• Prom Dreams
  • Academic Scholarship 2023 colleges

Inspiring Young Women to be Tomorrow's Leaders

The Bessie Morris Foundation is a Los Angeles County-based 501 (C) (3) organization founded in 2005 by Ivory Freeman in honor of her grandmother, Bessie Bernice Morris. The organization is dedicated to inspiring young women to realize their dreams by emphasizing the importance of academic performance, self-esteem, self-confidence and self-sufficiency. The foundation offers leadership development training, health education, mentorship, personal development and character building programs to at-risk underprivileged girls.

Broadening beyond the organization’s initial Prom Dreams programs, Bessie Morris Foundation has added programs to expand its impact:

  • Book Fair program was created to engage LAUSD elementary school students in the joys of reading.
  • Leadership Academy is an 8-week after-school program to empower middle school girls to reach for their dreams.
  • Believing In Your Dreams is designed to empower and motivate young ladies to dream and set goals to achieve them.
  • College Prep is targeted for Los Angeles County college-track middle and high school students to prepare them for higher education.
  • Reach for the Stars is a conference for young ladies, focused on building self-esteem, financial planning, and healthy living.
  • Prom Dreams allows high school seniors to experience an important milestone event that would otherwise be out of reach.
  • Academic Scholarships help student get started in college by filling the of gap for dorm furnishing and basic school supplies.
 

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Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

NOBLE
Herb Wesson
Toyota
Lakers Youth Foundation
Walt Disney
LA Clippers Foundation
Pine-Sol
Ebony Magazine
LA Sparks
Hogan Hartson, now Hogan Lovells
SCE
ACC America
Councilman Bernard C. Parks, Los Angeles District B
Brotherhood Crusade
Black Probation Officers Association
City of Gardena Recreation & Parks
David's Bridal
IHOP Restaurant
JCPenney
KJLH Radio
former Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas
Lawry's Restaurant
Los Angeles Sentinel
Southern California Gas
Employees of the LA County Sheriff's Department
Department of Economic Opportunity - County of Los Angeles
 
 

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