Turning Tassels
Leadership Society Annual Campaign
Please join us during our 22nd Year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) as a member of our Turning Tassels Leadership Society. We will recognize our donors based upon their annual cumulative level of giving as a member of the Turning Tassels Leadership Society.
At commencement ceremonies, there is a tradition of graduates moving their tassels from the right side of the cap to the left side once they receive their diplomas or degrees. This gesture of moving the tassel illustrates that a person has moved from candidate to graduate. Project GRAD Akron’s programs, services, scholarship program, and supporters have greatly contributed to moving our students from candidates to graduates.
This year, Project GRAD Akron is celebrating its 22nd year of providing services to students in the Akron Public Schools. To commemorate our 15th year and to sustain our organization in the future, we established the “Turning Tassels Leadership Society.” The Class of 2018 was our inaugural class of donors. The Class of 2025 represents the eighth year of our Society. Thank you to all of our generous donors.
2019-2020 Turning Tassels Leadership Society Members (Class of 2020)
Green Tassels
Barry Dunaway
Drs. Mark & Sandra Auburn
Darrell C. Claytor, CFP
Benjamin Comston, Esq.
Judith Dimengo
Annie Hanson Hilaire
Dr. Bill & Annemarie Hauser
Dr. Ralph Liebelt
Cassandra Morrow & Donald Walker, Esq.
Mary & Carlson Preer
Roger Riddle
Sandra Shaw
Paul Stallings
Kirstin Toth
Bernett L. Williams
Blue Tassels
Michelle Bisson
Dennis & Millicent Butts Jr.
S. Theresa Carter
Chima Travel Bureau
Laurie & Scott Curfman
Anita Davis, Esq.
James Harris Jr.
Dr. Gregory & Judi Hill
Ramona Hood
David James, Ed.D.
April Jefferson
Michael Kavulic, Ph.D.
Diane Miller-Dawson
Kenneth D. Kirkland Consulting
Bill & Ann Lowery
Christine Mayer
Ellen McWilliams-Woods, Ph.D.
Fedearia Nicholson-Sweval, Ph.D.
Ann Otto, Ph.D.
Lloyd & Louse Smith Memorial Foundation
White Tassels
Cynthia Knight
John S. Knight Foundation
Jocelyn McClendon
Drs. Sylvester & Elaine Small
Debbie Walsh
Pam Wright, CPA
Red Tassels
Akron Children’s Hospital
Maura Scanlon Bozzelli, Esq.
Jacqueline Silas-Butler, Esq. & Lawrence
Butler, Jr.
Barbara & Denis Feld
G. Stephens, Inc.
Huntington Bank
Lori & Mark Krohn
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
Rubber City Radio Group
Stark State College
Stewart & Calhoun Funeral Home, Inc.
Summit DD
The House of the Lord
The Maynard Family Foundation
Pamela Valentine
Zuckerman Consulting Group
Black Tassels
Martin Belsky, Esq. & Kathleen Waits, Esq.
Dana & Frank LaGarde
Gertrude Orr Donor Advised Fund of Huntington Bank
Roger Read & Sally Miller
Sandra & Richey Smith
Summit County Department of Job & Family Services
Bronze Tassels
FirstEnergy Foundation
Mesa Associated, Inc.
State & Federal Communications, Inc.
Summa Health System
Silver Tassels
Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation of Akron, Ohio
CliftonLarsonAllen
Gold Tassels
Akron Community Foundation
Akron Public Schools
GAR Foundation
Huntington Foundation
Kent State University
OMNOVA Solutions Foundation
Summit Education Initiative
United Way of Summit County