Carrying Forward a Legacy of Excellence and Compassion

Honoring the legacy of Dr. Ronell Blizzard, we empower children by providing sneakers that instill pride, dignity, and opportunity. Every donation, every pair, creates a step toward a brighter future.

The Dr. Ronell Blizzard Foundation was founded by Sharod Blizzard to honor the life and legacy of his brother, Dr. Ronell Blizzard — a basketball player, scholar, and community role model.

Photograph of two men standing indoors, one younger with dark skin in a white shirt and one older with grey hair and darker skin in a dark pinstripe suit with a white shirt and tie.
Group of six people gathered outdoors at night, smiling for a photo, with the moon visible in the dark sky.
A vintage basketball team photo featuring seven players in matching jerseys on an indoor court with a hoop. Some players are seated while others stand behind.
Man sitting at a restaurant table with glasses and drinks, wearing glasses and a light-colored North Face jacket in a dimly lit Asian-themed restaurant with hanging lanterns.
Three men standing outdoors, smiling, with a large military or aircraft part overhead and trees in the background.
A man with short dark hair and dark skin smiling, wearing sunglasses, relaxing and enjoying a sunny day outdoors.
Basketball player wearing a maroon jersey with number 3, dunking a basketball into the hoop with excitement.
A man and a woman standing outdoors in front of a house, smiling and posing for the photo. The man is wearing a gray athletic shirt, and the woman is in a white blouse. There are trees and house windows in the background.
A smiling woman and a man standing outside in front of a house with a tree having red leaves. The woman is wearing a white top and the man is wearing a gray Nike shirt.
A man with glasses and a white shirt sitting at a dark wooden table, holding a water bottle in his hands, in a room with white walls and a closed door in the background.
Smiling girl with pigtails hugging a smiling man inside a room.
A man sitting on a sofa holding a baby, looking at each other inside a room with a window nearby.
Three men, two in light-colored shirts and one in a dark suit, are smiling and shaking hands in a gymnasium with a basketball hoop in the background.
A man holding a young girl, standing next to a woman outdoors in a park with green grass and trees, watching other people in the background.
A man wearing a maroon and yellow varsity jacket with a white shirt underneath, smiling outdoors during daytime.
A smiling man with short hair and brown skin, sitting inside an airplane, wearing a white collared shirt.
A professional headshot of a man with dark skin, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and gray tie, against a gray background.
Two men in suits standing outside on a grassy area, smiling, with a scenic background of trees and sky.
Group of young men standing outdoors with ancient stone ruins in the background.
A man wearing a light blue dress shirt, yellow bow tie, and a watch, holding a sheet of paper in his right hand, standing in front of a whiteboard or screen with text.

The Dr. Ronell Blizzard Foundation was founded by Sharod Blizzard to honor his brother, Dr. Ronell Blizzard — a scholar, professional basketball player, mentor, and community leader. Born and raised in Waterbury, Connecticut,
Dr. Blizzard excelled academically and athletically. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he was a standout basketball player, and later played professionally in Argentina.

Dr. Blizzard went on to earn a master’s degree at Central Connecticut State University and a doctorate in higher education administration from Johnson and Wales University. He served as an assistant professor at Newbury College in Massachusetts and Lyndon State College in Vermont and consulted for Post University in Connecticut. His life was a blend of education, sports, mentorship, and service — a model of excellence and integrity.

Sharod Blizzard created the foundation to carry forward his brother’s vision: empowering children, fostering confidence, and building community through something as simple as a pair of sneakers. This foundation is more than charity — it’s a vehicle for pride, opportunity, and growth.

A man with short black hair and a small beard, smiling, sitting in an airplane, wearing a white shirt with blue accents.

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Carrying Forward a Legacy of Excellence and Compassion

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