Building a Legacy Through Education: Edgar Street’s Story
As Edgar Street approached retirement, he began to consider what he wanted to do with his finances.
He had been considering establishing a scholarship of some kind. His parents had instilled in him a belief in the transformative power of education, and he had seen the impact education had had on his own life and the lives of his brothers.
With the assistance of his financial planner, Edgar began searching for an organization that would be able to make this dream a reality.
“We looked into some foundations, but it was basically prohibitive,” Edgar explained, adding, “until we found the Community Foundation. Then we began the process.”
Edgar was connected with Greg Gallop, the Community Foundation’s Director of Philanthropic Services.
Edgar was connected with Greg Gallop, the Community Foundation’s Director of Philanthropic Services.
“I sat down with Mr. Gallop and discussed what I wanted to do and how to make the scholarship a long-term benefit to others,” Edgar said. “Greg and I discovered our common bond as fraternity brothers in Kappa Alpha Psi, which promotes education and opportunities for the Black community. This was such a great connection.”
And so the planning began.
Together, Edgar and Greg established a bequest fund, which would transition into the scholarship fund upon Edgar’s death. Then, the funds would be distributed over time in the form of scholarships.
A bequest fund is one of many fund types the Community Foundation offers. It allows individuals to establish a charitable legacy that continues beyond their lifetime while providing assurance that their wishes will be followed.
For Edgar, the idea of legacy loomed large.
“My parents sacrificed so much for my brothers and I,” he said, “so I wanted to pay homage to them. I wanted to extend that legacy to a broader audience.”
For Edgar, that meant tailoring the scholarship requirements to support Black students in the Richmond region with a financial need who were interested in attending community college or learning a trade.
Students and adult learners can review scholarship opportunities and apply by March 6th through the Community Foundation. Edgar’s father had gone to trade school for masonry, and Edgar wanted to provide that same opportunity to students eager to advance their careers but who had no interest in a traditional four year degree.
"I'm only four generations away from slavery,” Edgar said. “I'm a Black man, and along my journey, I have encountered a number of obstacles that if it wasn't for my education, it probably would not have gone further."
Edgar’s experience was informative. In 1980, he was one of the first Black people hired at the company where his career began. For training, he was sent to a community where some of the people he interacted with had never even met a Black person.
Edgar’s experience with a local plumber only solidified his desire to make it easier for more Black students to pursue a trade as a viable option.
"I was in very early stages of determining where my funds would go when I found myself in need of a plumber,” Edgar explained. “The man I met was a master plumber and a veteran. He told me that he brings on students as apprentices, trains them, and then they can work with him or start their own business venture.”
When the time came, this brief interaction helped influence the scope Edgar’s fund would take.
"People tend to be left out of the conversation when you don't go to a four year school,” Edgar said. “I wanted to help these individuals find their footing and take advantage of opportunities in the trades. There is just so much talent out there, so much intellect.”
Today, Edgar has completed the process to establish his bequest fund, and stays in regular contact with Greg. In fact, Edgar believes his positive experience with the Community Foundation was yet another opportunity to learn.
"Greg was instrumental in giving me the opportunity to do what I wanted to do with what I had,” he shared. “He made me comfortable, informed me, and gave me direction. My education continues to expand.”
Ultimately, Edgar sees the scholarship fund as an opportunity to give back long after he has passed on; to build his own lasting legacy, nurtured by the guidance and support of so many who came before him.
I don't believe we came into this world to be self-absorbed,” he said. “It's imperative to me to make a difference with the life I have."