The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program
Mission Statement:
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program was established in Brooklyn, New York, in 1996 by Founder and Executive Director Jermaine Somerset. The program honors the legacy of Jermaine's mother, Charlotte "Cutz" Somerset, and his grandfather, Fred Somerset ("Grandpa Fred") and is inspired by Fred Somerset's favorite quote: "Your wealth won't be measured by how much money you have; your wealth will be measured by how many lives you have touched."
The mission of The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program, Inc. is to serve as a fund to address systemic racism and social injustices while promoting cultural sensitivity and diversity. Our mission has evolved from providing educational advancement for financially disadvantaged students to becoming a multifaceted initiative that addresses broader community development needs and supports underserved families.
Guided by the principle that true wealth is measured by the lives we touch, our organization serves regions including Northern Virginia, Western Pennsylvania, Northeastern Ohio, the New York Tri-State Area, Washington, D.C., and international communities in Barbados and Brazil.
F- Funding for those in need
R- Rooted in black culture & African American history
E- Educational excellence
D- Determined to make a difference
Support the 3rd Annual Legacy Cultural Project
Dear Friends & Supporters,
We are excited to announce the 3rd Annual Legacy Cultural Project trip to Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, taking place June 5–7, 2025! This powerful journey fosters leadership, cultural awareness, and community engagement for our youth.
Following the trip, our Leadership Under Fire Summer Program will be held June 16–July 31, 2025, hosted by Mr. Roland Barksdale and the Farrell Public Library. This initiative will empower students from the Youth Leadership Academy at HopeCAT (March 3–4, 2025) and those attending the Legacy Cultural Project visit to apply their leadership skills in a Municipal Project in Farrell—including community cleanups, enhancement projects, and grassroots organizing.
Your support makes this possible! Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us continue this transformative work.
💙 Donate Today: www.fredsomersetmemorialscholarshipprgm.org
Thank you for believing in our mission!
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a day dedicated to service and reflection, I am honored and privileged to have participated in the Leaders Making History roundtable discussion at the Hope Center for Arts and Technology (HopeCAT) with Farrell High School’s 10th-grade class. Engaging with these bright, future leaders was both uplifting and rewarding.
I extend my deepest gratitude to Mrs. Lorie Hines, HopeCAT, Dr. Emily Clare, and Mr. Derek Burda for their unwavering commitment to equipping our students with the tools they need to succeed academically and to make a meaningful impact in our communities. Together, we are shaping a brighter future, guided by the values of leadership, service, and unity exemplified by Dr. King.
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program is proud to launch its third year of the Pathway to Fluency English Learning Program in Brazil. We are excited to expand our impact by partnering with influential women and organizations dedicated to empowering Brazilian women. Together, we strive to break down barriers, create opportunities, and help Brazilian women overcome economic inequality through education and English language proficiency.
Meet Ms. Alejandra Mabel Galvani pictured on the right (in all black) and Ms. Suzy Soares Campos pictured on the far left (in black and white). Ms. Alejandra "Ale" Galvani has joined The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program’s English Language project in Rio de Janeiro to assist our program as an interpreter and provide our students with in-lesson tutoring and problem solving. Ale is originally from South of Argentina and she speaks 3 languages: Spanish, Portuguese ,and English. Ale studied Hospitality and Tourism Management in Argentina and her passion is to travel around the world seeing new places, and exploring new cultures.
Ms. Suzy Soares Campos is our newest student enrolled in the English Language Project and she is from São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro. Suzy has been employed as a rideshare driver for 7 years and works 12 hour shifts daily. Ms Campos serves as Assistant Pastor at the Renascer em Cristo Church in Vila Isabel- Rio de Janeiro. Since becoming a member, the church has embraced her and changed her life by giving her the spiritual sustenance to withstand all of life's challenges. Suzy knows it is in the communion of the Lord that she recharges her energy. Through her church, Suzy discovered the true meaning of life, which is JESUS. Suzy enjoys adventurous outings that give her an adrenaline rush. Suzy will use the English Language Project to increase her professional qualifications which enable her to pursue the profession of her dreams, and move to the United States.
Mr. Jermaine Somerset the Executive Director of The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program @the.somerset.program
Congratulations to Ms. Suzy Campos for successfully completing the introductory level of Path to Fluency, the English-Language course sponsored by the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program in Brazil. Ms. Campos will now advance to the second level of her education. Our program is also proud to announce that we have successfully re-registered our non-profit organization with the great country of Brazil and are excited about our continued partnership with language instructor, Mr. Jonatas Lourenço. Instructor @teacherjonatas is owner and facilitator of an online academy to teach languages to adults. Our ongoing partnership with Instructor Lourenco will provide Ms. Campos an opportunity to make her goal of speaking the English language fluently come true. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program, along with Instructor Lourenco, are elated to give Ms. Campos this opportunity to enter the advanced-level English language course to further her mastery of the English language. For more information regarding this and other projects of the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program, and to provide your support, please visit our website https://www.fredsomersetmemorialscholarshipprgm.org. We thank you in advance for your support.
🔊THE FRED SOMERSET MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 📢
Board Member, Corwin Somerset, has embraced her lifetime commitment of faithfully serving Youth and Families through her role at the Shenango Valley YMCA from 2012-2020. In her supervisory role at the Chavers Community Center After School Program, she continued to give back to the community. Corwin elevated her passion by joining the staff of the Shenango Valley Urban League in 2017, as the Education Director. She was promoted in 2022 to the dual role of Director of Housing and Education. While at the Urban league, Corwin's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, coordinating a variety of yearly programs like the Annual MLK Breakfast and the Summer Youth Apprenticeship Program (SYAP), a summer enrichment program to prepare youth for their future. Corwin also oversees an Urban League initiative which provides basic computer skills to residents in Mercer County, the National Urban League Incentives to Excel & Succeed Program (NULITES), a nationwide youth program designed to provide opportunities for personal and leadership development through participation in community service projects. In 2021, Corwin became a HUD Certified Counselor which allows her to provide pre and post home purchase and rental counseling to residents in Mercer County.
On October 12, 2023 Corwin was recognized by the Mercer County NAACP Branch for her service to the community with the NAACP Community Service Award.
🔊THE FRED SOMERSET MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 📢
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program is proud to sponsor Springfield Central High School's Class of 1988 during their 35th Class Reunion. Our organization is especially excited to sponsor the reunion this year in honor of our board member, Edward "Jamil" Miller, who is a very proud member of the Class of 1988. The great Class of 1988 enjoys a reunion every five years and is known for producing multiple educators and community leaders. Springfield Central High School is located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program sends congratulations to the Class of 1988!! Furthermore, during this Veterans Day weekend, we would like to recognize our board member retired SKC Chief United States Coast Guard Mr. Edward "Jamil" Miller for his 25 years of service!!!! Salute my Brother!!!
The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program would like to thank Ms. Mariana Souza, Director of Finance, and Ms. Sabrina Schwab, Human Resource Director, at the JW Marriot Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for meeting with our Executive Director, Jermaine Somerset, to discuss a partnership for The Marriott English Language Project. The Marriott English Language Project is our newest scholarship project created specifically to benefit associates of the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro who desire to speak the English language fluently. Associates in the project will be awarded financial assistance to enroll as students in “Path to Fluency.” The Path to Fluency course is taught by instructor, Mr. Jonatas “Teacher Jonatas” Lourenco. Our organization intentionally collaborated with Teacher Jonatas for The Marriott English Language Project because we have great confidence in Teacher Jonatas’ qualifications to accomplish the vision of this unique project. Our organization has already enrolled two JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro associates in The Marriott English Language Project: Ms. Lorraine Santos and Ms. Erika Bento. Ms. Santos and Ms. Bento are members of the hospitality staff, and both are experiencing a significant increase in their ability to speak the English language and to confidently engage with hotel guests who visit the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro.
I had a great meeting with Chief of Police Charles (Chuck) Rubano of the City of Farrell, Pennsylvania. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program along with Mayor Kimberly Doss of the City of Farrell are proud to announce The Legacy Cultural Project. The Legacy Cultural Project is an educational trip designed to embrace cultural diversity, promote unity, and encourage positive community and police relations within the City of Farrell, Pennsylvania. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program is excited to partner with the City of Farrell to host five students and their parents, together with city officials (school board and faculty, city council, and law enforcement) in Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. The group will travel to Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma and The Legacy Museum and Riverfront Park in Montgomery to explore deep South history. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program wishes to extend its greatest appreciation to Mayor Kimberly Doss; City Manager, Mr. Ben Prescott; Chief of Police Charles (Chuck) Rubano, and Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction for Farrell Area School District, Dr. Emily Clare, for supporting this project.
https://businessjournaldaily.com/farrell-students-leaders-to-visit-civil-rights-sites/
To support this project, please make your tax deductible donations at:
PayPal
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=EF4T3T724PVE2
Zelle
the.somerset.program@gmail.com
Cashapp
$thesomersetprogram
Mr. Jermaine Somerset receives a Proclamation from Mayor Ollie McKeithan of the City of Farrell, Pennsylvania for his community service and dedication to cultural unity through the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program.
The Staff at the Hilton Atlanta Airport, in Atlanta, Georgia welcomed the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program and program contributor, Kangol Kid of UTFO. The Hilton Atlanta Airport is instrumental in providing temporary accommodations for students during life changing events.
Please meet Ms. Erica Monica Bento. Erica is originally from Campo Grande, the capital and largest city of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso d Sul. Erica currently works in hospitality at JW Marriot Rio de Janeiro located in Copacabana. Erica is motivated to continue her professional growth as a Marriott associate, and her hobbies include reading, traveling, and enjoying nature.
Brazil is a Portuguese speaking country. Learning to speak the English language adds great value to the overall success of one in the country. Erica's has express the desire to increase her ability to speak English. So, the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program partnered with language instructor, Mr. Jonatas Lourenço, to make Erica's goal come true. Instructor @teacherjonatas runs an online academy to teach languages, including English, to adults. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program, along with Instructor Lourenco, is proud to give Erica this opportunity to learn the English language and further her educational and professional milestones.
Please meet Ms. Lorraine Santos. Lorraine is originally from Nova Iguaçu, a city located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and currently works in hospitality at JW Marriot Rio de Janeiro located in Copacabana. Lorraine is also studying administration.
Brazil is a Portuguese speaking country. Learning to speak the English language adds great value to the overall success of one in the country. Lorraine dreamed of an opportunity to increase her ability to speak English. So, the Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program partnered with language instructor, Mr. Jonatas Lourenço, to make Lorraine's dreams come true. Instructor @teacherjonatas runs an online academy to teach languages, including English, to adults. The Fred Somerset Memorial Scholarship Program, along with Instructor Lourenco, is proud to give Lorraine this opportunity to learn the English language and further her educational and professional milestones.
