On Jan. 7, 2026 Renee Good, a poet and graduate of Old Dominion University's Creative Writing program, was shot and killed by ICE Agents on the streets of Minneapolis while sitting peacefully in her car. It was an event that shook US citizens across the country and caused many to take to the streets in her name. This tragedy struck hard here, too, in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia where Renee was a student and had won accolades for her poetry.

Our goal is to raise funds for a permanently endowed Poetry Award in Renee Good's name, to honor her courage and sacrifice. This award is to be presented annually to an ODU student whose poetry follows in the tradition of social justice, peaceful protest and Good Trouble that defined the life and tragic untimely death of Renee Good. We have received the thanks and blessing of Renee's family and hope that, thanks to the money you help raise, this endowed Poetry Award will keep Renee's name and legacy alive for many years to come.

Our goal is to raise $25,000 to create a permanently endowed fund, held at a trusted entity, that people can continue to support in memory of Renee Good.

At the completion of this fundraising effort, a committee will determine how to best allocate these funds in Renee's name. That committee consists of Drew Lopenzina, Tim Seibles, Marianne Chan, and Roxie Hoven, all members of the Hampton Roads community.