The Joseph M. Fannell Memorial Foundation Inc

08/21/2026

So this is it!!! The last of our 2026 Scholarship recipients — but certainly not the least.

We are proud to announce our JMF Charlotte Metro Scholarship recipient, Ava Grace Ridley of Clover High School.

The Charlotte Metro Scholarship supports juniors and seniors in Charlotte and the surrounding counties who show a true commitment to the arts. And Ava Grace does exactly that.

She has been cooking since she was four years old — starting with scrambled eggs — and that simple beginning grew into a passion that carried her through some of the hardest moments of her life, including the loss of her brother. Something we understood far too deeply. In her essay she wrote, “Culinary Arts has always been a huge part of who I am, and has helped shape me into the person I am.” Cooking became her outlet, her strength, and her way of honoring him.

Her dedication is undeniable. Ava Grace competed in the South Carolina ProStart Invitational, helping lead her team to 3rd place in the state with a fully executed three‑course menu. Through that experience she learned leadership, resilience, and the courage to use her voice.

Ava Grace, we celebrate your strength, your determination, and your heart. We are honored to support your journey and we wish you all the best.

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And just when you thought it was over… more good news is coming.
Our Performing Arts Competition reviews are wrapping up, and winners will be announced soon. Stay tuned.

Mark your calendars, Joe’s Café, our annual fundraiser, returns Saturday, October 17th. We’d love for you to join us!!! For event details visit givebutter.com/joescafe26

Learn more about Joseph and JMF at www.josephmfannellmemorialfund.org.
To contribute anytime, text JMF Fund to 53‑555. Your support keeps this work — and Joe’s legacy — alive.

08/18/2026

This is the reason we do what we do...
Joseph kept his promise.
And we will keep ours.

The Joseph M. Fannell Memorial Foundation was created in memory of Joseph Fannell, a gifted spoken‑word poet who also loved to sing and taught himself to play piano. Joseph found his voice in poetry, using his art to rise above bullying and to inspire his peers. His family established JMF to ensure that his light continues to reach young people who need encouragement, opportunity, and a place to belong.

JMF exists to support programs that help young people overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. The Foundation provides avenues for youth to grow in the creative and performing arts, including spoken word, poetry, music, dance, and song. We believe that this creates opportunity to give life, confidence and visibility to those who feel unseen.

Shortly after Joseph was killed in 2015, the Foundation awarded its first scholarship to a senior at Northern Burlington Regional High School, Joseph’s alma mater in Columbus, New Jersey. Since then, JMF has awarded close to $80,000 through scholarships, creative grants, and youth talent competitions — all designed to encourage youth and young adults and help to remove financial barriers.

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You can help us keep Joseph’s legacy — and his promise — going.

On Saturday, October 17th, we will host our 4th Joe’s Café, a night of food, fun, and unforgettable entertainment. Tickets are now on sale, and advertising and sponsorship packages are available.

If you cannot attend, your contribution of any amount is welcomed and appreciated. Text JMFFund to 53‑555, or visit givebutter.com/joescafe26 to support the work that continues to uplift youth and young adults in the creative and performing arts.

08/12/2026

The JMF Grant supports young adults ages 18–26 who are pursuing careers in the performing or creative arts and have expressed a financial need. College enrollment isn’t required, just a passion for the arts.

Our recipient met them all and this year, we are honored to recognize Dasianae Cross, a 19‑year‑old sophomore at Morgan State University studying Musical Theatre and Voice.

Dasianae shared that from the moment she could talk, she carried music in her spirit. And it's evident. She stepped into roles like Princess Tiana and Princess Ariel. Her artistry has already taken her touring with the Virginia Opera and starring in Disney’s Jungle Book Kids, The Little Mermaid, Black Girl Magic, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, and more. She’s also earned national titles, including National Debutante for GMWA and the National American Miss Virginia Teen.

She said that she wants to make music that is unforgettable, music that holds meaning and that this grant is an investment in that purpose. And we’re grateful to support her journey.

Dasianae, we celebrate your voice, your discipline, and your fire. And we wish you all the best.

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More good news is coming!!!! Stay tuned for our JMF Charlotte Metro Scholarship announcement.

To learn more about Joseph and JMF visit us at www.josephmfannellmemorialfund.org.
To contribute anytime, text JMF Fund to 53‑555. Your support keeps this work and Joe’s legacy alive. And we need it!!!

08/08/2026

The JMF Memorial Scholarship, named in loving memory of our Joseph Fannell, is awarded annually to a Black/African‑American student who demonstrates artistic passion, academic commitment, and a heart aligned with the mission and vision of JMF. Students must be attending high school or a college/university and show dedication to the performing or creative arts.

This year, we are proud to celebrate Imani Edwards as the 2026 JMF Memorial Scholarship Recipient.

Imani is a young woman whose gifts speak boldly. Recently named “Best Student Artist of the Year” by Tuskegee University, she stands as a shining example of excellence, discipline, and purpose. Beyond her artistry, she embodies the spirit of JMF — even launching her own foundation to pour into others. That kind of service, that kind of heart, that is exactly what JMF represents.

Congratulations, Imani. We honor and celebrate you and we speak continued success over everything your hands touch.

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More good news is on the way! Stay tuned for the announcements of our JMF Grant and Charlotte Metro Scholarship recipients.

To learn more about the Foundation, visit www.josephmfannellmemorialfund.org.
To make a contribution at any time, text JMF Fund to 53‑555. Your support helps us keep this work and Joe’s legacy salive.

08/05/2026

We’re excited to share that the review process for our JMF Memorial Scholarship, Creative and Performing Arts Grant, and Charlotte Metro Scholarship is complete and the official announcement about our recipients is coming soon!

As we moved through the final reviews our hearts were full. We have read so many stories, met so many dreams on paper, and witnessed the kind of determination that reminds us why we do this work year after year. Why we must continue. For Joe.

And now, with the Performing Arts Competition officially closed, we have just begun the challenge of judging those entries. The talent this year is intriguing, energetic and so full of promise. While some of them remind us of winners from the past, they yet have their own personalities.

We often wish our resources matched the abundance of deserving young people we encounter. And that is part of the reason why we work tirelessly to raise as much support as we can, and why we will continue doing so for as long as we are able. The decisions ahead are not easy, but they are made with care, integrity, and deep respect for every person that crosses our path.

We hope to notify our Performing Arts Competition winners by the end of August.

To each of you who applied: we sincerely wish you the very best in every endeavor. Your gifts matter. Your voice matters. And you are always welcome to apply again in the future, for anything we offer, as long as you continue to qualify.

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The JMF Foundation is open to your support at any time. To make a contribution of any amount, text JMFFund to 53-555 or visit www.givebutter.com/joesfund. We thank you for helping us keep Joe's legacy alive in support of our young people.

07/23/2026

Only 8 days left for the JMF Performing Arts Competition!
If you haven’t submitted your entry yet, today is your day.

All you need is a link to your LIVE video performance — plus the application.
No fee. No extra steps.
Just you, your gift, and your moment.

⏰ Deadline: July 31
Spread the word. Pass it on. TODAY!!

07/13/2026

Join us for an unforgettable evening at Joe’s Café, Saturday, October 17th, 5-9pm, at Tabbris in Charlotte, NC. EARLY BIRD tickets are officially on sale. But only for a limited time!!!

Joe’s Café is a night filled with live entertainment, unlimited food and drink, and a cozy, soulful vibe that keeps people coming back year after year.

This year's performances will include: Spoken Word Poet Derick “Justdamessenger” Lee, who just recently released his live ON THE WAY Spoken Word Poetry Special; Singer and Actress Aniyah Young (Aniyah recently won an Ace Award (Excel) best female lead/musical for the stage play The Color Play); and all the way from LA, Zaire King Franklin, not only is he the Foundation's 2025 Memorial Scholarship recipient and 2024 Performing Arts Winner, but he's a master at the Saxophone.

The event will once again be hosted by our resident comedian Gari Fields.

All proceeds benefit youth and young adults through the Foundation’s scholarship and grant programs, talent competitions, and other creative initiatives.

EARLY BIRD tickets, sponsorship packages, and advertising opportunities are available now. Scan the QR code or visit: https://givebutter.com/joescafe26.
To make a contribution, text JMFFund to 53‑555.

Early Bird pricing ends soon — secure your spot today and help us to continue to uplift young artists and honor Joseph’s legacy.

07/10/2026

🎤✨ Are you a singer, dancer, poet, or musician?
Ready to share your gift with the world? Here’s your chance.

Only a few more weeks to enter the JMF Performing Arts Competition!

If you’ve got the skills, we’ve got the opportunity.
Submit a LIVE video performance (via Google Drive or YouTube) along with your application — no travel required. Record right from your living room, wherever you are.

And if you win, you could be invited to perform live in Charlotte at our upcoming fundraising event, Joe’s Café.

💛 No entry fee required.
Scan the QR code or visit www.josephmfannellmemorialfund.org for details and the application.

⏰ Hurry — deadline is July 31!

The Joseph M. Fannell Memorial Foundation was established by his family to continue his legacy.

06/23/2026

The Joseph M. Fannell Memorial Foundation proudly announces the recipients of the 2026 JMF Creative & Performing Arts Scholarships.

We celebrate two extraordinary young men whose talent, discipline, and vision reflect the spirit of Joseph’s legacy:

Manfred‑Lamont Tabe — Little Elm, Texas
He will be studying Game Development & Interactive Design at the University of Southern California.

Elijah Gravely — Dinwiddie, Virginia
He will be studying Education & Theatre at Shenandoah University in Wi******er, Virginia.

These outstanding students — much like so many of our applicants from across the United States — have earned our recognition through exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a powerful potential to shape the future of the arts.
Please join us in congratulating them. We are so proud of you and wish you continued success.

To all who applied:
We honor your courage, your creativity, and your commitment. As long as you continue to meet the criteria, we invite you to apply again for future opportunities the Foundation may offer.

To our friends, partners, and supporters:
Thank you for standing with us. Your generosity fuels our mission and allows us to uplift even more young people as they pursue their dreams. We truly cannot do this work without you. To donate at any time, simply text JMFFund to 53‑555.

For more information about Joseph or the Foundation, visit www.josephmfannellmemorialfund.org.

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Save the Date!
Join us for our annual fundraiser on Saturday, October 17th.
Early‑bird tickets will be available soon for a limited time only.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact us today.

06/18/2026

The recipients of our 2026 JMF Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship Awards have been chosen and will be announced shortly.

This is always a hard decision for us given the extensive pool of qualified, gifted and talented young people.

To all who submitted applications, our heart is with you and if we were in the position to give more we would.

We certainly wish you all the best. And as long as you continue to meet the criteria of any of our scholarships, grant, or contests, we invite you to apply.

With that in mind, the Performing Arts contest is currently open to all dancers, singers, poets, and musicians. Check out the flyer and visit the website at www.josephmfannellmemorialfund.org for more info.