The Journey THE NEWSLETTER OF THE RON BROWN SCHOLAR PROGRAM SPRING 2021 Message from the President back, over 2,000 high achieving young all the demands life can throw your way; leaders now form a network with an expo- add pandemic, dysfunctional politics, shut- nential impact. Amazingly, our incoming tered businesses, and remote schools, and 2021 Ron Brown Scholars already sense it’s no wonder the stress is taking its toll. that they are joining a family that wants to Just remember, we are here for each other help their potential be realized and their in good times and bad, a cheering section successes amplified. as well as a support system. Scholars realize This issue of The Journey is full of good that if they need help or a friendly ear, all news: fellowships won, degrees earned, they have to do is pick up the phone to con- businesses and nonprofits founded! Two nect to a RBS friend, advisor or staff. Scholars, Angela Smedley (2000) and Mi- In spite of the challenges we are all fac- chael Thompson (2001), made partner at ing, RBSP has a lot to cheer about. A $5M their law firms. RBS physicians, scientists, gift from the Norman and Ruth Rales and public health officials are working dili- Foundation has allowed us to double the gently day-in and day-out to help us return number of scholarships we award for the to normal. And our young leaders—from next 5 years! Starting with this year’s in- public officials to community organizers— coming class, we awarded 45 Ron Brown are fighting to make sure that this “new Scholarships instead of the usual 20-25. To normal” doesn’t repeat the follies and in- honor the Rales family, whose definition of justices of the past. a meaningful life is rooted in service and Ron Brown Scholars are changing the an uncompromising belief in the promise world. But as a group, we are not immune of the future, we’ve renamed our Leaders he Ron Brown Scholar Program to the pressures, challenges and grief that Network. With pride, we salute The Ron T (RBSP) celebrates its 25th anniversary life can throw our way. To those Scholars Brown - Ruth and Norman Rales Leaders this year. As I think about where we began, who feel like you’re struggling just to keep Network – a trusted source of job and in- I am astounded by how far the Program your head above water: we are equally ternship opportunities for Scholars and has come, how vastly our constellation proud of you. These are historically diffi- Captains facilitated through networking, of Scholars stretches and how bright they cult times; as we find ourselves pulled in a recruiting, resume collections, seminars shine as leaders and thinkers effecting million directions, we also have to look to and annual conferences. positive change. Because of our undying our own mental and physical wellbeing. I commitment to mentorship and giving know full well how hard it can be to juggle (continued on page 2) Message from the President The Rales Foundation Gifts $5M to (continued from cover) The Ron Brown Scholar Program to Your continuous generosity and that of friends like Josh, Mitchell and Stephen Increase Scholarships Rales has created the dynamic community originally envisioned by Anthony Pilaro. We call upon the entire Ron Brown com- munity to lean into our network of Schol- ars, mentors and friends and to continue to lift each other. Sincerely, Michael A. Mallory President and CEO Kelly Raymond Celebrates 25 years with RBSP Above: Norman & Ruth Rales The Ron Brown Scholar Program is RBSP will continue fundraising to maintain excited to announce a $5M gift from The our own commitment to supporting 20-25 Norman R. and Ruth Rales Foundation. Ron Brown Scholars annually. We ask that This game-changing grant will double the you continue your support of our work to number of scholarships the Program is able benefit this expanding base of Scholars. to award over the next five years. The Rales Together, we can advance the ongoing Foundation’s underwriting of one hundred leadership development of these students— twenty-five additional scholarships increases and the more than 2,000 students enrolled our incoming cohorts to almost 50 freshmen, in our three signature programs: the Ron each of whom will receive $40,000 toward Brown Scholarship, Leaders Network, and their educational expenses. In making this the Guided Pathway Support Program. The 25th anniversary of the Ron Brown generous grant, the Foundation recognized Scholar Program also marks Kelly Ray- the life-changing impact this Program mond’s 25th year with the Program. A About Norman & Ruth Rales has had on a generation of talented but The Norman & Ruth Rales Foundation is graduate of George Mason University, Kel- underprivileged young African Americans. ly was the first hire under Mike Mallory, dedicated to supporting children and families We look forward to 2021 — our 25th facing hardship by creating opportunities for and suffered through the growing pains as year — with optimism and a renewed sense she and Mike learned how to get a small them to realize life’s potential. of purpose. The Rales Foundation gift is a The foundation strives to advance the nonprofit up and running. She has done strong foundation for our next 25 years. it all, acting as Mike’s assistant, mail sort- legacy of Norman and Ruth Rales, two The ripple effects of their generosity are individuals from modest means who built an er, business manager, chief data officer and incalculable: twice as many Scholars means mentor. Kelly’s primary area of focus is on extraordinary life together based upon the twice as many transformative leaders. values of integrity, compassion, hard work, and keeping the financials of the Program in Ron Brown Scholars have already become order. She is probably best known by RBS giving back to others. Norman Rales, raised in innovators in fields as diverse as the arts, the Hebrew Orphan Asylum in Harlem during as the most important person at the Pro- science, and public service. This next gram, as she has written every scholarship the Great Depression - where he learned generation of Ron Brown Scholars will have lessons about the value of community, striving, check administered to students. double the opportunity to promote racial Thanks Kelly! and resiliency - was honored to be the 2010 equality in America, and with your help, we recipient of the Ron Brown Scholar Program will be there to support them all the way. American Journey Award. 2 THE JOURNEY | The Newsletter of the Ron Brown Scholar Program Leaders Network Partners Bolster LEADERS NETWORK Virtual Learning for Ron Brown PARTNERS Students The Ron Brown – Ruth and Norman leaders who share insights and advice Rales Leaders Network has always been a from their own career journeys as they community of achievers with high ideals ascended into leadership positions. We who come together for inspiration and are also offering opportunities for Partners opportunity. Never has this community to engage with Alumni (young and mid- been more important than in the past year. career) through our recently launched Our Partners have played a critical role in series, Alumni Office Hours. delivering opportunities for our students Our popular Ron Brown Leaders Summit to grow their professional skills and will be held online from June 22-26, 2021 knowledge through virtual events including and although we will miss being in-person, career education and awareness of jobs we are able to build in additional days and and internship openings. Students tuned programming to the event. We hope you in over the past few months to learn and will save the dates and follow updates at discuss topics such as Personal Branding ronbrownleaderssummit.org. with Travelers and the growth of the Clean Thank you to all our Partners and Energy Sector with Apex Energy. community of volunteers. Events like this In the coming months, we will continue would not be possible without your support. learning and connecting through webinars Your investment of time and resources into and our Professional Development Panel these types of educational programs are Series. This series is designed to inspire extremely valuable to the development of our students with stories from incredible our Ron Brown students. Ron Brown Leaders Summit June 22 – 26, 2021 | All Events Online Partner Latham & Watkins Student Internship Reflection Grant Alexander, RBS 2018, a junior projects, and it didn’t feel like there was Economics major at Morehouse provides a rigid hierarchy at all. They spoke to me reflections on his internship experience as if I was their equal, not just an intern with Leaders Network partner, Latham & there to do the work that no one else Watkins LLP. wanted to do. Later, when projects would “This past summer and winter, I had the be published or presented, I would see my amazing opportunity to intern with Latham actual work and input in the final product, & Watkins LLP., one of the most and that showed that they didn’t just ask prestigious law firms in the world. I worked for my input for the sake of asking, but remotely as a Global Recruiting Intern in that my voice actually mattered. During the Orange County and New York offices the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot happened and honestly, throughout my experience on my end personally regarding my family, working, I never felt like an intern in the and they were extremely accommodating conventional sense. I was assigned various and understanding. They even sent me projects that involved working with my own firm laptop to complete assigned attorneys on interview scheduling and work and care packages that included gifts feedback loops as well as staff-side higher and goodies for the whole recruiting team.