Our mission is to advance higher education and improve the lives of community and public service-minded and intellectually gifted African Americans and accelerate their progress into impactful leadership roles and opportunities. Our vision is to cultivate the next generation of transformational leaders who positively impact their communities and blaze new paths in their chosen careers and professions. RBSP Quick Facts: Program founded in December 1996 by Mr. Anthony Pilaro Ron Brown Scholar Fund is a public 501c3 charity RBSP is governed by a Board of Trustees First class of Scholars selected in March 1997 113,000+ applications received over the past 17 years 6,000 applications received on average annually 340 young people have been named Ron Brown Scholars Ninety-nine percent (99%) graduation rate RBS Areas of Interest: 33% STEM, 41% - Humanities, 19% - Business, 7% - Law