Choosing Curiosity Over Judgment: How EDGI Transforms Lives Through the Diamante Scholars Program
JJ Vanni Speaking to the 2025 Diamante Grads
JJ Vanni's Mission to Rewrite What's Possible
When JJ Vanni stood before Diamante Scholars at their end-of-year ceremony, he didn't just share success stories or career advice. Instead, he delivered a message that strikes at the heart of his non-profit EDGI's mission: stay curious, not judgmental—especially toward yourself and what you believe is possible.
As a Diablo Valley College alumnus himself, Vanni understands firsthand the transformative power of community college education. His journey from DVC student to successful entrepreneur and nonprofit founder wasn't just about acquiring skills—it was about developing a mindset of curiosity that refused to accept limiting labels or assumptions. Now, through EDGI, he's ensuring other students can access that same transformative experience.
Breaking Down Barriers Through Curiosity
Vanni's philosophy, inspired by a memorable Ted Lasso scene about choosing curiosity over judgment, perfectly encapsulates EDGI's approach to supporting Diamante Scholars. The world these students navigate is often judgmental, placing arbitrary limits on their potential based on background, academic history, or circumstances. Society creates labels and makes assumptions about who deserves opportunities and who doesn't.
EDGI's critical role is dismantling those barriers. The organization doesn't just provide financial support—it cultivates an environment where curiosity thrives and students feel empowered to ask questions, seek guidance, and challenge the limits others have placed on them. By partnering with the Diamante Scholars program, EDGI creates pathways for students who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional academic systems.
The Power of Choosing Growth
What makes EDGI's work particularly impactful is its understanding that transformation begins with mindset. Many Diamante Scholars arrive having internalized society's judgments about their capabilities. They may have been told they're not "college material" or that certain careers are beyond their reach. EDGI helps rewrite these narratives by fostering an environment where staying open, seeking growth, and believing in untapped potential becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Vanni emphasizes that the students in the Diamante Scholars program have already demonstrated extraordinary courage simply by choosing curiosity. They asked questions instead of accepting limits. They looked for guidance instead of staying silent. They joined a program that others might have dismissed because they believed there was more out there for them. This willingness to stay curious—about the world, about others, and about themselves—is precisely what EDGI nurtures and celebrates.
Rewriting What's Possible
JJ Vanni with Macbook recipient
Through EDGI's support of the Diamante Scholars program, students gain more than academic resources. They gain mentorship from someone who walked their path, access to a network that believes in their potential, and most importantly, permission to be curious about their own capabilities. This combination proves transformative, helping students who were once dismissed or overlooked to discover passions, develop skills, and pursue careers they might never have imagined.
The partnership between EDGI and Diamante Scholars represents a powerful model for educational equity. By focusing on mindset alongside practical support, and by choosing to see potential where others see limits, EDGI is helping an entire generation of students rewrite what's possible—one curious question at a time.
As Vanni witnessed at that end-of-year ceremony, these students aren't just succeeding academically. They're fundamentally changing their relationship with possibility itself, proving that when you choose curiosity over judgment, transformation inevitably follows.
