Dwayne E. Heard Memorial Scholarship Fund

Our beloved Dwayne Heard, age 67, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday morning, August 28, 2022 with his wife, Jan Prisby Bryson, by his side. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Dwayne grew up in a loving household with his sister, Irene. In high school, Dwayne was a champion swimmer and played football at South Shore High School. In 1970 Dwayne integrated North Avenue Beach in Chicago, becoming the first African American Lifeguard to work there. Over the following summers Dwayne went on to supervise Lifeguards, becoming known as the Captain of Lifeguards for the Chicago Park District. Because of his swimming prowess, Dwayne was awarded a scholarship to attend Morehouse College, where he became a Tiger Shark (swim team). To say that Dwayne loved Morehouse College would be an understatement. A Morehouse Man through and through, Dwayne earned a reputation as a guy who loved a good party! His roommate and good friend, Calvin Vismale, suggested that they take a course given by a new young professor, Bill Swift, entitled ‘Starting New Ventures;’ it was this course that led Dwayne down the road of entrepreneurship that shaped the course of his entire professional life.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Dwayne E. Heard Memorial Scholarship Fund at Morehouse College. Contributions can be made either by going to www.giving.morehouse.edu and indicating the Dwayne E. Heard Memorial Scholarship on the giving page or by sending a check to Morehouse College, Office of Institutional Advancement, Gloster Hall, 830 Westview Dr., SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30314-3773