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Welcome Nanette Hodge and Bob Cunningham Foundation Overview Gloria Earley Poem~ “Joey” Lisa Earley Invocation Pastor Dr. Gerald Saffo, United Faith Community Church
~ Lunch is served ~ Introduction of the Keynote Speaker Nanette Hodge and Bob Cunningham Keynote Address Dr. Robert L. Murphy Introduction of the Scholarship Recipient Joseph L. Earley, Sr., and Gloria Earley Scholarship Recipient’s Remarks Deswaun Divens Closing Remarks Joseph L. Earley, Sr., and Gloria Earley
________________________________________________ “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” ~Nelson Mandela
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JOSEPH L. EARLY, JR. FOUNDATION
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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
▲ Joseph L. Early, Jr. (R) pictured with sister, Lisa Earley and business magnate Rusell Simmons.
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
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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
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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.
CHILDREN’S LOVE
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JOSEPH L. EARLY, JR. FOUNDATION
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eswaun Divens was born in 1997 in Columbus, OH. He is an only child, and has been raised by his mother, Desarene Saunders. Deswaun had a strong support system growing up, which
consisted of both of his grandmothers and his late grandfather. They constantly encouraged him, and always taught him to be a leader and not a follower. Educated in the Columbus City Schools’ district, Deswaun attended Fairwood Elementary School, Franklin Middle School, then he transferred to Champion Middle School, where he completed middle school. At the end of his eighth grade school year, Deswaun received an “academic achievement” award from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Deswaun began his high school career at Whitehall Yearling, and at the end of his freshman year he transferred to the Urban Academy at South High School. He is currently a senior in high school. Athletics has been an integral part of Deswaun’s life for many years, and he is a three-sport letterman: baseball, football and wrestling. Deswaun has played varsity baseball since his freshman year in high school, and has served as the team’s captain. After high school graduation, Deswaun intends to enroll in college at either Ohio University or Wright State University. He is also considering Queens University in North Carolina. Deswaun plans to major in business, and hopes to become an entrepreneur and one day own a business. He is passionate about serving the community where he lives, and hopes to be in a position one day to offer employment opportunities to people in his neighborhood. Mr. Divens, the quiet leader, realizes the importance and value of “giving back,” and he will make a difference in his community. ■
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Robert L. Murphy
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r. Murphy is currently the Interim Executive Director, School Leadership Development in the Columbus City School district. He retired as a high school principal in 2012. During a career spanning 34 years, Murphy demonstrated the ability to provide educational leadership in very diverse settings and has achieved positive and measurable outcomes in each arena. He has served as an administrator, coach, confidant, counselor, friend, mentor, surrogate father and teacher in several schools. Dr. Murphy had the opportunity to see former students, who felt that they were relegated to live out the negative experiences of their childhood, overcome their adversities and become successful, productive adults. He has consistently provided leadership with the goal of creating a climate that enables students to maximize their potential, enables teachers to perform at their highest, and enables parents to be comfortable about being actively involved in their child’s education. Murphy has attempted to be a positive role model to administrators, parents, students, and teachers. He has had the opportunity to be in this business long enough to hire some of his former students, and they are now his colleagues. Dr. Murphy is deeply committed to working with urban (inner city) students and he plans to continue being a positive influence in their lives for as long as God gives him the strength to continue. He is deeply committed to expanding the educational opportunities for African American males through the creation and expansion of single-gender public schools. â–
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JOSEPH L. EARLY, JR. FOUNDATION
MISTRESS/MASTER OF CEREMONIES
MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Nanette Marie Hodge
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anette Hodge, creatively known as Nanette Marie, is a nationally-traveled playwright and internationally-published author. CEO of Real Good Productions LLC, she also enjoys producing, directing and coaching actors. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Urban Playwrights United. Ms. Hodge has a proven background in marketing and public relations. A native of Columbus, Ohio, she has a son and granddaughter. ■
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Bob Cunningham
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ob Cunningham is a seasoned professional in the areas of public relations, sales and marketing. Currently employed with Exact Software Company in Columbus and actively involved with various community organizations and groups. He enjoys playing golf and networking. Bob is married with two youngsters, and is a licensed insurance agent. ■
Bob Cunningham ►
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JOSEPH L. EARLY, JR. FOUNDATION
SPECIAL THANKS TO AUTHOR
HELEN V. LANEY HUMPHREY An Intercessor’s Journey: Preparation for Standing in the Gap "Helen 'Mother' Humphrey, as she is passionately known by most of our family, shows no signs of fatigue when it comes to her work for the Lord. At eighty-five years young, she remains steadfast and unmovable…. ON SALE NOW AT
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JOSEPH L. EARLY, JR. FOUNDATION
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n behalf of The Joseph L. Early, Jr. Foundation, we sincerely appreciate your presence today at our Inaugural Luncheon as we present our “Beloved” Joseph to you and continue to honor his legacy by building the future of youth in our communities. We aspire to better the lives of so many people and you’ve provided an “added spark” to encourage our efforts to strive forward. Sincerely, The Joseph L. Earley, Jr. Foundation Columbus, Ohio
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” Henri Frederic Amiel
For more information about The Joseph L. Earley, Jr. Foundation, call us at 614.397.2019 PROGRAM DESIGN BY DPI GRAPHIC DESIGN 614.622.7599 22
JOSEPH L. EARLY, JR. FOUNDATION