Help Build Educated Men, Stronger Families and Better Communities

Join us for an elegant evening of dinner, dancing, philanthropy and fun as we celebrate the accomplishments of our college graduates, our scholars, and our parents.

The Ezekiel Taylor Foundation

The Ezekiel Taylor Foundation is a 501(c)3 that provides mentorship, job readiness, life-skill programming, and college financial assistance to African-American males in the Chicago area who attend, or seek to attend, an accredited college, university or trade school. Named after the late Ezekiel Taylor, who was innocently killed on the South Side of Chicago, the foundation identifies young Black men who have been impacted by Chicago’s senseless gun violence. ETSF provides hope and opportunity and we educate, empower and encourage young men.

2025 Scholars

This year’s Scholars include graduating high school seniors, continuing college students and graduating college seniors! Join us in congratulating all of our scholars and their families for operating in excellence.

Aden Smith
Howard University

Andre Bass
Morehouse College

Aquil Hayes
Florida A&M University

Arun Nickerson
University of Southern California

Ayipey Salinas
Illinois Valley Community

Ayodele Kadirfu Thomas
Morehouse College

Ayomide Ajayi
University of Southern California

Brent Pack III
North Park University

Caleb Hardaway
Columbia College

Charles Dunlap II
Howard University

Dallas Prince
University of North Carolina-Charlotte

David Allen
North Carolina A&T

Edward Washington, III
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Gabriel Blankenship
Louisiana State University

Hunter Holly
Howard University

James Wells IV
Central State University

Jaylin Holmes
Howard University

Jayson Evans
SIU Edwardsville

Joshua Spicer
North Carolina A&T

Malique Kas'Reil Amos
University of Southern California

Mitchell Bender
Illinois State University

Nathanael James
North Carolina A&T

Phillip Thigpen
Eastern Michigan University

Timothy James
Alabama A&M

Timothy Purnell
Michigan State University

Why We Need You

The goal of the gala and silent auction is to raise $100,000 for scholarships to outstanding need-based and merit based young men in Chicago. Donations of all sizes strengthen the Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation experience for both current and future students.

When you give to the Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation, you support a multitude of programs, services and enrichment opportunities that help to open the door to academic success for these recipients.

Silent Auction

For TEN YEARS we have been able to award young men college scholarships each year because of your generous support. Each year hundreds of bidders “Shop with a Purpose” through our silent and live auctions. We invite you to join us every July-August to bid on items for yourself and others. Your purchase supports college education.

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