Phyllis Marie Brackett Memorial Scholarship
established in 2018
Phyllis Marie Brackett: 7/10/1956 - 1/4/2018
Mission
The Phyllis Marie Brackett Memorial Scholarship, is a fund dedicated to providing financial support to African American, high school girls, from Monticello High School in Charlottesville, VA who will be attending college the following year. The scholarship assists the selected recipient in their transition from high school to college. The funds will cover the financial needs of the recipient as she prepares for her first year of college. This scholarship is not intended to pay for college tuition. Focusing on the needs of African American girls who are college bound but are also first generation college students, from a single parent household, and concerned about their ability to afford all aspects of the college experience, this scholarship is dedicated to closing an often unattended to gap of high school to college transition. The 501c3 status allows the organization to request donations that will build the stability of the scholarship fund and maintain the yearly award of at least one scholarship.
About the scholarship
This scholarship is named after and is in memory of my late mother who passed away in January 2018 from complications with breast cancer. One day driving with her in the summer of 2018, after hearing someone on the radio say they won $30,000,000 my mother asked me, "Toy, what would you do with $30,000,000?" I said a couple of things but most importantly, I said this: "I'd like to start a scholarship for girls like me." After my mother passed, I realized, why can't I create a scholarship. What is stopping me from helping girls like me?
This scholarship is a scholarship for the transition from high school to college. The period between high school graduation and welcome week of college can be more difficult for girls like me. An African American female, first generation, lower income, who focuses academically but still contends with the fact that she is the only one in her family to take on the journey of higher education. How do you pay for the travel to your new school? Who will pay for the items you need in your dorm room? Who will pay for a computer? What if you need something that you didn't prepare for ahead of time? This scholarship is for those things and more. It may be a small amount, in comparison to other scholarships, but this one goes to establishing a stable and well structured bridge for a new journey.
This Transition Scholarship will go to an African American young lady from Monticello High School, located in Charlottesville, Virginia every year. It is the girl like me scholarship.
Every year we provide up to $1500 per recipient. Additionally, we provide emergency funding, up to $500, for any scholar who is enrolled and in good standing, for their higher education career until graduation. Most excitedly we support our scholars when they graduate with a gift and support with graduation costs.
Phyllis with her daughter (founder of PMB) LaToya, circa 1985.
Phyllis and LaToya circa 2015.
Board of Directors
LaToya T. Brackett
LaToya is the daughter of Phyllis, and the founder of the scholarship. LaToya is the president of the Board of Directors.
Simone Brackett
Simone is the niece of Phyllis, and a dedicated secondary educator. Simone is a founding board member.
Macha O’Brien Townsend
Macha has been a great friend of the Brackett family for over twenty five years. Macha is a founding board member.
Zanetta Ford-Byrd
Zanetta has been a major advocate for student success, and a partner in the development of the scholarship. Zanetta is a founding board member.
Nefertiti Bridges
Nefertiti has been a dear friend of LaToya’s since freshman year of college and joined the board in 2025.
2026 Scholarship
Recipient
In 2026 we have one recipient of the scholarship. We do hope to offer more than one scholarship every year, as we have in the past. Be sure to support us by donating and spreading the word.
Amina A. PMB Scholar 2026
Amina Anthony
HS graduation year: 2026
High School: Monticello High School
Extracurricular Activities: I took ceramics and drama classes all year as well as playing basketball my freshman year of high school
University she will attend: Piedmont Virginia Community College and then hopefully transferring to UVA
What it means to receive this scholarship: This scholarship means that I can pursue my dreams without the constant stress that comes with having financial burdens it gives me hope and it assures me that I have some support when it comes to being in college. It will allow me to focus on achieving my goals instead of worrying about the costs of books or anything I might need for my college classes.
What she plans to major in: Nursing and Sonography
A class she’d love to take in college: Ceramics
Her favorite thing to do: My favorite thing to do is spend time with people I love like my mom and my friends
Someone she’d like to thank: I would like to thank Mrs. Meade the Ceramics teacher at Monticello because she pushed me to be my best self even when I was washed out and stressing over test scores and grades she always found a way to put a smile on my face and I’m so grateful for her.
A place she’d love to visit: I’d love to visit Florida because my sister lives there.
Phyllis Marie Brackett Memorial Scholarship is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all monetary donations are tax deductible.
Executive Director: LaToya Brackett, PhD | pmbscholarship@gmail.com
