Curvin B. Chance was born in Parmele, North Carolina. Parmele was a close-knit town where everyone looked out for one another. Railroad transportation and lumber mills were among the first major business opportunities in the early days of Parmele. Several years later, the very successful industrial institute for African-American children known as the Parmele Industrial Institute came to town. This place of educational excellence was highly regarded and greatly sought after.  It was the first establishment to reveal the power of knowledge to this one sidewalk town and its people of color.

Curvin has an older brother and sister as well as a younger brother and sister. In his God given position, he quickly found his space and filled it with enthusiasm.  Curvin entered school where he was nurtured and mentored by family and other members of the community. He learned early that there were perks in being "smart" so he began his quest to be the absolute best in every thing he did. Even though Curvin had siblings, he did not waste time with sibling rivalry. He chose instead to maximize his talents and gifts by competing with himself, to see just how much he could learn about everything, everywhere.  Curvin sought knowledge wherever it could be found.  Because of his environment, he knew knowledge could be found not only in books but newspapers, television, radio, magazines, movies, doctors, teachers, farmers, janitors and even from Mom and Dad and Aunts and Uncles.  Seeing how successfully motivated Curvin had become, his older brother issued Curvin a challenge.  He acknowledged that Curvin had done extremely well in Parmele but encouraged him to see how his skills would measure up in a whole new environment...Brooklyn, NY.  Well, being the fearless person he was, Curvin accepted his big brother's challenge.

After graduating with honors from Brooklyn Tech, Curvin entered North Carolina Central University (NCCU) as a Chemistry major with a full four-year academic scholarship. While attending NCCU in Durham, North Carolina, Curvin became an unforgettable member of the Supreme 13 Tau Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Curvin never forgot a single personality and truly counted his brothers as his family.  Being the absolute best continued to be a major component of every aspect of Curvin's life

Upon receiving his B.S. degree from NCCU, Curvin moved back to New York. Curvin continued to seize every opportunity to continue building his relationship with God and to broaden his mind, body, and spirit. Curvin loved life and all it had to offer.  He opted not to be left out of what this city and world had to offer.  He recognized fully and greatly respected and admired those who had gone before him who provided the shoulders on which he stood.  Curvin was extremely proud of his heritage. He frequented all the museums, botanical gardens, plays, book signings, public forums and theatre in Central Park as well as the various music events including opera, jazz, R&B, and classical.  While enjoying the city and all it had to offer, fate orchestrated Curvin's reconnection with a childhood acquaintance, Wanda Everett. In a short time, Curvin realized there was a definite connection and soon knew without a doubt that Wanda was his soul mate.  Armed with this knowledge, Curvin offered love and devotion to Wanda as he asked her to share this life with him.  She offered the same in return and accepted his proposal to become Mrs. Wanda Everett-Chance.  They were united and effortlessly kept their promises of love, respect, and devotion to each other for twenty -one incredibly happy years. Curvin was a father figure to many.  But to have Michi refer to him as Dad was one of his greatest joys.  Curvin provided a venue for young people to learn by doing.  He understood the importance of hands-on practice to build confidence.  He often used his life to demonstrate that you are in control of your destiny...knowledge is yours for the asking. Life is about choices.  He often said ....just remember for every choice there is a consequence.  Determine the consequence before you make the choice.

Curvin always strived to perform above what was required in his various jobs and professional career.  From pharmaceuticals to IBM to Digital Equipment Corporation to Compaq, he refused to be locked in a box.  When opportunities were presented or when he was starting to feel stagnate,  he would begin researching his options to determine what would best meet both his need to be challenged and provide the absolute best options for his family.

Curvin and Wanda decided to make Stone Mountain, Georgia their home along with his mother-in-law and their daughter. Here they continued to make helping young people find there way through education a top priority. As much as Curvin enjoyed working with children in the community, he was most excited spending summers with his two youngest nephews, Marquan and Tyrell.  He took great pride in the time spent with the boys, nurturing, mentoring, teaching, going for long walks in Stone Mountain Park, telling stories and just having fun.  Curvin believed if you were serious about something it required more than talk ...it meant investing time and energy towards what you believe to be important.

Knowledge knew no boundaries for Curvin; his versatility in a plethora of subjects was visible in his every day conversation and in every other aspect of life. His literary collection included such greats as: Shakespeare, Machiavelli, Baldwin, Mosley, and Rowling.  His overwhelming enthusiasm when the internet offered yet another avenue for Curvin to enhance his life. Sports aficionado: baseball, football, golf, tennis, basketball, track and field, and boxing. Music interests included: opera, jazz, blues, gospel, classical and R&B. Politics, history, chess, investing, reading multiple newspapers a day, surfing the Internet, writing and movies were among his favorite pastimes. Curvin took his history and heritage very seriously but it was family that was dearest to him. Being honest, responsible, forthright and fair were honored traits as far as Curvin was concerned. For Curvin believed it was not what you say but what you do when no one is looking.

Curvin wanted everyone to be his or her personal best. He led by example conducting his own weekly study groups, field trips, personal lectures, and seminars as well as one-on-one conversations. Curvin was instrumental in the success of many young people that he has known over the years. He didn't just talk about it; he worked to make it happen. If you were willing, he was ready…anytime, any subject, any place. This is the reason for the foundation.

The Curvin B. Chance Foundation, Inc. has been organized in loving memory of Curvin, the man who gave so much of himself and touched so many every day of his great life.

The Curvin B. Chance Foundation, Inc. seeks to offer a tuition scholarship for the school year 2011-2012 to a student, who is currently attending NCCU, who resides in North Carolina and majoring in Chemistry or Mathematics.  In addition to the tuition scholarship, the foundation will offer academic scholarships in 2009-2010 of no less than $1,000.00 to deserving students seeking a college education who reside in NC, NY, or GA.  Each student must meet all requirements and supply all information as described in the application section.  

All tuition scholarship finalists will be called in for a personal interview with members of the board of directors. Each recipient will be selected and agreed upon by the Board. The tuition scholarship recipient will be required to mentor a high school student and maintain at least a “B” average.

Thank you in advance for your generous support of the Curvin B. Chance Foundation, Inc.