SUBMITTED By NANCY FOLTZ
CHEROKEE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
The Graham Foundation, a family foundation in Greenville, SC, has made a $4,000 contribution to the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award program, which helps college undergraduates who are members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians develop leadership skills.
The Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program was established by Cherokee Preservation Foundation in 2007 to honor the late Principal Chief Leon Jones and Mr. James Bowman, founding members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Since the program’s start, nine young people have received cash awards to apply to development activities such as special academic enrichment programs, travel, leadership training, and sponsored volunteer service.
Stephen Lambert, Program Director of the Graham Foundation, presented a $4,000 check to the Jones-Bowman Leadership Program. Shown (left-right) are Kevin Jackson, Janice Jones, Gerard Bell, Stephen Lambert, Luke D. Hyde, Susan Jenkins, Alicia Jacobs and Wanda Lawless. (Photo courtesy of Nancy Foltz/Cherokee Preservation Foundation)
Stephen J. Lambert, the Program Director and a Trustee of the Graham Foundation, presented a $4,000 check to the Jones-Bowman program at an event at Cherokee Preservation Foundation on January 21. Lambert, who is an enrolled member of the EBCI, said that giving back to the Tribe and the local community “is my heart’s desire and the history of who we are as a people.”
“When we can give back in any way, it awakens our families to who they are,” said Lambert. “The Jones-Bowman program has a heart and the Graham Foundation believes the program will produce growth with the funds we have provided.”
Receiving the check from the Graham Foundation were Susan Jenkins, Executive Director of Cherokee Preservation Foundation; Alicia Jacobs, Coordinator of the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program; Janice Jones, the widow of the late Principal Chief Leon Jones; Luke D. Hyde and Wanda Lawless, members of the Board of Directors of Cherokee Preservation Foundation; and Kevin Jackson and Gerard Bell, Jones-Bowman Fellows.
“We are grateful to the Graham Foundation for its generous support,” said Alicia Jacobs, Coordinator of the Jones-Bowman program. “The funding will help us support the Jones-Bowman program, and the timing of the contribution is perfect as we are just beginning our recruiting effort for the year.”
Information about the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award program, including benefits to participants, eligibility and program requirements, and an application, is available at www.cpfdn.org/jonesbowman.html, or contact Alicia Jacobs at 828/497-5550.
