Chicago Murder Victim’s Daughter Answers Call of ‘Chance the Rapper’; Offers Scholarships

Ezekiel Taylor Foundation Surprises High School Senior with College Scholarship

WHAT:  Chicago native, and former CNN executive, Tenisha Taylor Bell is keeping her promise to send more black males to college and fewer to the coroner. She will surprise a high school senior with the first award from her Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation (ETSF), just a few weeks after ‘Chance the Rapper’ donated $1 million dollars and directed Chicago’s citizens to “do their part.”

 

“This is how we do our part, each of us must commit towards a finding a solution to helping these young people,” says Bell, ETSF CEO. “If we can just reach one student at a time, then we are succeeding. We can’t keep losing our young men to the streets.”

 

The foundation, named after her father who was killed on the Southside of Chicago, identifies young black male students who don’t qualify for the “A” or “B” scholarships. “My father was innocently murdered on 79th and Stony Island…by teens who lost their way,” says Bell. “We can’t keep overlooking the ‘middle of the road’ students, they have great potential, they just need an extra push,” adds Bell. The 39-year-old has written extensively on the impact of Chicago’s gun violence. (Articles: Tribune, NBC, CNN).

 

ETSF partnered with South Shore International College Preparatory Academy for the Ezekiel Taylor ‘Stop the Violence’ essay contest. high school male seniors were encouraged to write how Chicago’s violence impacts their lives, and how they plan to make a difference in their community. Bell will travel to Chicago to surprise the lucky winner of the essay contest.

 

SCHOLARSHIP CHECK PRESENTATION

 

WHEN: Tuesday, April 4, 2017 | 2:30pm – 3pm  *Media please arrive by 1:45pm for security sweeps

 

WHERE: South Shore Preparatory Academy | 1955 E 75th Street Chicago, IL 60649

 

MEDIA AVAILABILITY:    Tenisha Taylor Bell, CEO Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation

                                  Janice Wells, Principal South Shore International Prep Academy

                                  Stanley Coleman, Program Manager South Shore International Prep Academy 

                                  Essay contest winner, name to be announced                 

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VISUALS:                     Students in auditorium

                                  Winning student receiving award

 

To schedule an interview or confirm your attendance please contact: Sierra@PerfectPitchMediaGroup.com

For more information and scholarship details visit:  www.EZTaylor.org