Meet the Founder
JenVon Cherry
“Never underestimate the spirit of a person living with epilepsy.”
Age 6
The day everything changed
In an elementary school classroom, a classmate's pencil pierced JenVon's eye. Undetected pencil lead lodged in her left frontal lobe. Two weeks later came her first grand mal seizure — then surgery, and a diagnosis that would shape her life: epilepsy.
The Prediction
“She won't graduate.”
Doctors told her family the brain trauma meant she would never finish high school, let alone college. JenVon graduated — then earned her Bachelor's Degree in Communication from Benedict College.
20 Years in Education
Turning trauma into teaching
Two decades as an educator and college administrator in Atlanta and Charleston taught her exactly where the system fails students with brain disorders — and how to fix it: awareness, accommodations, and training in every school and workplace.
June 2020
Epitome of Epilepsy is born
She founded Epitome of Epilepsy to fill the education gap in Charleston's communities of color — building support groups, first-aid trainings, galas and retreats. North Charleston proclaimed November 4 as Epitome of Epilepsy Day.
The State House
Taking the fight to the law
JenVon's testimony helped advance Bill S.935 — requiring official seizure first-aid materials in South Carolina state workplaces. Years of education, outreach and courage, written into policy.
Recognition
A voice South Carolina listens to
Epilepsy Foundation of SC — Engagement Board Member
SK Life Science — Creative Board Member & 2024 Spokesperson
News 2 Remarkable Woman of the Year — Finalist
Featured in Real Health Magazine
Featured in Brain & Life Magazine + Podcast
Guest Speaker — 2024 Own It Conference