BRADFORD SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED

The Bradford Scholarship Foundation was founded in 2016 by several "Friends of the Bradfords," with the idea that the scholarship would continue to support the legacy of the Bradfords in perpetuity.  As staunch advocates of education, lovers of music, artistic expression, and the work of ministry, the Bradfords inspired and groomed many falling under their mentorship fincluding Rev. Dr. Henry Panion, III, an American composer, arranger, conductor, educator, and Professor in the Department of Music at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, The Rev. Dr. Cosby and Dr. Anthony B. Stinson, Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Clayton State University. 

FUNDING
BSFI is a publicly funded Non-Profit Organization sponsored by individuals and businesses across the southwest region of the United States.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Bradford Foundation Scholarships are awarded to individuals who meet eligibility requirements, which include merit and need. Scholarships are awarded on an objective and non-discriminatory basis each year in areas of service, ministry, education and the arts.

APPLICATION
The Application period ends September for all eligible students and individuals. 

HONOREES

Dr. Henry Bradford, Jr. and Mrs. Nell Lane Bradford

Rev. Dr. Henry Bradford, Jr. was born and reared in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Bradford obtained multiple degrees during his educational tenure, including a Bachelor of Arts from Dillard University, Bachelor of Divinity (now called a Master of Divinity degree) from Oberlin Graduate School of Theology (Oberlin, Ohio), and Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University ( New York, NY) and a Specialist Diploma and Doctorate \Degree from Columbia University. He also attended The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago Illinois and The Union Theological Seminary in New York. An accomplished musician and orator he studied at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and attended Julliard and the Chicago Musical College.

In his professional capacity, he served as a professor at Alabama A&M University for four decades. It was Dr. Bradford who established the music education department at the college, serving as Chairman of the department [as well as University of Chaplain] for many years. During his tenure, he also served as adjunct professor at Oakwood College where, over the years, he frequented as a guest preacher and chapel speaker. He served on the board of directors at the Harris Home for many years.

Dr. Bradford‘s broad professional experiences have regularly encompassed his artistic gifts in oratory, instrumentation and prose. In 1999. Dr. Bradford performed the narration for a musical work by the French composer, Frances Poulenc, entitled, “L’Histoire de Barbar La Petit Elephant “ (The story of Barbar, the Little Elephant”), during the national meeting of the Music Clubs of America. During the 1997-98 concert series of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Bradford served as the narrator  for “A Lincoln Portrait” by the American Composer, Aaron Copeland. In late 1998 he recorded several narrations for the Early Works Museum (which highlights Southern history).

Mrs. Nell Lane Bradford was born in sand Springs, Oklahoma as the second child of the late William Lane and Nellie Burris Lane. She spent most of her life in Gary, Indiana where she received her basic education in the public schools, graduating from the historic Roosevelt High School. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice from the Sherwood Music Schoolin Chicago, IL, as well as a certificate in Piano and Piano Pedagogy, a student of concert pianist Sidney Silber, a protégé of the world-famous Australian pianist, Theodor Leschetizsky. She earned her Master of Music degree from OBerlin Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College in Ohio, and furthered her studies under Madeline Marshall, a specialist in English diction, and Maxine Lagerstom of Chicago Musical College. 

Mrs. Bradford serviced for many years in the public school systems of Edwardsville, IL, Baltimore, MD and Leland College in Baker, Louisiana. She late came to Huntsville to teach music in the laboratory high school of Alabama A&M, where she was a well known presence, performing operettas on the campus. She is credited with being responsible for the inception and format of what is now called the Annual Christmas Musicale at Alabama A&M University. In 1948, that presentation was transformed from just a musical program into a major production, until her retirement from the music faculty.

Mrs. Bradford served as a vocal adjudicator for regional and district high school solo and choral competitions in several Alabama counties and cities, and served many times as a judge for various talent shows and programs in other locales. She also served as a private vocal and piano teacher, to which many of her gifted and determined students have gone on to make great and significant contributions as teachers of music and performance as soloists, accompanist and conductors. 

She is active member of the Society of Professional Women (one of the founding members), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (one of the founding members of its graduate and undergraduate chapters in Huntsville). She is also a member of the National Association of Choral Directors, The Music Educators National Conference and Alabama REtired Teachers Association. She is listed in the 1978 edition of Who's Who Among Women in Education, and received the coveted Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Award in 1989 for her contributions in fostering stronger racial harmony among people. 

Together, Dr. & Mrs. Bradford have received many citations and plaques at home and across the country. On April 20, 1986 a proclamation was made by the Honorable Birmingham Mayor, Richard Arrington, Jr. declaring April 20th HENRY AND NELL BRADFORD DAY. They were jointly commended by the Alabama A&M Booster Club on two occasions and were named to the AKA HALL OF FAME for their continuous cultural and theological contributions made to Madison County and the southeastern United States.

In 2019, Dr. Henry Bradford, Jr. left his prominent place on earth to realize his reward in heaven. His legacy lives on through the lives touched and the Bradford Scholarship Fondation.

In Memorium:
When these graven lines you see, Traveller, do not pity me; 
Though I be among the dead, Let no mournful word be said.
Now, and with no need of tears, Here they leave me, full of years,-- 
Leave me to my quiet rest, In the region of the blest.