During Morehouse’s 25th Annual “A Candle in the Dark” fundraising gala over the weekend, the Ray Charles Foundation stunned the room by announcing their donation of $3 million to the college.
Valerie Ervin, president of The Ray Charles Foundation said,“I know that Ray Charles had a long-standing relationship with Morehouse based on professionalism, integrity and honest. He genuinely valued the education and preparation that Morehouse provides to young men.”
The Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College academic wing will be named after Ray Charles mother, Aretha Robinson.
John Silvanus Wilson Jr., the 11th president of Morehouse said, “Morehouse is fortunate to have been able to forge a relationship with Mr. Charles. More important, we are grateful to him, Ms. Ervin, and The Ray Charles Foundation for all they have done to promote appreciation of the arts and humanities and to further music education at the College. he funds so generously donated this evening will not only memorialize Mrs. Aretha Robinson, but they will afford us new opportunities to promote the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center.”
The naming of the Music Academic Building of the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center for Mrs. Aretha Robinson would have been a dream come true for Charles. Ervin said that before his death in 2004, he made very clear his desire to leave a lasting legacy for his mother. Tonight, that wish came true.
Ray Charles received an honorary degree from Morehouse in 2001 and later that he made two $1-million gifts to the College to seal a mutual commitment to find, educate and inspire the next generation of educated young man.
