair Nash always maintains a glass half-full approach with regard to relationships. He realizes each one of his supporters and fans are an important reference to his biography, and that he will change many lives for the better. Be on the lookout for his e-book (with a surprise title) slated to drop Valentine’s Day weekend. ■

BEST WISHES ...GOD’S STRENGTH ...MANY BLESSINGS

618 YEARLING RD. WHITEHALL, OHIO 43213