Visionaries for Change
Visionaries for Change is a giving circle of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. It was founded in 2019 by Black business and civic leaders. Members come together to donate money to a pooled fund, and together they provide support for charitable causes in the Black community.
Why become a Visionary?
Develop solutions for Black communities, especially those experiencing economic distress. Leverage the power of endowment and collective philanthropy--the giving of time, expertise and resources. Invest in organizations that build a healthy community, increasing everyone’s opportunity for success. Join Us
2023 Grant Opportunity
In 2023, Visionaries for Change will fund Black-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Black-serving nonprofits are those with the majority (51% or more) of their clients being Black.
Grant applications should explain how the program for which funding is sought addresses the priority impact area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The educational program should serve elementary or middle school students and be offered after-school or during the summer months.
The deadline was March 15, 2023. The application period has closed.
Meet the Visionaries Members
Platinum - $5,000 (includes couples)
L. D. Britt, MD, MPH*
Kimberly and Tony Brothers* (Membership & Planning Committee Co-Chair)
Valerie and Kim Brown*
Brittany Branch*
Marcia Conston, Ph.D.
Sharon and Bernard Goodwyn*
Desi Hacker, Ph.D. and Bruce Hacker
Kandi and Micah Hall
Sandra Lewis (Chair) and Lemuel Lewis*
Shirley Liverman*
Janeen and Courtney McBath
Angela D. Reddix, Ph.D. and Carl Reddix*
Cynthia and Paul Roye
Renee T. Sandifer
Audrey Settle* (Membership & Planning Committee Co-Chair)*
DeAnne and Randy Williams (Vice-Chair)*
Jane S. and F. Blair Wimbush*
Gold - $3,000 (includes couples)
Maurice Jones and Lisa Smith*
Silver - $1,000 (individual) & $1,500 (couples)
George Berry
Amy Bishton
Gilbert T. Bland* and Joyce Williams
Keisha and James Brown*
Dr. Kimberly Brown Williams*
LaKeisha and Don Carey III*
Nan Edgerton
Robin Foreman-Wheeler*
Ti'Juana and Lawrence A. Gholson II
Elsie and Robert Goodrum*
Hon. Jimmy Gray*
Sharon and James Harrington III*
Hon. Daun Hester
Anthony Jones*
Hon. Phillip Jones
Shevette and Kevin Jones
Rev. Linda Kirkland-Harris, Ph.D.*
Dyteya Lewis (Grantmaking Committee Chair)
Shannel Lundy and Kieara Lundy*
Gabriele M. Mack
Brandi Marsh, MD, PhD
Mavis and Wayne McKenley*
Angela M. Mercer, MD* and Reginald Corinaldi
Peter W. D. Morford
Fredericka and Hon. Gabriel Morgan Sr.*
Cherise and Richard Newsome Jr.*
Dr. Ruth Jones Nichols*
Barbara and Jesse Oden*
Rosa Oden*
Vivian Oden*
Joan Rhodes-Copeland
Jennell and Dwight Riddick*
Joycelyn Spight Roache and Jon Roache
Vickie Holloway Rogers
Ruth Rose*
Hon. Amelia Ross-Hammond, Ph.D.*
Hon. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott*
Lateacia and Terard Sessoms*
Hon. Lyn Simmons and Hon. Jerrauld Jones*
Hope Sinclair, Ph.D.*
Tasha Turnbull
Wanda and Kevin Turpin*
Sharon Campbell Waters, Ph.D.
Dr. Kawanna Ward*
Dr. Edith G. White*
Martha Williams*
Dr. Yvette B. Williams*
Maria P. Williams-Giddens*
Antoinette G. Young
Young Professional (Ages 21-40) - $500
Fiona Charles
Peyton Farley
Kendra Robinson
Jazmine Smith
Christin Thorpe
Aleea Slappy Wilson
Corporate Partners
Weissberg Foundation
*Denotes Founding Member
(Want to send a check or other form of payment? Simply download this form and mail it to us at Hampton Roads Community Foundation, 101 W. Main Street, Suite 4500, Norfolk, VA 23510.)
Membership Benefits:
- Platinum members receive a special recognition gift and an invitation to an exclusive event with an Insider’s Briefing
- Receive a Visionaries for Change lapel pin
- Learn about community needs, financial and estate planning, and wealth management
- Network with other community leaders and philanthropists with a shared interest
- Attend Hampton Roads Community Foundation donor and community events
- Opportunity to make grantmaking decisions on how the endowment fund supports the community
- Recognition on website and publications
2023 Grant Recipients
Visionaries awarded $23,000 to two Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits working in STEM.
Don Carey REECH Foundation - $7,000
James E. Newby, Jr., M.D. Foundation - $16,000
2022 Grant Recipients
For its first-ever grantmaking round, Visionaries awarded $18,000 to three Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits working in mental health and racial trauma.
G.I.R.L.S. Club, $3,000
Quality of Life, Inc., $5,000
- Hearts Full of Grace, Inc., $10,000
- Thank you to the Grantmaking Committee, co-chaired by Brittany Branch and Valerie Brown, and all members involved in the review process.
