CBCF, CBC Spouses Host 16th Annual Mervyn L. Jones Golf and Tennis Classic
Fundraiser Draws Members of Congress, Celebrity Golfer Kevin Hall to Virginia Resort

WASHINGTON – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc., and the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses will host the 16th Annual Mervyn L. Jones Memorial Golf and Tennis Classic on June 21-22 at the Kingsmill Resort and Spa in Williamsburg, Va.

Many members of the Congressional Black Caucus, corporate sponsors of the Foundation and others are expected to attend. The Classic features competitive golf and Bid Whist tournaments, a tennis clinic, a silent auction, an evening gala and a host of other family-friendly activities.

Entrepreneur and basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson is the event’s honorary chairman. Celebrity golfer Kevin Hall will join in the festivities. A childhood illness left Hall deaf, but not defeated. He was the first African American to receive a golf scholarship at Ohio State University and, as a pro, has played in several PGA events.

Named after the late husband of U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio), a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the Classic is one of the most successful fundraising events for the CBC Spouses’ scholarship program. Since 1988, the Spouses have awarded more than $9 million in scholarship funds to hundreds of students across the country.

“The CBC Spouses have consistently shown their commitment to providing educational opportunities for a diverse group of young people,” said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., the Foundation’s president and chief executive officer. “Their scholarship program is broad, looking at highly motivated students pursuing undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degrees as well as students pursuing careers in the performing and visual arts and health-related professions.”

The CBC Spouses is a component of the Foundation and includes the wives and husbands of the African-American members of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

“As tuition costs continue to rise, the need for financial assistance for college remains critical while options for receiving it are becoming more limited,” said Simone-Marie L. Meeks, chairwoman of the Spouses and wife of Rep. Gregory W. Meeks of New York. “It is the responsibility of organizations like the CBC Spouses to ensure that all students have the same opportunity, no matter their economic circumstances, to pursue a good education and their dreams, whatever they may be.”

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc. (CBCF) was established in 1976 as a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy, research and educational institute intended to broaden and elevate the influence of African Americans in the political, legislative and public policy arenas.