Today we’d like to introduce you to Jhazzmyn Joiner.
Jhazzmyn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The Joiner Foundation started during the second semester of my freshman year in college. Freshman year was a year that I felt so lost after going to the rigorous Georgia Tech and trying to find my way while dealing with personal struggles that I was experiencing. The Joiner Foundation was the one thing that made sense and made me feel whole and find my purpose during a trying time. The idea came to me in January 2017 in a phone conversation with my grandmother. I really wanted to start a scholarship for seniors. I didn’t have a lot to give, but I figured that something was better than nothing. We went back and forth about a good name for the organization and how to go about doing the scholarship. Finally, we settled on The Joiner Foundation, I made a flyer, and I sent out the information to those at my alma mater, Booker T. Washington High School, while also spreading the word on social media for others to apply. I was overjoyed when a handful of people applied. One aspect of the scholarship was the optional phone interview in which we got to know the applicants. Hearing the goals, dreams, and aspirations of each student gave me hope in myself and in the future of the world. It made me feel as though I was taking a step in the right direction.
We wanted the foundation to be more than just a scholarship, so we launched Project Gala Gazam, a prom dress drive, that February. We collected 10 dresses and donated them to Operation Prom. Then, we kept adding on projects, like Project Rejuvenate Earth where we clean up local areas of Atlanta, Project Paper (the back to school book and supplies drive), Project Non-Perishables (collecting canned goods), our art party event with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, The Angel Tree (giving gifts to children of incarcerated parents), and more. Though some of these projects are no longer with us, we have added new projects, and we make it a mission to serve the community 11 out of 12 months throughout the year. During the fall of 2017, we were able to incorporate the foundation, becoming The Joiner Foundation, Incorporated, we launched our website, and continued to expand. I realized the potential that was within me and my passion for helping others. Every year, I aspire to be and do better. My grandmother was the first member on my team, she is the Director of Human Resources and Finance and the Vice President. My father was next, becoming the Director of Development and Fundraising. Ayana Graham, a friend from high school, became the Director of Administrative Affairs. Juan Lumpkin, who is no longer a part of the foundation, was our Videographer and Photographer. He did some great work for us and took some of the images below.
Starting my organization showed me that I was capable of achieving goals and dreams, even if it’s hard, even in the face of adversity, even if it gets off to a slow start. I have the ability to make a difference in the lives of others and to be a blessing. Now that I know this, I never want to stop. I love what I do and I am proud to have founded this organization which aims to make the world a better place and “helps as many people as humanly possible” through scholarship and service.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been far from a smooth road to get to where I am now. For one, I have faced adversity with being in a low-income family. Having to live paycheck-to-paycheck or making do with the little I’ve had has never been easy. Another struggle has been me standing in my own way. Sometimes, I have doubts about what I can do to make a difference, but it’s because of these struggles, I have worked hard to obtain my college degree so that I may be able to make a better life for myself. Another positive thing that has come out of the struggles I have faced is my foundation. I have been able to give back to my community in the form of book scholarships, school supplies, and more. I want to help others, even if I only have a little to give. I know that I cannot help everyone, but it gives me hope that I can provide some people with the resources that they need in order to be successful.
If I had to give advice to other women who are just starting their journey, I would say to not stand in your own way. You are capable, powerful, strong enough, and smart enough to achieve whatever it is that you put your mind to. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise or stop you. I would also say to hustle and work hard constantly. Nothing in life will come easy, but you’ll find that it’s all worth it once you’ve achieved whatever it is that you’re trying to achieve.
Please tell us about The Joiner Foundation.
I am the founder of The Joiner Foundation, Inc. We aspire to “help as many people as humanly possible” through scholarship and service. We assist children in the local community by providing high school seniors the opportunity to apply for The Adolphus Dixon Book Scholarship annually, through our back to school drive, we host an annual art party at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for the children there, and we give gifts for the Angel Tree at Saint Philip AME Church. We also give supplies to senior citizens annually, we have our Project Rejuvenate Earth where we clean up local Atlanta and other projects geared toward the community. As a brand, I am most proud of all of the projects that we have and how much the organization has grown. The Joiner Foundation was launched as a scholarship, but we all had a bigger vision for it. We operate off of donations and our own funds, which shows just how passionate we are about helping others and getting the job done. I could not have done it without the help of Inez Joiner, Chris Joiner, and Ayana Graham. They help keep things functioning.
Who have you been inspired by?
My grandmother, Inez Joiner, has inspired me. She has always instilled in me the importance of persevering, obtaining a degree, and letting passion drive me. One of the most valuable things that she has taught me is to push down every door until one opens for me and to never give up. My mother has also inspired me. As a woman who deals with mental illness every day, she still manages to be a mother and a hustler. I admire that fight in her. She inspires me to overcome hardships. I am a member of the first and finest black Greek organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and many women have inspired me, such as Dr. Micki Sims, Mrs. Gambria Lightfoot, Ms. Candice Henry, Mrs. Darlene Natson, Ms. Audrey Gay, my very own grandmother, Inez Joiner, and more. I appreciate these women for paving the way for me and assisting me in becoming the woman that I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: thejoinerfoundation.org
- Email: thejoinerfoundation@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejoinerfoundation/
- Facebook: facebook.com/thejoinerfoundation
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thejoinerfound
- Other: https://jhazzmynj2.wixsite.com/jhazzmynjoiner
Image Credit:
Juan Lumpkin, Inez Joiner, Pambria Beachem
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