MISSION

The Lura Smith Fund was founded in 1999 by the Lura Smith Family of Lowell, Massachusetts. Our mission of embracing the unity reflective of the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is achieved by presenting programs, events and educational scholarship opportunities within the rich culturally diverse Greater Lowell Community.

OVERVIEW

The commitment from Dr. Carole A. Cowan, former President of Middlesex Community College, serves as the platform for articulating the mission of the Lura Smith Fund throughout Greater Lowell and the surrounding areas.

On Monday, January 18, 1999, the Lura Smith Family of Lowell, Massachusetts set out on a journey to personally fund and present what has become the Annual Lura Smith Fund - MCCF Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.Approximately 75 guests representing the incredible diversity of the Greater Lowell Community walked hand in hand through a wonderful experience of unity.At that moment Lura Smith’s personal dream came alive!Over the years this event has expanded to include over 300 guests representing the Merrimack Valley, New Hampshire and Greater Boston areas. Through the encouragement and financial support from numerous businesses, agencies, friends and fellow Lowellians, the following Lura Smith Fund Visions have become reality!

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vision

Year 1999

  • Presented the first Lura Smith Family Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Middlesex Community College John Nesmith House, Lowell, Massachusetts

Year 2000

  • Established the Middlesex Community College Foundation Lura Smith Fund
  • Introduced the Lura Smith Annual Scholarship ($1,000)
  • Established to provide financial assistance to African and African American students attending Middlesex Community College

Year 2001

  • Hosted the Third Annual Lura Smith Fund MCCF Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • Established a formal partnership with Lowell High School to provide MCC scholarship opportunities

Year 2002

  • Created the “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD”
  • Dr. King continually questioned the depths of his faith and the limits of his wisdom.
  • He was fired by a vision of equality for people everywhere.It is in this spirit that this award is presented annually to an individual who has labored to embrace Dr. King’s vision.
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD”presented to: Cleotha Jackson – Dracut, Massachusetts
  • Awarded the Lura Smith Scholarship to: Victoria Kabia, Lowell High School - Cory Swanson, Lowell Middlesex Academy - Romell King, Lowell Middlesex Academy

Year 2003

  • Influenced the naming of a street in the heart of Lowell “Martin Luther King, Jr. Way” January 14, 2003. Address of the Tsongas Center at UMASS Lowell
  • Cohosted with Congressman Martin Meehan, a community reception for Georgia Congressman John Lewis (a founding father of the Civil Rights Movement)
  • Participated in Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama as a special guest of Congressman Martin Meehan
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Maria Cunha – Lowell, Massachusetts
  • Awarded the Lura Smith Scholarship to: Kwadwo Yeboah, Lowell High School

Year 2004

  • Hosted a reception honoring Mrs. Juanita Abernathy, Civil Rights Activist (widow of Rev. Dr. Ralph Abernathy who was the closest associate to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Rithy Uong – Lowell, Massachusetts
  • Awarded the Lura Smith Scholarship to: Jomah Ketter, Lowell High School - Emmanuel McCall, Lowell High School -Jariatu Thulla, Middlesex Community College

Year 2005

  • CoSponsored: VANQUI (An African American Opera performed by the New England Orchestra, Dr. Kay George Roberts, Conductor)
  • CoSponsored: The African Festival of Lowell (Presented by the African Cultural Association of Lowell, Massachusetts)
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Mary Mitchell – Lowell, Massachusetts
  • Awarded the Lura Smith Scholarship to: Lowell High School Students Mustaph Sheriff, Jacquilane Gardner, Dora Owusu and Shannon Hall

Year 2006

  • CoSponsored: Tribute to Coretta Scott King Concert performed by the New England Orchestra, Dr. Kay George Roberts, Conductor
  • CoSponsored: African American History Month Series (Presented by the Merrimack Valley Branch NAACP)
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Dianne Porter – Tewksbury, Massachusetts
  • Awarded the Lura Smith Scholarship to: Patience Dahn, Lowell High School

Year 2007

  • In Honor of African American History Month hosted the Lura Smith Fund Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Skate, Tsongas Center at UMASS Lowell, 300 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Lowell, Massachusetts (a gift to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell)
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Gordon Halm – Lowell, Massachusetts
  • Awarded the Lura Smith Scholarship to: Mohamed Jalloh, Lowell High School

Year 2008

  • The Year 2008 marked the Tenth Year Anniversary of the Lura Smith Fund and the Tenth Year Anniversary of the Annual Lura Smith Family Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • Hosted the Myrtle Literary Guild and the Reader’s Digest Book Club in honor of Bernice McFadden, National Best Seller Author
  • Hosted 10th Anniversary Dinner Celebrating Middlesex Community College Wider Horizons Program (Student Teachers from Northern and Southern Ireland)
  • CoSponsored Andover Baptist Church Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • Hosted Alberto Vassalo, CEO El Mundo Newspaper of Boston in honor of Middlesex Community College Latino American Celebration
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Dr. Carole A. Cowan, President Middlesex Community College, Lowell/Bedford, Massachusetts
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Francesca Desire, Middlesex Community College

Year 2009

  • Cosponsored: Nashoba Region/Shirley, Mass. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • Cosponsored: Andover Baptist Church Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • Hosted Ms. Giovanna Negretti, CoFounder & Executive Director of Oiste, Latino Political Organization of Massachusetts in honor of Lowell Women’s Week 2009
  • Presented Southern Gospel Concert Fundraiser in collaboration with Community Teamwork, Inc. to end homelessness (profit $12,000.000).
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Vernis Jackson – Portsmouth, New Hampshire
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Tanya Cameron, Abdu Kinene and Victoria Makumbi, Middlesex Community College

Year 2010

  • Cosponsored: Andover Baptist Church Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • Presented the Second Annual Gospel Concert of Thanksgiving Fundraiser in collaboration with Community Teamwork, Inc.
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Amsi Morales, Founder, A.M.S.I. Foundation
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Moses Kirori, Middlesex Community College

Year 2011

  • On Wednesday, April 27, 2011 established the Dr. Carole A. Cowan Scholarship (President of Middlesex Community College) while celebrating the Legacy and Birthday of Coretta Scott King First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement.
  • Presented the Third Annual Gospel Concert of Thanksgiving Fundraiser.
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: The National Council of Negro Women,
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Evelyne Mugadia, Middlesex Community College

Year 2012

  • Cosponsored:Carole Copeland Thomas Black History Month Breakfast featuring Mrs. Juanita Abernathy, Civil Rights Activist
  • Presented the Fourth Annual Gospel Concert of Thanksgiving Fundraiser in collaboration with Community Teamwork, Inc.
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Kevin Harkins, Photographer Londonderry New Hampshire
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Ronise Weaton, Middlesex Community College

Year 2013

  • Honored the 15th Year Anniversary of the Lura Smith Family Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.
  • Presented the Fifth Annual Gospel Concert of Thanksgiving Fundraiser in collaboration with Community Teamwork, Inc.
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Carole Copeland Thomas, Founder & CEO,
  • Thomas & Associates, Lakeville, Massachusetts
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Kelsey Jones, Middlesex Community College

Year 2014

  • Presented the 16th Year Anniversary of the Lura Smith Family Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: George L. Duncan and Enterprise Bank & Trust
  • Presented the Sixth Annual Gospel Concert of Thanksgiving Fundraiser in collaboration with Community Teamwork, Inc.
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Emmanuel Appiah and Gackson Wheeler, Middlesex Community College

Year 2015

  • Presented the 17th Year Anniversary of the Lura Smith Fund Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Chancellor Martin T. Meehan, UMASS Lowell
  • Awarded a $2,000.00 sponsorship to Middlesex Community College student Danzel Jones for Spring Semester 2015 studies at Bath Spa University in London. Bath Spa University is a leading educational institution in creativity, culture and enterprise. Through teaching and research, the University provides quality student experiences.
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Tobi Atannon and Bekki Bremang, Middlesex Community College

Year 2016

  • Presented the 18th Year Anniversary of the Lura smith Fund Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Lowell
  • Awarded $3,000.00 sponsorship to the Middlesex Community College Multicultural Center Diversity Summit held in Ogunquit, Maine. The Diversity Summit was developed to allow students to engage in matters that affect their lives, school, workplace and communities.Student engage in honest, open and interactive dialogue about the cultural climate at MCC, learn from student experiences and discuss plans to cultivate a campus climate that promotes equality. A series of workshops, guest speaker and discussions are centered on issues of culture, identity and social justice.
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Matilda Appiah and Eddie Novinyo, Middlesex Community College

Year 2017

  • Presented the 19th Year Anniversary of the Lura smith Fund Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
  • “LIVING THE DREAM AWARD” presented to: Sister Lorraine Richard, s.e.q. Principal, Franco American School, Lowell, Massachusetts
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Malou Deng and Timoria Saba, Middlesex Community College

Year 2018

  • Presented the 20th Year Finale Anniversary of the Lura Smith Fund Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.  After 2018, the Lura Smith Fund will continue to embrace the legacy of Dr. King through our mission of supporting and presenting programs, events and educational scholarship opportunities within the rich, culturally diverse Greater Lowell Community.
  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Ismael Ouattara and Lucy Paynter

  • MCC College for Kids Summer Camp Scholarships (2 each) provided to the following Lowell organizations: Girls, Inc, Boys & Girls Club, Coalition for a Better Acre, and The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association.

Year 2019

  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Mamadi Mansare and Meadly Moreau

  • MCC College for Kids Summer Camp Scholarships (2 each) provided to the following Lowell organizations:  Say DaNar Community Development Center, Boys & Girls Club, Coalition for a Better Acre, and The Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association.

Year 2020

  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Yahaya Lodi and Aschley Poulard

Year 2021

  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Amina Bangura, Esra Eisa and Davina Mwangi

Year 2022

  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: No recipients

Year 2023

  • Awarded Lura Smith Scholarship to: Marlenne Astacio
Last Modified: 9/28/23