Shawn Carter Foundation

The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation was conceived of in 2002 and officially established as a 501(c)3 public charity in 2003 by Shawn & Gloria Carter. With an original vision and mission to help any individual facing socio-economic hardships further his or her education at institutions of higher learning, Shawn and Gloria Carter kicked off the Foundation’s efforts by awarding one student with full college tuition in 2002. From 2003-2005 the Foundation provided 50 scholarships to students in 50 different states yearly. In 2006, in addition to providing scholarship awards to a growing number of students in need, the Foundation launched the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation College Tours. Since the Foundation’s inception, over 750 students have received awards totaling over $1.1 million dollars. The Foundation is currently on the precipice of growth and is reviewing its current grant-making priorities as it plans for expansion as the Shawn Carter Foundation.

CEO’s BIO

Ms. Carter is currently the CEO of the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. The Foundation was established by her and her son Shawn Carter after her retirement. The Foundation was essentially formed because Ms. Carter wanted to create “something that would enhance the future of our young people.” The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation is unique in that it offers scholarships to single mothers, children who attend alternative schools, students who have earned a GED, students with grade point averages of 2.0 and students who have previously been incarcerated, etc. but desire a higher educational opportunity. This group is generally not the recipients of college scholarships and is typically ignored by the Board of Education. The Shawn Carter Foundation offers scholarship opportunities to any under-served student across the United States who desires a higher education. One of the key questions asked by the Foundation when students apply for a scholarship is: What are your plans to give back to the community?”.

Ms Carter has also organized and sponsored the Christmas Toy Give-Away for:

• Marcy Children Day Care Center
• The Marcy Children
• Antioch Baptist Church
• LGBT Service Center
• The Children’s Hospital at Downstate Medical Center ( Brooklyn, New York)
• Calvary Baptist Church (East Orange, New Jersey)

In 2009 The Wall Street Alpha’s Charitable Foundation Inc. awarded her the “Think Black Award” for her community service to youth for building social and intellectual equity for our youth.

In 2009 Ms. Carter was presented with the “Tohma Faulkner Woman of Distinction Award” by Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn New York for her dedication to community service.

In 2007, The New York City Council’s office commended Ms. Gloria Carter for her work in serving as CEO of the Foundation and its tireless work with youth and her continued work with toy drives, her post Hurricane Katrina efforts in New Orleans and Houston and her work with various other community based organizations.

In 2005, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Gamma Omicron Zeta Chapter, Zeta Amicae of the Newark and Oranges congratulated Ms. Carter for her commitment to the community.

Chief of Staff’s BIO

Ms. Archer has been with the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation from its inception. She is a lifelong community and social activist and has spent her adult life working to better the quality of life for the most vulnerable members of the community. Speaking for those who have little or no voice and advocating for the hopeless and disenfranchised. Her work has included:

• Tenant Organizer and Assoc. Pres.
• P.T.A President
• Pres. of Community School Board
• Dir. Antioch Development Corp.
• Development of On-Site Mentoring Ministry for Girls at Antioch Baptist Church (Brooklyn)
• Dir. Of Youth Advisory Council at Antioch Baptist Church (Brooklyn)

Ms. Archer is a retired manager of Verizon Corporation. She holds a B.S. in Management and Sales from SUNY Empire State College and is a 2012 candidate for an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from NYACK College.

Ms. Archer believes “to whom much is given, much is required.”

Source: http://www.shawncartersf.com/