Awardees receive surprise announcements via Zoom call with Renee Parsons
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (January 13, 2021) – Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) has presented its fourth annual Renee Parsons Girls Leadership Award. Driven by businesswoman and philanthropist, Renee Parsons, the award honors girls who have demonstrated three fundamental leadership qualities – collaboration, assertiveness and empathy – and awards the recipient up to $80,000 of scholarship funding over four years and a new laptop.
“As a businesswoman, I feel compelled to support the next generation of female leaders and that’s what this scholarship is all about,” said Renee Parsons, Co-Founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation and President and Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel. “It’s about encouraging young women to be fearless and confident. Education is a powerful tool that breaks down barriers and gives youth the opportunity to pursue their dreams.”
Formally presented via
a Zoom call with Parsons, the announcement came as a surprise to the 2020 award winner, Kaiah James. James believed the call marked the final stage of the interview process but after a few standard questions, Parsons delivered the news that James had been selected as this year’s recipient. The full announcement can be viewed here.
“This award sparks generational forward movement and legacy,” said Eric and Shannon James, Kaiah’s parents. “It has been instilled in us that the next generation should strive to do better than the last, and with this scholarship, Kaiah will be able to do just that. It’s given her the ability to enter the workforce with financial freedom and get that head start that many African American children, unfortunately, don’t have.”
While many of the Foundation’s grants support a broad range of youth and underserved adults, Parsons is personally invested in providing motivated girls with the resources to become happy, thriving, and successful women. Inspired by the list of applicants and her personal conversation with James, Parsons decided to offer a second BGCAZ girls’ leadership scholarship this year – the Renee Parsons Excellence Award – to Amaya Jones. This award pres
ents the recipient up to $40,000 of scholarship funding over four years and a new laptop.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is a longtime supporter of BGCAZ. Over the years, the Foundation has given a combined $8+ million to the organization, including numerous Youth of the Year scholarships, live auction items, and other donations.
BGCAZ provides educational and recreational programming designed to help youth reach their full potential as productive members of society. A large focus is placed on academic achievement, personal development, and leadership, resulting in higher than average graduation rates among Club members. To learn more about BGCAZ, and its impact on the community, please visit bgcaz.org.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 16,000+ young people in grades K-12. At Clubs across the Valley, BGCAZ provides award-winning programs designed to change the lives of young people. For over 70 years, BGCAZ has been creating equity and opportunity for youth through academic, social, and workforce opportunities. We help young people make healthy decisions and focus on social and emotional development to build resilient young adults. Most importantly, we work to develop strong character and leadership skills by creating positive connections to caring adults and their community. For more information: visit bgcaz.org.
About The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture and nourish people during what is often the darkest time of their lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country’s most vulnerable populations, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. The Foundation’s giving is driven by the core belief that all people – regardless of race, religion, roots, economic status, sexual orientation or gender identity – deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media or visit TBRPF.org, to learn more about partner organizations and the important work being done in the community.
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Media Contact: Kaitlyn Kor | kkor@bigyam.com | 480-410-6077
