Quarter Phi Back Awards, aka “QFB”

Founder/CEO: W. Earl Kitchings Year Founded: 2022

The MENT.O.R.S. Foundation established an organization and awards event to honor the legacies of past and future Black quarterbacks who played at the interscholastic, collegiate, and professional levels. The organization will be designated with the name Quarter Phi Back, aka QPhiB, Awards. It will take on a presence like that of a fraternal organization.

This organization will be an extension of the MENT.O.R.S. Foundation, and the annual event will be one of the primary fundraisers for this organization in support of college scholarship to men of color who are affected by hardship circumstances.

MISSION

The Quarter Phi Back Awards is directed by a mission of integrity, comprehensive vison, and values of sportsmanship.

Through its diverse award programs, the organization recognizes outstanding Black  athletes for their talents, achievements, and service on and off the playing field, while serving as a template for embracing distinction in athletic success, academic achievement, and community enrichment.

The QPhiB Awards was created in 2022, and under the MENT.O.R.S. Foundation, it will begin hosting annual fundraising efforts, honoring Black quarterbacks at the interscholastic, collegiate, and professional levels.

The annual awards event and banquet event will be hosted in Orlando Florida. The ceremony will include the Distinction Honorees, Ring of Honor induction, and the “BIP” Award for leadership and overcoming adversity.

HISTORY

The creation of the QFB (Quarter Phi Back) Awards was inspired by the collaboration of ideas by W. Earl Kitchings and Dennis Crosby in December of 2021. This idea was a result of the publication from the book “The Forgotten QB’s” by Kitchings. He and Crosby felt that having an annual event would be a significant way to recognize and honor the Black players who played the position of quarterback in American football. Kitchings originated the name and draft of the awards logo. The final logo was developed and designed by Cori Denson.