Gloria Earley

Gloria Earley is the mother of the late Joseph L. Earley, Jr.  Desiring to pick up the torch of her son’s desire to change the lives of young people, Gloria founded the Foundation.  The vision he held dear was to get young people off the streets and give them hope by excelling in education.  Joseph desired, even as a teenager, to have a safe place where kids could go and get together, get help with homework, and play games. As an adult, he realized that dream while living in Niagara Falls, NY, where he and a friend obtained a building, backed by the city. Children came here and received help with homework and played games. Joe taught the young people chess, because he believed this would help them with their critical thinking.

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Mrs. Earley has worked with young people for many years.  She served as an Instructor at the Jane Skinner Modeling Academy, where she taught modeling. Gloria then went on to become the Director of Black Pearl Modeling School, which was a Division of the Jane Skinner Modeling Academy.  This was a Finishing School for young inner-city girls.  The first African American Pro Football Hall of Fame Queen in Canton, OH, was a student from that school. Gloria also worked with the development of The Tribe of Judah School of strings in Canton, OH. This school provided young children in the inner city the opportunity to be exposed to classical music. They were instructed by volunteers from the Canton Symphony Orchestra.

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Gloria volunteered in a Reading program for children while working at The Ohio State University.  She worked with a summer program that assisted children working to pass the 5th-grade test to excel to the next level. An avid volunteer with Children’s Programming at her church, Gloria enjoys and looks forward to teaching and sharing with the children.

Mrs. Earley graduated from McKinley High School in Canton, OH. She obtained her A.A.B.M. at Stark Technical State College, her B.A. from Malone University, and later earned an A.A. from Valor Christian College graduating Suma Cum Laude, Valedictorian.

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The current President and Founder of The Joseph L. Earley, Jr. Foundation, Gloria is a former Realtor and Insurance Agent. Gloria has worked many years in the business realm.  Gloria worked at the Timken Company in Canton, OH, and was the first African American to hold the position as an Assistant to the Superintendent of Steel Mill Inspection. A retiree of The Ohio State University, Gloria worked as a Sponsored ProgramsOfficer where she worked with many Professors managing major Grants and Contracts for research. Gloria was the first African American female, and only second to a male, to hold that position. 

Gloria loves her family.  She is married to Joseph L. Earley, Sr. and is a mother, grandmother, and yes great-grandmother which is her great delight.