Our Approach
The Groove Fund Inc. provides services to improve the status of students attending colleges and universities in North America and institutions of higher education in Africa. We focus our base service on Black male students pursuing college degrees and alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in North America.
In our consideration for awards, we are an inclusive philanthropic organization. We consider and will provide scholarship awards to men and women from all ethnic groups. Also, student recipients can choose and use funds to attend their preferred institution of higher education. We act without regard to a student’s sexual preference or spiritual beliefs. All applications for services are reviewed and considered by our Board Members.
Our Story
The Groove Fund Inc. was established in 1999 to improve college access, success, and degree attainment among Black men. We are a self-funded philanthropic non-profit established by men of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc. We recognize that our efforts contribute to the economic viability of the community and the nation.
Our efforts perpetuate higher education and contribute to the economic empowerment of the community and the nation. Work with us to close a prison door.
Meet the Team
Our Board of Directors meets periodically to manage and administer our operations and service. The work by this team ensures that we continue to focus on a shared vision to improve life outcomes for African American males and institutions of higher education in North America and Africa.
Victor P. Henderson
Chairman
Chairman Henderson is an experienced trial lawyer, having tried more than two dozen civil and criminal cases in state and federal court on issues including accounting malpractice, mortgage fraud, breach of contract, and felony narcotics. Mr. Henderson is recognized for serving as trial counsel on several high-profile cases.
Mr. Henderson started his professional career as a certified public accountant. Upon graduation from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, he spent two years in Philadelphia practicing as an auditor at what is now PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
Mr. Henderson began his legal career in Chicago as a lawyer for Phelan Pope & John, then one of the leading trial law firms. While there, he practiced complex commercial litigation, products liability, and pro bono criminal litigation. Years later, Mr. Henderson joined Florida-based Holland & Knight and ultimately served as the Executive Partner. He was the first black person in Chicago to lead an office with more than 100 lawyers.
William G. Smith
Vice Chairman
William G. Smith retired in September 2018. Prior to retirement, he was the Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer for The Cooper Health System. Mr. Smith also served as Treasurer of the Cooper Foundation.
He has more than 35 years of healthcare leadership and management experience; including a 14-year stay with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with increasing leadership responsibilities that led to Controller.
Mr. Smith holds a Masters of Business Administration from Temple University and earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance with honors from Lincoln University.
Robert Simpson
Board Member
Board Member Simpson graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morgan State in 1965. He is one of the founding members of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship Inc. After graduation from Morgan, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He also held several managerial positions with Sears for 17 years.
Since 1983, he has owned and operated an independent State Farm Insurance Agency in Memphis TN.
Michael Bailey
Treasurer
In his professional career, Michael has been in procurement and purchasing for over 30 years. He has held Purchasing Manager positions with the Connecticut State Lottery, The Hartford Public School system, Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, and most recently with the Springfield Housing Authority in Springfield, MA.
He is active in the Delaware State University Virtual Alumni Chapter. He is an avid reader and enjoys playing chess in his spare time. He is on the Deacon Board at the First Cathedral Church in Bloomfield, CT.
Michael K. Haskins
Board Member
Board member Michael K. Haskins graduated from Lincoln University (PA) in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He also holds an MBA in Finance from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Pa. Currently retired, Haskins is a former banker, marketing professional, and part owner/ partner of a minority-owned public relations and advertising agency in Philadelphia, Pa.
He is an ordained Deacon and Elder at Ezekiel Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA, and is a Groove Fellowman and charter member of the Mighty Lion Chapter of Groove Phi Groove at Lincoln University(PA) founded in 1969.
George D. Mosee
Board Member
Board member George D. Mosee, Jr., Esquire retired from the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office after 28 years of service. He last served as First Assistant District Attorney. He was the Deputy District Attorney in charge of the Juvenile Division of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office for thirteen years. Currently, he is the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network.
Board member Mosee is a 1973 graduate of Philadelphia’s Central High School. He received a B.A. in 1977 and a Masters Degree in 1981 from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and a J.D. in 1986 from Temple University School of Law.
Gow Mosby
Board Member
Board Member Gow Mosby is an Assistant District Attorney in the Trial Division of the New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney’s Office. In addition to his work as an ADA, he was recently selected to serve as a member of District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.'s Equity & Social Justice Advisory Board, helping to make policy recommendations directly to the District Attorney.
Driven by a passion for helping others and his own experiences, Gow attended Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal, the Vice-President of the Student Bar Association, and held internships with Viacom, the Cardozo Civil Rights Clinic, and Judge Eric N. Vitaliano of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of N.Y.
Gow has been a member of Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. since 2011 and has served as Groove Phi Groove's Second Vice President and Parliamentarian. As a member, he has helped give numerous scholarships to high school students in Albany, N.Y., and his hometown of Bellport, N.Y.
Medi Germaine
Board Member
Board member Medi Germaine is...
Next Steps...
We can always use the assistance of dedicated members to serve as volunteer mentors to our scholarship awards recipients. If you are qualified to serve as a volunteer mentor, please complete a sign-up form.