Celebrating Community and Education at the Inaugural Morris L Williams Sr Scholarship Gala

The evening centered on education as the Pi Iota Education Foundation, along with the Pi Iota Chapter, Upsilon Delta Chapter, and various partners and supporters, collaborated to award more than forty thousand dollars in scholarships and book stipends.

The Morris Lee Williams Sr. Scholarship is named after Tampa resident and longtime Hillsborough County educator Morris Williams, who for 41 years served the community with pride and dignity. As a member of Pi Iota Chapter, Brother Williams served as the Scholarship Committee Chairman.

On Saturday, April 12th, the elegant Sheraton Hotel in East Tampa hosted the event where community leaders, city officials, law enforcement, teachers, and students gathered to enjoy a delightful meal, live entertainment, and an opportunity to witness our future leaders embark on their collegiate journeys.

The evening began with guests being inspired by words from Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers (District 3) and St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth Welch. Attendees also learned about outstanding local programs dedicated to Tampa's youth, such as Building Better Brothers, The Kingsman, and Walton Academy, which provided entertainment through a live performance.

The highlight of the evening was awarding deserving youth in Tampa with funds to support their academic pursuits. This achievement was made possible through the generosity of our sponsors: Helios Education Foundation, Jaffe Tilchin Wealth Management, DeBartolo Family Foundation, and Bill Currie Ford. Thanks to their support and our efforts, we distributed forty-two thousand dollars in scholarships to ten students and eight thousand dollars in book stipends to eight students.

The evening ended with remarks from the President of the Pi Iota Education Foundation and the Scholarship Chairman of the Pi Iota Chapter, who emphasized the importance of the event and assured the audience that both organizations will persist in their efforts to support and recognize Tampa area students in their educational pursuits.