Today we’d like to introduce you to Jhazzmyn Joiner.
Hi Jhazzmyn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The Joiner Foundation, Inc. started in January of 2017. I had wanted to do a scholarship for students who had previously gone to my high school, Booker T. Washington High School. So, I called my grandmother to discuss that, choose a name, etc. Then, I made an Instagram logo and sent out my first Instagram post about the Adolphus Dixon Book Scholarship. That’s how the organization was born. I did not just want to do a scholarship, so my grandmother and I also brainstormed ideas about future projects. Our very next project was a prom dress drive that we only did the first year because we ran into so many problems. That project taught us a lot about always having a plan B. My grandmother and dad mostly help out, but I have been fortunate enough to have my mother handle the scholarship committee. My friend, Ayana, also was a great help when she served within the organization. We still use some of her amazing flyers. My other friend, Jada, wrote some incredible blogs. Others have also gotten involved in one way or another. It has been so rewarding to see the foundation grow and change. I hope for more growth in the future.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. As mentioned, our project with the prom dress drive, Project Gala Gazam, ran into some issues. We struggled to figure out where to deliver the dresses. However, we worked together to make that happen. We’ve had to pivot and change plans. We’ve added and taken out different projects. We’ve all had differences when it comes to the direction of the organization and the vision. So, there have been roadblocks and tough conversations. However, I feel as though we all have grown as people and as teammates. We’ve learned how to communicate better and compromise. I think we’ve done a great job and that we have all been willing to do whatever was necessary to ensure that we got each job done on time and correctly. Together, we live up to the motto, “helping as many people as humanly possible”.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Joiner Foundation aspires to help as many people as humanly possible through scholarship and service. We do different projects throughout the year, such as our art party with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta or Project Rejuvenate Earth where we clean up local Atlanta around Earth Day. We have our Adolphus Dixon Book Scholarship for high school seniors and Hattie Watson Book Scholarship for college students. We also make educational fun posts on our Instagram and Facebook pages. We aim to educate and give back. What I love most about this organization is that even though we are small, mainly family-run and not well known, we still make a big impact wherever we go. Learn more at thejoinerfoundation.org.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I have lots of friend groups that consist of people 65+ and I truly enjoy them!
Contact Info:
- Email: thejoinerfoundation@gmail.com
- Website: thejoinerfoundation.org
- Instagram: thejoinerfoundation
- Youtube: thejoinerfoundation
