KJS Legacy Project

On 4th of July weekend, Bevacqua Sutherland and dozens of Sutherland's friends gathered in Washington, DC to mark ten years since Kevin's passing and to honor the impact of his legacy. The event - the KJSLP Foundation's first in-person event - was a resounding success. It capped off a weekend of cookouts and fireworks and dinners where this amazing family that Kevin created got a chance to reconnect, catch up, and rededicate ourselves to the mission of extending Kevin's legacy of public service - seeking a more perfect Union in a profoundly imperfect world.

Our event took place in the Back Bar at Right Proper Brewery in the Shaw neighborhood of DC. We had a successful silent auction of some of Kevin's photographs along with other donated items. There was good food and drink, a lot of hugs, and more than a few tears. It was exactly as expected - very emotional, but at the same time energizing. Kevin's spirit certainly filled the room! It was great to see everyone who attended and we thank everyone who donated to support our mission.

We want to thank all the members of the KJSLP Board for their continued support. We want to especially recognize the Event Planning Committee that put in the amazing work to make this event a reality: Hageldonr, Gosar, Korten, Cipriano, Douglas Sutherland, and Bevacqua Sutherland.

If you'd like to learn more about the KJSLP or join us in supporting the next generation of public servants, please go to:

http://kjslegacyproject.org

Join us at Right Proper Brewing on July 6 to gather with friends and celebrate Kevin's life and legacy. RSVP here:

Raising a Glass to Kevin Sutherland: Celebrating the Life and Legacy after 10 Years by KJS Legacy Project, Inc. Join us on July 6th as we will commemorate ten years since Kevin Sutherland's passing and celebrate the enduring impact of his vision for a more just and equitable wor...

The KJS Legacy Project would like to thank everyone who donated to our Summer 2024 Outreach. With your help, we are are expanding our reach in an effort to support students who are pursuing public service careers "for the right reasons." Learn more by clicking below.

Thanks to You, We Did It! — KJS Legacy Project In July, we announced the Summer 2024 KJS Legacy Project Outreach . We set a goal of raising $5,000 by the end of September. With your help, we exceeded our goal! These funds will allow us to expand the impact that our foundation can make on the next generation of leaders who are following in Kevin

When we set out to design a logo for the KJS Legacy Project, we were looking for something that reflected Kevin’s character as well as the mission we were setting out to fulfill. A hummingbird immediately came to mind

“Like a hummingbird dipping its beak into a pond, Kevin’s life is still sending out beautiful ripples into the world - just as it did when he was still with us!”
Terry always loved hummingbirds and so over the years, Kevin and I would give her hummingbird mementos on special occasions: pictures or ceramic pieces or ornaments. They can be found throughout our home and now that Kevin is gone, they are even more important symbols than ever.

Hummingbirds have long held a great deal of symbolism for many and much of it reflects Kevin’s kind and gentle nature. Just as Kevin could show up and pull you out of a slump and put a smile on your face, the sight of a hummingbird appearing out of nowhere can make you stop and smile and marvel at the beauty all around us.

Hummingbirds, in their seemingly carefree and happy flight, remind us to live in the moment and enjoy life's simple pleasures - something Kevin seemed to have perfected as he grew into adulthood - just ask his friends and colleagues.

Hummingbirds have long held a special place in the folklore of native cultures. The Aztecs considered them messengers between this world and the next. In Native American culture, hummingbirds are often viewed as healers and a source of love, good luck, and joy. So it was with Kevin.

While there may be no direct mention of hummingbirds in the Bible, their presence is often seen as a sign from Heaven - a signal from a lost, loved one sending a message that they are not far away or reminding us that there is still wonder and beauty in this world even after they have gone. Terry and I have witnessed several of these signs over the last few years.

Like a hummingbird dipping its beak into a pond, Kevin’s life is still sending out beautiful ripples into the world - just as it did when he was still with us. And this is our mission: to reinforce those ripples and keep them moving outward - touching even more lives and inspiring them to follow in his footsteps.

To learn more about the KJS Legacy Project go to: kjslegacyproject.org.

To support our mission go to: kjslegacyproject.org/take-action

Welcome to the KJS Legacy Project!

Seven and a half years ago, Terry Sutherland and I lost our beloved son Kevin to a senseless act of violence. He was just 24 years old - in the prime of his life and just starting his political career in our nation’s capital. In the wake of his death, we got to meet many of Kevin’s friends, professors, and colleagues in Washington, D.C. and we discovered that while away at American University, our son had blossomed into a trusted and respected friend, mentor, and leader.

Many of his fellow AU alums told us how he had befriended them in school - encouraging them to take on new challenges, helping them through tough times, and supporting them on their journey toward successful careers after college. His professors expressed their sadness over the loss of such a promising young man who appeared destined to make a difference in a world desperately in need of his talents. His coworkers described someone who was a go-to individual who believed in public service - someone constantly seeking that more perfect Union our Founding Fathers spoke about in our Constitution. The stories we hear from all of Kevin’s associates made us exceedingly proud.

Soon after Kevin’s death, a Scholarship Fund and an Internship Fund were established in his memory at American University to support future students seeking careers in public service. With the help of many of Kevin’s family members, friends, and colleagues, those funds were endowed to provide perpetual support on into the future. To date, four scholarships have been awarded along with two internships on Capitol Hill.

Over the last seven years, we have seen how impactful this financial support has been for students seeking to make a difference, especially those who might not always have the financial means to complete their four-year degree or to gain vital experience on Capitol Hill where internships are often unpaid or low-paid positions. We have also seen the lasting effect of Kevin’s story on students who seek to follow his example. And so Terry and I and many of Kevin’s friends and co-workers decided we could do more to help others to follow in Kevin’s footsteps. We are proud to announce the establishment of the KJS Legacy Project, Inc. to expand the support we are able to provide to future leaders.

If you knew Kevin or have heard his story or you simply value the important part public service plays in our democracy, we hope you will join us in our effort to encourage young people to get involved in public service for the right reasons. Through your support, we will expand the Kevin Joseph Sutherland Memorial Scholarship and the Kevin J. Sutherland Internship at AU. We will create a scholarship at Kevin’s high school for students seeking a college degree in public affairs. And we will provide recognition to individuals who are already displaying a dedication to serving others and being a part of something bigger than themselves. Learn more about our foundation by clicking:

https://www.kjslegacyproject.org/

Take action by clicking:

https://www.kjslegacyproject.org/take-action

Together, we can make this a better world for all of us.