BMO Capital Markets
home | contact us | site map | français | bmo.com | harris | careers

Sign in
Home : About Us : Community Involvement : Equity Through Education : Jackie Robinson Foundation

Jackie Robinson Foundation

Equity Through Education


The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) is a public, not-for-profit, national organization founded in 1973 as a vehicle to perpetuate the memory of Jackie Robinson and his heroic achievements. It provides college and graduate school scholarships as well as leadership development opportunities for students of color with strong capabilities but limited financial resources. The Foundation is distinctive for the depth of its mentoring program, which results in a nearly 100% graduation rate among its student constituents.

The Foundation also strives to ensure that Jackie Robinson’s commitment to social justice will be carried forth in the lives of these young people as they assume leadership roles throughout society.

Jackie Robinson Foundation at a Glance
  • Over $47 million provided in scholarship assistance and program support to talented students of color.
  • 1,400 students have participated in the program and received scholarships.
  • JRF Scholars maintain a 97% graduation rate, more than double the national average for minority students.
  • JRF Scholars are awarded four-year scholarships of $7,500 in financial assistance per year.
  • JRF Extra Innings Fellows are awarded up to $10,000 in financial support per year.
2010-2011 Academic Year
  • $4 Million provided in scholarship assistance and program support.
  • 215 JRF Scholars and Extra Innings Fellows (41 freshmen were welcomed to the program).
  • Scholars and Fellows are enrolled at 91 colleges and universities. Scholars represent 32 States and the District of Columbia.
  • Over 95 corporations, foundations and individuals currently sponsor full scholarships in the Foundation’s Education and Leadership Development Program (ELDP).
Jackie Robinson Foundation and BMO Capital Markets
With the generous financial support of companies like BMO Capital Markets, the Jackie Robinson Foundation is able to provide four-year college scholarships to students who demonstrate academic distinction, leadership capacity and financial need. In addition, BMO supports the JRF’s overall mission and comprehensive set of support services including extensive mentoring, career guidance and practical life skills. JRF’s innovative approach has rapidly become a national paradigm in minority higher education intervention. Recognizing that students need far more than money in order to reach their full potential as leaders, BMO has been a major sponsor of Networking Weekend, the cornerstone of the Education and Leadership Development Program, since 2004.

Since 2005, BMO Capital Markets has sponsored seven JRF/BMO Capital Markets Scholars.

This fall, JRF will be welcoming two new JRF/BMO Capital Markets Scholars, supported by the proceeds from the 2009 Equity Through Education day of trading. Thomas Stoval will be studying Business at the University of Minnesota, while Brandon Gunter will major in Business and Economics at Dartmouth College.
Back to top

Elan Jones is a senior at Trinity College majoring in Neuroscience. She volunteered at the Cancer Treatment Center for America as well as the Labor and Delivery Unit at Hartford Hospital. Elan has been a leader in various school clubs including the American Medical Student Association and the Latin Dance Club. She has traveled extensively in the Caribbean and Europe and aspires to become a doctor.

Shayla Thomas is a senior at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and is pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. She is a member of “Jumpstart,” a non-profit volunteer organization working with children who live in homeless shelters, and she’s been involved with “Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Days” in Atlanta. Shayla is majoring in biology and aspires to become a Pediatrician.

Karmyn Wedlow is a JRF Alumnus after graduating from University of Michigan in the spring of 2009. Karmyn majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Accounting. She is currently attending the University of Michigan, Law School and her ultimate career goal is to be on the United States Supreme Court.

William “Chris” Alston graduated from Rutgers University in the spring of 2010, having majored in Meteorology with a minor in Finance. During the academic year, Chris served as a tutor and peer mentor for students struggling with physics. He was also the group leader for the physics lab and served as a peer mentor for incoming meteorology students. He is considering pursuing graduate studies in business management.

KeLea Randall graduated as part of the class of 2010 from Spelman College, majoring in International Studies. KeLea recently completed a study abroad program in Ecuador through the Rachel Robinson International Fellowship program in partnership with CARE.
Back to top

Education and Leadership Development Program (ELDP)
The Jackie Robinson Foundation’s Education and Leadership Development Program (ELDP) is a multifaceted program designed not only to address the financial needs of minority students who aspire to attend college, but to guide them through the process, molding these young people into highly sought-after future leaders. Extensive mentoring, career guidance, internship placement, networking and support supplement financial assistance for those entering college, increasing their odds of graduating and making them far more desirable for employment.

Every scholar benefits from:
  • Financial Scholarships
  • A comprehensive four-day Networking Weekend each spring
  • Internship and job placement
  • Leadership training
  • Mentors (Adult and Peer)
  • Alumni mentors
  • Community service facilitation
Extra Innings
The Extra Innings Graduate Fellowship program was established to help JRF Scholars with the cost of advanced professional and/or graduate training. Qualified JRF Fellows are allotted up to $10,000 yearly for graduate studies for a maximum of four years.

Rachel Robinson International Fellowship (RRIF)
RRIF was established to promote and support international internships, volunteer and study abroad opportunities for JRF Scholars. RRIF aims to provide Scholars, who would otherwise lack access, the ability to participate in meaningful programs internationally. The Foundation’s goal is to instill the importance of giving back to their global family and becoming knowledgeable about issues and movements both inside and outside U.S. borders.

Networking Weekend
The cornerstone of the mentoring and leadership development of JRF Scholars is the Networking Weekend (NWW), held each spring in New York City. NWW consists of career panels, workshops, special sessions, cultural outings, and community service programs. The goal of this conference is to provide access to career and graduate school guidance, practical life skills training, and exposure to a leadership curriculum that will give our Scholars the tools to not only graduate, but ensure that they are prepared to achieve their fullest potential. All expenses of NWW for our Scholars, including travel and accommodation, are borne by the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
Back to top

privacy | legal | security | RSS Feed
© 2012 BMO Capital Markets Corp.
A part of BMO Financial Group