How We Started Our Wonderful Organization
Over thirty years ago, Mrs. Thelma Greene Smith decided to organize St. Nicholas block association in Harlem New York. Then in 1993 Mrs. Thelma Smith pooled together various resources and sponsored the 1st Back to School event under St. Marks Church in Harlem New York. Each year Mrs. Smith organized the event with different local communities to promote togetherness. She started to notice a growing number of youths attending this event. Mrs. Smith then decided to change the structure of this annual event to involve the youths of the community by incorporating a basketball tournament during this event. This change led to an event which promoted community togetherness using families, friends, fun, sports, academics, recognition awards, board games, inflatable rides, food and an expression of self worth to our neighborhood.
In May, 2004 Mrs. Thelma Greene Smith died and her son, Mr. Alexis Smith along with two friends sat down and created the Thelma Smith Foundation which is located at 713 Saratoga Ave., Brooklyn New York 11212. In 2008, The Thelma Smith Foundation was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. The Thelma Smith Annual Back to School Event was held in Brooklyn New York for the 1st time in 2008. This event consisted of four (4) basketball games, distribution of school supplies, sponsored giveaways and food for the entire community.
After the successful event in Brooklyn New York, Founder Alexis Smith thought it would be nice to expand the foundation. So he began his thinking process to see exactly where he wanted to expand. Knowing that many youth from his Brooklyn foundation location were going to college in the south, mainly in North Carolina, he came to form the idea of having the Thelma Smith Foundation South Branch. He then met up with 6 talented men and women in Salisbury N.C. area and together they formed his south branch team. After several months of networking and meetings the south branch put together their first event in July of 2009 in Salisbury N.C. !
Help us to continue to grow by depositing a token of love today!
Over thirty years ago, Mrs. Thelma Greene Smith decided to organize St. Nicholas block association in Harlem New York. Then in 1993 Mrs. Thelma Smith pooled together various resources and sponsored the 1st Back to School event under St. Marks Church in Harlem New York. Each year Mrs. Smith organized the event with different local communities to promote togetherness. She started to notice a growing number of youths attending this event. Mrs. Smith then decided to change the structure of this annual event to involve the youths of the community by incorporating a basketball tournament during this event. This change led to an event which promoted community togetherness using families, friends, fun, sports, academics, recognition awards, board games, inflatable rides, food and an expression of self worth to our neighborhood.
In May, 2004 Mrs. Thelma Greene Smith died and her son, Mr. Alexis Smith along with two friends sat down and created the Thelma Smith Foundation which is located at 713 Saratoga Ave., Brooklyn New York 11212. In 2008, The Thelma Smith Foundation was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. The Thelma Smith Annual Back to School Event was held in Brooklyn New York for the 1st time in 2008. This event consisted of four (4) basketball games, distribution of school supplies, sponsored giveaways and food for the entire community.
After the successful event in Brooklyn New York, Founder Alexis Smith thought it would be nice to expand the foundation. So he began his thinking process to see exactly where he wanted to expand. Knowing that many youth from his Brooklyn foundation location were going to college in the south, mainly in North Carolina, he came to form the idea of having the Thelma Smith Foundation South Branch. He then met up with 6 talented men and women in Salisbury N.C. area and together they formed his south branch team. After several months of networking and meetings the south branch put together their first event in July of 2009 in Salisbury N.C. !
Help us to continue to grow by depositing a token of love today!