There is no better path to a solid well paid career than a Maritime Academy education. “Pay Scale” has ranked it higher than many Ivy League schools. It’s efficient, challenging and develops discipline. Graduates have gone on to be Captains and Chief Engineers as well as lawyers, doctors, astronauts and congressmen. A truly transformative experience for young men and women, many who are the first in their family to go to college. Confused, frustrated, angry or just saddened by the most recent racial strife in America today? Want to help, NEED to help but don’t know where to begin? Here is a rewarding place to start that is guaranteed to make a significant difference to young students of color who are focused on making that transformation into becoming an Officer. A leader. Taking their rightful place at the table. The Organization of Black Maritime Graduates has been around a long time and their entire administration is volunteer. No skimming to pay employees. 100% of donations go directly to young people on the cusp of adulthood. With the cost of school so expensive these days, the idea that one of these beautiful youngsters might not be able to get across the finish line is heartbreaking. Please donate what you can and show our Maritime community that what we all have IN COMMON is more powerful than divisive politics. My donation helped ease some of the pain I’m feeling. Please read the following about and from the Organization of Black Maritime Graduates: “The Organization of Black Maritime Graduates (OBMG) was formed in 1994 by six SUNY Maritime College graduates. Their goal was to improve the education opportunities for minorities in the maritime and engineering industries. The OBMG remains the only organization dedicated to providing this kind of support. In 1995, the first scholarships were presented. The scholarships are awarded to deserving students and cadets, of all races, for academic achievement, leadership, and financial need. Each year the scholarships are named in honor of individuals who have fostered minority involvement in the maritime profession or have made sacrifices and meritorious contributions and therefore epitomize the organization’s founding mission “to assist and encourage”. The Academic Scholarship Award is always presented in honor of the first African American graduate of SUNY Maritime College, Carl F. Burnett, Class of 1950. The scholarships are awarded every year at the Black History Month Dinner hosted by the Cultural Club at SUNY Maritime College, on the last Thursday in February. The dinner is invariably a forum for inspirational keynote speakers. In addition, there is always a historical presentation. It is the OBMG’s goal to educate those in attendance about the rich legacy of Minority contributions in the Marine profession. The evening is free to attend. There is live music, great food and is always entertaining, enlightening, and motivating. In 2005, the OBMG incorporated in New York as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. All donations are tax deductible. The OBMG relies solely on contributions for the scholarships. All administrative costs are absorbed by the (volunteer) OBMG Board and annual membership dues. 100% of all donations go entirely to scholarships. OBMG members and donors represent a broad spectrum of ethnicities, professions, and affiliations. Their support makes the OBMG mission possible. The membership fee is $50 annually and donations are welcome throughout the year. The OBMG is involved with Maritime Charter Schools and participates in middle and high school college and job fairs. Through recruitment of future mariners, mentoring, providing scholarships for deserving students and giving guidance and support through networking after graduation, the OBMG is making a difference and shows that Many Drops Make Mighty Oceans. The students that the OBMG has assisted have gone on to become productive citizens and professionals, both ashore and afloat. They have made strong social and economic contributions to our society and have become leaders in their industries. The current Board of Directors, Captain Robert Cook (President), Captain Howard Wyche (Treasurer), Jelani Watson (Vice President), Sun Yang (Assistant Treasurer), Captain Eric James, Edmund Williams, Robert Kalin Cook, Martin Obiero, Lewis Ferguson, and Constansa Torrejon-Reyes continue to keep the OBMG on a steady course."