Brown Foundation -- Mission, Purpose, Projects, Activities

Brown Foundation For
Educational Equity, Excellence and Research

Mission and Purpose
The Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research was established in 1988 as a living tribute to the attorneys and plaintiffs in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision of 1954 Brown v the Board of Education. This decision signaled the end of legal segregation on the basis of race in this country. The mission and purpose of the Foundation is to further educational equity and multi-cultural understanding in order to improve the quality of life for individuals and strengthen our overall sense of community.

The Foundation, in accordance with its basic purpose engages in the following pursuits:

A.	Promotes careers in the education profession by assisting qualified minority students entering a teacher education program at an accredited university.
B.	Establishes public programs with emphasis on diversity, to increase educational equity and excellence in education.
C.	Identifies research projects on issues relative to equal education opportunity.

The Foundation supports the furtherance of educational equity and multi-cultural understanding by:

Providing scholarships to minority students entering the teaching profession.
Sponsoring performances, lectures, conferences, and other educational programs as a mechanism to increase multicultural understanding.
Supporting research projects to examine equity and excellence in education.

Projects and Activities
The following provides a glimpse of Foundation projects and activities outlined by the standing committee responsible for implementing the proposed activity, etc.

Scholarship Committee

Spring l989 Named the first Brown Foundation Scholar to receive a scholarship award to assist with their plans of becoming an educator. This first award was presented to Ms. Esther Hopkins, graduate of F.L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kansas.

Summer l989 Developing application and information materials on Brown Foundation Scholarship program for distribution to financial aid officers and high school counselors at area universities and high schools.

Spring 1990 Named the second Brown Foundation Scholar to receive a scholarship award. This second award was presented to Ms. Monica Maddox a participant in the Kansas City, Kansas Teachers of Tomorrow Program.

Spring 1991 Named the third Brown Foundation Scholar. The scholarship was presented to Mrs. Joy Price a returning adult student working on an elementary education degree at Washburn University of Topeka.

Spring 1992 Named the fourth Brown Foundation Scholar. The scholarship was presented to Ms. Dana Caruthers of Kansas City, Kansas who is starting her senior year at the University of Kansas majoring in elementary education.

Spring 1993 Named the fifth Brown Foundation Scholar. The scholarship was presented to Ms. Blanca Marin a student at Washburn University beginning her senior year. She is majoring in secondary education with emphasis in Spanish.
As funds become available, the Foundation plans to expand the scholarship program to support Three Brown Foundation Scholars annually. (amended 11/1/89)

Spring 1994 Named the sixth Brown Foundation Scholar, Ms. Marteka Landrum, Topeka, Kansas; who is now a student at Howard University.

Spring 1995 Named the seventh and eighth Brown Foundation Scholars. Ms. Shannon Noriega of Topeka, Kansas, a freshman at Washburn University and Ms. Shannon Stone of Horton, Kansas, a junior at Kansas State University. Both are teacher education majors.

Scholarship Committee
Spring l989	Named the first Brown Foundation Scholar to receive a scholarship award to assist with their plans of becoming an educator. This first award was presented to Ms. Esther Hopkins, graduate of F.L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kansas.
Summer l989	Developing application and information materials on Brown Foundation Scholarship program for distribution to financial aid officers and high school counselors at area universities and high schools.
Spring 1990	Named the second Brown Foundation Scholar to receive a scholarship award. This second award was presented to Ms. Monica Maddox a participant in the Kansas City, Kansas Teachers of Tomorrow Program.
Spring 1991	Named the third Brown Foundation Scholar. The scholarship was presented to Mrs. Joy Price a returning adult student working on an elementary education degree at Washburn University of Topeka.
Spring 1992	Named the fourth Brown Foundation Scholar. The scholarship was presented to Ms. Dana Caruthers of Kansas City, Kansas who is starting her senior year at the University of Kansas majoring in elementary education.
Spring 1993	Named the fifth Brown Foundation Scholar. The scholarship was presented to Ms. Blanca Marin a student at Washburn University beginning her senior year. She is majoring in secondary education with emphasis in Spanish. As funds become available, the Foundation plans to expand the scholarship program to support Three Brown Foundation Scholars annually. (amended 11/1/89)
Spring 1994	Named the sixth Brown Foundation Scholar, Ms. Marteka Landrum, Topeka, Kansas; who is now a student at Howard University.
Spring 1995	Named the seventh and eighth Brown Foundation Scholars. Ms. Shannon Noriega of Topeka, Kansas, a freshman at Washburn University and Ms. Shannon Stone of Horton, Kansas, a junior at Kansas State University. Both are teacher education majors.

Lectures and Performances Committee

February l989 Hosted locally, the first annual national teleconference "Beyond the Dream", broadcast live from Washington, D.C., sponsored by Black Issues in Higher Education. This event was designed to launch Black History Month activities.

June l989 Celebrated the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education with a reception for the remaining plaintiffs of that case. Our special guest was Mrs. Rosa Parks, nationally recognized as the "Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement". Presented first National, State and Local Brown Foundation Awards for Equality and Excellence in Education, respectively to Mr. Carl Boyd, Director of The Art of Positive Teaching, Attorney Elmer C. Jackson, Jr., first African American to serve on the Kansas Board of Regents, Mrs. Dolores Collins a local trail blazer in the area of teaching instrumental music to disadvantaged students.

February l990 The Foundation co-hosted, with Washburn University, the second annual national teleconference "Beyond the Dream" sponsored by Black Issues in Higher Education, to launch Black History Month activities.

May l990 In commemoration of the 36th anniversary of "Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education ", the Foundation convened a National Symposium on School Desegregation, Race Relations and Civil Rights. The symposium provided educators, social and civil rights advocates and others an opportunity to convene in Topeka, Kansas, "The Birthplace of School Desegregation" which seems an appropriate place to examine the issues most effecting minorities and women today. The symposium examined the following:

The successes and failures of 36 years of school desegregation.
The social and economic impact of Civil Rights policies and what effect the U.S. Supreme Court's l988 and l989 decisions will have on the continuation of these policies.
Civil Rights in the U.S., in theory and in practice.
Our special guest for this event was former Congresswoman Katie Hall (D-IN), author of the King National Holiday Bill who was also the recipient of the Brown Foundation National award for Equality, Excellence in Education State and Local awards were also presented.
This event was attended by people from Topeka, other parts of Kansas and thirteen other states.

May 1991 Convened the second national symposium with the same theme as 1990. The national award recipient was Mr. Arthur Fletcher, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. This activity included a concert by grammy award artists "Sweet Honey In The Rock."

May 1992 Held a 38th anniversary commemorative banquet featuring a performance by the famed theatrical couple Mr. Ossie Davis and Ms. Ruby Dee. Also hosted a National Historic Landmark dedication ceremony for Monroe Elementary School a property newly placed on the National Register of Historic Places. National, State and Local dignitaries were on the program.

May 1993 Convened the third national symposium with a sub-theme focusing on children and families. The national award was presented to Mr. Henry Hampton of Blackside Productions the writer and producer of "Eyes on the Prize." The commemorative concert was performed by Mr. Peter Yarrow of the group "Peter, Paul and Mary."

May 1994 Commemorated the 40th Anniversary of Brown v. Board via the fourth national symposium. The theme was "The Status of Minorities in Education: from Brown to Now, 1954-1994." The national award was presented to attorney Jack Greenburg who worked with Thurgood Marshall on the Brown cases.

May 1995 The Foundation Symposium for 1995 was designed to assist the planning process for the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site scheduled to open in late 1998. The purpose was to bring the latest scholarship in the field of civil rights history together with the National Park Service and other related institutions to examine common interpretive linkages between sites associated with civil rights. This was an invitational working symposium. The national award was presented to Dr. David DuBois, son of the NAACP founder Dr. W.E.B. DuBois.

Lectures and Performances Committee
February l989	Hosted locally, the first annual national teleconference "Beyond the Dream", broadcast live from Washington, D.C., sponsored by Black Issues in Higher Education. This event was designed to launch Black History Month activities.
June l989	Celebrated the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education with a reception for the remaining plaintiffs of that case. Our special guest was Mrs. Rosa Parks, nationally recognized as the "Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement". Presented first National, State and Local Brown Foundation Awards for Equality and Excellence in Education, respectively to Mr. Carl Boyd, Director of The Art of Positive Teaching, Attorney Elmer C. Jackson, Jr., first African American to serve on the Kansas Board of Regents, Mrs. Dolores Collins a local trail blazer in the area of teaching instrumental music to disadvantaged students.
February l990	The Foundation co-hosted, with Washburn University, the second annual national teleconference "Beyond the Dream" sponsored by Black Issues in Higher Education, to launch Black History Month activities.
May l990	In commemoration of the 36th anniversary of "Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education ", the Foundation convened a National Symposium on School Desegregation, Race Relations and Civil Rights. The symposium provided educators, social and civil rights advocates and others an opportunity to convene in Topeka, Kansas, "The Birthplace of School Desegregation" which seems an appropriate place to examine the issues most effecting minorities and women today. The symposium examined the following: The successes and failures of 36 years of school desegregation. The social and economic impact of Civil Rights policies and what effect the U.S. Supreme Court's l988 and l989 decisions will have on the continuation of these policies. Civil Rights in the U.S., in theory and in practice. Our special guest for this event was former Congresswoman Katie Hall (D-IN), author of the King National Holiday Bill who was also the recipient of the Brown Foundation National award for Equality, Excellence in Education State and Local awards were also presented. This event was attended by people from Topeka, other parts of Kansas and thirteen other states.
May 1991	Convened the second national symposium with the same theme as 1990. The national award recipient was Mr. Arthur Fletcher, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. This activity included a concert by grammy award artists "Sweet Honey In The Rock."
May 1992	Held a 38th anniversary commemorative banquet featuring a performance by the famed theatrical couple Mr. Ossie Davis and Ms. Ruby Dee. Also hosted a National Historic Landmark dedication ceremony for Monroe Elementary School a property newly placed on the National Register of Historic Places. National, State and Local dignitaries were on the program.
May 1993	Convened the third national symposium with a sub-theme focusing on children and families. The national award was presented to Mr. Henry Hampton of Blackside Productions the writer and producer of "Eyes on the Prize." The commemorative concert was performed by Mr. Peter Yarrow of the group "Peter, Paul and Mary."
May 1994	Commemorated the 40th Anniversary of Brown v. Board via the fourth national symposium. The theme was "The Status of Minorities in Education: from Brown to Now, 1954-1994." The national award was presented to attorney Jack Greenburg who worked with Thurgood Marshall on the Brown cases.
May 1995	The Foundation Symposium for 1995 was designed to assist the planning process for the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site scheduled to open in late 1998. The purpose was to bring the latest scholarship in the field of civil rights history together with the National Park Service and other related institutions to examine common interpretive linkages between sites associated with civil rights. This was an invitational working symposium. The national award was presented to Dr. David DuBois, son of the NAACP founder Dr. W.E.B. DuBois.

Research Committee

Summer l989 Developing application and information materials on the Foundation's sponsored research program for distribution to law schools, colleges and universities in the Midwest region. The Foundation plans to sponsor research projects dealing with school desegregation and barriers related to educational equity and excellence for all people.

Fall 1989 Continuing development of plans to create a center for the collection and preservation of materials related specifically to legal actions leading to the U.S. Supreme Court decision of l954, Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education and generally all civil rights actions related to school desegregation and educational equity. The center will serve a broad range of functions: providing legal scholars with source documents, the circulation of films and videotapes to schools and social groups, providing a permanent display of photographs and memorabilia related to the Brown case.

Fall l989 Developed and submitted a grant proposal to the Kansas Committee for the Humanities for funding of a traveling exhibit on the Brown case to be available to schools and community groups during the Eisenhower Centennial Celebration commemorating the life and times of President Dwight David Eisenhower. A planning grant was funded to continue work on developing the concept.

Spring 1990 Presented the first research awards via a national competition. Recipients were from Indiana, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The research papers were published by the foundation, available upon request.

Spring 1991 Presented the second research awards via a national competition. Recipients were from Kansas and New Mexico. Papers published by the foundation, available upon request.

Spring 1991 Major grant funded by the Kansas Committee for the Humanities to produce a traveling exhibit on Brown vs The Board of Education. Completion date set for fall of 1992.
Also received funding to undertake a oral history project interviewing members of the black and white communities in Topeka and select locations around the country, to assess their attitudes and reflections during the Brown era.

Spring 1993 Presented a national research colloquium to identify topics that should be addressed through a national solicitation of research in educational equity. Participating scholars were from New York, Louisiana and Kansas.

Spring 1994 Convened the second research colloquium in conjunction with national symposium. Researchers presented their papers on subjects from school desegregation and the social impact to causes and elimination of racism.

Research Committee
Summer l989	Developing application and information materials on the Foundation's sponsored research program for distribution to law schools, colleges and universities in the Midwest region. The Foundation plans to sponsor research projects dealing with school desegregation and barriers related to educational equity and excellence for all people.
Fall 1989	Continuing development of plans to create a center for the collection and preservation of materials related specifically to legal actions leading to the U.S. Supreme Court decision of l954, Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education and generally all civil rights actions related to school desegregation and educational equity. The center will serve a broad range of functions: providing legal scholars with source documents, the circulation of films and videotapes to schools and social groups, providing a permanent display of photographs and memorabilia related to the Brown case.
Fall l989	Developed and submitted a grant proposal to the Kansas Committee for the Humanities for funding of a traveling exhibit on the Brown case to be available to schools and community groups during the Eisenhower Centennial Celebration commemorating the life and times of President Dwight David Eisenhower. A planning grant was funded to continue work on developing the concept.
Spring 1990	Presented the first research awards via a national competition. Recipients were from Indiana, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The research papers were published by the foundation, available upon request.
Spring 1991	Presented the second research awards via a national competition. Recipients were from Kansas and New Mexico. Papers published by the foundation, available upon request.
Spring 1991	Major grant funded by the Kansas Committee for the Humanities to produce a traveling exhibit on Brown vs The Board of Education. Completion date set for fall of 1992. Also received funding to undertake a oral history project interviewing members of the black and white communities in Topeka and select locations around the country, to assess their attitudes and reflections during the Brown era.
Spring 1993	Presented a national research colloquium to identify topics that should be addressed through a national solicitation of research in educational equity. Participating scholars were from New York, Louisiana and Kansas.
Spring 1994	Convened the second research colloquium in conjunction with national symposium. Researchers presented their papers on subjects from school desegregation and the social impact to causes and elimination of racism.

Awards Committee

Spring l989 The Foundation initiated annual national, state and local awards to recognize outstanding efforts to promote educational equity and excellence.

Fall l993 The Foundation created a national awards panel to search for and nominate individuals for their outstanding efforts to promote multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-racial awareness and understanding.

Awards Committee
Spring l989	The Foundation initiated annual national, state and local awards to recognize outstanding efforts to promote educational equity and excellence.
Fall l993	The Foundation created a national awards panel to search for and nominate individuals for their outstanding efforts to promote multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-racial awareness and understanding.

Other

Summer l989 The Foundation gave initial approval to study the feasibility of a national telethon to recognize outstanding efforts and support the development of programs and activities that promote educational equality.

Ongoing Oral History Project - Work to collect additional oral interviews will expand to include all of the cases that comprise Brown v. Board of Education. Brown was decided by the high court after joining all cases pending that dealt with school integration. Those cases were presented from Delaware, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The oral history research consultant who worked on the initial phase of this project agreed to this expansion for the sake of continuity. She will engage in interviews not only with the numerous plaintiffs and community activist but legal counsel and expert witnesses where possible. this second phase will conclude next year. Copies of the tapes and transcripts will be added to the existing "Brown v. Board of Education Oral History Collection".
The Foundation has successfully completed efforts to designate the Monroe Elementary School Building as a national historic site to include the appropriation of federal funds for restoration and maintenance. Such a designation contributes to the preservation of the role played by African Americans in our educational history.
On October 26, 1992 President George Bush signed the Brown vs Board of Education National Historic Site Act of 1992, which establishes a National Park in Topeka at the site of the Monroe Elementary School. This facility will house a visitors center and exhibits to interpret pre and post Brown history.
Currently working with the National Park Service to plan for the use and interpretation of this new unit of the National Park System. Work scheduled to be completed in late 1998.
The Brown Foundation is a partner to the park and will assist with planning, develop outreach programs and materials for classrooms, collect oral histories, share traveling exhibits, provide background for park staff, convene conferences and training, produce interpretive video, develop volunteers for offsite presentations and offer general support as requested by National Park Service staff.

Other
Summer l989	The Foundation gave initial approval to study the feasibility of a national telethon to recognize outstanding efforts and support the development of programs and activities that promote educational equality.
Ongoing	Oral History Project - Work to collect additional oral interviews will expand to include all of the cases that comprise Brown v. Board of Education. Brown was decided by the high court after joining all cases pending that dealt with school integration. Those cases were presented from Delaware, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The oral history research consultant who worked on the initial phase of this project agreed to this expansion for the sake of continuity. She will engage in interviews not only with the numerous plaintiffs and community activist but legal counsel and expert witnesses where possible. this second phase will conclude next year. Copies of the tapes and transcripts will be added to the existing "Brown v. Board of Education Oral History Collection". The Foundation has successfully completed efforts to designate the Monroe Elementary School Building as a national historic site to include the appropriation of federal funds for restoration and maintenance. Such a designation contributes to the preservation of the role played by African Americans in our educational history. On October 26, 1992 President George Bush signed the Brown vs Board of Education National Historic Site Act of 1992, which establishes a National Park in Topeka at the site of the Monroe Elementary School. This facility will house a visitors center and exhibits to interpret pre and post Brown history. Currently working with the National Park Service to plan for the use and interpretation of this new unit of the National Park System. Work scheduled to be completed in late 1998. The Brown Foundation is a partner to the park and will assist with planning, develop outreach programs and materials for classrooms, collect oral histories, share traveling exhibits, provide background for park staff, convene conferences and training, produce interpretive video, develop volunteers for offsite presentations and offer general support as requested by National Park Service staff.

Comments to: WebMaster, brownvbd@washlaw.edu
Created: May 11, 1997.
URL: http://brownvboard.org/foundatn/missproj.htm