Educational Visions Organization, launched in 2019 by retired educator Corey Lombard, supports students and families from low-income communities in Gulfport, Mississippi through mentoring, tutoring, and hands-on learning experiences. In a city where nearly 25% of residents live in poverty and many youth face the dual threats of academic struggle and environmental instability – including hurricanes, flooding, and unsafe water – the program opens doors often shut by circumstance. Students take college road trips, attend sporting events, and visit nearby beaches to swim and fish, often for the first time despite living just miles from the Gulf. They’ve tested local water quality and learned about environmental justice in a state that ranks 47th in the nation for environmental health and 38th in education, building awareness and inspiring future careers.
Educational Visions Organization Founder Corey Lombard with students. Source: Corey Lombard
Lombard understood early on that students can’t aspire to what they’ve never seen. Many had never stepped foot on a college campus, nor considered a college degree. While still teaching, he began organizing trips with fellow educators to universities, museums, cultural events, and aquariums – offering students new experiences and a glimpse at life beyond their immediate surroundings. After retirement, he expanded this mission through Educational Visions. One of the group’s first projects was a research trip to Ethiopia, tracing the legacy of Gulfport native Col. John C. Robinson, a pioneering Black aviator and activist. Lombard and two Mississippi educators brought those findings back to schools, churches, and museums in the form of presentations and digital story maps – illustrating an example of someone from their community doing impressive things despite great challenges. The organization also introduced students and their families to computer coding through events like Hour of Code – teaching them to create dance videos while building real tech skills in a world where digital literacy is essential.
Educational Visions Organization Founder Corey Lombard with students. Source: Corey Lombard