Dr. John Francis is known worldwide as the “Planetwalker.” After witnessing the environmental damage caused by a 1971 oil spill in the San Francisco Bay, Francis was compelled to stop using motorized vehicles in protest and took a vow of silence in order to end the verbal arguments he found himself getting into while trying to justify the power of one person’s actions. His non-motorized lifestyle lasted 22 years and his silence 17 years. During this time he walked across the United States thus earning the moniker, “Planetwalker.” Implausibly, it was also during this time that he earned a B.A. at Southern Oregon State College, an M.S. in environmental studies at the University of Montana, and a Ph.D. from the Nelson Institute Land Resources program.

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Ms. Murphy, a dedicated Spanish teacher for many years, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Lincoln University, an HBCU in Pennsylvania, and earned a Master's degree in Spanish from Middlebury College while studying in Madrid, Spain. Over the course of her career, she taught at several educational institutions including The School District of Philadelphia where she taught English as a second language, and Radnor School District outside of Philadelphia where she was a Spanish teacher. Murphy also taught Spanish at Woodbine Elementary in Woodbine, NJ, and at West Cape May Elementary.

A member of the West Cape May community since 1996 when she married her husband, a lifetime West Cape May resident, Ms. Murphy has been an active member of The Church of the Advent in Cape May and has also served on the board of the Cape May Center for Community Arts. Since 2007, Ms. Murphy has been a pillar of the William J. Moore Scholarship Foundation performing in the role of foundation secretary.

Mr. Coleman grew up in West Cape May attending both West Cape May Elementary school and Lower Cape May Regional High School. He attended both Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and Atlantic County Community College earning an Associate’s Degree in bookkeeping and eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Glassboro University, now called Rowan University, in Glassboro, NJ.

Mr. Coleman was previously employed as a bookkeeper by Atlantic Electric Company. He also taught at Cape May County Vocational School and Cape May County Special Services School for 24 years before retiring in 2005. He has been the William J. Moore Scholarship Foundation bookkeeper and scholarship chairman since 2005.

An educator for over 35 years with a focus on English, reading support, grant writing and administration, Ms. Anderson-Towns grew up in Cape May and later her family moved to West Cape May, NJ. She is one of seven siblings — all college graduates who were raised by their single mother, Ruthe Anderson, who placed great emphasis on the importance of education. Along with three siblings, she was sent by her mother to a previously White’s-only elementary school in Princess Anne, Md. This experience primed her for the challenges she would encounter as the “first” in many areas of her life in southern New Jersey.

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Mr. Bonner joined the William J. Moore Scholarship Foundation in July of 2021. He has over 33 years of business experience working in various executive roles with two large, privately held U.S. companies. A proud Cape May County native, Bonner was born and raised in Villas, NJ, and attended West Cape May Elementary in 4th grade where he learned about the legacy of Mr. Moore. He has owned a home in West Cape May for over 20 years and recently became a full-time resident after living in various parts of the United States for many years.

Mr. Bonner is passionate about giving back to the Cape May County community and helping to make a difference in the lives and education of its youth and he looks forward to continuing the great work of the William J. Moore Scholarship Foundation for many years to come.

Mr. Bounds joined the William J. Moore Scholarship Foundation in 2020. An experienced legal contracts and compliance professional, he is known for his excellent customer interface and negotiation skills coupled with extensive knowledge and experience with all aspects of commercial and government contracts.

Bounds is a 4th generation West Cape May property owner and resident. His mother, Mary Cordelia Howard Bounds, and her two brothers, Ottier and Weaver, were all students of Mr. William J. Moore — their next-door neighbor. Bounds’ grandparents provided room and board in their home for several of the teachers who served under Moore at the West Cape May School. After graduating from Glassboro State College, and motivated by the example set by Moore, Mrs. Bounds returned to Cape May to become one of the first Black teachers at the Franklin Street School in Cape May.

Lt. Dekon W. Fashaw Sr. is the chief of police for the city of Cape May, which also polices the surrounding boroughs of West Cape May and Cape May Point. He rejoined the William J. Moore Scholarship Foundation in 2021 and is a proud 1993 recipient of a William J. Moore scholarship. A career police officer and volunteer firefighter with an unending desire to serve the public in a positive and meaningful manner, Chief Fashaw will assist the foundation in a membership retention and advisory role. He has resided in the Cape May area since 1975 and has always referred to West Cape May as his hometown.

Charles M. Payne, Jr. is the Henry Rutgers Distinguished Professor of African American Studies at Rutgers University - Newark where he also directs the Joseph Cornwall Center for

Metropolitan Research. He is a sociologist whose interests include urban education and modern African American history. He has taught at Williams College, Haverford College, Northwestern University, Duke University and the University of Chicago.

Mr. Moore taught his father, Charles Payne, Sr., his aunt, Mildred Payne Moore and his uncle, William Payne. He grew up fishing with James (Duck) Moore, Mr. Moore’s son.

Ms. Walker joined the William J. Moore Scholarship Foundation in October of 2021. An experienced digital content specialist and social media manager with a successful track record developing the voice for all aspects of an organization's online presence, Walker will oversee the maintenance of the newly launched William J. Moore Scholarship Foundation website as well as maintain the foundation Facebook and Instagram accounts as a means to keep community members informed of foundation events and opportunities and will create campaigns directed towards keeping the spirit of William J. Moore alive.

Walker has a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems and management from Susquehanna University. She worked as an analyst and business manager for 15 years for a global communications company and most recently worked as a technology staff developer and digital content specialist for 13 years at a public school district outside Philadelphia. A West Cape May resident since 2007, Ms. Walker and her family consider West Cape May to be hallowed ground and she looks forward to supporting the foundation and legacy of William J. Moore.