Shayping Foundations: Empowering the Next Generation of African American Leaders
Shayping Foundations, Inc. is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the potential, promise, and power of African American youth. Founded by Dr. Taylor J. Cox, the organization’s mission is centered on cultivating confidence, providing essential skills, and connecting young participants with successful Black professionals who can offer guidance and inspiration.
Our Founder had the pleasure of attending their recent event alongside her family, "Unveiling Unspoken Truths: African American Journeys to Achievement." The event featured a panel of highly accomplished Black leaders including Leon Livingston, MBA, Ari the Body and Kenneth Griffin. The discussion was highly engaging and offered many valuable points to the youth and their families in attendance. There was even a raffle for all attendees and free shirt giveaway. Our Founder was blessed to be a winner of a free candle making class that she plans to redeem soon!
A Legacy in Motion: The Meaning of "ShayPing"
The name "ShayPing" is a deeply personal tribute that forms the core of the organization's inspiration. It honors Dr. Cox’s maternal grandmother—a constant and guiding force in her life—whose nickname is "Shay," with the "P" representing the first letter of her last name. Inspired by her grandmother’s mantra, “Stand for something or you will fall for anything,” Dr. Cox established the foundation as her way of standing up for the next generation. The name itself reflects the organization's work: shaping the foundations of young lives through mentorship and education.
Four Pillars of Empowerment
The foundation’s work is driven by four core principles designed to equip youth for success in fields where African Americans are underrepresented:
Empower: Cultivate the confidence and develop the necessary academic and professional skills for participants to pursue unconventional career paths.
Exploration: Expose participants to diverse areas of interest, spotlighting African American professionals and pioneers in those fields, and providing hands-on learning experiences.
Community Engagement: Involve participants in projects that apply their new knowledge, promoting collaboration with local leaders and organizations to strengthen community ties.
Mentor: Connect youth with African American professionals for guidance and inspiration, encouraging dialogue about breaking barriers to achieve success.
Key Programs
Shayping Foundations implements its mission through specific programs tailored to mental, academic, and professional development:
Summer Bookclub: A powerful circle of teen girls for a 4-week in-person book club centered on identity, purpose, and sisterhood. They explore impactful stories written by African American/Black authors, sparking conversations that inspire, uplift, and empower.
Young BULL Support Group: A program designed to provide a space for young Black men to receive support, mentorship, and guidance to navigate life's challenges.
R E F L E C T: This program is an opportunity for your child to reflect on their strengths, set intentional goals, and push past limitations to grow into the leader they’re meant to be.
By blending personal passion, professional mentorship, and community engagement, Shayping Foundations is actively working to ensure the youth of Chicago are equipped with the confidence and resources needed to define their own path and create a legacy of their own.
Support the amazing work that they do here: http://www.shaypingfoundations.org/
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