Jannie Smith Legacy Fund

The Jannie Smith Legacy Fund was established at the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation by her sons to memorialize their mother, Jannie Smith. Jannie had a passion for education and retired as a Substance Abuse Coordinator in Newark Public Schools after nearly 40 years of service. The purpose of the fund is to support the educational and charitable causes important to Jannie, including college scholarships to minority high school seniors adversely affected by cancer.

Fifth Grant Awarded

In 2025, the Foundation’s Jannie Smith Legacy Fund awarded its fifth grant to Teaneck High School for a scholarship. Congratulations, Tia Gadson, on receiving a $1,000 scholarship award! Tia plans to attend Howard University and pursue a major in business management with a concentration in entrepreneurship and a minor in psychology. During high school, she was an active member of the National Honor Society and the Black Youth Organization, as well as captain and choreographer of the Teaneck Flagtwirlers.

“I would like to thank the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation-Jannie Smith Legacy Fund for recognizing me with this scholarship, as it enables me to continue my dream of becoming an entrepreneur and continue to braid hair to eventually own a salon and further my passion,” said Gadson.