Congratulations to the 2025 recipient of the Lawrence Murray Sr. Scholarship Award, Oyinlade Oseyemi. Oyinlade is a senior at Chester High School in Chester, PA. She has a demonstrated record of academic excellence and a strong commitment to community service. Oyinlade has, for example, helped organize her school’s “Ball Against Violence,” “Back to School Book Bag and Lunch Box Giveaway” and “The March of Dimes” among others. In total, she has amassed over 45 hours of community service. Oyinlade plans to attend either Morgan State University or Cheyney University in the Fall where she intends to major in business. Oyinlade, as well as other scholarship recipients, will be honored at a Community Celebration at the Springfield Country Club on April 29th.
The Lawrence Murray Sr. Scholarship was created in honor of the founder of Historic Green Lawn Cemetery located in Chester Township, PA. Lawrence was born enslaved in Chestertown, MD in 1861. Upon reaching adulthood he migrated to Chester in search of a better life. Despite his extremely difficult childhood, Lawrence and his family prospered in Chester. He became a very successful entrepreneur, a member of the Masonic Lodge and a highly respected community leader. He founded Green Lawn Cemetery in 1907 in response to Chester’s rapidly growing Black population and the urgent need for additional burial space. Due to the discriminatory practices of the time, Green Lawn was the only cemetery for Blacks in Chester and the surrounding communities for thirty years.
Seniors in the Chester Upland School District, attending either public or charter schools, are welcome to apply for the Lawrence Murray Sr. Scholarship. The scholarship is offered annually. Students must have a record of academic achievement as verified by school transcripts, as well as community service. For additional information students should contact their school guidance counselor or the TCF (The Community Foundation) at: info@TCFhelps.org