The Helen Lee Gentry Scholarship Fund recognizes and honors African-American students that live a Christian lifestyle, exemplify academic excellence, and contribute to our community. In the past we have awarded college scholarships to very deserving students who attend prestigious colleges such as Tuskegee Institute, Duke University, Spelman College, Ohio State University, Wellesley College and Wittenberg University.
Above all else, Helen Lee Gentry valued her personal relationship with God, often saying, "I am about my Father's business" as she ventured into her various missionary activities. A devout Christian for over 40 years at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Southern Baptist Church, Helen understood the importance of education, the power of prayer and the need to read God's word, but most importantly, she lived her life in accordance with God's will.
HELEN LEE GENTRY
The non-profit Helen Lee Gentry Scholarship Fund is committed to this legacy. Previous scholarship recipients exemplify the principles that shaped Helen Lee Gentry's life. We know there are many, many more students that live their lives in accordance with these principles and would benefit from a college scholarship. The Helen Lee Gentry Scholarship Fund reinforces the importance of spiritual maturity, academic excellence, and community involvement. Scholarship recipients serve as a benchmark of excellence for their peers and the community at large. Please help us continue her legacy with your tax deductible donation.
2023 RECIPIENTS
RECIPIENT TESTIMONIAL NICOLE BAILEY MA., MSSA., LSW., OCPS
NICOLE BAILEY MA., MSSA., LSW., OCPS
I was truly thankful and appreciative for being a recipient of the Helen Lee Gentry Scholarship. This scholarship afforded me the opportunity to receive my undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University. I continued my education, completing a dual degree program at Case Western Reserve University. I also studied Public Policy at Harvard University
I grew up in a less privileged community riddled with financial and academic challenges. So I’d like to thank you personally for your generosity: Without scholarship patrons willing to support education, students such as myself would be unable to pursue advanced degrees
This scholarship helped me earn credentials in Social Work and afforded me the opportunity to study abroad in Amsterdam and South Africa. Thank you for enabling this opportunity.
RECIPIENT TESTIMONIAL JANE HARRIS B.A., M.B.A.
The Helen Lee Gentry Scholarship was pivotal in giving me the foundation and security to not only pursue my dreams but also accomplish them. When asked to write this statement, I was able to find a copy of the scholarship recommendation letter that was written by my mentor Inyeai Ororokuma. Reflecting on my dreams that she described in that letter, I am filled with so much gratitude and pride.
16 years ago, I dreamed of graduating with a double degree in Economics and Spanish from Wellesley College. I dreamed of studying abroad in Spain, Chile, and the spanish-speaking Carribean. I dreamed of working in international business. I even dreamed of going to graduate school to pursue a business degree.
16 years later, I realize that I accomplished all of those things and more. I graduated with honors, I worked in international business as a risk analyst with clients from all over the world, and I returned to school to receive my Masters in Business Administration. When I graduated with my MBA, I went on to work at a Fortune 500 consumer product goods company, a major airline, and now I am a Senior Finance Manager for the Surface, Bing, and Edge Marketing teams at Microsoft.
Business success is not everything, but it is amazing to see what God has blessed me with and the people that I've been able to help along the way with your scholarship. Your generosity has had ripple effects throughout my family; my nephew has now graduated with honors and was hired by a top consulting firm and members of my family have set goals to travel and done so, inspired by the opportunities that I pursued.
Sincerely, I offer a THANK YOU to the Helen Lee Gentry scholarship for your generous support of a young, African American woman who had big dreams and humble beginnings.
Jane Harris Wellesley College, B.A. University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School, M.B.A.
