Welcome
14th Annual "Cookies Popcorn and Jazz"
Check out our signature music event livestream on September 27, 2024!
Foundation News
Donor Spotlight
Special thanks to William Bell, Jr. and Kristen Dell for graciously donating their family piano to our foundation. William and Kristen entrusted this heirloom to us in June 2024. Now at its new home, The Mansion Day School in Columbus, OH, this piano will be used to teach the art of jazz music to the next generation.
From left: LLTF Co- Founder, Dr. Susan Wilson-Brooks, Donors, William Bell, Jr., Kristen Dell
If you would like to contribute to the musical education of the children in our community, consider making a donation to The Leola Lucille Travis Foundation. Please visit our donation and sponsorship page for more information. Thank you!
From left: LLTF's Dr. Susan Wilson-Brooks, Peter James, Mansion Day School receiving donated piano
About Us
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide musical opportunities to underserved
inner-city youth.
Our History
On August 27, 2009, this non-profit, 501(c)(3), public charity was co-founded by Leola’s granddaughter, Maurina L. Brooks, and daughter, Susan K. Wilson, in loving memory of Leola’s legacy of giving to others and her love of music.
Biography
Leola Lucille Travis, the daughter of Thomas and Leola (Broadnax) Travis, was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 6, 1933. She lived at 566 Mount Vernon Avenue, attended Garfield Elementary, Champion Junior High, and East and Central High Schools, and graduated from East High School in 1951. She married James E. Wilson in 1953, and they had four daughters, eleven grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren.
Leola came from an extensive family background in music. Her four brothers, James, Charles, Joseph, and Thomas, performed around Columbus in the 1930s and 40s as the “Four Knights of Harmony.” Leola took piano lessons as a child, but never learned to read music. Anyone who heard her play would agree that she possessed a natural ability to arrange chords in a most beautiful expression.
Leola went to be with Jesus on June 2, 2008. It has always been her desire for children everywhere to be able to read music and play a musical instrument. This foundation is a fulfillment of that dream.
2024 Cookies, Popcorn and Jazz Sponsors
