The Initiative connects young people of color from the inner cities across America to resources both financial and relational in order to remove the barriers designed to prevent them from reaching their greatest potential. The Initiative awards scholarships and mentorships to deserving high school and college graduates; sponsors personal and professional development workshops and inspires young people to create the future they dream of. See what's new in our News Section.
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Mission
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The Beverly L. Smith Empowerment Initiative ("The Initiative") is a Non-Profit Organization - 501(c)3 founded in 2016 to honor the legacy of Pastor Beverly L. Smith-Crafton, who was the Harlem based Founder/Pastor of Triumph Church of Christ, a revelatory teacher, powerful preacher, warrior-intercessor, dynamic mentor, faithful friend and entrepreneurial leader. Pastor Smith-Crafton exemplified living with purpose, loving unselfishly and walking according to the Word of God. She believed that knowledge was priceless and sharing knowledge was a mandate for the informed.
The Initiative connects young people of color from the inner cities across America to resources both financial and relational in order to remove the barriers designed to prevent them from reaching their greatest potential. Our mission is to ensure that young people of color living in an inner city have the opportunity to pursue and fulfill their God-given purpose. The Initiative awards scholarships and mentorships to deserving high school and college graduates; sponsors personal and professional development workshops and inspires young people to create the future they dream of. |
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Vision and Purpose
The Initiative was formed to be a collective of resources that increase the likelihood of success of young people from inner city communities. We rest on the 7 foundational pillars: Truth, Righteousness, Community, Empowerment, Persistence, Godliness and Purpose. These are the pillars that guide our engagement within communities and among those we serve.
Since 2016, the Scholarship Fund has raised more than $50 thousand with the help of 200+ donor, to push young women of color towards their goals of a college education, to help them fulfill their dreams of an enriched college experience and to provide inspiration for them and their families to stay the course despite financial hardship.
In 2018, we awarded college scholarships to 18 young women of color from communities across the Tri-State area: Syracuse, Auburn, Harlem, the Bronx, Washington Heights, Brooklyn, Queens, Bridgeport, Rockland County, Newark and Long Island. They have worked to overcome the challenges of poverty, peer pressure, racial discrimination, depression, familial dysfunction and just being a teenager of color in 21st Century America. Collectively, the represent the best their generation has to offer and The Initiative is honored and privileged to be a part of their success.
Since 2016, the Scholarship Fund has raised more than $50 thousand with the help of 200+ donor, to push young women of color towards their goals of a college education, to help them fulfill their dreams of an enriched college experience and to provide inspiration for them and their families to stay the course despite financial hardship.
In 2018, we awarded college scholarships to 18 young women of color from communities across the Tri-State area: Syracuse, Auburn, Harlem, the Bronx, Washington Heights, Brooklyn, Queens, Bridgeport, Rockland County, Newark and Long Island. They have worked to overcome the challenges of poverty, peer pressure, racial discrimination, depression, familial dysfunction and just being a teenager of color in 21st Century America. Collectively, the represent the best their generation has to offer and The Initiative is honored and privileged to be a part of their success.
