Based in Reston, Virginia, the Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Educational & Charitable Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) entity. The foundation was incorporated on September 26, 2001. The foundation was formed to provide financial support to the educational initiatives developed by the Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. By emphasizing information sharing, promoting knowledge, and mitigating financial barriers; the foundation aims to increase educational opportunities for youth with in the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC Metropolitan community. In order to support these programs, the foundation conducts various fundraising endeavors.

The Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Educational and Charitable Foundation increases opportunities for achievement for African-American males through scholarships, mentoring, and charitable services.

The Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Educational & Charitable Foundation was established to serve as a conduit to generate scholarship funds to support college bound students. The foundation was named in memory of three community leaders dedicated to the ideals of “Scholarship, Community, Service and Love for all Mankind.”

James Burwell Gillespie, Ed.D was a dedicated educator. He spent many years working in the District of Columbia school system and served as an adjunct professor at George Washington University. He served in various leadership roles as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., during his more than 50 years of service. He served as the catalyst behind the creation of the scholarship foundation and served as the Chairman of the Roosevelt Harrington Education Foundation. The foundation was renamed in his honor as the Joyce-Gillespie-Harrington Educational & Charitable Foundation, Inc. Of all of these services, he was most proud of being involved in the activities that supported the education of young adults.

As a charter member of Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Roosevelt Harrington was a key architect in developing the charter for the organization that has served the Washington, DC metropolitan area since 1975. He provided vision and leadership for the fraternity for more than 50 years. As a pharmacist, he served as a role model for many students in our community. His work with students including sponsorship in science fairs and competitions made a tremendous difference in the lives of many of our youth.

As a dedicated member of Zeta Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Henry Louis Joyce provided great leadership for many of the organization’s scholarship fund activities. As Chairman and Chairman Emeritus of the organization’s annual “Black and Gold Scholarship Ball”, he was instrumental in generating over $250,000 in funds to support college-bound students in the Northern Virginia area. For his dedication to our youth, we have honored his legacy by adding his name to the foundation.

We owe these community leaders a debt of gratitude for their pursuit of excellence and their tireless efforts to make a positive impact on our community.