Greetings from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR…

WELCOME TO THE YOUNG BLACK SCHOLARS FAMILY! We commend you for the commitment you have made as a student in your academic journey and realize that this journey will be challenging at times. You are not on this journey alone, and each journey will be unique.

I began my journey with the Young Black Scholars as a parent volunteer at the program’s inception in the Spring of 1986, where Dr. Warren Valdry, President Emeritus of the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, Inc. (Education Committee Chair at the time) was among the array of distinguished presenters that afternoon. What impressed many of us in the audience was the fact that a cadre of community-minded individuals were concerned about OUR CHILDREN and believed there was something that we could do together to make a difference.

That vision hasn’t changed. As the YBS Program begins its 2nd Quarter Century of “making a difference” in our community and in the lives of young people who have studied in colleges and universities around the world, we stand firm on the historically strong foundation, laid brick-by-brick, by our sponsors, the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, Inc., and the host of YBS Alumni members, collegiate and community partners.

As we launch this new year of academic support seminars to help you achieve your goals, WE CELEBRATE YOU--our scholars of a new generation--for you have joined a global community of scholars—a community where lifelong learning thrives. Your family expects great things from you, and so do we. We know that YOU can make this world a better place, and we’re here to help you EMBRACE THE EXCELLENCE THAT IS WITHIN YOU. GO, SCHOLARS!

Scholarly yours…

Dr. Virginia C. Hathaway
Young Black Scholars Executive Director