Luminary Scholars Fund

“When I first found out I had dyslexia, I felt sad because I thought I wouldn’t be with my friends in school,” says TJ Relaford, an engaging and talkative seventh grader. “But, my mom found a lot of resources to help me and now I tell people that dyslexia isn’t a curse but my superpower!”

Mikisha Relaford, his mother, began seeking help for TJ after he was diagnosed with dyslexia in the second grade. After working with his school and private tutors, she eventually took him to an afterschool program at the Children’s Dyslexia Center in Waterbury, which he attended twice a week for three years. Through his hard work with education specialists, TJ experienced a transformation. 

Now the mother and son want to help other children with dyslexia similarly find their own superpowers. Working with The Community Foundation, the Relafords created the Luminary Scholars Fund to “shine a light on the unique talents and potential of Black children with dyslexia, emphasizing empowerment, excellence, and the ability to overcome challenges to illuminate the world around them.” 

Relaford, a 20-year probation officer, says she has always been mindful of an individual’s unique needs, asking herself, “How can I change this person’s path?” Now a Manager of Administration for the Judicial Branch Court Support Service Division Training Academy, Relaford tries to impart this sense of compassion to all employees as they determine “How can I keep this person from coming back?”   

Relaford says she was always encouraged to think about her legacy by her mother, Karen Bellamy, who started a fund at The Community Foundation in 2023. She and TJ plan to grow their fund over time, and TJ enjoys talking about both the fund and his experience with dyslexia. He wants others to know that it does not have to be a barrier and that there are resources to help students just like him.