Our Mission
Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. aka “Young Dolph”
Adolph Robert Thornton Jr. aka “Young Dolph” was born in Chicago, IL and was raised the majority of his life in Castalia Heights located in Memphis, TN. Young Dolph understood the struggles that came along with growing up in underserved areas and was determined to give back once he was able to. Being raised by his grandmother Ida Mae, he gained the knowledge and foundation of what it meant to give back and to help those in need.
Young Dolph’s grandmother and family was his everything. His family made sure that he remained grounded, respectful, and humbled through all his walks of life. Dolph has always been surrounded by goodness. The virtue of the man was charity as he was always giving to the needy, the poor, and the downtrodden. Charity, in Christian thought, is the highest form of love, signifying the reciprocal love between God and man that is manifested in unselfish love of one’s fellow man. Prior to the formation of the foundation, Young Dolph made millions of dollars in contributions to his alma mater, local middle/high schools, community youth, Christmas toys for neighborhood youth, back to school programs, shoes for neighborhood youth and more. He never wanted anything in return but to see smiles on people faces. Dolph’s legacy will live on through his acts of charity that will continue on.
Rita Myers (Founder)
In 2019, his aunt Rita Myers founded the Ida Mae Family Foundation in honor of her mother and Young Dolph to acknowledge and continue their legacy of philanthropy, volunteerism, and service. Rita was a retired higher education administrator. During her career at HBCUs, her goal was always to help students on their journey in life and encourage them to strive for greatness. She was an optimistic, driven, independent, think outside the box go getter. It was only fitting with her experience and the charity work being done that a Family Foundation be formed to help reach the highest potential of giving back and paying it forward.
Rita X Myers transitioned in May 2022. In her honor the Rita X Myers Scholarship was formed in 2023. Rita X Myers thrived on black excellence and academics. Her background was in student advising and engagement at many well-known HBCUs and retired as Director of Student Services from Texas A&M. This scholarship was created to help students start out their college journey with less monetary worries so they are able to devote their focus to their academics. Her strength, perseverance, and love for her family will continue to live through the foundation’s charity work and love for others. Now and moving forward Ida Mae Family Foundation will continue to host programs and events for the benefit of the community in honor of Young Dolph and those that laid the foundation.