Black Student Fund

News

BSF on Comcast Newsmakers

BSF Director of Development and alumna, Michelle Ratcliff is interviewed by Tony Hill on Comcast cable TV's "Newmakers." Michelle recounts her experiences as a BSF scholar and describes Black Student Fund programs, including the Annual School Fair.

Black Student Fund School Fair

A signature recruitment program of the Black Student Fund is its Annual School Fair which in recent years has attracted more than 5,000 people. The Fair provides hands-on access to information about independent schools and the opportunity for families to talk with school admissions and financial aid directors. This year's BSF School Fair will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2009, at the Washington Convention Center. Admission to the School Fair is free, and open to the public.

Tribute to Barbara Patterson and Gwen Thompson

On October 18, 2008, the Black Student Fund held a special tribute to retiring BSF President Barbara Patterson and Director Gwen Thompson. It was a celebration of their more than two decades of dedication to education and opportunities for black children. The event took place in National Cathedral School's Hearst Hall, and was attended by BSF alumni, parents, trustees and representatives from the BSF Member Schools.

BSF President and Director Named Washingtonians of the Year

(Click on the Magazine to Read the Washingtonian Article)

The Black Student Fund is pleased to announce that its President, Barbara Patterson, and Director, Gwen Thompson, have been designated "Washingtonians of the Year" for 1999 by Washingtonian magazine. Ms. Patterson and Ms. Thompson are featured in the January 2000 edition of the magazine along with 15 other distinguished community members Washingtonian has chosen as "Local Heroes" of the past year. The article and accompanying photograph of the two BSF executives appear on page 45 of the magazine.

The annual recognition of "Washingtonians of the Year" is bestowed on those "people helping people--and making our community a better place to live." The magazine highlights the tremendous success of the Black Student Fund over the past 35 years and the achievements of the students under Ms. Patterson and Ms. Thompson's direction.

Ms. Patterson and Ms. Thompson credit the hard work and determination of the students and the generosity and dedication of the Fund's contributors for their accomplishments. In so doing, they share their distinction as "Washingtonians of the Year" with all who have made it possible.