The Eagle Academy Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Uplifting Young Men of Color Through Education, Pathways, and Leadership Training

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Signature "Taking Flight" Celebration Marks a Milestone in the $10 Million Fundraising Effort to Scale Reach and Impact Nationwide

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With news of diminishing support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) dominating the headlines, The Eagle Academy Foundation (EAF) will proudly host its 20th Anniversary Gala on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. Themed "Taking Flight," the event will showcase the organization's legacy, impact, and forward mission in service of young men of color. Ticketing and sponsorship information is available at www.eafny.org.

The EAF has created spaces where young men of color thrive academically, socially, and personally. By prioritizing joy, belonging, learning and leadership, the Foundation has transformed the lives of thousands of young men of color and their communities. It is a model for educational excellence and holistic support through its schools, initiatives, and signature events, including:

• The Eagle Academy for Young Men, a network of six NYC & NJ-area public schools boasting a 98% high school graduation rate nearly three times higher than the city and national average for young men of color and a thriving alumni network in colleges, communities and careers around the nation.
• Eagles Soaring Beyond, an innovative post-secondary success initiative focused on college readiness, workforce development, and financial empowerment. Through preparation and placement, young men of color achieve positive life outcomes and break generational cycles of poverty.
• The Eagle Institute, a professional development and consulting initiative that provides essential training and support to schools, educators, and institutions seeking to up-level their ability to nurture and advance student success for young men of color. The Eagle Institute has trained over 2,000 teachers, administrators, and community advocates in 34 school districts and 65 cities nationwide, impacting over 40,000 students.

"EAF believes in the brilliance, humanity, and leadership of young men of color," said Donald M. Ruff, Jr., president and CEO, The Eagle Academy Foundation. "While we celebrate 20 years, we're also looking ahead with strategic intention and collaborative energy because the work ahead will require all hands."

"Taking Flight" will honor the EAF's remarkable journey while also recognizing the following valued supporters:

One Hundred Black Men, Inc. is dedicated to improving the lives and opportunities of African Americans. The organization founded The Eagle Academy for Young Men in the Bronx, the city's first all-boys public school in over 30 years, offering mentorship and academic excellence for young Black and Latino males. They have played a pivotal role in supporting the EAF in expanding its transformative network.

Paul T. Williams, Jr., who serves as Trustee of the estate of his late sister, poet, playwright and author, Ntozake Shange, will be honored with the Founders Award. Former counsel to the NYS Assembly Banking Committee, Mr. Williams developed the first minority-owned, nationally recognized bond counsel firm in New York and served as a partner in two law firms. He is past chairman of The Eagle Academy Foundation and has served on its Board of Directors since inception.

World Wide Technology (WWT) delivers innovative digital strategies to global organizations. Founded in 1990 by longtime Eagle Academy supporter David Steward, WWT has grown into a multibillion-dollar company and is consistently ranked as one of Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For." Steward, the company's visionary Founder and Chair, is one of America's most accomplished Black entrepreneurs.

"Eagles are powerful, majestic, and free to fly. That's the world we want for our young men and our community," said Ruff. "The Eagle Academy Foundation works to ensure young men of color can live fully, learn joyfully, and lead courageously...because they deserve it."

For more information about the 20^th anniversary celebration and ways to support The Eagle Academy Foundation, visit eafny.org.

About The Eagle Academy Foundation

The Eagle Academy Foundation is a national social impact organization devoted to the advancement of young men of color from 6^th grade into adulthood. The Foundation developed and continues to support the Eagle Academies for Young Men schools—the country's largest ecosystem of six traditional public schools serving young men of color across the five boroughs of New York City and Newark, N.J. For more information, visit www.eafny.org and follow The Eagle Academy Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. 

Media Contact: Cheryl Overton | 917-373-3514

SOURCE The Eagle Academy Foundation