The Parker family scholarship was created as a legacy and tribute to members of the Parker family who have passed on, and to help further the dreams and aspirations of students in search of a college education. Education is something all of the Parkers strongly believed is one of the main keys to unlocking opportunities to a successful future. The scholarship will assist aspiring students from a Richmond City School, who have a financial need, and who desire to pursue a college education. The scholarship is a $1000 dollar non renewable scholarship. The number of scholarships given in any given year may be different. Below is a bio of some of the late members of the Parker family, followed by details of the requirements for applying.

​

Ernest Parker Sr., Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Ernest Parker Sr. attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technological State University where he completed a degree in Mathematics. Upon graduation and fulfilling his military obligations, Ernest took a teaching job at Robert Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia; little did he know the first year of this school assignment would prove to be quite historical. One of his students, Barbara Johns, would lead a boycott and suit against racial segregation in Prince Edward County Schools, and their case would later become integrated into the 1954 supreme court case, Brown v. Board of Education. Later, my father moved to Virginia Randolph High School in Henrico County, Virginia. There, he invested his time into the academic and personal well-being of his students through the creation of an after school tutoring program and his ability to place students from his rural, predominantly African-American high school into the nation's most prestigious universities. Ernest Parker was known, and will forever be known as the "Scholarship Man" for his love for education and his service to the community.

​

Mary Parker, After graduating from Hampton University with a major in early elementary education, Mary Parker began teaching in Stony Creek, Virginia, a farming town outside of Petersburg, Virginia. Though she often competed with the farming schedule during the harvest time, she always ensured that her students maintained their studies. She later moved to Hanover County, Virginia and she passionately taught first grade students at John M. Gandy Elementary and later Washington Henry Elementary School until she retired. My mother lived by the motto, "leave no student behind." She strived daily to plant the seeds of education into the minds of young students. Her kindness, humble attitude, and giving nature allowed her to help anyone in need, and she always strived to make a difference in someone's life.

​

Carlton Parker,  Born in Farmville, Virginia, Carlton Parker was a math prodigy and overall great student. When my father would travel with his high school students to Math and Science conferences, Carlton would not only attend but return with a first place trophy. As a student at Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, Virginia, Carlton was a National Merit Semifinalist and ultimately received a full-tuition scholarship to Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. After graduation with a degree in economics, Carlton was accepted to Harvard Divinity School. Unfortunately, shortly after, Carlton was diagnosed with an illness that he would spend the rest of his life managing. Through it all, Carlton was and is still remembered for his loving spirit and his academic gifts that were truly inspirational to all he encountered.

​

Darryl  A. Parker. Esq., Born in Richmond, Virginia, Darryl attended Marshall-Walker high school and graduated in Richmond, Virginia in 1982. He went on to attend Virginia Union University where he played football and majored in History and Political Science and graduated 1986. Darryl, furthered his education at Southern University Law school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and graduating in 1989. Darryl returned to Richmond where he was admitted to the bar and practiced for over 25 years. Darryl was known in the community as someone who helped and pulled up anyone he could that needed a hand. He gave many hours of pro-bono legal services and was heavily involved in both the community and his church. He was much beloved by his family and community. Darryl had the hugest heart and was a loyal and faithful son, brother, nephew and husband. He was the family leader! Darryl is and will always be much beloved by his family, friends and the community that he so impacted.