Whole Community Enrichment: D-UP, Inc.
When Corvin and Jakki Davis founded D-UP Inc., they never imagined it would become one of the most trusted spaces for youth and community development in High Point. What began as a for-profit health and wellness initiative has transformed into a nonprofit cornerstone of the Washington Street corridor—centered not just on youth enrichment, but on expanding education as a gateway to empowerment.
Corvin himself knows firsthand how paramount healthy activity and camaraderie can be to a student’s long-term success. After experiencing a family tragedy of losing his sister and his niece in a house fire, Corvin says the local basketball gym became his “safe haven.” It was where he went to process the complex emotions of grief he experienced. It’s also what ultimately led to his interest in sports and his acceptance into North Carolina A&T University, where he played basketball on a scholarship and met his wife, Jakki. The experience of playing basketball was so transformative for him that he wanted to offer the same opportunity to other young people.
That’s what led Jakki and Corvin to start a for-profit company focusing on healthy nutrition and fitness, before they decided to go the nonprofit route with D-UP Inc. After bringing the fitness programming to High Point, Corvin and Jakki started spending time with families on Washington Street and quickly recognized that what was most needed wasn’t just physical wellness—it was community-facing opportunity. While basketball clinics became the bridge to building relationships and trust in the community, much more was needed to make an impact in the community.
When D-UP approached the Congdon Foundation about “more,” it was a clear yes for the Foundation. We know well that education and community revitalization must go hand-in-hand—that for an individual to thrive, entire neighborhoods must thrive. That’s why the Foundation has worked closely with team members at D-UP to fund the development of a neighborhood revitalization plan. The Foundation also funded the creation of the Community Engagement and Partnership department at D-UP, now directed by Rishaunda Moses. Moses, a High Point native whose grandmother, Jackie Haizlip, was the businesswoman and owner behind the event venue, Jackie’s Place, has been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of D-UP’s work.
Thanks to the continued support of Foundation, D-UP is now reaching new heights in its educational mission. Whether it’s a child learning to read through tutoring partnerships, a teenager getting help with college applications, or a parent discovering wellness tools that allow them to support their child’s development, D-UP is providing wraparound educational support that impacts entire families. They’ve expanded reach into younger ages, including programming for Pre-K students, an initiative funded by the Foundation, as a way to continue impacting entire family units. Their vision aligns with one of the Foundation’s most important pillars: increasing access to education as a tool for transformation.
“If we have an opportunity for youth to have a safe place to go where they will not get into the ills of the community – if we have a place where even parents have an opportunity to work to develop life skills that maybe they didn't have – that spills out into the community,” Jakki says.
Today, D-UP serves nearly 50 students a week and maintains a growing waitlist, mostly due to transportation limitations. With the help of High Point University Bonner Scholars and community volunteers, students are supported academically while also gaining access to outlets for creative and emotional expression—screen-printing, mindfulness, sewing, writing, dance, and more.
And the dream is only expanding. The Congdon Foundation’s investment has helped bring to life the Congdon Wellness and Education Center, a space where students can practice yoga, mindfulness, art activities, youth advocacy, and more.
In 2024, D-UP broke ground on its newest project, the Gym, STEM, and Art Complex on the corner of Washington Street, a project in which the Foundation has invested $3 million. This investment came with the confidence that this facility is more than just infrastructure, but a place for full family and community development. Beyond the gym and classroom spaces, a walking track and amenities will be open for parents and older generations to utilize during the day. Retail spaces on the ground floor pave the way for entrepreneurship, and the entire building elevates the neighborhood standards of what’s possible upon entering Washington Street.
Because at the heart of D-UP’s success is the belief that access to education isn’t limited to academics—it includes physical health, emotional literacy, creative thinking, personal development, and community growth.
“The Congdon Family Foundation has contributed significantly to the expansion of D-UP, Inc.'s outreach into the community by funding the establishment of D-UP’s Office of Community Engagement and Partnership,” says Jakki. “Over a three-year period, D-UP has hired a team to work full-time in engaging the community beyond direct services, leaning into a systemic approach. This initiative has already gotten its start through events and opportunities for residents, business partners, and other stakeholders in the Washington Street Community, allowing them to share their voices; creating strong advocates for improvements in the community's standard of living, particularly in education, health and well-being, economic vitality and housing.”
It’s a model that is grassroots, proven, and growing. And with the Foundation’s support, D-UP is shaping more than just young learners—it’s shaping a more vibrant and equitable High Point.
Read more about our Education Grantees
"We’re creating our own ecosystem that is poised to turn our home into the “high point” of our state once more."
Rachel Collins, Business High Point
CEO
"When you’re helped out,
it inspires you to help others."
EMILY CAROTHERS, Earl and Kitty Congdon Old Dominion Freight Line Scholarship Recipient
"Compassion is taking action. It’s not being satisfied with the status quo."
Carl Vierling, Greater High Point Food Alliance
Executive Director
"All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the Lord your God."
Deuteronomy 16:17
"Our board is deeply involved in High Point. Their commitment to the city is evident in their desire for the foundation to form real partnerships with our grant recipients, so that we can support them to grow their impact."
Rev. Dr. Joe Blosser,
Chief Impact Officer