Celebrating 15 years of empowering stories!

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with you! February 1st marks the start of JLD Community Solutions’ *“Write Their Next Story”* fundraising campaign, and we’re inviting you to be a part of this meaningful journey.  

This year is extra special as we celebrate two incredible milestones:  

🎉 Johnny Leroy "Lee-Lee" Dawkins Jr.’s 42nd Birthday

🎉 JLD Community Solutions’ 15th Anniversary: Fifteen years of empowering the stories of young men of color graduating Lexington Senior High School through providing scholarships. Fifteen years of making connections in the community.

To honor these occasions, we’re launching our campaign and challenging ourselves to raise $15,000 in the month of February in support of the "JLD Scholarship Fund" and "JLD Leadership Program". Learn more about these programs. These initiatives empower young men of color to achieve their dreams and become leaders in their communities. 

Will you help us reach our target goal by Friday, February 28th?

I'm in... How can I help? Here’s how you can get involved: 

1️⃣ Donate to the Campaign: Help us reach our $15,000 goal by making a contribution today. See all of our convenient payment options below. Every dollar counts and directly impacts the lives of the young men we serve. Here’s what your support can do:  

⭐️  JLD Stars: Empower a Dream – $150  

We are asking 100 changemakers to become a JLD Star and invest $150 towards a young scholar's future. Your gift of $150 gives a young man the tools to succeed—books, tuition, and hope. Will you be one of our 100 stars?  

*Stars will receive: recognition on our website, in our newsletter, and during our annual Community Safety Awareness Event. You will also receive an invitation to our VIP networking event and two tickets to our signature end of the year fundraising event.

⭐️⭐️ JLD Super Stars: Transform a Life – $1,500  

We are seeking 10 visionaries to help in funding full scholarships. Your $1,500 donation doesn’t just provide financial support—it provides hope, confidence, and a chance to write the next chapter in their future. Will you join our elite group of JLD Super Stars and help a young man rewrite his future?  

*Super Stars will receive:  recognition on our website, in our newsletter and during our annual Community Safety Awareness Event. You will also receive an invitation to our VIP networking event, eight tickets to our signature end of the year fundraising event, and given a chance to be a speaker. 

Please note:  We've received your feedback and we are listening. We are are crafting an end-of-year event that will redefine your expectations. Get ready for a unique and unforgettable experience! 

Click Donate now to make a difference!

2️⃣ How about some friendly competition!😉

Join Our Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Challenge: Powered by Givebutter! Become a champion for our cause by creating your own fundraising page and encouraging your network to support the campaign. Together, we can amplify our impact! PLUS... we like to reward hard work!  We're talking bragging rights, newsletter recognition, and an invitation to our VIP networking event. BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE! If you raise funds to level of a JLD Star or JLD Super Star, you receive those perks as well!

Join the Challenge 

3️⃣ Encourage Company Matching: Do you own a business that offers donation matching? Or perhaps your employer offers donation matching? Double your impact by submitting your gift for a match! Contact us for assistance or check your company’s matching gift portal. 

Learn More About Matching Gifts  

4️⃣ Share Your Support on Social Media: Post why you support JLD Community Solutions and use the hashtag #Chapter15. Your voice can inspire others to join our mission and help us reach our goal!  

5️⃣ Follow Our Progress Live: Visit our website to track our campaign’s progress in real-time with our live progress bar. Watch as we work together to reach our $15,000 goal!   

6️⃣ Tune Into JLD Storytellers: We’re excited to launch our new YouTube series, JLD Storytellers, where we’ll share inspiring stories of young men of color in our community. These stories highlight resilience, leadership, and the power of opportunity.

⭐️ Our first interview is with Coccaro Smith and he shares the profound perspective he gained after the loss of his father, the impact serving in the army had on his life, and the heartfelt encouragement and motivation he received from Lee-Lee during his earlier years playing basketball. PLUS... we have a special announcement at the end of the video. You don't want to miss it!

Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel

Your support has been the driving force behind our work for the past 15 years, and we’re grateful for your continued commitment to our mission. Let’s come together to write the next chapter for these young leaders.  

Payment Options

Make your donation today using one of our convenient payment options:

• Visit our website at www.jldscholarshipfund.org and select “Donate.”  
• Text "CHAPTER15" to "53-555"
• Send via CashApp to: $JLDScholarship 
• (Important: Please enter “JLD Star” or “JLD Super Star” and your email address in the notes.)  
• Send a check made payable to “JLD Community Solutions” to the following address:  
• P.O. Box 30027, Winston-Salem, NC 27130  

Challenge Accepted

Challenge your friends, family, and colleagues to match your donation. No amount is too small, every dollar makes a difference!

Thank you for being a changemaker. Thank you for helping the young men of color in our community write the next chapter to their stories!

FAQs