The Ruby Fund

Purpose: The Ruby Fund was established in 2010 in memory of Ruby Lee Williams Barnwell. Ruby was the twelfth child of James and Alberta Teague Williams and one of eight to be diagnosed with cancer.  She was a vibrant and outgoing mother and grandmother who embraced life. She shared her struggles of living with Small Cell Lung cancer, in hopes of helping someone else. The Fund serves as a reminder that she lived and as a tool to enhance the quality of life through educational empowerment.

Dorna Stover Fund

Purpose: The Dorna Conwell Stover Fund was established in 2017, in Dorna’s memory by her family and friends. Dorna Conwell Stover was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and a member of the New Haven Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The wife of LeConte Stover, mother of LeConte Stover Jr. and Aiesha Stover. She transitioned in October 2016 after a battle with Lung Cancer. The fund will provide financial support to Connecticut, Maryland, and North Carolina for health, educational, and/or community programs that promote healthy lifestyles focused on the following goals:
1. Eliminating Health Disparities with Black Women
2. Providing Mentoring and Guidance to youth
3. AIDS/ HIV awareness with a focus on Black women
4. Multiculturalism and Diversity Awareness

Gatison Growth & Opportunity Fund

Purpose: The Gatison Growth and Opportunity Fund was established in April 2018 in honor of Nelson and Jerry Gatison, and Nate and Marcia Simmons. They instilled the importance of lifelong learning, regardless of obstacles, and lived by the motto, “Your quest for knowledge should never cease.” The primary goal of is to support educational opportunities and resources to non-traditional learners with a financial need.

Amazing Bloom Fund

Purpose: Sarah Hankerson loved flowers. Every flower carries its own special meaning or symbolism. Sarah’s love for roses was incredible. When a flower blooms, it is at its fullest and brightest stage. The gift of loving and caring for those around her was Sarah’s natural talent. She encouraged everyone to be at their best. Established by her family, the Amazing Bloom Fund will serve to provide grants to those seeking funding to support their visions.