As Tony Thompson, the founder and CEO of Kwame Building Group, built his firm into a national leader in construction management, he was planning to establish a foundation that would have an educational impact on the communities it served.
The Kwame Charitable Foundation welcomed more than 250 guests to its second annual gala on November 8, 2024, at the Four Seasons Hotel. Thompson honored Kathy Osborn, founder and former executive director of the Regional Business Council, with the inaugural Betty and Jack Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award, which is named for his late parents, was presented to Osborn for her “tireless efforts to increase opportunities and improve the lives of countless women and minorities.”
The choice did not come without controversy, according to Thompson. He acknowledged that he received criticism for a white recipient receiving the inaugural award.
“There are very few individuals in this region who have so effectively used their knowledge, experience, influence and power, to strategically help Black and brown people,” Thompson said.
“Kathy Osborn’s efforts to increase opportunities and improve the lives of women and minorities, over the past 30 years, has been groundbreaking. This award, named after my parents, is befitting her.”
While accepting the award, Osborn said that the enduring impact of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson’s lives “still resonates today, through their relationships, advocacy for others, as well as through their descendants.”
Osborn’s award was not the only “breaking news” of the evening.
Lydia Huston, Kwame Foundation executive director, announced that in spring 2025, the Foundation will take a more direct approach to fulfilling its mission by launching a new scholarship and grant process for individuals or organizations to apply directly to Kwame Charitable Foundation.
The new model will start modestly and allow the organization greater engagement and personal interaction with recipients.
For the past 21 years, scholarship support was awarded through the specific colleges and universities where the foundation has endowments.
In 2003, Thompson and his wife, Kim, sought to help first-generation college students whose academic success was hindered by limited resources.
They established the Kwame Foundation, and it now has established endowed scholarships at nearly 30 institutions. It also supports organizations that enhance the educational landscape within this region and the United States.
According to its website, the Foundation “strives to change the trajectory of the lives of motivated young adults.”
College exposure, which includes and annual HBCU campus tour to several universities, and endowed scholarships are avenues “by which we remove barriers that can impede success.”
“We look towards a future that is more hopeful for scholars who deserve of the opportunity to reach their full potential,” according to the Thompsons – and that now includes a new model to attain the goal.
The fundraiser included a jazz cocktail reception, recognizing Presenting Sponsor, the Regional Business Council. The evening’s celebration concluded with an afterparty, led by DJ Sam Hood from Foxy 106.9FM.
I think your organization is an amazing organization as one of the attendees I witnessed professional behavior and leadership in interaction base on humiliation great job. I wish you had a slogan which said failure is not an option . Rev John Henry Adams.
This was my first experience in attending a Kwame Charitable Foundation gala. It was awe-inspiring because I’m an advocate for community outreach and service for a non-profit organization. Therefore, I support this organization vision, awareness and focus in supporting the black minority community. My goal and plan for 2025 fiscal year is to become a financial supporter of Kwame Charitable Foundation.