08/10/2026
ONE MILLION DOLLARS. 25 YEARS. COUNTLESS LIVES CHANGED.
Positive Difference Makers,
Only God! 🙏🏽
We give all Glory to God, as he is the reason we are able to do this year after year.
What an incredible blessing! Through the Community For Life Foundation, we were honored to award $56,100 in scholarships to amazing students who are working to reach their God-given potential. We were also able to reach the One MILLION dollar mark in scholarships to more than 450. This milestone would not have been possible without the generosity, commitment, and faithfulness of so many people.
A very special thank you to Wells Fargo, led by their VP of Community Engagement, Babs Ankamah Burford, for their generous support and partnership, allowing us to make this IMPACT in the lives of students, families, and communities.
Thank you to our keynote speaker, Dr. Darnell N Candace Smith, who reminded us to keep God first, let HIM guide you, so you can testify and tell your story. That message perfectly captured the spirit of our Educational Excellence Scholarship Program. Thank City Council District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte for your encouragement and letting this year's recipients know that the future of our city is in their hands.
Thank You to Our CFL Foundation Team
We are especially grateful to our founders, Keith Graham and Denetrice Medlock-Graham, for having the vision to establish the Community For Life Foundation and for allowing all of us to play a part in carrying that vision forward. Special appreciation goes to our grant writer, Dr. Sandra Gillins, and our finance team, Yonna and Carl Banks, led by Finance Director Yonna Hall, for their tremendous work in securing and managing the resources that make these scholarships possible.
Thank you to our Education Director and Education Department—LaShawna Jordan, Dr. Tonia Baldwin, and Garland Adkins—for leading our scholarship selection committee and ensuring that this process continues to identify deserving students. I know you all work year-round, and the work can be overwhelming at times. When we see the faces of the students and families on our Educational Excellence Scholarship Days, please know that smile is because of all the hard work you all put in everyday.
Thank you to Dr. Ben Clark for working with our alumni and to Jana Irons for keeping our meeting minutes accurate and comprehensive. You—and our entire Board of Directors—have given countless hours of service to help students pursue their God-given purpose. Your commitment is truly immeasurable.
The Team Behind the Scenes
No successful event happens without an incredible team working behind the scenes. Special thanks to Kay Vee Karen Dunn, NWCC Commercial Producer and encouraging video creator; Brandon Graham, our sound engineer, AV and marketing genius - helping to make memories for everyone, every year; and Dieadra Nikki Marshall for helping bring the vision to life, the countless meetings, Gala committee preparations, and ensuring our story reaches our community.
Thank you to the incomparable Ruby Johnson, our amazing graphic designer; the multitalented Louise Brown, our web designer/webmaster - You all keep us looking amazing and allow us to tell an amazing story to the masses. Imani for the beautiful balloon arrangements; and our hospitality, cleanup, and auxiliary teams for helping make this event special year after year. We thank Jasmine Brown Jas Dawn and Jessica Duff for taking amazing photos and capturing the essence of our 25th Anniversary celebration and milestone. We will forever have these memories because of you. Thank you Chris Brown and Jasmine for leading our O'Give Thanks initiative which has allowed us to make an impact in our surrounding community here in San Antonio City Council District 10. Thank you to everyone on the hospitality team, including Lo**ta Muse, Ruby Johnson, Lisa Truesdale, Vanessa Irons, our new corporate scholarship from Phil and Damaris Coles and your company Office Pride keeping everything pristine. Thank you Greg and Pat White for also helping with setup and your scholarship sponsorship.
Our Board, Partners & Community
I thank God for our amazing Board of Directors, whose dedication and service continue to move the mission of the Community For Life Foundation forward.
A special thank you to Janelle Mundine, Community Outreach Liaison, for renewing your corporate sponsorship (your donation of time and money is greatly appreciated), and to The Honorable, Dr. Marisa B. Perez, Board Member at Large, for helping us expand our corporate partnerships and community outreach—and for opening doors that only God could have provided.
Thank you, Jana Irons, Executive Secretary, for keeping us accountable with our timelines and documentation.
We are also grateful to our media partners and friends who continue to tell our story throughout the year: Blaise Labbe and Sinclair Broadcasting, Laura Thompsonn and The African American Network - TAAN, News 4 San Antonio, KABB FOX 29 News, San Antonio. Thank you Amir for helping us connect with other stakeholders. Thank you for helping us share the impact of the Community For Life Foundation with the broader community.
To all of our Corporate Partners, and especially our event sponsors Wells Fargo and Now Word Covenant Church —THANK YOU!
Your generosity makes a difference.
Special Thanks to Our Memorial and Corporate Scholarship Sponsors
A heartfelt thank you to our generous scholarship sponsors who are investing in the future of our students: Sandra Neal – Kimarion Nelson Todd Scholarship; Greg and Pat White – Lovie White Scholarship; Martha, Brian McCollum and Family – Elder Lawrence Morris Scholarship; Cheryl Porter Scholarship; Matthew Graves – Darlene Graves Scholarship; Chris Wynder – Carrie Horne Scholarship; Trudy Conyers Scholarship; Graduate Scholarship; Julian and Sherry Mathews - Marcia Mathews Aguire Scholarship; Phil and Damaris Coles - Office Pride Commercial Cleaning – Corporate Scholarship. Thank you IMG Studios, James and Heather Angel Chandler, Roel Barrera and Tieken Automotive for your donations this year to help build our scholarship fund. Your generosity is helping students pursue their education, fulfill their God-given purpose, and become Tomorrow’s Leaders!
My Rock:
Special thanks to my wife Melissa who continues to inspire me to do this work for students and the communities. Our talks about how to help students and the state of education many times is the impetus and encouragement needed to sustain this passion. I see what you do for students and even our own family everyday, and understand our assignment to help bring HOPE and HEALING to our world through our Love for Christ. Thank you to our kids who allow us both to do this work and get in "ALIGNMENT with our Assignment!" God knew. I LOVE You and forever grateful for your support.
The Celebration CONTINUES!
As we continue to celebrate 25 years of the Community For Life Foundation, we are reminded that this work is bigger than any one person. It takes a village—people willing to give their time, talent, and treasures to invest in the next generation.
Because of your faithful support, we will have a successful Gala in December and create IMPACT through our scholarships awarded!
What a testimony. What a milestone. What a blessing.
Thank you for helping us fulfill our mission of Helping Today’s Learners Become Tomorrow’s Leaders.
To God be the glory! 🙏🏽❤️
Warmly,
Dr. Lawrence Scott
Executive Director
Community For Life Foundation See less
