DR. BRENDA THOMPSON: Leading with Authenticity and Giving with Purpose
- Ann Marie Bryan
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Dr. Brenda Smith Thompson is an accomplished educator, dedicated entrepreneur, and the visionary Founder and CEO of Ron Smith Scholarships, Inc. Her career—marked by academic excellence, leadership, and service—reflects a lifelong commitment to empowering others, especially students. With every initiative she leads, Dr. Thompson brings decades of expertise, and a heart deeply rooted in faith and community.
In her exclusive VBD Magazine interview, Dr. Thompson’s journey reveals how purpose can emerge from loss—and how one woman’s courage to act can open doors for generations to come. Through her leadership, students are finding their path to graduation, and her brother’s memory is being honored in the most transformative way: through changed lives.
FROM RICHMOND ROOTS TO EDUCATIONAL HEIGHTS
Born in Richmond, Virginia, and raised in the historic Church Hill neighborhood, Dr. Thompson’s journey is rooted in the values instilled by her parents, Mary Evelyn and Raymond Smith. “Both of my parents were factory workers who stressed the importance and value of a sound education for their children,” she says. “As a result, all three children completed high school, enrolled in different undergraduate programs, and subsequently graduated with bachelor’s degrees from Virginia Union University, an HBCU.”
As a student at Armstrong High School, Dr. Thompson embraced every opportunity. “I was enrolled in a college preparatory curriculum. I joined the school’s a cappella choir, majorette squad, and modern dance troupe,” she shares. “I also developed an interest in tennis but did not try out for the team. Instead, I participated in Math and Science Fair competitions and started a girl’s R&B group called the Carousels. I really enjoyed my high school years.”
Dr. Thompson thrived at Virginia Union University (VUU), balancing a rigorous academic load with vibrant campus life. “I quickly dove into my studies that included biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, German, botany, calculus, trigonometry, and more,” she recalls. “I also found time to attend parties, go to games, join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and serve as Miss Virginia Union University during my senior year.”
A CALLING TO TEACH AND LEAD
After graduating with a bachelor’s in biology and a minor in chemistry, she began working as a Laboratory Technologist at the Medical College of Virginia, matching organ donors and recipients. Later, she led a hematology lab where she also trained medical students—an experience that ignited a passion for education. “It was the teaching component of this job that piqued my interest in higher education,” she says.
This interest led to a master’s in biology education from Virginia Commonwealth University, and eventually, a doctorate in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). After graduation, she returned to her alma mater (VUU) to direct the Kenan Project, a transformative partnership between VUU and two Richmond high schools. “At the conclusion of the four-year program, there was a 97% college-going rate,” she notes proudly. “The Mayor of Richmond presented me with the Key to the City and declared a day in May as Kenan Project Day.”
EXPANDING HORIZONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
In 1992, Dr. Thompson moved from Richmond to Florida with her son Rodney to accept a tenure-earning position at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU), where she served as Director of Student Teaching for 12 years. Her outstanding leadership led to a promotion as Assistant Dean for Student Personnel Services and tenured full Professor in FAMU’s College of Education. She also attained Graduate Scholar status in FAMU’s School of Graduate Studies and Research.
During her tenure, Dr. Thompson expanded student teaching placements to include both national and international locations. She shared her research findings at conferences around the world. While in Spain, she presented at the University of Barcelona, highlighting student teacher placements and their experiences abroad in cities across Europe and Asia.
In 2006, she was hired by the University of Central Florida (UCF), where she served in several key roles. She retired in August 2022 after 16 years of dedicated service as a Faculty Administrator and Director of Community Engagement in UCF’s College of Community Innovation and Education.
Beyond academia, Dr. Thompson has made a significant impact in the Central Florida community. She has served as a mentor in the Valencia College Horizon Scholars Program, a board member of the Orlando International Film Festival (OIFF) Lions Club, and a member of the UCF Town and Gown Council (past board member). She is currently a member of the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, on the Scholarship Committee of the Women’s Executive Council and has served as Chair of the CCIE Greater Orlando Heart Walk for the American Heart Association. Additionally, she has contributed to education through her involvement with the Cabinets of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) and Evans High School.
Dr. Thompson is a former owner of Florida Places To Live Realty and previously served as CEO of Community Capital Design and Metrics, a technology company. She is a member of Northland Church and Northland Tennis Group.
THE BIRTH OF A LEGACY
On May 22, 2024, Dr. Thompson founded Ron Smith Scholarships (RSS), Inc. in Orlando to honor her late brother, Ronald Dean Smith. “Ron passed away on December 4, 2022,” she shares. “Ron’s legacy brings passionate leaders and committed partners together to provide financial relief through scholarships to final semester HBCU students across the U.S., ensuring that they cross the finish line and reach a life-changing milestone—college graduation. At RSS, we strongly believe that when students graduate from college, they will be better prepared to achieve their dreams and elevate themselves and their communities.”
Despite being newly established, the organization has already made an impact. “In less than one year, our 501(c)(3) nonprofit engaged in fundraising activities sufficient to award $1,000 scholarships to two spring 2025 graduating seniors from Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.”
TACKLING FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO GRADUATION
Dr. Thompson understands the real-world barriers students face. “Research shows that the top reasons students do not finish their degrees are lack of sufficient finances, family issues, and inadequate academic preparation,” she explains. “RSS helps students who have financial barriers that could prevent them from earning their college degree.”
To be eligible to apply for a RSS, students must:
Be currently enrolled at an HBCU as an undergraduate senior or final-year graduate student.
Have a 2.8 GPA (undergraduate) or 3.0 GPA (graduate).
Be approved to graduate during the designated semester.
Have an unmet financial need.
Submit a complete RSS application packet that includes: online RSS application, transcript(s) (official or unofficial), resume, proof of current enrollment, two letters of recommendation, and an essay that addresses specific prompts.
“Using a rubric, the RSS Selection Committee reviews all application packet information and selects scholarship winners,” Dr. Thompson asserts. “Recipients are notified of their award, and an announcement is posted on the RSS website.”
FROM START-UP STRUGGLES TO GROWING SUPPORT
Launching a nonprofit brought unique challenges. “The biggest challenge for me occurred at the beginning when I had to determine the best corporate structure for RSS,” Dr. Thompson explains. “It was difficult to decide on corporation vs LLC, nonprofit vs foundation, public charity vs private charity.”
Ultimately, she chose the nonprofit model. “To us, it was far more important to do ‘good’ than generate income for staff,” she says. “Our small board of directors is a volunteer board and does not receive any financial compensation for its work.”
Naming the organization was another critical decision. “One day the name Ron Smith Scholarships occurred to me, and it sounded like the perfect name for our nonprofit… and the rest is history.”
COLLABORATION AND VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
Community partnerships have played a pivotal role. “The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) provided numerous educational workshops, online and in-person classes, and mentoring that helped us refine our vision, mission and goals,” Dr. Thompson shares. “RSS collaborated with other nonprofits and individuals to discuss fundraising, marketing, website design, and more. We were visible in many communities and that was important because it showed that we cared about the people who live there. As others got to know us and became comfortable interacting with us, relationships developed. ”
Dr. Thompson praises her Board of Directors. “Arlene Clemons serves as the Chief Liaison Officer and Rodney Thompson is the Chief Operating Officer. Their loyalty, service and dedication to the success of RSS is top notch.”
A LIFETIME OF LESSONS AND LEADERSHIP
Drawing from her background in education, Dr. Thompson leads with insight. “Inside and outside of the classroom, the educator’s role is to understand the strengths and areas for improvement that each student has and then craft creative learning experiences,” she says. “It is as much an art as a science.”
She encourages aspiring nonprofit founders to pursue knowledge and mentorship. “It is important to educate oneself about the purpose of a nonprofit before trying to start one,” she advises. “Nonprofits exist solely for the public good.”
Once there is a clear understanding and commitment to the nonprofit’s purpose, Dr. Thompson encourages aspiring founders to “delete fear of failure from your mind. Even if you are not successful on your first attempt, understand what going through the process revealed to you and review data acquired that now must be analyzed and applied differently on your next attempt.” Her advice is firm yet uplifting: “Be committed to success. It’s magnetic… opportunities open up, strength increases, and other people become more visible and accessible to you in your efforts to continue your undertaking.”
FAITH AND FAMILY
For Dr. Thompson, faith is foundational. “I need inspiration every day, and it can come from so many different sources – a motivational speaker, sermon, observation, sporting event, children, and volunteer opportunity,” she shares. “As young children, Ron, Mary Yvonne, and I attended Sunday School and church every Sunday. The church environment and the guidance of our parents helped us develop strong values that include a concern for others. That’s probably when our philanthropic roots developed.”
She adds, “I miss my brother Ron, and I have faith that he is with God in a much better place. I know that he smiles as he realizes that we speak his name daily… he has not been forgotten.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Looking ahead, Dr. Thompson is dreaming big. “Future plans include expanding the RSS information network to include all HBCUs in the nation,” she says. “We believe that the overall impact of RSS will be to help increase the number of HBCU graduates; thereby improving HBCU graduation rates.”
Click & Visit:
Website: https://ronsmithscholarships.org
Awesome lady! Exemplary higher education administrator! Selfless humanitarian! Valued mentor to many! Definitely a trailblazer and pioneer! Multitalented and always inspiring to others!🎤🎤🎤