Star Alumnus EDDY
Walter P. Lomax, Jr., M.D.
The Star Alumnus EDDY honors an outstanding alumnus/a of the Philadelphia public schools who has attained excellence in his or her profession and is an inspiration to the community.
Walter P. Lomax, Jr., MD is a graduate of Central High School and a distinguished physician who serves as a civic leader through business and philanthropic ventures supporting education, health, and arts and culture in Philadelphia. Dr. Lomax began his medical career as a solo practitioner in the same South Philadelphia neighborhood where he lived as a child, and practiced at that site for 32 years. His practice grew from a private single physician office to a multi-site group practice that became Lomax Medical Associates, a medical group designed to provide high quality care in traditionally underserved areas.
In 1982, Dr. Lomax established Lomax Health Systems, Inc. (LHS), a management company concentrating exclusively on health care. In 1989, LHS joined forces with a firm in Virginia to form Healthcare Management Alternatives, Inc. (HMA). HMA successfully won a Pennsylvania Department of Welfare contract (HealthPASS) to provide health care to Medicaid recipients in South and West Philadelphia. In 2003, consistent with the philanthropic spirit that Dr. Lomax and his wife Beverly had demonstrated for the past 25 years, Dr. Lomax formed The Lomax Family Foundation (LFF) and became its Chairman. The mission of LFF is to provide funding for eligible nonprofit organizations and programs that promote art, health, education and culture in the African American community. Today, Dr. Lomax serves as Chairman of The Lomax Companies, the Lomax family’s investment office, which manages a global portfolio of private equity investments with particular emphasis on venture capital and real estate.
Star Commitment to Education EDDY
Carole Haas Gravagno
The Star Commitment to Education EDDY honors an individual or group that has shown extraordinary commitment to education and has made a difference in the lives of public school children.
Carole Haas Gravagno is a lifelong supporter and enthusiast of education, the arts and parenting education. She believes deeply in providing the most vulnerable among us with the kind of nurturing that can transform lives, communities and society. Over the past 25 years, Carole has generously given her time and expertise to dozens of arts, cultural and educational organizations, currently serving on the boards of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and the Please Touch Museum. She also helped to envision the Stoneleigh Foundation, which supports fellows exploring innovative, collaborative, cross-system reform to the child welfare and juvenile justice systems to provide new solutions to improving child well-being. The common thread that unites all of her interests is finding meaningful ways of bringing people together.
Star Business Commitment to Education EDDY
John & Kira’s
The Business Commitment to Education EDDY honors a business that makes a difference for public education
A socially innovative small business, John & Kira’s has been manufacturing and selling gourmet chocolates both in the Philadelphia region and around the world since 2002. From day one, John Doyle and Kira Baker-Doyle (a life-long Philadelphian and Masterman High School graduate) have focused on supporting young students in the Philadelphia public school system. With Project Mintpatch, the company uses mint grown by University City High School students to flavor their Urban Garden Mighty Mint chocolate bar. The same student gardeners have the opportunity to visit the factory, intern at the company and assist in selling chocolates at various farmers’ markets. In the past, John & Kira’s has also held chocolate and wine fundraisers to benefit urban school garden programs. Kira taught kindergarten and first grade at Robert Morris Elementary School while working with John to develop John and Kira’s. After receiving her Ph.D. in education, she published a book in August 2011 with Teachers College Press on beginning urban teacher support and professional development entitled, “The Networked Teacher: How New Teachers Build Social Networks for Professional Support.” To John and Kira, using chocolate to promote positive social change, expand educational opportunities for urban communities, and support children in Philadelphia public schools just seems to make good sense and good chocolate.
Rising Star EDDY
Tamanna Sultana
A college student in the College Access/Philadelphia Scholars Program whose success exemplifies the unlimited potential of Philadelphia’s youth.
A University City High School graduate and current senior at Temple University, Tamanna Sultana has emerged as a mentor and teacher to all those around her. Tutoring and motivating students in math and science has been second nature to Tamanna, a chemistry major who plans to apply to medical school and become a physician. After moving to Philadelphia from Bangladesh in 2005, Tamanna received support and encouragement from her teachers and the College Access Program that helped her on her pathway to college. After graduating high school as Class Valedictorian in 2008, Tamanna worked closely with her College Access Coordinator, Tanjanesia Willoughby (née Jackson), who helped her apply for the Last Dollar Scholarship from the Philadelphia Scholars Program. Her academic achievements have earned her a membership in the Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, and the Dr. Valaida Walker Award for leadership and dedicated service to others. Tamanna has demonstrated an incredible drive to succeed and inspiring leadership.