A Letter from the Founder

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn more about The Fortune Foundation. I hope you will become as passionate and as enthusiastic about our mission as I am.

This Foundation is very near and dear to my heart. It is committed to increasing the number of minority youth who excel both academically and professionally and are equipped with the essential tools to become effective leaders in their communities. Foundation programs will provide mentoring and tutoring, leadership development, and college preparation to minority youth living in underserved communities in South Florida and the metropolitan Washington, D.C. areas. Furthermore, annual scholarships will be distributed to graduating high school seniors who show academic excellence and exemplary leadership potential.

While growing up in Miami, Florida, I learned the value of education and reaching towards my dreams. As a first generation Haitian-American, I watched my parents work exceptionally hard to make ends meet. We didn’t live in the best neighborhoods, but I knew at an early age I didn’t want to become a product of my environment. Instead, I chose to become a product of my decisions, choosing to go to college and commit to high achievement and success. In spite of the challenges and the many obstacles I faced, I graduated from the University of Florida with a Master of Public Health degree, and then went on to graduate from the University of Maryland with a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Healthcare Management. Yes, that’s a total of three graduate degrees.

The thing is, most statistics on African American males will tell you the same thing. I either would have ended up living a life of crime; incarcerated; without a college degree; or worst. It’s by God’s grace and the support of my family and mentors that I was able to beat those odds.

But my journey isn’t over yet. Every obstacle I’ve overcome made me even more committed to look for opportunities to give back. I’ve made it my mission to make a positive impact on society and, especially, to lift up future generations in the process. The Foundation believes children are a symbol of hope for the future, and we should serve as a resource for motivation and empowerment. I encourage you to get involved and become a volunteer, partner, and financial contributor to The Fortune Foundation. Your efforts will make a substantial difference in the lives of many children.

Kind Regards,

Carl-Henry Fortune
Founder and President
The Fortune Foundation