The Dianne M. Pinderhughes Foundation, (DMPF, Inc.), is a non-profit organization named after Dr. Dianne M. Pinderhughes. Established by her former students in 2015, the Foundation honors Dr. Pinderhughes’s positive influence on their careers and continues her legacy of outstanding scholarship, teaching, and dedicated mentorship for the benefit of future generations.
The Foundation will provide scholarships for undergraduate students to attend the National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS). Dr. Pinderhuges is an ardent supporter and past President of NCOBPS from 1988-1989. She has served NCOPBS in a number of capacities including: co-chair of the Awards Committee, the Chairs Committee, the Fannie Lou Hamer Award Nominations Committee, and the Graduate Assistantship Program, Investment Committee. Dr. Pinderhughes was also the section chair for NCOBPS and the Profession (1999–2000), the Newsletter Advisory Board (1999–2001), the Nominations Committee (1998–1999), and the Graduate Assistantship Program Council (1997–present). Twice, she has served on the local arrangements planning committee: NCOBPS Washington, D.C. (1979) and NCOBPS Chicago, IL (1997). In March 2004, she received the NCOBPS Fannie Lou Hamer Community Service Award.
The Dianne M. Pinderhughes Mentorship Award is meant to reflect the namesake’s commitment to mentoring, teaching, and scholarship. As noted in the 2008 American Political Science Association (APSA) article, “Dianne Pinderhughes: A Career Dedicated to Understanding the Racial Dynamics of American Politics and to Serving as An Agent of Change,” Ruth Nicole Brown and Louis Desipio aptly wrote:
“She is single-handedly responsible for creating and cultivating a cadre of junior scholars who have not only pursued graduate studies in political science, but have begun to enter the professorate. By her example and her encouragement, new generations of scholars have been trained to speak to and transform the discipline. Pinderhughes is the consummate mentor who has trained future political scientists, activists, lawyers, elected officials, and professionals”.
The scholarships are designed to encourage students to attend and present their research at NCOBPS. Through their participation in NCOBPS we hope the students gain skills and support needed to continue their studies in a spirit of excellence that reflects the admirable legacy of Dr. Dianne M. Pinderhughes.