by FORT MILL, S.C. — Broad River Retail (BRR), one of the largest and fastest-growing independently owned and operated Ashley Store licensees, awarded $65,000 in scholarships to nine recipients through its Founders Scholarship Fund for the 2024-2025 academic school year.
“Broad River Retail extends its sincerest congratulations to these exceptional individuals for their remarkable academic achievements,” said Manny Rodrigues, Broad River Retail chief operating officer said. “In these individuals, we’ve seen an unwavering dedication to academic excellence. We wish them every success as they continue their journey towards what is undoubtedly a bright future.”
The Founders Scholarship Fund winners are:
+ Amahri Boykin
+ Mark Deulley
+ Denasia Dixon
+ Emelyne Henderson
+ Kaiya McDonald
+ Tamya Ormond
+ Claire Phillips
+ Vincent Sayles
+ Jenna Webb
Scholarships were granted across five tiered levels (bronze, silver, gold, platinum, and diamond) with amounts reaching up to $15,000 per year, split evenly between two semesters. Funds may be utilized for academic-related expenses including tuition, books, fees, and school-approved housing.
“It brings us great joy to present these scholarships to such remarkable individuals,” said Charlie Malouf, president and chief executive officer of Broad River Retail. “Education can transform lives in profound ways. The Founders Scholarship Fund was established in 2019 as a gesture of appreciation from our co-founders and demonstrates Broad River Retail’s dedication to furnishings life’s best memories for our Memory Makers and their families by helping to offset the cost of higher education.”
Senior Financial Analyst and parent of one of this year’s scholarship recipients, Allie Webb, initially learned of the scholarship from the CEO’s 2023 podcast interview with the winners. When information 2024 became available, Webb forwarded the application to her daughter, Jenna.
“We were beyond thrilled and relieved when Jenna won. Her cost of attendance after merit scholarships at The College of Charleston is still between $33,000 to 40,000 a year, so the full amount will be applied to her tuition and will help significantly as she finishes her bachelor’s degree in environmental geosciences,” Webb said.
Allie Webb, a Senior Financial Analyst and parent of one of this year’s scholarship recipients, discovered the scholarship through the company’s podcast, Stories from the River. When the 2024 details were released, Webb eagerly passed the information to
her daughter, Jenna.
“We were beyond thrilled and relieved when Jenna won,” said Webb. “The scholarship will help significantly as she finishes her bachelor’s degree in environmental geosciences.”
Nineteen candidates were considered for the Founders Scholarship Fund awards for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. Candidates completed an application and responded to writing prompts, including an essay titled “Life’s Best Memories.”
“The Founders Scholarship Fund is one of the many ways we can live out our purpose of furnishing life’s best memories,” said Director of Memory Maker Experience, Heather Greenwood. “It is an honor to support our Memory Makers and their children as they create their own best memories. Broad River is proud to help the recipients make their dreams a reality.”
Broad River Retail created the Founders Scholarship Fund in 2018 to help offer academic opportunities to Memory Makers and their families. To date, the fund has awarded over $250,000 to 31 recipients. This initiative aims to assist aspiring students in pursuit of higher
education without the weight of financial constraints.
