Welcome to Phelps Stokes

At Phelps Stokes, we believe big ideas can transform under-served communities in Africa and the Americas.

Since 1911, we have been a trusted partner of visionary leaders, foundations, corporations and nonprofits committed to creating lasting social change. After nearly a century, Phelps Stokes is as committed as ever to leveraging all of our support and resources to helping big ideas break through.

NEWS

Ralph Bunche International Exchange to Trinidad and Tobago

February 4th, 2010

University of Maryland Ralph Bunche Scholar Stephanie Stevenson recently returned from a winter term international exchange to Trinidad and Tobago. The following is a testimonial piece on her experiences in Trinidad and Tobago:

This winter term I participated in the University of Maryland, College Park’s (UMCP) Study Abroad course in Trinidad and Tobago from January 9-23, 2010. This course was taught by a UMCP professor of Women’s Studies, Dr. Michelle Rowley, and focused on gender, globalization, and sexuality in the Anglophone Caribbean. Our group took classes at the University of West Indies, St. Augustine and also volunteered at local NGOs such as Working Women and ASPIRE.

These NGOs helped women combat poverty and domestic violence, and become more involved in politics and community organizing. We learned about the importance of NGOs building coalitions with each other and working with governmental institutions to create positive social change. In addition, we went on various cultural fieldtrips, such as MacFarlane’s Mas Camp, which makes costumes for Trinidad & Tobago’s Carnival celebration participants and bands and the Asa Wright Nature center, a world renowned bird observatory. We also visited Pigeon Point, Tobago, and Port of Spain, Las Cuevas Beach, and Maracas Bay, Trinidad.

I appreciate the Phelps Stokes Fund and the Ralph Bunche Society’s generous study abroad scholarship, because it really helped me to make this trip a reality. This experience has informed my understanding of what it means to be a global citizen, to be a critical thinker, and tourist. The coursework and cultural interactions with Trinidadians and Tobagonians also informed my research interest for graduate school, as I plan to study Black adolescent females’ resiliency strategies in urban areas, paths to academic achievement, and relationship with their mothers. In the future, I hope to contribute my knowledge to local and international think tanks and policymakers to help promote greater socio-economic mobility and social freedom for women across the world.

Haiti Earthquake

January 14th, 2010

The thoughts and prayers of the Phelps Stokes family are with the people of Haiti. Dr. Badi Foster, President of Phelps Stokes, made a statement regarding the earthquake and subsequent humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

"Our hearts go out to the people who have suffered through this tragic situation. Count us among those who are trying to make things better for the people of Haiti. If we work together we can get to where we want to be. We can no longer be sorrowful and grieved, we can no longer dwell on unpleasant things in life. Our work must be to serve those who have suffered, and in so doing, save ourselves."

To donate to the Red Cross, click here.

Second Annual Leadership Seminar for Afro-Colombian and Indigenous Fulbright Scholars Upcoming

January 11, 2010

Phelps Stokes is in the final planning stages for the 2nd Annual Leadership Development Seminar-Workshop for Afro-Colombian and Indigenous Fulbright Scholars, to be held in Bogota, Colombia from the 26th to the 29th of January. Last year’s seminar-workshop was extremely successful, as all of the participants stated that they had either a high or very high level of approval. The event also received media coverage from all of Colombia’s major national news outlets.

This year’s seminar will feature 15 Afro-Colombian and indigenous emerging leaders receiving a variety of Fulbright scholarships to carry out graduate studies in the United States, as well as 5 Martin Luther King scholars. The Martin Luther King Scholarship Program is sponsored by the US Department of State and USAID to provide outstanding Afro-Colombian university students with English language and leadership development training. The goal is to provide them with the tools necessary to take full advantage of opportunities in the labor market and to potentially pursue graduate studies in the US.

The scholars represent 7 departments and San Andres Island, located in the Caribbean, and have a diverse variety of backgrounds and academic interests ranging from Tropical Ecology and Conservation to Diagnostic Radiological Physics. Over a dozen established leaders and experts from the United States and Colombia will participate, representing such institutions as the University of Maryland, Walsh University, the New School of Social Research, the University of Cartagena and the Colombian Ministry of the Interior,

During the coming weeks leading up to the seminar-workshop, Phelps Stokes will publish profiles of the participants as well as of the invited experts.