After the passing of Jerry Mondesire in early October, Philadelphians from all walks paid homage to the civil rights leader, activist, journalist, and former president of the NAACP Philadelphia chapter.

No one doubted that Mondesire's legacy wouldn't stop at the fond epitaphs from those who knew him, and thanks the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) it promises to continue on in new form.

PABJ has established the "J. Whyatt Mondesire Scholarship Fund" to celebrate the man and his commitment to journalism.

"Jerry loved PABJ and PABJ loved Jerry," the association wrote. "He was a paid and active member of the organization until his death. He was a vocal member of the PABJ Media Monitoring Committee, and frequently attended PABJ meetings and events."

Mondesire began his journalism career at the Baltimore Sun before he became the city-desk editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer. Even after Mondesire went into political advocacy, he remained a figurehead in the media landscape as the publisher of the Philadelphia Sunday Sun, as a host on WDAS-FM radio show Freedom Quest, and of course, as a member of PABJ.

PABJ hopes to present the first Mondesire scholarship at its annual scholarship gala next year. The family has asked that donations be made here.