About Us
Our Story
Established out of pain. Elevated by purpose.
Johnny Leroy Dawkins Jr Scholarship Fund dba JLD Community Solutions is a grassroots organization established with a desire to turn pain into purpose.
In 2008 Johnny Leroy Dawkins, Jr aka “Lee-Lee” lost his life to gun violence. Lee-Lee’s mother and sister, Angela McDuffie and Dia Dawkins Nyarko, founded the JLD Scholarship Fund in 2010 to honor his legacy and invest in the lives of young men of color graduating Lexington Sr High School. JLD Community Solutions became a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in 2020, expanding its mission to include leadership development, community safety and outreach initiatives.
Committed to transparency and growth, JLD strives to build intentional relationships, foster meaningful change, and create lasting impact.
We are confident that we will reach our goals and your support makes the difference! Thank you for being a
#changemaker.
OUR MISSION
JLD Community Solutions' mission is to empower young men of color through scholarships and leadership development, equipping them with the skills and resources to succeed while promoting community safety and engagement.
OUR GOAL
Award $6,000 in scholarships annually and empower 200 young men of color through providing leadership development, volunteer opportunities, and targeted resources that aide in their growth.