The members of Black Faculty and Staff at Brooklyn College (BFS@BC) are currently fundraising for the scholarship that will aid black students in need. Carrie Roberts was a Brooklyn College staff member who worked for the college for over 20 years, first in the School of Education, and later in the School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts as the executive assistant to Dean Maria Ann Conelli. She passed away suddenly in January. In her honor, the Black Faculty and Staff at Brooklyn College (BFS@BC), where Roberts served as treasurer, has created the Carrie Roberts Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to support black students at Brooklyn College who are in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need, which falls in line with the work Roberts advocated. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Roberts was a very active member of the Professional Staff Congress Union and the Brooklyn College Faculty and Staff Circle, and the New Brooklyn Restoration Lions Club. She was a fully engaged member of the community, on and off campus, and was the recipient of over 200 awards for her service to others over the course of her life. Her commitment to helping students, faculty, and staff is a hallmark of Brooklyn College’s mission to cultivate leaders who transform their communities. “Carrie was driven to assist others to better their conditions,” says David Wells, chair of BFS@BC and veterans education and outreach coordinator in the Office of Veteran and Military Programs. “She understood the importance of promoting the needs our community and was excited to play a leadership role in fundraising. She was an integral part of the BFS@BC and worked tirelessly to ensure fair treatment for those at the margins. Creating this scholarship is the least we could do to honor her memory.” The scholarship’s goal is to award two black students (one undergraduate student and one graduate student) a year with $1,000 each, at the beginning of every fall semester. The BFS@BC is attempting to raise at least $2,000 by April 30, 2019 for the first distribution. All donations are tax deductible. Brooklyn College is able to provide students with access to awards and scholarships that help alleviate financial burdens and enhance their success thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends received through the Brooklyn College Foundation. To contribute to the Carrie Roberts Memorial Scholarship, visit the foundation website. Be sure to note in the boxes marked “Name of whom your gift is in memory/honor of” and “Comments” that the contribution is for the Carrie Roberts Memorial Scholarship. Donors can also write a check or money order payable to The Brooklyn College Foundation, Inc., write “Carrie Roberts Memorial Scholarship” in the memo section, and mail the donation to: Brooklyn College Foundation, 2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210-2889.
