The Legacy Behind Our Work
Honoring a Legacy, Healing a Community
As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, DIMEMIND® – The Justin Lamar Washington Legacy Foundation is dedicated to breaking the silence surrounding suicide and fostering a legacy of hope, resilience, and unwavering support for families and individuals in need. By ensuring that Justin Lamar’s light continues to shine, our goal is to transform a mother’s love into a movement of hope, ensuring no one has to walk their journey alone.
Our Core Values
Compassion Over Shame
We believe that mental health should be met with an open heart and a listening ear, never with judgment or stigma.
Advocacy In Action
We are committed to being a voice for those living with mental health conditions, ensuring their needs are heard and respected.
Honor Through Awareness
We move forward in remembrance of Justin Lamar, turning our personal loss into a public light that educates and empowers others.
Family-Centered Support
We recognize that mental health affects the entire circle of a loved one; we strive to provide a soft landing for both individuals and their families.
Community Integrity
As a 501(c)(3) organization, we operate with transparency and a deep sense of responsibility to the community we serve.
Ramona Y. Gourdine | Founder & Visionary
Ramona established DIMEMIND® – The Justin Lamar Washington Legacy Foundation in 2026 following the death of her Son, Justin Lamar Washington, to suicide.
Turning her profound grief into a purposeful mission, Ramona works daily to foster healthy conversations surrounding mental health and to provide the community with the tools needed for suicide prevention.
By combining her decades of professional experience with her lived experience as a mother, Ramona is uniquely positioned to lead DIMEMIND® – The Justin Lamar Washington Legacy Foundation with both strategic excellence and deep empathy.
Before founding DIMEMIND® – The Justin Lamar Washington Legacy Foundation, Ramona dedicated 35 years to a distinguished career at a local public housing agency in service to the low-to-moderate-income population in the Charleston, South Carolina and surrounding areas. Ramona wholeheartedly believes that having housing stability is a key component for individuals and families to thrive. Her leadership is supported by an extensive academic background, holding both a Master’s Degree in Supervision and Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA).
She is committed to ensuring that mental health is met with compassion, advocacy, and education, creating a lasting legacy in Justin Lamar’s name.
Every Contribution Matters
Whether you give your time, your expertise, or your financial support, you become part of a movement that is reshaping how our community talks about and cares about mental health.
Together, we break the silence.
Together, we build a future of awareness, prevention, and hope.
