A passionate and gifted speaker, Joyce Elizabeth Adejumo, brings complete clarity to audiences on the impact of driving while intoxicated. She has spoken from classrooms to corporate America to the Senate Chambers at the capitol in Austin, Texas.

Joyce is the Executive Director and spokesperson for The Mitchie Mitchell Foundation, named after her son Fred Leon “Mitchie” Mitchell (1985-2007). Mitchie at the precious age of three was paralyzed below the waist as a result of his biological father driving drunk and crashing while returning him home after a weekend visitation.

Together, Mitchie and Joyce used this life-altering event as a way to educate the public, policy makers, and driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenders about the consequences of drunk driving and its debilitating impact on society. Their heart wrenching and powerful story have made a tremendous impact on people, as well as a profound impact on public policy as it relates to DWI in Texas.

The Mitchie Mitchell Foundation provides academic scholarships to high school students who are survivors and immediate family members of people injured or killed by drunk drivers. The Foundation also provides educational support to schools, churches, city, state and corporate entities on the impact of drunk driving on society.

A community activist and entrepreneur Joyce is also the President and CEO of Mitchie’s Gallery located in Austin, Texas. Mitchie’s Gallery is a thriving business and meeting place for community activities.  Joyce and Mitchie’s Gallery has received numerous community, state, and national service awards. Joyce is also the owner of Butterfly Publishing and the author of ‘My Daily Prayers – Volume 1’ a book dedicated to all people who have ever gone through the storms of life and survived because of their trust and faith in our Father in Heaven. She currently working on Volumes 2 & 3 and fourth book entitled ‘Butterfly Kisses’ which is a tribute the love of her life, her late one and only child, Mitchie.

Joyce is originally from North Carolina. She became the first African American female to graduate from the North Carolina Military Academy in the twenty-five years history of the academy. She rose to the rank of Captain during her service in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. Upon leaving the military, Joyce Adejumo devoted her public life to community enrichment services, philanthropy; she also speaks on behalf  of victims of drunk driving by being a voice for change and for organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. She is a graduate of Vincennes University and currently resides with her husband Dr. Christopher Adejumo, in Austin, Texas.

“I have survived because of my faith in God. I would be nothing without His mercy and grace.  My journey is not finished yet. Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow.” 

INDIVIDUAL AND BUSINESS AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS  

City Proclamation
City of Austin, Mayor Lee Leffingwell
February 4, 2012

Certificate of Appreciation/Generosity
Traveler’s Golf Association, Austin, Texas
December 10, 2011

Letter of Appreciation/Recommendation
Presented by Joe Barnes, Program Manager, Austin/Travis County Health and Human
Services Department
November 7, 2011

Letter of Appreciation/Recommendation
Presented by Marva E. Overton, Executive Director, Alliance for African American Health
in Central Texas
November 3, 2011

Letter of Appreciation/Recommendation
Presented by Terri Burditt, Claim Supervisor, CMSP, Texas Property and Casualty Insurance
Guaranty Association
November 2, 2011

Letter of Appreciation/Recommendation
Presented by Loretta Edelen, Director, Community Outreach – East View Campus, Austin
Community College
November 2, 2011

Letter of Appreciation/Recommendation
Presented by Denise M. Little, Community Outreach and Parent Education Supervisor
at Any Baby Can Organization
November 1, 2011

Letter of Appreciation/Recommendation
Presented by Ronny Washington, Jr. Student Life Assistant, Austin Community College,
East View Campus
October 31, 2011 

Letter of Appreciation/Recommendation
Presented by Dr. Mary L. Thomas, State and Federal Accountability, AISD
October 13, 2011

Letter of Appreciation/Recommendation
Presented by Dr. Rosalee Martin, Professor of Sociology, Huston-Tillotson University
Austin, Texas
October 5, 2011

“Do the Write Thing Award” Community Appreciation Plaque
Awarded by Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
April 2011

Certificate of Outstanding Participation
Texas Department of Insurance – The Black Cultural Awareness Committee
June 21, 2010

“Do the Write Thing Award” Community Appreciation Plaque
Awarded by Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
April 2010

2010 Community Service Award
Awarded by Pursuit of Dreams Foundation & Annual Minority Mentorship Symposium –
University Texas at Austin
April 2010

2010 Viva Diva Award
Awarded by Viva Chocolato and Austin Woman Magazine
March 2010

“Do the Write Thing Award” Community Appreciation Plaque
Awarded by Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
May 1, 2009

Letter of Appreciation
Presented by Dr. Alicia Moore Education Department
Southwestern University
April 2, 2009

2008 Omega Citizen of the Year Award
Awarded by the Austin Epsilon Lota Chapter of The Omega Psi
Phi Fraternity, Inc.
November 2008

2008 Excellence – Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things
Awarded by Wesley United Methodist Church at 2008  Women’s Day Program
May 17, 2008

“Do the Write Thing Program” – Appreciation For Youth Support
Awarded by Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
May 16, 2008

Pursuit Of Excellence Award – Community Service
Awarded by National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Delta Beta Chapter
February 2008

Outstanding Service Award
Awarded by Austin Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving
December 14, 2007

Letter of Appreciation/Recommendation
Presented by Mack Brown, Texas Longhorns Head Football Coach –
University of Texas at Austin
October 10, 2007

Best of Austin – Best Legacy of Triumph Out of Tragedy –
The Mitchie Mitchell Foundation
Awarded by The Austin Chronicle Newspaper
October 21, 2007

Letter of Appreciation
Presented by Tony Wallace, Executive Director Southern Careers
Institute, Inc.
September 2007

Certificate of Appreciation – 2007 Juneteenth Panelist
Awarded by Texas Department of  Insurance – Black Cultural Awareness Committee
June 2007

Certificate of Appreciation – Soul Stirrer Award
Awarded by Temple Restoration Ministries
June 2007

Destiny Award
Awarded by Metropolitan A.M.E. Church
May 2007

Certificate of Recognition – Efforts to Combat Drunk & Driving
Awarded by Black Cultural Awareness Committee TX Dept of Insurance
May 2007

“Do the Write Thing Award” Community Appreciation Plaque
Awarded by Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
April 2007

Community Hero Award
Awarded by Wells Fargo Bank and Jammin’ 105.5 FM Radio
February 2007

Certificate of Achievement – Mothering & Entrepreneurship
Awarded by Cosmic Intuition Productions
February 2007

2006 Outstanding Business Achievement – Service Award
Awarded by Austin Chapter of the NAACP
December 2, 2006

“Do the Write Thing Award” community Appreciation Plaque
Awarded by Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
April 27, 2006

Celebration of Appreciation Award
Awarded by TCEQ FY 2006
April 6, 2006

Lifetime Achievement Award – Austin Arts Community &
Youth Programs
Awarded by Austin Artist Harvest, Inc
March 17, 2006

Best of Austin 2005 – Relocated Radical Retail
Awarded by Austin Chronicle Newspaper
October 2005

Certificate of Appreciation – Guest Speaker Program
Awarded by Huston Tillotson University and NAACP Youth Entrepreneurial Institute
July 2005

Certificate of Appreciation – 2005 National Day of Service
Awarded by Austin Area Urban League
June 25, 2005

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Navasota G.W. Carver Alumni Association
June 23, 2005

Certificate of Recognition – “Agent of Change”
Awarded by Austin Police Department
June 3, 2005

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Austin Academy
June 1, 2005

Certificate of Appreciation – Guest Speakers Program
Awarded by Virginia College of Austin
May 11, 2005

Unsung Hero Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by State Farm Insurance and KFIT
May 2005

“Do the Write Thing Award” Appreciation Plaque
Awarded by Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
April 27, 2005

Certificate of Appreciation – 14th Annual Black History Program
Awarded by TX Dept of Housing & Community Affairs
February 25, 2005

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Texas  South Renaissance
November 7, 2004

Certificate of Appreciation – Partner in Education Summer Camp
Awarded by Mount Zion Baptist Church
July 12, 2004

“Do the Write Thing Award” Vendor Appreciation Plaque
Awarded by Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
April 2004

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by MDA Labor Day Telethon
September 2003

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Mount Sinai Baptist Church
July 14, 2003

Certificate of Appreciation – Juneteenth Celebration
Awarded by Austin Academy
June 19, 2003

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Month Celebration
Awarded by United State Postal Service
February 21, 2003

Rosa Parks’ Wall of Tolerance Award
Awarded by National Campaign for Tolerance – Rosa Parks Center
February 17, 2003

Community Appreciation Plaque
Awarded by Austin Women Kickball League
Spring 2002

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Month Celebration
Awarded by United State Postal Service
February 21, 2002

Certificate of Appreciation – Community Support
Awarded by KLRU Public Access TV
February 19, 2002

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Center for Health Promotions Research Study
December 13, 2001

Best of Austin 2001 – Best Free Fun Time for Kids
Awarded by Austin Chronicle Newspaper
October 2001

Who’s Who In Business 2001
Awarded by National Register of Who’s Who
Summer 2001

Who’s Who In Honored Professionals 2001-2002
Awarded by National Register of Who’s Who Summer 2001

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Month Celebration
Awarded by Texas Education Agency (TEA)
February 28, 2001

Certificate of Recognition – Black History Information Fair
Awarded by Department of Treasury – Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
February 27, 2001

Certification of Appreciation
Awarded by Travis County Health & Human Services and Veteran’s Services
February 6, 2001

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Month
Awarded by Department of Treasury – Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
May 29, 2000

Texas State Resolution – Unsung Hero
Awarded by State Representative Dawnna Dukes
May 5, 2000

Certificate of Appreciation – 2000 Joint Primary Election Mobile Station
Awarded by Travis County Voting Commission
April 24, 2000

Certificate of Appreciation – Pecan Springs Career Day
Awarded by Pecan Springs Elementary School
April 2000

Named One of 30 People Who Impact Black Austin
Public recognition by Capital Times Newspaper
February 24, 2000

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Month Celebration
Awarded by Texas Department of Human Services and Texas  Department
of  Protective & Regulatory Services
February 2000

Certificate of Appreciation – Mobile Voting Station
Awarded by Travis County Voting Commission
November 1999

Best of Austin 1999 – Best Place to Think Globally and Act Locally
Awarded by Austin Chronicle Newspaper
October 1999

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Summer Camp 1999
July 2, 1999

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Month Awareness
Awarded by Black Cultural Awareness Commission
January 23, 1999

Certificate of Appreciation – Guest Speaker Program
Awarded by Southwest Texas University
January 18, 1999

Certificate of Appreciation – Mobile Voting Station
Awarded by Travis County Voting Commission
November 3, 1998

Certificate of Participation – Capitol City Black Expo ‘98
Awarded by Capitol City African American Chamber of Commerce
1998

Certificate of Appreciation – Job Development Program
Awarded by Casey Family Programs
August 10, 1998

1998 Business of Year Award
Awarded by Capitol City African American Chamber of Commerce
June 1998

Certificate of Appreciation – Mobile Voting Station
Awarded by Travis County Voting Commission
March 10, 1998

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Month
Awarded by City of Austin Dept of Aviation
February 26, 1998

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Month Celebration
Awarded by Kellis Elementary School
February 19, 1998

Certification of Appreciation
Awarded by African American Support Network-Dun & Bradstreet
February 1998

Certificate of Appreciation – Mobile Voting
Awarded by Travis County Voting Commission
November 4, 1997

Certificate of Appreciation – Mobile Voting Station
Awarded by Travis County Voting Commission
August 9, 1997

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Tavares Icehouse Softball Classic
Summer 1997

Certificate of Appreciation – 1997 Breaking Barriers Juneteenth Celebration
Awarded by H.E.B. Corporation
June 19, 1997

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Shade Tree Book Club
April 13, 1997

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by AKA Sorority
April 5, 1997

Certificate of Appreciation – Prostate Cancer Conference
Awarded by Texas Department of Health
April 5, 1997

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Awareness Program
Awarded by Austin State Hospital/TX-MHMR
February 27, 1997

Certificate of Appreciation – Mobile Voting Station
Awarded by Travis County Voting Commission
November 5, 1996

Best of Austin 1996 – Best Neighborhood Koindu
Awarded by Austin Chronicle Newspaper
October 1996

Certificate of Appreciation – AISD Adopt-a-School Program
Award by Austin Independent School District
April 1996

Outstanding Business Woman Award
Awarded by Beta Upsilon Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
April 20, 1996

Certificate of Appreciation – Special Events Sponsorship
Awarded by KAZI 88.7 Radio Station
March 21, 1996

City of Austin – Proclamation
Awarded by City of Austin
January 13, 1996

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by United States Postal Service
July 10, 1995

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Texas Legislative Black Caucus – Education Committee
April 22, 1995

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Month Celebration
Awarded by R.R.H.S. Black Leadership Awareness Club
February 27, 1995

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Laurel Mountain Yearbook Editor
May 1995

Certificate of Appreciation
Awarded by Texas State Auditor’s Office
June 1993

Certificate of Appreciation – Black History Month Celebration
Awarded by City of Austin Utility Customer Service
March 5, 1993

Certificate of Appreciation – African American Scholars: Leaders,
Activists and Writers
Awarded by Internal Revenue Service
February 1993