In 1948, Philip Henry Enochs, Jr. created the Fernwood Foundation as a trust with the purpose of benefiting the local Fernwood Black community. Frustrated that the Black community were not given equal opportunity to take advantage of the public school system, Mr. Enochs established the trust to fund the construction of a new school, and separate school district, for that community. The Fernwood Foundation continues to exist today and makes annual donations to several of the local churches in the Fernwood area, as well as other entities that benefit the community, and the legacy of the family business.
Current & Recent Projects
Some of the recent organizations and endeavors that are supported by the Fernwood Foundation include:
Tougaloo College
Established an endowed scholarship at Tougaloo College, a private historically Black liberal arts institution in Mississippi
Southwest Mississippi Community College
Contributing to scholarships at the Southwest Mississippi Community College
Miss Mattie Foundation
Contributing to scholarships administered by the Miss Mattie Foundation in Pike County
Greater Hope Ministry Homeless Shelter
Supporting the Greater Hope Ministry Homeless Shelter
Pike County Mississippi Scholars
Contributing to scholarships administered by the Pike County Mississippi Scholars program
Palace Theatre Foundation
Supporting the Palace Theatre Foundation
McComb Railroad Museum
Supporting the McComb Railroad Museum
Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Mississippi
Supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Mississippi
Pike County Mississippi Scholars
Supporting the Pike County Mississippi Scholars
Board of Directors
Fernwood Foundation is led by a board of six directors who continue operating in the spirit of the original founders.
Jean Button
Lampton Enochs
Thomas Enochs
Marian Gay
Jeff King
Mary Jane McDonald
