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
Meet Visionaries for Change member Dr. Kimberly Brown Williams, who said her parents, who are also Visionaries members, raised her to give back.
“Having people that can advocate for organizations that may not be brought to the table normally is important,” Brown said. Click here to read her story in the 2023 Annual Report.
Meet the Visionaries Members
Platinum - $5,000 (includes couples)
L. D. Britt, MD, MPH*
Kimberly and Tony Brothers*
Valerie and Kim Brown*
Brittany Branch*
Marcia Conston, Ph.D.
Michelle Curry, M.D. and Eric Curry
Sharon and Hon. Bernard Goodwyn*
Desi Hacker, Ph.D. and Bruce Hacker
Kandi and Micah Hall
Sandra Lewis (Chair) and Lemuel Lewis*
Shirley Liverman*
Alexander McBath, Esq.
Janeen McBath
Angela D. Reddix, Ph.D. and Carl Reddix*
Cynthia and Paul Roye
Renee T. Sandifer
Audrey Settle*+
DeAnne and Randy Williams (Vice-Chair)*
Jane S. and F. Blair Wimbush*
Gold - $3,000 (includes couples)
Kitty Bosher
Silver - $1,000 (individual) & $1,500 (couples)
Amy Bishton
Gilbert T. Bland* and Joyce Williams
Allison M. Bough
Keisha and James Brown*
Dr. Kimberly Brown Williams*
Tonya Byrd
LaKeisha and Don Carey III*
Andre Council
Nan Edgerton
Robin Foreman-Wheeler*
Angela and Arden Garnett
Ti'Juana and Lawrence A. Gholson II
Elsie and Robert Goodrum*
Hon. Jimmy Gray*
Sharon and James Harrington III*
Markita Heard
Hon. Daun Hester
Sandra Jackson
Jeannette W. Johnson
Anthony Jones*
Shevette and Kevin Jones
Rev. Linda Kirkland-Harris, Ph.D.*
Dyteya Lewis (Grantmaking Committee Chair)
Shannel Lundy and Kieara Lundy*
Gabriele M. Mack
Mavis and Wayne McKenley*
Angela M. Mercer, MD* and Reginald Corinaldi
Peter W. D. Morford
Fredericka and Hon. Gabriel Morgan Sr.*
Dr. Keith and Peggy Newby
Cherise and Richard Newsome Jr.*
Dr. Ruth Jones Nichols*
Barbara and Jesse Oden*
Rosa Oden*
Vivian Oden*
Farley and Tonya Perkins
Jennell and Dwight Riddick*
Vickie Holloway Rogers
Ruth Rose*
Hon. Amelia Ross-Hammond, Ph.D.*
Penny Sanchez
Hon. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott*
Lateacia and Terard Sessoms*
Hon. Lyn Simmons and Hon. Jerrauld Jones*
Hope Sinclair, Ph.D.*
Maurice Jones and Lisa Smith
Tasha Turnbull
Wanda and Kevin Turpin*
Sharon Campbell Waters, Ph.D.
Dr. Kawanna Ward*
Bethany White
Dr. Edith G. White*
Martha Williams*
Dr. Yvette B. Williams*
Sheila Williams
Maria P. Williams-Giddens*
Antoinette G. Young
Rev. Michelle Ellis Young
Young Professional (Ages 21-40) - $500
Fiona Charles (Membership & Planning Committee Co-Chair)
Peyton Farley
Tye Lambert
Devin and Danielle Lert
Phillip Killebrew, Jr.
Tracie Paige
Kendra Robinson
Jazmine Smith (Membership & Planning Committee Co-Chair)
Christin Thorpe
Aleea Slappy Wilson
Corporate Partners
Weissberg Foundation
*Denotes Founding Member | +Denotes Deceased 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
2025 Grant Opportunity
In 2025, 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. This grant cycle is in memory of founding member, Audrey Dixon Settle.
Grant applications should explain how the program for which funding is sought addresses one or more of the following priority impact areas:
1. Strengthen businesses and current entrepreneurs by providing mentorship activities, technical assistance and access to capital.
2. Create wealth and build long-term financial assets by providing financial literacy and education and employment opportunities for adults.
The application period for this grant opportunity has officially closed. Grant decisions will be announced June 2025.
2024 Grant Recipients
$7,000 to Black BRAND for the B-Force Accelerator Program.
$9,000 to Envision, Lead, Grow for the Blossom Network financial literacy program to support women ages 18-25.
$5,500 to the Metropolitan Business League for the Hampton Roads Capital Access Program.
$6,250 to The Micro-Nonprofit Network for the Micro-Nonprofit Strategy Café.
$6,000 to Neighborhood for the Career and Community Development Program.
2023 Grant Recipients
Visionaries awarded $23,000 to two Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits working in STEM.
$7,000 to the Don Carey REECH Foundation
$16,000 to the James E. Newby, Jr., M.D. Foundation
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.
