Dr. Ronald B. Lonesome was a noted psychiatrist and a dedicated clinician, educator, and advocate for LGBTQ rights and equality. He was educated in the New York City public school system and received his undergraduate degree from the City College of New York.
A family member's experience at a psychiatric hospital became the impetus for Dr. Lonesome's interest and subsequent career in psychiatry. He attended Howard University College of Medicine, where he found it to be both transformative and fascinating, which led to a rotating medical internship at the Los Angeles County General Hospital, which was a part of USC Medical Center.
During the early days of deinstitutionalization of psychiatric hospitals, he had insight into seeing the possible harmful effects it would have on society.
He had psychiatric residency at the Columbia University Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He was a distinguished psychiatrist, with board certifications in psychiatry and addiction medicine with a career spanning nearly three decades of working in psychiatry and substance abuse.
He was a former Dean of the Black Addictions Institute, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York, and a published authority on African American addiction and Mental Health.
An openly gay man, he integrated his Christian faith and sexuality through The Riverside Church’s Maranatha Ministry and Faith Leaders LGBT of African Descent.
Dr. Lonesome remained active in community service until his passing in 2020.
How to Apply:
The Dr. Ronald B. Lonesome Award is presented by Maranatha, one of the ministries of the Membership Care and Parish Life Commission at The Riverside Church. Maranatha is committed to serving God by fostering greater understanding while promoting equity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Same-Gender Loving, and Allies.
This scholarship is open to students who will study in the Health/Medical field.
The completed application must be submitted though the electronic online process. No paper applications will be accepted. All required attachments must be submitted at the same time your application is submitted.
The application deadline to apply for all scholarships is April 28, 2026, at 11:59pm. Only complete applications can be considered. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Your application will be reviewed by members of the Maranatha Scholarship Committee. Selection will be based on the Eligibility Criteria listed below.
Award Amount: $1,250
Eligibility Criteria:
• All applicants must attend an accredited college, vocational college, or university as a full-time student, or be planning to attend in the Fall of 2026. The student may be working toward a vocational school Certificate of Completion, Associate, Baccalaureate, or Master's degree. The student must have a minimum of 3.5 GPA (please provide transcript).
• Be self-identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and / or Transgender.
• Be working towards studies in the health/medical field.
• If you are selected, you must attend the Riverside Church Pride Sunday Breakfast Celebration on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The scholarship will be presented at this event.
• Remember! Keep a copy of your application for your records.
Questions may be directed to The Riverside Church Membership Care and Parish Life Office at MCPL@trcnyc.org