The Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research works to foster academic achievement among our nation's young minority scholars and to further educational equity and multi-cultural understanding. We encourage and assist qualified minority students to pursue a career in education throught the Brown Foundation Scholarship program.

The percentage of students of color has increased; however, the number of minority theachers does not reflect changing population demographics. The Brown Foundation seeks to address this disparity by annually providing two scholarships to a graduating minority high school senior and a minority college junior entering teacher education programs.

The first Brown Foundation scholarship was awarded in 1989 in an effort to cultivate minority educators. This was predicated upon a report by the Carnegie Forum on Education and the Economy which stated that, "Schools form children's opinions about the larger society and their own futures. The race, sex and background of their teachers tell something about authority and power in contemporary America." Our goal in providing financial assistance to minority education majors is to create a future in which all students see a view of the world that includes them and to provide role models which are so important to identify formation.

To be eligible for a Brown Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

High School seniors must:

• Have demonstrated commitment to entering a teacher education program as shown by volunteer experience, work experience, and/or statements by references.
• Be graduates of a public or private secondary shcool or have the equivalent of a certificate of graduation recognized by the state in which he or she resides.
• Be accepted for enrollment at an institution of higher education with an accredited program in education.
• Be enrolled at least half-time as defined by the higher education institution of attendance.
• Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
• Submit two recommendations: one from a teacher, counselor, or other school official and one from a person familiar with the applicant's skills and abilities who is not a family member.

• Be admitted to a teacher education program. Confirmation of their acceptance is required by the date of the award.
• Be enrolled at an institution of high education with an accredited program in education.
• Be enrolled at least half-time as defined by the higher education institution of attendance.
• Have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
• Submit two recommendations: one from a teacher, counselor, or other school official and one from a person familiar with the applicant's skills and abilities who is not a family member.

1. Obtain an application from your high school counselor or department of education of a participating college or university. Applications may also be requested from the Brown Foundation. 2. Submit your application to the Brown Foundation Scholarship program. The deadline for application is April 1 each year. 3. The Brown Foundation will notify students and participating colleges and universities of scholarship awards after applications have been reviewed. Winners are notified in May.

The high school senior scholarship is a one-time non-renewable award of $300 for the freshman year. The college/university student receives a $500 scholarship award per year for two academic years.

Candidates are selected on the basis of grade point average, school, community and leisure activities, career plans and goals in education, essays and recommendations. The recommendations take into account leadership, attitude, maturity, initiative, creativity, persistence, reliability, and communication skills.

The population demographics of our nation are changing, resulting in a higher percentage of minority school students. The Brown Foundation seeks to cultivate teachers that will represent this rising population. We strive to attract minority students to the field of education in an effort to promote multi-cultural representation in our nation's school systems which would have the added benefit of developing a more inclusive curriculum. Minority educators could also be instrumental in planning and implementing methods to improve the academic success of minority students. America, with her ever increasing diversity, can only be made a stronger, better nation by the presence of minority educators.