William C. and Susan A. DeLaney

Donors

William C. and Susan A. Delaney Scholarship Fund

Why we established an endowment fund with POISE Foundation

A little more than five years ago, I decided to honor the legacy of my late husband, William C. DeLaney by creating a scholarship fund in his name as a pioneer African American automobile dealer/entrepreneur and in my name as a long-time Public School Educator (35 years in Pittsburgh Public Schools). Initially, this partnership was formed with Turning Point CDC located in North Carolina. Yet, knowing that both my husband and I have so many memorable ties to the Pittsburgh area, it would be more fitting to partner with a philanthropic organization within the Pittsburgh community. After reviewing several suitable organizations, my committee and I decided to partner with POISE Foundation for a number of reasons. First, Mr. Bernard H. Jones, founder of POISE Foundation was a resident of the infamous Hill District, as was William C. DeLaney. They both shared a similar vision of giving back to the Black community by instilling in our future generations a sense of pride, strong work ethics, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Why We chose to give back through Philanthropy

William C. DeLaney experienced numerous challenges in the late 50’s and early 60’s as a Black man attempting to establish himself as a business owner in the Pittsburgh area. It was only because of his great faith, tenacity, resilience and hard work that he was able to become not only a Black pioneer automobile dealer selling used cars, but the first black man in the area to own a new car dealership (Renault Automobile). William C. DeLaney realized early on that other institutions such as the Northside Deposit Bank believed in him and his ability to become a successful businessman in the Pittsburgh area. Both the president of the bank at that time and the Renault Automobile Corporation assisted DeLaney in obtaining funds and investments needed to launch his automobile dealership. In turn, William C. often spoke to and inspired young men and women who desired to become business owners themselves. In addition, I used my voice as an educator on the Gateway School Board to promote inclusion for the often marginalized students within the schools. Also encouraging young people through my involvement with the Rotary International Club and particularly empowering young women through the Sisterhood of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  It has always been our mission to encourage the next generation by preparing them for the future with postsecondary skills whether through traditional colleges and universities or trade schools. The DeLaney Scholarship with the generous donations of others has been able to award over nineteen individuals with postsecondary scholarships empowering them to use their skills to better our communities. This exemplifies the true essence of paying forward with a philanthropic spirit enabling generational wealth to continue within the black communities and beyond. 

Theresa and Allen Thomas

Donors

The Theresa and Allen Thomas BIPOC Education Fund

Why we chose POISE Foundation

POISE Foundation has a history of supporting African Americans in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area through a variety of programs that they sponsor and that others sponsor through them.  In addition, for many years POISE has overseen a national NAACP scholarship program.  Theresa and Allen were impressed by the track record of POISE both locally and nationally and, after discussions with leadership at POISE, decided that their administrative expertise, commitment to quality and objectives aligned with their personal views and as such, decided POISE is a great fit for their education fund.

Why we support education

Each year, students at Cornell and other institutions of higher learning assume ever increasing debt loads to fund their education.  The typical African American veterinary graduate from Cornell leaves school with between $150,000 and $300,000 of student loans which they must pay back with jobs that cannot realistically support scheduled debt payments.  As such, they enter programs which limit their monthly payments based upon their income levels.  While that allows them to live productive lives with manageable monthly expenses, it also results in the principal balances of their loans INCREASING over time instead of decreasing. We have decided to try to help a few people avoid this scenario by funding a portion of their education with a gift in lieu of their loans.  We have been fortunate in our lives to perform well financially while at the same time acknowledging the support we received from others along the way.  While we have always given back to society, we want to step that up with an endowment that will help people of color in their pursuit of higher education in the field of veterinary medicine.

Our pledge: to donate $1,000,000 to POISE over a period of roughly 10 years

We created the Theresa and Allen Thomas Education Fund with the intended purpose of assisting, primarily, African Americans, but also Indigenous Peoples and other People of Color with the ever-rising cost of funding education.  This assistance will initially focus on Veterinary Students matriculating at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

William D. Jackson

Donor

Dorris Catherine Haselrig Rideout Scholarship Fund

Why POISE Foundation

Easily more than fifty years ago, tagging along with my father as he interacted with other members of our community, I met Bernard H. Jones, Sr. and sensed his importance in and commitment to educational achievement in the Black community. More recently, after observing the philanthropical success POISE has had in supporting the network of agencies devoted to empowering the Black community, I decided to establish a scholarship in the name of another individual, Dorris Catherine Haselrig Rideout, who committed considerable time and limited resources to Black youth in their efforts to achieve. I chose POISE to be the most sustainable administrator of this scholarship because of its focused, well administered, and successful direction of a philanthropical network.

Dr. Milton Allen and Jerry Ann Allen

Donors
The Dr. Milton Allen and Jerry Ann Allen Family Scholarship FUnd

Why community service and philanthropy

Jerry Ann and her husband Milton have been empowered to serve the community with spiritual gifts as well as help address the shortage of nurses by providing scholarship through POISE Foundation for African American students interested in nursing. Blacks making up only 12 percent of all registered nurses in the United States, recruitment and retention are particularly critical within the black community.

Who are the donors?

Milton Allen, Ph.D., Soil Scientist, United States Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining, December 2003 and Jerry Ann Craft Allen, MPM., BSN., RN., FCN, President and CEO, Allen Place Community Services, Inc., December 2020

Milton Allen has been anchored to success since his humble beginnings in Somerville, Tennessee where he lived until completion of high school. Milton is the oldest child of Mattie B. Allen Williamson. Siblings are Mildred Allen, Dorothy Allen, James Allen (deceased), and Tyrone Allen. Inspired by strong family traditions and a deep respect for God, he continuously embarked upon a desire to succeed. Upon graduation from high school, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee and enrolled in the historically black University, Tennessee State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy and a Master’s Degree in Plant. He served his country in the United States Army, received an honorable discharge and started working for the United States Government but desired to do more… He later received a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Allen has a great sense of humor that illuminates and his incredible ability to create order out of chaos are lessons to be passed on. Behind the scenes he is a no nonsense, law and order man who adheres to his beliefs. Not only did he overcome racial disparities to reach the top of his career, but he also went beyond major cultural differences of the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Jerry Ann Craft Allen uprooted from Texas, Tennessee and Indiana and moved to Pittsburgh in 1982. Her ability to expose family and community to wellness opportunities began with health ministry programs from motivation of Rev. Dr. Lacy F. Richardson and the Metropolitan Baptist Church family. She has been driven by personal experiences in her life as a registered nurse of forty years. Her life’s passion of helping others through health equity programs, wellness promotion and disease prevention programs is an example of invaluable service she has given to so many Faith-Based Health Ministry participants and programs launched in Allegheny County and Westmoreland County.

A Time to celebrate retirement: “To everything there is a season, a time and a purpose”

The Allen’s have started a new path in their life journey to share more time with their dynamic family, son Adrian and his wife Hong Allen, daughter Alicia and her husband Charles Robinson, grandchildren Ayden, Milton James, Faith, Charles Julius, Gavin, and Lillian. “To God Be the Glory”.  

Gwendolyn Cartledge, PhD

Donor
The Estelle Martin Cartledge Memorial Fund

Why I chose to improve my community through Philanthropy

I believe in philanthropy. I believe we all should find some way to give to our communities. A stable, productive, contributing community enriches all of our lives. I have been the recipient of others’ generosity and this is one means of reciprocity. Philanthropy embodies my mother’s life and it is one of the best ways I can cherish her memory.

Why I partner with POISE

My nephew introduced me to Mr. Bernard Jones and POISE in the 1980’s. I was looking for a way to institutionalize a memorial fund, honoring my mother, without my constant management. Mr. Jones impressed me as a person of integrity with a wonderful vision for our community. It was easy to trust and believe in his work and the Foundation. I am so pleased that I did and continue to be extremely grateful for POISE.

Ervin Dyer

Donor
The Genesis Fund

What Philanthropy means to me

For me, philanthropy becomes not just about making a financial gift, but really a chance to invest in giving someone the gift of hope and opportunity. Also, it is a way of recognizing my blessing. I give because I can give.

Why I partner with POISE

I partner with POISE because I deeply believe in the foundation’s mission of strengthening the Black community. POISE connects a community of givers and is empowering us to think of the difference we can make.

Sharnay Hearn

Donor
The World Changers Fund

Why I established an endowment fund with POISE

It is my passion to get urban youth to see the world. I planned to use my birthday as a one-time fundraiser to provide support towards these activities. POISE helped me think more strategically about the ways I can leverage my passions and network to provide sustained funding. Now, I am a philanthropist, supporting international educational opportunities for urban youth.

Janet “Phoebe” Kilby

Donor
The Kilby Family Endowed Scholarship Fund