Greetings
My name is Victoria Vann. My son Justin Vann-Robinson and I welcome your support of our family’s legacy of love – the Eugene Baker – Joy Vann Memorial Scholarship Foundation (EBJV Foundation).
After my mom lost her decade-long battle with kidney disease, I wanted to honor her memory in a meaningful way. I also wanted to help my son understand how his grandmother could live on through our contributions to the lives of others.
Justin turned three years old shortly after my mom passed away. Watching him struggle through days, then weeks, then months without her, solidified my commitment to build a lasting tribute to my mom, her father and the generosity of spirit they both demonstrated throughout their lives.
The challenges faced by the learning disabled became of interest to me while working for an organization that served learning disabled children of all ages. As the older children approached high school graduation, staff members engaged in discussion about how to best help these very talented young people to navigate the maze of college admission practices. Despite legislation designed to counteract ingrained concepts of “the best and the brightest,” these practices still relied more on qualifications documented by standardized test scores than abilities demonstrated through non-traditional means. Practices associated with obtaining money for college were no less daunting. One day, it struck me that I could help by offering a scholarship that selected award recipients based on their creativity, understanding that many learning disabled children are incredibly talented individuals who excel in life as innovators and out of the box thinkers and doers.
Children who manage learning disabilities do so with a determination and perseverance only those who have faced seemingly insurmountable odds understand. My grandfather and my mom, also faced seemingly insurmountable odds, and would have empathized with these children, encouraging them to keep fighting, no matter what. Every day my grandfather was reminded of the color of his skin, on and off the field, he held on with all the love he had. Every day kidney disease threatened to separate my mom from her youngest grandson, whose very presence refilled her eyes with the light suffering had drained, she held on with all of the love she had.
Now, Justin and I are holding with all of the love we have and are dedicating a portion of our inheritance to the EBJV Foundation. We’re starting off small but we invite you to grow with us as Friends of the EBJV Foundation and look forward to engaging with you on behalf of deserving young people preparing to embark on promising futures.
As a mother, it’s been a joy to watch Justin discover his path as he experiences new and exciting things. He’s even exhibited a budding talent for baseball his great grandfather would be proud of. In fact, grandfather once described his baseball scouting philosophy this way: “Sure, I see a lot of guys who can never make it, but you have to see them all to find the great one.” Inclusion is the core of our work at the EBJV Foundation.
In the not too distant future, Justin will write a new Letter from the Founding Family and the EBJV Foundation will mark a second generation of giving. We thank you in advance, with our love and admiration, for helping to make that possible.
Victoria Vann and Justin Vann-Robinson, Founders