Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program receives $16K donation

by Aug 30, 2011Front Page, NEWS ka-no-he-da0 comments

     The Graham Foundation, a family foundation in Greenville, SC, has made a $16,000 donation to the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program, its third donation to the program in 18 months. 

Stephen Lambert (left), of the Graham Foundation, talks with Jessica Munson and Kevin Jackson about the Jones-Bowman community service projects. The Fellows built rain barrel systems for 30 tribal elders in the past year, and is planning a vermi-composting project for the current year. Jackson’s daughter Cameron is also pictured. (Photo courtesy of Nancy Foltz/CPF)

     Stephen Lambert, Program Director of the Graham Foundation, presented a check at an August 22 meeting at Cherokee Preservation Foundation, where he met with the Cherokee Preservation Foundation’s staff,  Jessica Munson (a Jones-Bowman Fellow), and Kevin Jackson (a former Fellow who is now a Jones-Bowman Mentor).

     The Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program helps college undergraduates who are members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians develop leadership skills.  The 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, 17 young people have received cash awards to apply to development activities such as special academic enrichment programs, travel, leadership training, and sponsored volunteer service.  For more information about the Jones-Bowman program, contact Alicia Jacobs at 497-5550 or visit www.cpfdn.org/jonesbowman.html.

     Lambert, an EBCI tribal member, says that the family foundation is pleased to support the development of future leaders of the Tribe. The new Graham Foundation gift will support annual awards for four Jones-Bowman Fellows.

– Cherokee Preservation Foundation