"One Child, One Teacher, One Pen, One Pad...Can Change the World"
As a 501 (c) organization all donations are tax-deductible.
Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund
"One Child, One Teacher, One Book, One Pen....Can Change the World"
Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund is a 501 (c) non-profit charitable organization that was established to provide students with a college scholarship to cover books, electronics, and other supplies during the school year. As a 501 (c) organization all donations are tax-deductible. Mary E Demps for whom the fund is named was a strong supporter of education, an advocate of HBCUs, and worked tirelessly helping students, as well as special needs students, work to reach their true educational potential. Following her lead, we focus on assisting students in pursuing their educational dreams. It is with your continued support and the continued hard work of our members that we look to expand our reach to as many students as possible. We are devoted to supporting those in need and together, we can make a difference for generations to come. Whether you are looking to contribute monetarily or volunteer your time we appreciate and welcome your support. Even today HBCUs are still making an impact on our lives and future.
Watch our video and see why this is so important to us and the impact we make on these young lives.
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About Our Honoree
"Good Teachers bring out the best in Students"
Mary E Demps was born in Quitman, Georgia, the youngest girl of a family of six children. She had a love for education her entire young life and moved to New Your City in the late 1960s to pursue post-secondary education. Ms. Demps obtained a Bachelors's and a Master's degree in Reading and Education with a minor in Spanish from City College of New York. Ms. Demps spoke fluent Spanish and spent the next 30 years teaching students with special needs of all ages and backgrounds in the New York City and Miami Dade County school systems. Ms. Demps was very passionate about education and worked hard to ensure that her students received the best education possible many times by using her own funds to provide them with the tools that they needed. Ms. Demps was instrumental in several family members attending and graduating from Fisk University and other historical HBCU throughout the United States. In November of 2020, we established the Mary E Demps Educational Scholarship Fund and later finalized the fund as a 501 (c) non-profit organization in 2021. The fund is designed to assist college students with funds for books, electronics, and educational supplies as they pursue their college education. We are proud to be able to continue to touch lives just as Ms. Demps did her entire adult life.
What is a HBCU?
HBCU means Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCUs date back to the 19th century, when many offered Black students an opportunity for higher education. Today, they continue to serve a vital role in higher education. HBCUs like Fisk University, Tennessee State, Stillman College, Howard University, Spellman College, and Morehouse College educates a predominantly minority student body.
Why Should I Care?
Today, 24 percent of STEM degrees earned by minority students come from HBCUs. According to recent data, HBCUs graduate 40 percent of all black members of Congress and black engineers as well as 50 percent of black lawyers and 80 poercent of black judges. In addition to awarding thousands of degrees each year, HBCUs also boast many illustrious alumni such as W.E.B Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and many more notable names.
What Can You Do?
Tuition costs vary at each institution, but HBCUs are generally less expensive than other four-year private and public nonprofit institutions. Even with lower tution cost it is still difficult for many minority students to attend college. Our goal with your help is to provide secondary scholarhsips to assist with the cost of books, computers and other supplies for these students. Join us in investing in these young minds of the future.
Scholarship Requirements
Our team is dedicated to the mission of assisting college students in pursuing their dreams. Get to know the people who make Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund what it is. Our team is an unbelievable source of information, and we are ready to share our events, activities, and ways for you to get involved. Eligible students must have a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA and can be either a student or student/athlete. The student may have any major that leads to a college degree. Many of our board members attended HBCUs and majored in Business Management, Cybersecurity, and Political Science as well as positions in the Dental and Medical Fields. Consider donating to the future of a young college student as your financial contribution will help us to continue to change lives. All donations are tax-deductible, and we thank you in advance for your support.
Click below to apply and email the completed application to vincent@dempsscholarshipfund.com
Our Team
Meet the Board
Our team is dedicated to the mission of assisting college students to pursue their dreams. Get to know the people who make Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund what it is. Our team is an unbelievable source of information, and we are ready to share our events, activities, and ways for you to get involved. Eligible students must have a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA and can be either a student or student/athlete. The student may have any major that leads to a college degree. Many of our board members attended HBCUs and majored in Business Management, Cybersecurity, Dental Sciences, Political Science, and Medical Sciences. Consider donating to the future of a young college student as your financial contribution will help us to continue to change lives. As a 501 (c) organization all donations are tax-deductible and we thank you, for your generosity.
Mr. J. Vincent Demps
Board Chairman
Vincent serves as the Chairman and is truly a valued member of the Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund family. He is the son of the honoree Ms. Demps and could not think of a better way to honor her memory. Mr. Demps is also a Fisk University Alum and current Treasurer of the Fisk Class 1991 Alumni. Vincent initiates, organizes, and develops new ways to increase donation efforts while corporate matching contributions.
Ms. Andrea Demps
Board Secretary
Ms. Demps is a University of Tennessee Alum, who also holds an MBA from Union University. She plays a major role in keeping the organization on task. Ms. Demps is personable and detail-oriented and is instrumental in establishing the initial parameters associated with the scholarships. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful person on our team.
Dr. Ray Bennett
Board Member
Dr. Ray Bennett is a former athlete and Fisk University Alum as well as a graduate of Meharry Medical College. He is the founder of Wingard Primary Care in Peachtree City, GA. Dr. Bennett is a keen believer in the power of charity and volunteer work and is committed to changing the world. His dedication and input play a major role on the team. We are happy to have Dr. Bennett as part of the Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund team.
Dr. Fredric Garner
Board Member
Dr. Fred Garner is a former Fisk University athlete with a Doctorate degree from the University of Memphis. Dr. Garner is an excellent educational advisor who helps to balance our team. He assists with developing the scholarship parameters and volunteers his time and resources to assist with donations. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Garner on our team.
Mr. Sincere Richards, Esq.
Board Attorney
Mr. Sincere Richards is a Tennessee State University Alum and a founding member of Richards and Colburn Law Group, who practices in TN and GA. Mr. Richards volunteers his legal expertise and helps to keep the team together as we work to grow our donation efforts and continue to look at future giving at other universities.
Mr. Tracey M. Thedford
Board Member
Mr. Tracey Thedford is a former athlete and a Fisk University Alum. He holds a master’s degree in Marketing from DePaul University. He is a strong advocate for HBCU enrollment is another valued member of the Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund family. Mr. Thedford as with all our other members helps to establish the parameters of the scholarships and assist with raising donations. We are very fortunate to have Mr. Thedford on our team.
Mr. Darryl Washington
Board Member
Mr. Darryl Washington is a former athlete as well as a Fisk University Alum. Mr. Washington holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Texas Southern University. He is an advocate for HBCU support. Mr. Washington volunteers his time and assists with donation efforts as well as helps to establish the parameters of the scholarships. We are very fortunate to have Darryl on our team.
Mr. Calvin Capers
Board Member
Mr. Calvin Capers is a former athlete as well as Fisk University Alum. Mr. Capers holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting. Calvin obtained a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Memphis and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Mr. Capers volunteers his time and assists with donation efforts as well as helps to establish the parameters of the scholarships. We are very fortunate to have Calvin on our team.
Mr. Kevin Waters
Mr. Kevin Waters is a former Fisk University athlete and an Edward Waters University Alum. Mr. Waters holds a Business Management degree. Mr Waters is the owner of the Jacksonville 95ers a professional basketball team located in Jacksonville, Florida, and is a philanthropist and entrepreneur. Mr. Waters volunteers his time and assists with donation efforts as well as helps to establish the parameters of the scholarships. We are very fortunate to have Kevin on our team.
Board Member
Ms. Jacqueline Watkins
Event Coordinator
With a keen belief in the power of charity and volunteer work, Ms. Watkins is committed to changing the world. There really couldn’t be a more dedicated Event Coordinator, and we’re so happy to have Ms. Watkins as part of the Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund team as she is truly a superstar.
Requesting Your Support
Help Us to Make a Difference
There are several ways to support the Scholarship Fund in addition to monetary contributions. We are always looking for volunteers to assist us with speaking engagements, school fairs, and fundraising events. Reach out to our team if you are interested in helping our cause as a volunteer.
Your support is important to us. Contact us today to learn how to help out!
Contact Us
Get in touch with Mary E Demps Scholarship Fund to discover more about our work and how to donate. As a 501 (c) organization all donations are tax-deductible. We thank you for your support.
3200 West End Avenue Suite 500
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
615-415-8407
888-371-1204
