On Monday, May 23, 2011, the Abramson Scholarship Foundation hosted Soul Fusion II, a thoroughly entertaining evening where music, poetry, and art came together. Gilbert Castillo, a 2007 & 2008 Scholar who is a recent Florida Tech graduate and current NASA employee, spoke about what the Abramson scholarship meant to him.  In addition, Miya Upshur-Williams, a 2009 & 2010 Scholar and rising junior at Sarah Lawrence College, read her original works of poetry.

Joseph Green performed his poetry with his signature lyrical strength and brilliance.  The evening culminated with a feature performance by Chelsey Green and the Green Project. Chelsey and her band again amazed the crowd with incredible passion, originality, and soul.

West African painter Pierre-Antoine Goho and jewelry maker Daniese Armstrong displayed and sold their artwork, kindly donating a percentage of the proceeds from works sold to the Foundation.  In addition to providing the venue at the non-profit rate, the Shallals, owners of Busboys and Poets, made a generous contribution to the cause.

The Foundation again thanks our host, Busboys & Poets, Richard Hanks, and Addy Schmitt for underwriting Soul Fusion II, and Jennifer Armstrong for her invaluable help in making it all come together.

On Thursday, January 6, 2011, the Abramson Scholarship Foundation hosted its 4th annual Professional Development Workshop. Past and present scholars attended a three-part Workshop: a resume and cover letter writing module presented by mentor, Carrie Ellis; a focus group break-out session with all mentors based on career interests; and a question and answer period during which they interviewed fellow scholars. Immediately following the Workshop, the Foundation hosted a light reception at which Scholars socialized and networked with mentors and board members.

2007 Scholar Brittany Coote gets help with her resume from Mentor Carrie Ellis.

Scholars, Mentors and Board Members in focus groups discussing career paths.

Board members Sally Gere and Judge McCabe, along with Mentors Brittany Hamelers and Veronica Root, discuss entering the legal field with 2008 Scholar Karyn Bigelow.

2008 Scholar Frank Fleming listens to 2001 Scholar and current Mentor, James McClelland, discuss careers in business.

2008/2010 Scholar Anaia Peddie discusses pursuing a non-profit career with mentor Sakeenah Hakim.

2008 Scholar Frank Fleming, 2007 Scholar Selamawit Addissie, and 2009/2010 Scholar Michelle Brown get to know each other.

On Thursday, November 4, 2010, the Abramson Scholarship Foundation hosted Soul Fusion, a fundraising happy hour, at Busboys and Poets. The energy was amazing, as friends and colleagues gathered for an evening of diverse entertainment with the goal of continuing to raise money to send high-achieving, financially-challenged scholars to college.

The showcase of talent ranged from the poetic passion of Shelly Bell and Joseph Green to the unique paintings by Pierre Antoine Goho, culminating with the musical brilliance of Chelsey Green and the Green Project (http://www.facebook.com/GreenProjectTGP). A special thanks to Jennifer Armstrong for helping to make this night happen.

2009 Scholar Martez Hurt and his mentor Judge John McCabe

Mentor Carrie Ellis and her mentee, 2009 Abramson Scholar, Miya Upshur-Williams

Scholars, Mentors, and Abramson board members

2009 Abramson Scholars with MC Bruce Johnson from WUSA 9 and Board President Richard Hanks Bruce Johnson, WUSA 9 Aaron Jenkins, 1999 Scholar and Mentoring Chair, and former board member, Judge Gladys Kessler, honor Donna Wulkan, Esq. for her commitment and service to the Foundation Shamaya Fenwick-Chisholm, 2008 Scholar attending George Washington University delivers keynote speech Frank Fleming, 2008 Scholar attending James Madison University delivers keynote speech Addy Schmitt, Scholarship Chair, discusses the Scholarship Program 2009 Scholarship Awards Luncheon

2008 Mentoring Social with Scholars and Mentors:

The Foundation hosted several social events this year that allowed our mentors and scholars to get to know one another better; one of them, a college send-off at Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes in August, provided the first opportunity for many of our scholars to bowl.

Eric Angel, Legal Aid Society of D.C.; Barbara Arnwine, Lawyers’ Committee; Dean Shelley Broderick, UDC School of Law	Jameela Donaldson, 2005 Fellow and Carlos Garcia, Abramson Board Member
Irv Nathan, President of the Board of Directors	Vivian Hamilton, Chair of the Fellowship Committee, Irv Nathan, President

Vivian Hamilton, chair of the Abramson Foundation Fellowship Committee and law professor, notes that “the average salary for public interest lawyers is $32,000, whereas the average loan burden for law students upon graduation is $80,000. The Fellowships, which award between $5,000 and $10,000, recognize the dedication of and sacrifices made by these promising attorneys, and help defray the cost of choosing a position in public interest law.” Barbara Arnwine of the Lawyers’ Committee noted “public interest lawyers are needed just as much today as during the civil rights movement because there are so many individuals and families who do not have a voice in our society and need an advocate to speak for them and their civil rights under law.”