Future Forward Gala Raises $660,000 in Support of Student Success
October 31, 2023
Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology welcomed hundreds of supporters from the education, business, and philanthropy communities across Massachusetts to its landmark building for the college’s “Future Forward” fundraising gala. The event celebrated the college’s commitment to educational achievement for its diverse student population, hands-on cutting-edge technical and trade programming, and new chapter as the college prepares for its move to Nubian Square.
The gala co-chairs included Anne Bailey Berman, Paul Gudonis of Myomo Inc., and Barry Canton of Ginkgo Bioworks. Presenting sponsors of the gala were Cambridge Savings Bank, Bancel Philanthropies, and the New Path sponsor was Arbella Insurance Group. Representing the City of Boston was BDPA Chief Planner Arthur Jemison. State Senator Liz Miranda spoke about the college’s exciting move to Roxbury.
As part of their sponsorship, Cambridge Savings Bank announced the launch of the Cambridge Savings Scholarship Fund. The $100,000 grant for Scholarships and Small Hardships Awards will be available to students currently enrolled in their second year at Franklin Cummings Tech to cover the direct educational expenses.
The Future Forward Gala raised over $660,000 that will create endowed scholarships, allowing students to focus on learning the transformative skills and training that will put them on the pathway to fulfilling careers and prosperity. The event was emceed by NBC10 News Anchor Latoyia Edwards, and included remarks from Franklin Cummings Tech’s Board Chair, Turahn Dorsey; President and CEO, Dr. Aisha Francis; and alumnus Joseph Salami (’23, AS Computer Information Technology). Guests were able to interact with demonstrations of the college’s hands-on educational programming in renewable energy, opticianry, and building automation systems.
“The generosity displayed at this year’s gala proves the community’s unwavering support for Franklin Cummings Tech’s future-forward vision of making education and training accessible to everyone. As we enter the next phase of our 100-year history, we are grateful to everyone who helped us invest in the potential of our students and their education,” said Chairman Dorsey.
“We are grateful for our special evening’s sponsors, co-chairs, speakers, awardees, and guests who joined us for our Future Forward Gala. Their support makes it possible for our students to pursue an educational pathway that leads to a fulfilling career. Scholarship funds accelerate learning, which directly translates to higher earning power. The success of this gala proves the depth of our community’s support for our transformative mission,” said Dr. Francis.
Highlights of the evening included the presentation of the “Franklin Cummings Tech Equity Catalyst Award” to the New Commonwealth Fund. The award recognizes organizations and individuals introducing innovative ways to create and build equity in Boston’s communities. The New Commonwealth Fund received the Equity Catalyst Award for its work in addressing systemic racism and racial inequality while fostering inclusion, representation, and opportunity for Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities in Massachusetts. The Fund granted Franklin Cummings Tech $150,000 in 2022, which was directed towards early college programming that exposes high school students to career opportunities in the life sciences and other innovation economy fields.
Gifts to Franklin Cummings Tech provide critical support for students, faculty, innovation, and programs. Those wanting to support the college can visit franklincummings.edu/ways-to-give/
Support for Franklin Cummings Tech comes as the college prepares to move into a new, state-of-the-art campus in Roxbury’s Nubian Square; launch an associate degree program in Biotechnology and develop additional courses for its new Center for Energy Efficiency and the Trades; all aligned with expanding the college’s focus of building a workforce required to fill jobs in growing clean tech, renewable energy, and sustainable construction industries.
Photo Caption (Left to Right): Elena Luna, Tito Jackson, Rachel Felix, Nadia Marden, Dr. Makeeba McCreary, Fred Lowrey, Dr. Aisha Francis, Petrina Cherry, Turahn Dorsey, Latoyia Edwards, Rev. Mariama White-Hammond
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