Ron Brown Scholar Program

Ron Brown Scholar Program RBSP competitively awards 45-50 four-year scholarships to African American high school seniors. Brown and inspired by his dedication to public service.

HIGHLIGHTS:
* 99% college graduation rate
* 58% Scholars attend Ivy League institutions
* 51% Scholars pursue graduate degrees
* 534 scholarships awarded to date
* More than 115,000 applications received
The Ron Brown Scholar Fund is a 501(c)3 public charity, managed by an independent Board of Trustees. The Program was named for the late Secretary of Commerce, Ronald H. Established in 1996, the P

rogram provides academic scholarships and support service for young African Americans of outstanding promise.

It's Run/Walk/Move for Ron Brown week — and we are MOVING. 🏃🏾‍♂️💛From July 26 through August 1, our community is running...
07/27/2026

It's Run/Walk/Move for Ron Brown week — and we are MOVING. 🏃🏾‍♂️💛

From July 26 through August 1, our community is running, walking, and moving from all over the world to celebrate the Ron Brown Scholar Program's 30th anniversary and raise funds for the next generation of scholars.

Not registered? You can still help. Visit the link below to find a participant and donate to their fundraiser page.

👉 https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/207711/TopFundraisers

Every dollar goes directly toward scholarships and opportunity for students who've earned their shot.

Thank you for being part of this family. 💛

Heads up — July 10 is the last day to guarantee your t-shirt for the Run/Walk/Move for Ron Brown.Registration is $30 for...
07/08/2026

Heads up — July 10 is the last day to guarantee your t-shirt for the Run/Walk/Move for Ron Brown.

Registration is $30 for adults and $15 for youth ages 10–17. Once you sign up, you'll get your own fundraising page to share with friends and family.

The event runs July 26–August 1. Move from anywhere in the world.

Register now: https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Charlottesville/RunWalkMoveForRon

We'll let Anaya's story speak for itself."GPS helped me prepare for my finalist interviews with Emory, University of Vir...
06/30/2026

We'll let Anaya's story speak for itself.

"GPS helped me prepare for my finalist interviews with Emory, University of Virginia, Duke, Ithaca College, and University of Chapel Hill. As a result, I was offered the Jefferson Scholarship at UVA, The Park Scholarship at Ithaca College, and the Robertson Leadership Scholarship — all full-ride merit scholarships!"

— Anaya Murray, Memphis, TN | Robertson Scholar, UNC Chapel Hill, Class of 2028
GPS is free. It's virtual. And it's open right now to rising African American high school juniors and seniors anywhere in the country.

Apply or share: https://ronbrown.org/gps/

Thirty years of opening doors. Now it's your turn to help keep them open.The Ron Brown Scholar Program is celebrating ou...
06/27/2026

Thirty years of opening doors. Now it's your turn to help keep them open.

The Ron Brown Scholar Program is celebrating our 30th anniversary with Striding Forward, Reaching Back — a global Run/Walk/Move event happening July 26–August 1, 2026.

Run or walk 5K. Move for 60 minutes. Join from anywhere in the world.

Registration is $30 for adults and $15 for youth. Sign up by July 10 to guarantee your t-shirt.

Our goal is $300,000 — every dollar funds scholarships and leadership opportunities for high-achieving African American students.

🔗 Register now: rhttps://ronbrown.org/run-walk-move-for-ron-brown/

10 years. 7,000+ students. A 93% college enrollment rate.The GPS Program has been opening doors for high schoolers since...
06/19/2026

10 years. 7,000+ students. A 93% college enrollment rate.

The GPS Program has been opening doors for high schoolers since 2016 — and applications are open now.

Free. Virtual. No deadline. Any student with internet access can apply.

Know a rising junior or senior who needs this? Link in bio. 🎓

Ron Brown Venture Lab LIVE just wrapped up at SXSW. Full article on our website: https://ronbrown.org/article/venture-la...
03/23/2026

Ron Brown Venture Lab LIVE just wrapped up at SXSW. Full article on our website: https://ronbrown.org/article/venture-lab-at-sxsw-2026/

This past Monday, we gathered in Austin to explore the future of technology and wealth creation. The event was a powerful testament to our "web of care," as Noah Faison (2016 Captain) not only hosted and funded the afternoon but also secured the partnership with Oracle to make it possible.

The session featured four fireside chats with Scholars and Captains leading the way in their respective fields:

Ethan Monreal-Jackson on navigating the macro landscape for underrepresented founders.

Vernon Johnson (RBS 2016) on the journey of building and exiting a startup within the Austin ecosystem.

Devon Cash (RBS 2014) on his investment thesis regarding the role of AI in Private Equity.

Sebastian Flores (RBS 2009) on the future of the attention economy and GTM strategy.

Austin was just the beginning—we look forward to bringing the Venture Lab LIVE tour to Boston, New York City, and San Francisco later this year.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this milestone.

We are constantly inspired by how our community identifies and solves the world’s most complex challenges. Today, we are...
03/04/2026

We are constantly inspired by how our community identifies and solves the world’s most complex challenges. Today, we are proud to feature a conversation that perfectly illustrates this drive. 🔗 https://ronbrown.org/podcast/how-stablecoins-can-bridge-global-trade-emmanuel-udotong-rbc-15-shield/

In our latest podcast episode, hosted by Ray Pryor, IV (RBS ’15) and presented by the Ron Brown Venture Lab, we sit down with Emmanuel Udotong (Captain ’15), Co-Founder and CEO of Shield.

Emmanuel’s journey is a powerful study in visionary leadership:

The Strategic Pivot: Originally focused on Web3 security, Shield has evolved to build the decentralized financial infrastructure that import-export businesses need to thrive.

Solving Real-World Barriers: By focusing on the "middle market"—a sector often overlooked by traditional fintech—Shield is breaking down banking barriers and building the trust necessary for global trade.

Leadership with Purpose: Motivated by their immigrant backgrounds, Emmanuel and his team are defining a new category in fintech designed specifically for trade-heavy businesses.

With so much shifting in the global labor and trade markets, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and social impact.

🎧 Listen to the full episode with Emmanuel Udotong here: https://ronbrown.org/podcast/how-stablecoins-can-bridge-global-trade-emmanuel-udotong-rbc-15-shield/

This episode is sponsored by Spira Capital.

$RBSimpact

The Ron Brown Scholar Program is often asked: What is the secret sauce? How has this community thrived and expanded for ...
01/08/2026

The Ron Brown Scholar Program is often asked: What is the secret sauce? How has this community thrived and expanded for more than three decades?

The answer is simple, yet profound. The "secret sauce" is the extraordinary network of Scholars—their drive, their sense of social responsibility, and their commitment to solving the world's most pressing challenges. It is the community that rallies to support one another, whether in the boardroom or through a simple check-in call between classmates.

A powerful reminder of this mission in action is featured in our latest podcast episode with Colin Webb (RBS' 14), founder and CEO of Avatar Robotics.

Colin's work is a testament to the "Value Added" our Scholars bring to the global stage:

Addressing Critical Needs: Through Avatar Robotics, Colin is tackling labor shortages in American manufacturing by deploying flexible, efficient robot fleets.
Amplifying Human Potential: He shares a vision where automation doesn't eliminate jobs but instead amplifies what human beings are capable of achieving.
The Power of the Network: From his early days founding "Sauce" to leading a robotics revolution, Colin's journey reflects the resilience and innovation fostered within the Ron Brown family.

In a world that often feels divided, Colin's work reminds us of what is possible when talented, courageous individuals show up for one another and for the future of our industries.

🎧 Listen to the full episode, "Why American Factories Need Robots," here: https://ronbrown.org/podcast/why-american-factories-need-robots-colin-webb-rbs-14-avatar-robotics/

In a season centered on Peace and Joy, we are reflecting on what those words mean for our Scholars, Captains, and Naviga...
12/20/2025

In a season centered on Peace and Joy, we are reflecting on what those words mean for our Scholars, Captains, and Navigators. 🕊️✨

For a student, peace is the security of knowing their hard work will be met with opportunity. It’s the confidence that comes from a lifelong community of mentors and peers standing behind them.

The joy is what follows—seeing our Scholars lead in their communities, excel in their careers, and carry forward the legacy of the late Ronald H. Brown.

This holiday season, you can be the spark that provides both. Your year-end gift ensures that the next generation of leaders has the resources they need to thrive without barriers.

Give the gift of opportunity today. Donate now at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/ron-brown-scholar-fund

Wishing you a season filled with peace, and a New Year full of purpose.

Address

2410 Old Ivy Road, Suite 200
Charlottesville, VA
22903

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14349641588

Website

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