Customers Bank Awarded $25,000 in Scholarships to Students at Philadelphia’s Zion Baptist Church
Scholarships memorialize Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, pastor, social rights activist and civil rights leader
Philadelphia, Pa. (Nov. 18, 2019) – Five members of Zion Baptist Church each received $5,000 scholarships to attend the college or university of their choice. The scholarships were awarded to students that exemplify the memory of Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, the former pastor at Zion Baptist Church and a well-known social activist and civil rights leader.
Last year, Customers Bank extended its pledge to provide scholarships to students attending Zion Baptist Church for another three years and increased its financial commitment to $175,000. Since 2014, Customers Bank has awarded 29 scholarships providing $150,000 in financial support to Zion Baptist Church students.
The $5,000 scholarships are part of Customers Bank’s commitment to foster educational opportunities while recognizing the memory of Dr. Sullivan. The students who were awarded the scholarships were selected by a special scholarship committee, which monitors the program.
“We are honored to memorialize Dr. Sullivan for his achievements and efforts. We hope that awarding these scholarships will enable students from Zion Baptist Church to follow his example,” stated Richard Ehst, President and Chief Operating Officer of Customers Bank. “Nothing would be more meaningful to Dr. Sullivan than inspiring the next generation to follow his path in supporting our communities.”
The Dr. Leon H. Sullivan Scholarships were awarded by Customers Bank representatives, during the Worship through Sharing Section of services on November 17, 2019.
The students who were selected by the scholarship committee are:
- Jelani Wheeler, a graduate of Vivian Gaither High School and former recipient of the Dr. Leon H. Sullivan scholarship, is studying public relations at Florida A&M University.
- Christina Kingsberry, a William Penn Charter graduate and former Dr. Leon H. Sullivan scholarship recipient, is attending Spelman College where she is studying biology.
- Kayla Spruel, a former Dr. Leon H. Sullivan scholarship recipient and graduate of Upper Darby High School, is studying nursing at Delaware State University.
- Naima DeBrest, a graduate of Science Leadership Academy, is attending Morgan State University where she is studying English.
- Cameron Mole, a former recipient of the Dr. Leon H. Sullivan scholarship, is currently attending Roman Catholic High School.
The scholarships are open to members of the Zion Baptist Church between the ages of 15 and 25 who have a minimum 3.0 grade point average at an accredited educational institution at the time of their application. Scholarship winners who maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average are eligible to apply in subsequent years as they complete their undergraduate education.
Customers Bank maintains a limited purpose banking office at Two Logan Square in Center City and at 1501 North Broad Street in Progress Plaza, one of Dr. Sullivan’s many notable accomplishments featuring the nation’s first African American owned and developed shopping center. To learn more about Customers Bank, please visit www.CustomersBank.com.
About Customers Bank
Customers Bank is a super-community bank with $11.7 billion in assets as of September 30, 2019, offering commercial and consumer banking services along the I-95 corridor from Greater Washington to Boston; and in Chicago. Commercial products include cash management; commercial and industrial loans; small business loans; SBA government-guaranteed loans; commercial and multi-family real estate loans; and financing for leasing businesses and residential developers.
Customers Bank provides consumer banking services including savings, checking, and money market accounts; certificates of deposit; residential mortgages; and consumer loans. Additional consumer products include “BankMobile Vibe online banking,” marketed by the BankMobile Division and “Ascent Money Market Savings,” marketed by the Customers Bank Digital Banking Division.
Customers Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System with deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Customers Bank is an equal opportunity lender. Customers Bank takes pride in delivering extremely high levels of customer service while charging comparatively very low fees; service that makes our clients say, “Wow.”
Commercial clients enjoy Single Point of Contact service with one team to handle all banking needs. Retail bank clients are afforded Concierge Banking® Services that brings banking to them, when and where they need it.
Customers Bank, with its headquarters located in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, is a subsidiary of Customers Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company. The voting common shares of Customers Bancorp, Inc. are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CUBI.