Events
A Village in Bloom Annual Fundraiser
A Village in Bloom: Thank You for Showing Up
On Sunday, August 2, guests filled the UAII Boys & Girls Club on Glendale Boulevard for A Village in Bloom, the Goodness and Mercy Foundation's annual fundraiser luncheon. If you were in the room, thank you. If you gave from afar, thank you. This one was different, and you are the reason why.
What the afternoon looked like
Doors opened at 1:00 PM to a seated luncheon and a room full of familiar faces, new friends, and people who have quietly carried this work for years.
Dr. Michael Haggood delivered the keynote. A retired LAUSD Early Childhood Education Principal, professor at National University and Cal State Dominguez Hills, past President of the Organization of Early Childhood Education Administrators, and author of Let Them Shine, Dr. Haggood has spent his career on a single mission: empowering children and youth. He brought that mission into the room and set the tone for everything that followed, and later in the afternoon he was honored alongside four others for a lifetime of that work.
Founder Joanne took the stage for the mission moment, walking the room through where the foundation started, what it has been able to do, and what comes next. It was the kind of talk that reminds you why any of this matters.
Honoring the people who give everything
This year's luncheon was built around a simple idea: recognize the people in our community who show up for others and never ask for anything back. We were proud to honor five of them.
Dr. Michael Haggood, Educator and Author. Beyond delivering the keynote, Dr. Haggood was recognized for a career spent in service to children, from teacher's assistant to principal to director within LAUSD, and for the mentorship he continues to offer as a professor and as an Administrator of the Year honoree of the Association of California School Administrators.
Angelica Nwandu, Founder of The Shade Room. Angelica built one of the most culturally relevant media companies of our time from her living room, growing it to more than 30 million followers and earning a place on Forbes' 30 Under 30. She chose purpose over a paycheck, and she has never stopped using her platform to lift others.
Chief Veronica Ogbeide Shoyinka, Owner of Veronica's Kitchen. What started in 1990 as a mother cooking for her son became an Inglewood institution and a two story restaurant and event center that has carried Nigerian food and culture across Los Angeles and beyond. Her generosity to her people at home earned her the title Yeye Arobake of Ogbaland.
Lauren Brazile, Founder and President of We Grow LA. Since launching in 2023, Lauren and her team have delivered fresh groceries, clothing, and essential resources to more than 25,000 residents across South Los Angeles, Inglewood, and Long Beach, while building community gardens, youth leadership programs, and weekly food distributions.
Dr. Mezia Azinge, Physician and wellness advocate. A graduate of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Dr. Azinge spent 30 years in medical practice and now works to bring practical, accessible wellness to underserved communities.
Doctors who stay late for patients who cannot pay. Educators who show up for children the system overlooks. Advocates who carry entire communities without fanfare. Getting to say thank you to them in front of a full room was the best part of the day.
What you made possible
The live fundraising appeal was the heart of the afternoon, and you answered. Every dollar goes directly to the work:
• School supplies for children in South Los Angeles
• Equipping students in Nigeria for the school year
• Toys, food, and care items for families through our community drives
• Health education, financial literacy, and hygiene resources for families who need them most
Because of August 2, we go into the next chapter with the resources to do more of it.
Thank you
To our sponsors, thank you for going bigger. To UAII Boys & Girls Club, thank you for opening your doors. To the volunteers who set up, served, and stayed late to break down, none of this happens without you. And to every guest who bought a ticket, filled a table, or raised a hand during the appeal, you are the village.
If you missed the luncheon or want to keep the momentum going, you can still give at goodnessmercyfoundation.org/donate. Photos from the afternoon are on Instagram at @thegoodnessandmercyfoundation.
See you next year.
With gratitude,
The Board Members
Goodness and Mercy Foundation
#AVillageInBloom | #GoodnessMercyFoundation | #ForTheFamilies
#AVillageInBloom | #GoodnessMercyFoundation | #ForTheFamilies
The Goodness and Mercy Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All purchases are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
ABIRIBA CHARITY EVENT
On December 18th, 2024, the Goodness and Mercy Foundation embarked on a heartfelt journey to the Agboji Community School in Abiriba, Nigeria. Our mission for the day was to uplift and support the vibrant spirit of the students, and we arrived armed with an array of school supplies to brighten their educational experience. Each child received a colorful package filled with pencils, sturdy backpacks, cheerful t-shirts, and invigorating soccer uniforms designed to inspire teamwork and joy.
As we approached the school, we were greeted by a chorus of children's voices, their smiles wide and eyes sparkling with excitement. The students lined the pathway, singing joyful melodies, their energy palpable, creating an atmosphere of warmth and welcome. Throughout the day, they put on delightful performances, showcasing their talents and creativity, their gratitude shining through every note and dance move. With kind words and a beaming smile, the headmaster expressed their appreciation for our visit, highlighting the impact of our support.
After the enchanting performances, we began distributing the school supplies, witnessing the students' eager faces light up with joy as they received their gifts. It was a day filled with laughter, connection, and shared hope, a true celebration of community and the power of giving back.
Special thank you to our family and board members who helped coordinate the uniforms and school supplies, and those who attended this event in person with the students.
Launch and Fundraiser Luncheon
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dear friends, family, and community for their unwavering support at our first-ever fundraiser luncheon for the Goodness and Mercy Foundation. Your overwhelming generosity through ticket purchases, donations, raffles, and auction items propelled us beyond our fundraising target, allowing us to raise above our goal! These funds will be instrumental in advancing our mission and perpetuating the incredible legacy of our mother, Chief Mrs. Mercy Udeochu.
The Goodness and Mercy Foundation would also like to express our gratitude to the companies, small businesses, and sponsors for your generous support and contributions. With your in-kind donations, we exceeded our fundraising goals and significantly impacted our community. Thank you for your continued support and generosity. We hope you can support us in our future endeavors.
We are committed to keeping you updated on our ongoing initiatives. We will reach out with information about future events, missions, trips, and opportunities for local and community support. Additionally, we will provide more glimpses of the delightful event through photos and share further details in our upcoming newsletter.
It's important to note that the Goodness and Mercy Foundation is a 501C3 nonprofit organization, meaning all contributions are tax-deductible. If you require a tax receipt, please don't hesitate to ask. We will promptly provide you with the necessary information, including our tax ID number. Thank you once again for your invaluable support.
