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.

Visionaries for Change

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

2024 Grant Opportunity

In 2024, 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 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 Visionaries for Change grant application period ended on March 13, 2024.

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)

Amy Bishton

Gilbert T. Bland* and Joyce Williams

Kitty Bosher

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*

Markita Heard

Hon. Daun Hester

Sandra Jackson

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

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*

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

Join Us

(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

Visionaries for Change 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.

Watch this video to learn why Young Professionals joined Visionaries for Change.