OUR LEADERSHIP
The Courtney Sherron Solomon Scholarship Foundation Incorporated is guided by dedicated leaders committed to advancing education, serving our community, and creating opportunities that make a meaningful difference.
Our leadership includes the Board of Directors and Foundation Directors, each contributing to the Foundation in important and complementary ways. Together, they bring professional experience, knowledge, community connections, and a shared commitment to advancing the Foundation’s mission and serving the individuals, families, and communities we reach.
They bring diverse professional experiences, knowledge, and perspectives to the Foundation. Through leadership, service, community engagement, and professional expertise, they help guide our programs, support our mission, and contribute to opportunities that positively impact individuals, families, and the broader community.
LEADERSHIP, NETWORKING & COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Our leaders bring experience from a variety of professional and community settings. These experiences help us connect people, ideas, resources, and opportunities that can strengthen the work we do and expand our impact.
We welcome opportunities to connect with individuals, organizations, businesses, and community leaders who share our commitment to education, service, and community advancement. Through networking, collaboration, community initiatives, and scholarship partnerships, we can share ideas, connect resources, and work together to create meaningful opportunities for others.
With experience across a range of professional and community settings, our Board members are well positioned to connect people, ideas, and resources. We believe meaningful relationships and strong networks can open doors to collaboration and create opportunities to make a greater impact in the communities we serve.
Big Ideas,
Real Impact
The impact of the Courtney Sherron Solomon Scholarship Foundation Incorporated extends beyond the individuals directly served through our programs. Positive change can happen when people bring their knowledge, experience, relationships, and resources together.
Our leadership welcomes opportunities to connect, collaborate, and provide professional expertise, guidance, or support to individuals, organizations, businesses, and community groups working to make a difference.
This may include supporting a community service project, contributing professional expertise, helping connect resources, developing partnerships, or providing guidance to initiatives that address needs and create opportunities within the community.
Meaningful impact can begin with a conversation, a connection, or an idea—and working together can turn those opportunities into action that benefits others.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors provides leadership, governance, and oversight for the Foundation. Board members bring diverse professional experiences, knowledge, and perspectives that help guide our programs, support our mission, and shape opportunities that positively impact individuals, families, and the broader community.
Through leadership, service, community engagement, and professional expertise, the Board works to ensure that the Foundation’s programs and initiatives remain aligned with its mission and commitment to education and community advancement.
The impact of the Courtney Sherron Solomon Scholarship Foundation Incorporated extends beyond the individuals directly served through our programs. Our Board members are leaders, professionals, and community advocates who believe that positive change happens when people bring their knowledge, experience, relationships, and resources together.
Our Board is open to opportunities to connect, collaborate, and provide leadership or guidance to individuals, organizations, businesses, and community groups working to make a difference. This may include supporting a community service project, contributing professional expertise, helping connect resources, developing partnerships, or lending guidance to initiatives that address needs and create opportunities within the community.
We believe mindful impact can begin with a conversation, a connection, or an idea—and that working together can turn those opportunities into action that benefits others.
SUPPORTING OUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
As part of our commitment to the students who reach out to the Foundation, the Board of Directors offers a one-time, one-on-one consultation to college students who apply for our Academic Scholarships, whether or not they are selected to receive an award.
We believe every student who takes the initiative to apply deserves to feel that their effort matters. This opportunity provides applicants with guidance, perspective, and encouragement from experienced professionals as they continue their educational and professional journey.
WHY MEET WITH OUR BOARD?
Our Board members bring decades of professional experience, knowledge, relationships, and community connections. Meeting with the Board can provide an opportunity to gain a different perspective, ask questions, exchange ideas, and connect with people who have experience navigating professional, organizational, and community environments.
A conversation with a Board member may help someone identify resources, make valuable connections, think through an idea, explore a potential partnership, or gain insight from someone with experience in a particular area.
For organizations, businesses, community groups, and individuals, connecting with our Board can also open the door to collaboration, shared resources, professional expertise, and opportunities to work together on initiatives that benefit the community.
Sometimes, the most meaningful opportunity begins with simply having the right conversation with the right person.
LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
Our Board’s commitment extends beyond our scholarship programs. Through leadership, professional experience, community connections, and service, our Board members strive to be a resource and contribute to meaningful efforts that benefit others.
We welcome opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share our knowledge and experience in ways that support education, strengthen communities, and create positive change.
THESE ARE LEADERS. THEY BRING EXPERIENCE, VISION, RELATIONSHIPS, AND A SPIRIT OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.
GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE LEADERSHIP!
Meet our Board of Directors!
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Denise W. Sharpe
Co-Founder & Eternal Inspiration
Her foundational vision, values, and enduring spirit continue to shape every initiative we undertake.
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Robert A. Solomon, M.D.
Co-Founder, President & CEO
president@csssfinc.org
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Yvonne Solomon
Co-Founder, Vice President & Director of Development
vp@csssfinc.org
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Denzel Smith, M.B.A.
Director of Business Development
directorbusdev@csssfinc.org
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Brandon Smith
Director of Marketing & Communication
directormktcomm@csssfinc.org
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Nikama West Smith, LMSW
Director of Community Assistance & Grant Selection | Newsletter Editor
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Deanna R. Smith
Director of Community Outreach & Service
directorofcommunityoutreachservice@csssfinc.org
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Albert A. Smith
Director of Scholarship Programs
directorscholarships@csssfinc.org
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Yolanda Smith Brown
Treasurer
Our Foundation Directors
FOUNDATION DIRECTORS
Foundation Directors work alongside the Board of Directors to help advance the mission and programs of the Courtney Sherron Solomon Scholarship Foundation Incorporated.
They contribute their knowledge, professional experience, skills, and community connections to support Foundation initiatives and help carry out programs that serve our students and community. Foundation Directors may also take leadership of a specific program or initiative, working in collaboration with the Board to help move that effort from vision to action.
Foundation Directors are an important part of the Foundation’s leadership team. While their voting authority is limited in comparison with the Board of Directors, they play an active role in supporting programs, providing expertise, building relationships, and helping the Foundation fulfill its mission.
Together, the Board of Directors and Foundation Directors bring their talents, experience, and commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for others.
