A big thanks to all our donors!
About Us
Who We Are
Our team is made of up individuals who care. Our connections in the community and experience help to provide scholarships for over 40 students. All made possible through your generous donations and support. Thank you for supporting students success.
For the past six years OBEF has awarded scholarships to Eugene area students to continue pursuing their education or technical certifications goals. Through partnership with the good people at NextStep Electronics, students who needed a computer for education supports received a fully upgraded laptop at no cost. Thus far NextStep has donated over 20 computers on behalf of OBEF Supporting Students Success Scholarship program and we thank them for partnering with us.
2020 marks seven years of OBEF Supporting Students Success. Over the past six years OBEF has awarded $35,000 in scholarships and no student applicant has ever been denied. We believe every student has value and deserves support.
Unfortunately, this year due to COVID-19 pandemic OBEF has decided to postpone this year's annual Scholarship Dinner Fundraiser. While we are not hosting our annual event, we are still asking for donations to help continue our Supporting Students Success Scholarship program. The need is greater than ever.
Please mailing your tax-deductible donation to:
Oregon Black Education Foundation
PO Box 21132
Eugene, OR 97402
We look forward to seeing you again at next year's event. Thank you so much for making a difference.
Sincerely,
James I. Manning Jr.
President and Secretary
About Our Co-Founder
Lawanda Joyce Manning
Lawanda Joyce Manning was born January 7, 1955 in Kansas City, Kansas. She attended and graduated from Southeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri before pursuing a career in the banking industry which spanned over 30 years. She worked for private banks and banks catering to military servicemembers and their families and offered excellence in customer service everywhere she went. Lawanda moved to Eugene, Oregon with her husband James Ivory Manning Jr., after serving as an active-duty military spouse for over 24 years. As an Army spouse Lawanda volunteered as youth sports coach for soccer and T-ball at various Army installations. Even though Lawanda was not in the military she served as an Army civilian in units that included Special Operations Command South (Panama) and United States Army Southern Command (Porta Rico). During her husband’s assignment Australia, Lawanda served as the Administrative Assistant to the General Service Officer, United States American Embassy, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Canberra, Australia. The United States Defense Intelligence Service awarded Lawanda a top-secret security clearance which she kept throughout her career.
Moving to Eugene after James retired from active duty in 2007, Lawanda assumed several community roles focusing on education, addressing housing issues, and community engagements. Lawanda’s passion for educational opportunities for all influenced her to co-found the Oregon Black Education Foundation (OBEF) where she served as treasurer. During her OBEF tenure she served as treasurer/applicate processor and helped award over eighty-thousand dollars in scholarship awards and educational resources like free computers to underrepresented and low-income students.
When her James sought elected office, Lawanda would share her professional experiences with young students while campaigning. After his victory, and during her tenure as Chief of Staff for her husband, people from everywhere would call her to discuss a variety of issues. Lawanda listened to them pointed each to helpful resources. She mentored legislature interns making all feel welcome. In the Capitol, members of both parties, including Governor Brown and Senate President Peter Courtney and others would visit Lawanda at her office to talk non-legislative issues. Lawanda was a great listener and advisor to all who would visit and talk with her.
After 45 years of marriage to husband James, Lawanda Joyce Manning passed away June 11, 2021.
