A portion of proceeds from the OhioMBE Awards benefits the Frank. W. Watson Scholarship.
Frank W. Watson was a lifelong advocate for education and minority business. OhioMBE Publisher Ronda Watson Barber is honoring her late father by establishing The Frank W. Watson Scholarship.
Frank founded one of Central Ohio’s first college access programs in the 1970’s, Tomorrow’s Education Now. The non-profit Model Cities program assisted hundreds of Columbus City School students with completing financial aid forms The program also took them on college visits.
In the 1980’s he founded the Central Ohio Minority Business Association to assist minority contractors develop and grow. Frank worked tirelessly and was instrumental is developing the state’s Minority Business Assistance Programs and the legislation has established Ohio’s present purchasing goals.
The scholarship will be awarded to a Columbus East High School student who is participating in either basketball or track& field. An additional scholarship is awarded to another talented high school student. The scholarship will be used for post-secondary education.
Donations to The Frank W. Watson Scholarship can be made at any Park National Bank or mail to Park National Bank – 800 S. 30th Street – Heath, OH
2016 Honorees:
Tylar Willis
Asa Burke