“The Black Culture Foundation is accepting applications for its 2025 Student College Scholarship Awards,” said President Carl M. Dameron.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. –The Black Culture Foundation is accepting applications for its 2025 Black Rose Festival student scholarships. The Black Culture Foundation Scholarship Program provides scholarships for financial assistance to graduating high school and current college students.
“This scholarship seeks to support civic-minded students who want to give back to the region and demonstrate motivation, perseverance, and a sincere desire to use their education to benefit the Inland Empire and underserved communities,” said Scholarship Chair Rev. Bronica Martindale.
“Winners will receive a one-time scholarship of $1,000 to $3,000 to an accredited public or private four-year, bachelor’s degree-granting institution or two-year community college associate degree-granting institution of higher learning,” said Black Culture Foundation President Carl M. Dameron.
Students who intend to work in the region will be given priority upon graduation. The scholarships are funded when students officially enroll. Awards may be used for tuition, books, fees, and living expenses. High school seniors and current undergraduate college students are encouraged to apply.
Applicants will be selected based on the following criteria:
Financial need
Letter of recommendation
GPA of 3.5 or above
Community service
High school senior or current bachelor’s degree holder
Attend a college within the Inland Empire
Full-time undergraduate or graduate student enrolling in the fall of 2025
Intent to work in the Inland Empire upon graduation from college/university
Eligible students must submit 1) the application form; 2) a letter of recommendation from a counselor and another person not related to the applicant who is familiar with the applicant’s academic capabilities, skills, community service, and volunteer activities; 3) a current report card/transcript (unofficial is acceptable).
Final award recipients must provide evidence of enrollment in the academic institution to which funds will be provided on behalf of the recipient.
Interested students can obtain an application online from the Black Culture Foundation.
On Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., the Black Culture Foundation will honor and celebrate the remarkable work of these individuals at the 33rd Annual Black Rose Awards in the Santos Manuel Student Union at Cal State San Bernardino. Tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and program advertising are available online at the foundation’s website.
About the Black Rose Awards
The Black Rose Awards serve as a tribute to Black History Month. The awards are sponsored by the Black Culture Foundation, a non-profit established in 1968 by a small group of individuals who felt that our school systems have failed to include Black history studies in regular curriculums nationwide. As a result, all students miss the chance to learn more about this crucial part of our country’s history.
The Black Culture Foundation’s noble purpose is to kindle an interest in and deeper appreciation of Black culture, raise community awareness about the achievements of Black individuals, past and present, and organize an annual Black History Month parade and associated cultural events. Furthermore, the foundation seeks to transcend cultural barriers by uniting the local community and celebrating this event with unity and brotherhood.
The Black Rose Awards are the Foundation’s showcase cultural event.
The Dr. Juanita Scott Humanitarian of the Year Award winner Jack B. Clarke, Jr., partner at the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo.
University Presdient Dr. Tomás D. Morales, will accept the Jim King Founders Black Rose Award for California State University, San Bernardino.
Black Rose Award winner Acquanetta Warren, Mayor of Fontana
Black Rose Award winner Aristotle McDaniel, founder of GPL-Grandparents Love.
Black Rose Award winner Michael Beauregard, Assistant Manager at Sam’s Club.
Black Rose Award winner James C. Baker II, Park Commissioner for the City of Moreno Valley.
Dr. Marcus Funchess, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources of the San Bernardino City Unified School District is The Dr. Juanita Scott Humanitarian of the Year Co-Award winner.
Black Rose Award Winner Tina Darling, Director of Education at American Career College, Ontario, and Chair of the Nursing and Health Ministry at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
The 31st Annual San Bernardino Culture Foundation’s Black Rose Awards takes place on Friday, February 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the Riverside Convention Center.
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF. —The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation has announced its award winners for 2024, they are honoring two people for The Dr. Juanita Scott Humanitarian of the Year Award. “We have chosen Dr. Marcus Funchess, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources of the San Bernardino City Unified School District, and Jack B. Clarke, Jr., partner at the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo,” said Foundation President Ezekiel Adeleke.
Foundation President-elect Carl M. Dameron added, “We are also honoring California State University, San Bernardino, with the Jim King Founders Award.
Black Rose Award winners include Acquanetta Warren, Mayor of Fontana, James C. Baker II, Park Commissioner for the City of Moreno Valley; Michael Beauregard, Assistant Manager at Sam’s Club; Tina Darling, Assistant Director of the Vocational Nursing Program – Clinical at American Career College, Ontario, and Chair of the Nursing and Health Ministry at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church; and Aristotle McDaniel, founder of GPL-Grandparents Love.”
“On behalf of CSUSB’s 20,000 students and 125,000 alumni, we are honored to receive the Founders Award from the Black Culture Foundation,” stated University President Dr. Tomás D. Morales. “We are proud of our partnership with the Black Rose Foundation and the African American community in the Inland Empire in advocating for educational opportunities to the residents of the Inland Empire.”
The 31st Annual San Bernardino Culture Foundation Black Rose Awards ceremony takes place on Friday, Feb. 23, starting at 5:30 p.m. at The Riverside Convention Center.
The Black Rose Awards are a complement to Black History Month. The awards are sponsored by the Black Culture Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1968 by a small group of people who were concerned that, “…nationwide, our school systems have not yet incorporated Black history studies into regular school curricula. Thus, all students miss the opportunity to learn more about a vital part of this country’s history.”
The Black Culture Foundation’s purpose “…is to foster an interest and a greater understanding of Black culture, to heighten community awareness of the accomplishments of Black people, past and present, and to plan, coordinate and direct an annual Black History Month parade and related cultural activities…[and] bridge the gaps across cultural lines by bringing the local community together to celebrate this event in the spirit of unity and brotherhood.”
The Black Rose Awards are the Foundation’s showcase cultural event.
“Dameron Communications founder, creative director, and longtime community trailblazer Carl M. Dameron has been elected President of the Black Culture Foundation,” said outgoing President Ezekiel Adeleke.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.— The Black Culture Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1968 by a small group of dedicated community leaders, will celebrate its 31st Black Rose Awards with a new President.
“Dameron Communications founder creative director and longtime community trailblazer Carl M. Dameron elected President of the Black Culture Foundation, effective on February 3, 2024,” said outgoing President Ezekiel Adeleke. Dameron is also co-chair of the 31st Black Rose Awards.
“I am honored to be chosen the leader of The Black Culture Foundation and co-chair of the 31st Black Rose Awards,” said Dameron. “I have enjoyed providing public relations services for The Black Rose Awards since 1994. I also served as the event master of ceremonies for several years. Now I have the honor of serving the Foundation as president.”
Dameron is recruiting new members and board members for the Foundation to work on its signature event and expand the Foundation’s reach. “We need people to aid in the efforts to recognize Black culture and Black leaders in the Inland Empire,” said Dameron. “We need accountants, graphic designers, office workers, and more.”
Photo Caption: 2023 Black Rose Award Winners – (From left) Accepted for Linda D. Wright; Arlington Rodgers Jr., President of the Black Culture Foundation; Rose Mayes, Humanitarian of the Year honoree; Gloria Macias Harrison, Black Rose awardee; Jim King, Foundation co-founder; Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson, Black Rose awardee; Accepting for San Bernardino Community Hospital Dr. Ruby Skinner, Medical Director, and Roz Nolan, Chief Nurse Executive Officer, and Genevieve Echols.
To become a volunteer or board member, call or text Dameron at (909) 534-9500 or email blackrose@sbbcfoundation.org. Nominations are due by October 31, 2023.
The 31st Black Rose Awards ceremony takes place on Saturday, February 3, at a location to be announced.
The Black Culture Foundation is a non-profit organization run solely by volunteers. For over 40 years it has been giving scholarships to community youth to help with their college expenses. This program has helped many students achieve their life goals and we are glad to be a part of it. The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation is culturally diverse and committed to the development and understanding of Black culture. As part of that development and understanding, the Foundation strives to provide meaningful socio-economic and educational programs for the benefit of the community.
The Black Rose Awards Gala is the Foundation’s showcase cultural event.
About Carl M. Dameron
Carl M Dameron has spent more than 20 years as a board member and PR Chair for The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps. For more than 10 years he has served as a board member of the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce, the San Bernardino Police African American Advisory Committee, and the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Information Exchange.
Dameron is a founding board member and president of The Inland Empire African American Chamber of Commerce, as well as a founding member of The Inland Empire African American Concerned Churches.
In 1994 Dameron created and produced Inland Empire Minority Job Fairs that have helped thousands of diverse people get jobs and start careers from 1994 to 2000. He launched Healthy Families, the free and low-cost children’s insurance program in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, exceeding the organization’s goals and objectives in record time.
Additional volunteer contributions include:
• Member and former Vice President of The Westside Action Group,
• Vice Chair of the San Bernardino Community College District Affirmative Action Committee,
• Secretary and Public Relations Chair for the San Bernardino NAACP
• Founding Steering Committee member and Public Relations Chair for the African American Health Institute of San Bernardino County
Dameron’s awards include:
• Boy Scouts Whitney M. Young Award for Community Service
• Moreno Valley Black Chamber of Commerce Madam C. J. Walker Media/Promotion Award
• The Unforgettables Community Service Award
• Black Culture Foundation Community Service Award
• League of Women Voters Citizens of Achievement Award
• The Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties Corporate Support Award
• The Urban League of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties Chairman’s Award
• Salvation Army Certificate of Appreciation for Public Relations Contributions
• San Bernardino County Office of Small Business Outstanding Small Business Advocate Award
• California State San Bernardino Entrepreneur of The Year Finalist
