The Point Foundation, the country’s largest scholarship organization for LGBT leaders, is holding a fundraiser Saturday May 9 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Miami Shores Country Club. Tickets are $75 and include a cocktail brunch. Guests will learn more about Point’s scholarships, leadership development and mentoring programs for LGBT youth.
Point has dedicated $18 million in resources and support to LGBT Point scholars of merit over the last 14 years. Averaging $10,000 per scholarship, at more than 20 scholars per year. Scholars are selected based upon a set of criteria including academic performance, demonstrated leadership, involvement in the LGBT community and desire to make a difference.
Last year, Point awarded scholarships to 23 recipients around the country out of more than 2,000 applicants. Among them was FSU student, Frederick Adenuga. Adenuga will be one of the Point scholars at Saturday’s fundraiser.
Adenuga recently graduated with a triple major in Political Science, Entrepreneurship, and Sales while earning his Master’s in Public Administration. He was the first openly gay member of FSU’s Greek Inter-fraternity Council, leading a majority of campus fraternities to openly recruit gay members. He also led an initiative to install gender neutral bathrooms across campus.
Besides the financial support students receive, Point’s LGBT youth programs focus on mentoring, leadership development and community service, helping scholars build skills to develop and organize these projects.
Adenuga’s community service project is “Outside: Point Scholars.” He says the idea stems from the “It Gets Better” campaign in 2010. “An outlet similar to the TED conference where ideas and stories could be presented that stimulate conversation and change.”
For the past two years, Adenuga has hosted “Outside: Florida State” at FSU, a forum where students and professors discussed their challenges and lessons as out members of the community. He plans to further this project, actively recruiting new guest speakers at Point’s Scholar and Alumni Leadership Conference.
Communications and Marketing Director for Point, Eugene Patron, says that beyond the funding much of the benefit to scholars comes from the relationships they build within the programs. Patron says that for many, it is the first time they are among openly LGBT peers as grad students and young professionals, or with mentors to offer them academic and career guidance.
“For a lot of these kids, it’s the first time they see, ‘I have a future, I’m not alone.’ And it’s really about getting that vote of confidence in you.”
Point Foundation Fundraiser Brunch
Saturday May 9, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Miami Shores Country Club
10000 Biscayne Blvd, Miami Shores, 33138
Tickets $75
Register at PointFoundation.org/Miami2015
Guests to Saturday’s brunch will be invited to join the Point Foundation’s Cornerstone Society, with a pledge of annual support starting at $500.
