Newark’s Project Grad Receives Two Promise Prize Awards from SBLI USA President and CEO, Vikki L. Pryor
As president and CEO of SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc., Pryor is fulfilling her personal and professional mission to support underserved communities.
Newark, NJ (Vocus) July 1, 2008
Project Grad (http://www. projectgrad. org/site/pp. asp? c=fuLTJeMUKrH&b=365959) students, Jarea Bivens and Noelle Green were each awarded the Marie Nesbitt Promise Prize early this month by benefactor Vikki L. Pryor, president and CEO of SBLI USA (http://www. sbliusa. com/) headquartered in New York City. As Pryor recently said in her commencement speech to the graduating class of Bronx Community College, “You have a purpose and a mission and you must fulfill it!” Further, Pryor believes that with the privilege of success comes the responsibility of giving back.”
In walking her own talk, Pryor is determined to fulfill her own purpose and mission, both personally and professionally. A driving force in defining SBLI USA’s corporate mission to help financially empower all Americans, Pryor is a strong advocate of higher education. In the name of education and empowerment, and in the name of her grandmother, Pryor has established the Marie Nesbitt Promise Prize. To-date she has personally awarded 14 financial awards to students who have proven exceptional academic achievement.
Of Bivens and Green, Pryor said, “I am proud to add Jarea and Noelle to the growing list of Marie Nesbitt Promise Prize scholars. These two young adults have made an indelible impression on me. They are our future.”
Bivens, is no stranger to challenge or to achievement, and despite his challenges, he has a deep personal resolve to live well and contribute to the well-being of others. For his achievements and values he credits the tireless efforts of his mother and grandmother. He will attend Rider University in Lawrenceville, N. J. in the fall and plans to major in biology.
Green, a hard worker with a humble approach, will attend Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N. J. this fall to study psychology and philosophy, and hopes to go on to law school. In addition to the Promise Prize Green is the recipient of the GRAD scholarship, the Project Pride Scholarship, and the Edward J. Blaustein Scholarship. Of these she says, “Without these gifts, there was no money for college. I will use the scholarships wisely and one day I hope to be in the position to be able to give back to others in need of educational support.”
About SBLI USA:
SBLI USA and its subsidiaries are licensed in 49 states, the District of Columbia, the U. S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. With more than $15.9 billion of insurance in force, $1.5 billion in assets, $129 million in surplus capital, 200 associates and over 300,000 policyholders, the company is committed to offering affordable, flexible and easy-to-access products through a variety of integrated channels, including direct mail, telemarketing, a bilingual Web site, licensed agents, and walk-in Customer Centers.
SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. is the parent company to SBLI USA Holdings, Inc., which owns subsidiary companies S. USA Life Insurance Company, Inc., and SBLI USA Diversified Services Company, Inc. To learn more please visit www. sbliusa. com
About the Marie Nesbitt Promise Prize:
Marie Nesbitt was born on August 16, 1917 in Clearwater, Fla., and was raised in Kingstree, S. C. A great-granddaughter of slaves, Nesbitt’s formal education stopped at the third grade. An inspiration to her family and friends, she believed and taught everyone she touched to reach for the stars by doing their best, to trust in God, to stand up for what they believed in, and most of all, to never give up. Nesbitt spent most of her adult life living on the west side of Chicago.
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