Black Rose Foundation for Children Changing the World , One Child At A Time
Dr . Sheila Flemming-Hunter , Founder and President , Black Rose Founder for Children
Founded in the legacy of Dr . Mary McLeod Bethune , the Black Rose Foundation for Children , Inc . ( BRFC ) is a not-for-profit charitable organization founded in 2005 by Dr . Sheila Flemming-Hunter with her co-founders , daughters , Attorney Alero Afejuku Barnes and Dr . Ayo Afejuku Gathing . The vision of BRFC is to ensure that children , especially abandoned children , have unlimited opportunities to excel in all walks of life . The mission is to provide specialized programing as well as resources to organizations seeking to empower children , through programs , services and advocacy in Jacksonville , Florida ; Atlanta , Georgia ; and Memphis Tennessee . Mentoring , scholarships , and advocacy are the major emphasis of resource allocation . Our major contributions include approximately three hundred individuals ; corporate and foundation support is growing .
Targeted Funds for Children The James V . Brooks Memorial Scholarship Fund honors James V . Brooks , a beloved musician and teacher of music in Jacksonville , FL . A memorial fund established by his sister , Shirley Bing , this fund supports scholarships for high school graduates from Jacksonville , Florida pursuing music during their higher education tenure . Since 2012 twenty scholarships have been awarded to high school graduates to attend such institutions as : Edward Waters College , Florida A & M University , Florida Memorial , Stetson University , University of Florida , Florida State , North Carolina A & T , Eastman School of Music , and Jackson State University .
Dr . Mary McLeod Bethune ( 1875-1955 ) Inspiration for Black Rose Foundation for Children
James V. Brooks Memorial Scholarship Fund
Bethune Cookman University Black Rose Foundation Dr . Sheila Flemming Hunter Fall 2017
Founder , Dr . Sheila Flemming-Hunter ( center ) and co-founders-Dr . Ayo Afejuku Gathing ( left ) and Attorney Alero Afejuku Barnes ( right )
Founded in 2014 , the Moore-Myers Children ' s Fund ( MMCF ) is a memorial fund in the memory of Annie Mildred Moore and Jessie Mae Myers . The fund was established by the daughter of Ms . Moore , Dr . Justine Redding , and the son of Ms . Myers , Mr . Richard Blackston . The purpose of the fund is to provide support and financial assistance for underserved children in Jacksonville , Florida to participate in golf programs that will undergird their total wellness .
Current Initiatives
Named in honor of the founder ' s first grandchild , the mission of the Justice Reads Literacy Program is to motivate young children to read by providing books to underserved communities and to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life . JR ' s highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to fourth grade . Reading is Fundamental ( RIF ) reports that nearly two-thirds of low-income families in the U . S . own no books .
Black Rose Foundation for Children , Inc . Legal , Education , and Advocacy Program ( L . E . A . P .) provides free legal advice , advocacy , and legal representation to low-income and foster care children in Atlanta area schools . The Program focuses on special education and school discipline law . L . E . A . P advocates for students in schools where parents or the DFCS are unable to obtain appropriate educational services for the children . In addition , L . E . A . P . represents students facing suspensions in tribunal hearings and supports and encourages holistic representation . Our work not only includes representation , but consultation with mental health professionals on legal cases where appropriate . We currently provide training sessions for parents related to Constitutional Rights , Education Law , and School Advocacy through our partnership with National CARES Mentoring Movement , University for Parents and Auburn Avenue Legal Services .
Strategic Partnerships
The Share and Seed Academy for the Performing Arts , located in Jacksonville , Florida , was established in 2014 by Rev . Dr . Melvin Kennerly and Mrs . Emelda Kennerly and affiliated as a fund of the foundation in 2015 . In 2016 , with the assistance of the foundation , the academy obtained its non-profit status . The mission of Share and Seed is to introduce , develop , enhance and refine the skills of children in foster care in the areas of dance , drama and vocal music . The Academy serves children ages 6 - 18 assigned to the foster care system for Duval County , Florida , and has served nearly one hundred children since 2014 . Black Rose Foundation for Children is a major donor to the academy and premium sponsor of its signature end of summer events . In 2014 the academy presented an adapted stage