June 2021

Cooke Scholar Alumni Buzz

Hello Cooke Scholars and Alums!

We hope that this message finds you and your families well and enjoying the summertime! Here’s an update on what’s going on at the Foundation and some of the great things your fellow Cooke Scholars have done recently. Alums, please reach out and send us your updates so we can feature you and your work! Just send us an email at alumni@jkcf.org.

Foundation Buzz

Scholars Weekend 2021

Every year we host Scholars Weekend to welcome new Scholars, strengthen the Scholar and Alumni community, and bring to life our motto of Think Big. Work Hard. Achieve. This year’s event will again be a virtual experience, and it will take place August 5 - 7, 2021. Alums, as well as new Scholars and rising seniors can register now using the personalized event registration link sent to the email address we have on file for you. After you register, take a moment to explore the new Scholars Weekend website. You can check out the agenda to see what's in store. Get more information on the ever-popular Cooke Conundrum and Talent Show sessions, and see memories from previous years.

Alumni Buzz

Shani Moore

2002 Graduate Scholar, University of California at Berkeley

Shani recently received a fellowship from the Inevitable Foundation, whose mission is to fund and mentor the next generation of disabled screenwriters. “Being disabled can be costly, and this generous grant, along with personalized mentoring, allows us to create in a way that serves us best: with an unstressed eye towards progress,” said Shani who lives with Multiple Sclerosis, in an interview with Variety. Last year, Shani left a successful job as the first Black lead executive at Dolby to become a full-time screenwriter. She has written for Hulu’s “The Bold Type” and Netflix series “Sweet Magnolias.”

Ian Ralby

2002 Graduate Scholar, College of William and Mary

In a recent interview with BBC World News - Newsday, Ian talks about the importance of preventing a catastrophic spill from the FSO SAFER - an oil tanker off the coast of Yemen whose demise could kill as many as 6 million people. Surrounded by mines and held by armed militants, a spill would be both a humanitarian crisis and an environmental disaster. “[The Red Sea] is the source of food, [drinking water,] and livelihood for millions of people, not just in Yemen but around the entire Red Sea coast.” Ian is a maritime security expert and Chief Executive of advisory group I.R. Consilium providing legally-grounded advice and assistance on matters of international affairs to public and private sector clients around the world.

Joseph Carlomagno

2005 Young Scholar; 2010 College Scholar, Loyola University New Orleans

Join us in congratulating Joseph as he completed a Masters in Orchestral Conducting at the Manhattan School of Music! In addition, he was invited to the Aspen Music Festival and School this summer as a conducting fellow with the Aspen Conducting Academy (ACA). In this very selective fellowship, the program provides Joseph and his fellow participants with intensive conducting training with a skilled orchestra, assists them in gaining podium experience, and supports each individual’s development as a conductor.

Ousmane Kabré

2013 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Ousmane deservedly has been featured by the Wisconsin School of Business in their "8 to Watch Under 40" – which celebrates graduates making an impact in their respective industries. Ousmane is the Founder and CEO of Leading Change Africa, which he started while still an undergrad. The organization has changed the lives of many families in his native country of Burkina Faso by providing educational opportunities to students there. The nonprofit offers scholarships to study at U.S. and African universities, and last year they opened an educational center. Ousmane is also the founder and CEO of Intro Group where his team “challenges existing technologies and brings forth innovative platforms” through website design, apps development, and IT and AI consulting.

Ravanna Cantrall

2016 Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, Columbia University

Join us in congratulating Ravanna in recently completing her bachelor’s in Human Rights with a concentration in Computer Science with the Class of 2021 at Columbia University! While there, she interned for a variety of organization including those with missions related to immigration, LGBTQ rights, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Ravanna is now joining Deloitte as a strategy analyst in their consulting division where she hopes to learn more about technology and government.

Throwback Photo of the Month

College Scholars at Scholars Weekend 2012