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*
Tony Brothers (Membership & Planning Committee Co-Chair) and Kimberly Brothers*
Kim and Valerie Brown (Grantmaking Committee Co-Chair)*
Brittany Branch*
Dr. Marcia Conston
Ti'Juana and Lawrence A. Gholson II
Sharon and Bernard Goodwyn*
Bruce and Dr. Desideria Hacker
Kandi and Micah Hall
Sandra Lewis (Chair) and Lemuel Lewis*
Shirley Liverman*
Courtney and Janeen McBath
Dr. Angela D. and Carl Reddix*
Paul and Cynthia Roye
Renee T. Sandifer
Audrey Settle (Membership & Planning Committee Co-Chair)*
F. Blair and Jane S. Wimbush*
Randy Williams (Vice-Chair) and DeAnne Williams*
Gold - $3,000 (includes couples)
Maurice Jones and Lisa Smith*
Silver - $1,000 (individual) & $1,500 (couples)
Hon. Angelia Allen*
George Berry
Amy Bishton
Gilbert T. Bland* and Joyce Williams
James and Keshia Brown*
Dr. Kimberly Brown Williams*
LaKeisha and Don Carey III*
Nan Edgerton
Robin Foreman-Wheeler*
Robert and Elsie Goodrum*
Hon. Jimmy Gray*
Hon. Daun Hester
Anthony Jones*
Kevin and Shevette Jones
Hon. Phillip Jones
Dyteya Lewis (Grantmaking Committee Co-Chair)
Gabriele M. Mack
Brandi Marsh, MD, PhD
Peter Morford
Dr. Ruth Jones Nichols*
U.S. Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott*
Lateacia and Terard Sessoms*
Hon. Jerrauld Jones and Hon. Lyn Simmons*
Dr. Linda Kirkland-Harris*
Sharon and James Harrington III*
Shannel Lundy and Kieara Lundy*
Angela M. Mercer, MD* and Reginald Corinaldi
Mavis and Wayne McKenley*
Fredericka and Hon. Gabriel Morgan Sr.*
Cherise and Richard Newsome Jr.*
Jesse and Barbara Oden*
Rosa Oden*
Vivian Oden*
Joan Rhodes-Copeland
Dwight and Jennell Riddick*
Vickie Holloway Rogers
Ruth Rose*
Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond*
Dr. Hope Sinclair*
Joycelyn Spight Roache and Jon Roache
Tasha Turnbull
Kevin and Wanda Turpin*
Sharon Campbell Waters, PhD
Dr. Kawanna Ward*
Dr. Yvette B. Williams*
Dr. Edith G. White*
Maria P. Williams-Giddens*
Martha Williams*
Antoinette G. Young
Young Professional (Ages 21-35) - $500
Fiona Charles
Kendra Robinson
Jazmine Smith
Christin Thorpe
*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
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.
