(Photo By Flickr User Paul Sableman)

Ron Isley, Grammy Award Winner, producer and lead singer of The Isley Brothers, is pleased to launch the Ron Isley Initiative that will send students to Harris-Stowe State University.

In honor of his accomplishments and passion for the St. Louis community, Isley will use his gift to provide a legacy for generations to come. Isley will partner with the R. Whittington Foundation and Ira DeWitt of Notifi Music Group host several annual events and engagements to provide full-ride, four-year scholarships for at least two first-year Harris-Stowe students.

According to Isley, “I’m excited about being a part of such an amazing and powerful movement. My goal is to have a major impact helping the community through the blessings of my own success stories. Being an inspiration as well as a tool to helping educate our youth is a wonderful feeling and I’m excited”.

The Isley Initiative will launch on Saturday, May 20, 2017 with an Annual Black Tie Gala/Concert with Ron Isley and Friends at the Peabody Opera House.

The R. Whittington Foundation and Ira Dewitt will be instrumental to the success of the Ron Isley Initiative.

“I see music and education as building instruments not just for our communities but also as a way of implementing change in our world. Through this program I’d like to create a platform that would allow students to maintain hope and explore the opportunities of the impossible. As well as providing students with a support system that will give them confidence to know they can do all things, stated Ira DeWitt.

Dewitt and Whittington passion for the educating youth is exemplified by their dedication to the Isley Initiative.

“I am looking forward to changing the mind-set of the youth who inspires to go to college but lack the resources and funding. I know it’s a game changer. I’d like to be that bridge to bring change,” said Rickey Whittington.

The Ron Isley Scholarships will financially support graduating seniors from a St. Louis area high school who will attend Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, Missouri.

“Harris-Stowe is honored and sincerely grateful to Ron Isley for his dedication to the St. Louis community and his willingness send students to and through college, and we are proud to carry his legacy by transforming the Ron Isley Scholars into professionals and community leaders,” said Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, president, Harris-Stowe State University. “Harris-Stowe is truly thankful for Rickey Whittington’s and Ira DeWitt’s commitment and partnership.”

(Information courtsey of hssu.edu)