I WILL GRADUATE DAY AWARDS 2024: A STAR-STUDDED CELEBRATION OF EDUCATION – EXCELLENCE AND EMPOWERMENT!
(Brooklyn, NY) — October 27th, 2024 — Get ready for a show-stopping celebration that will ignite the dreams and ambitions of students across New York City! The I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program is proud to present the I WILL GRADUATE DAY AWARDS 2024, Celebration of Education, an unparalleled event dedicated to inspiring greatness through education. Taking place at the iconic King’s Theatre in Brooklyn on October 29, 2024, this year’s awards ceremony will spotlight the theme "BE GREAT!"—challenging students to push beyond limits and strive for excellence in both their academic and personal lives.
Since its inception in 2008, I WILL GRADUATE DAY has been the pinnacle of educational empowerment, inspiring countless youth to harness the transformative power of education. This year, the celebration takes an exciting leap forward with the unveiling of a groundbreaking partnership with Reebok, a global leader in sports and culture, partnering with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, Harlem’s own Jim Jones, and Reebok President Todd Krinsky. Together, we aim to empower students to stay focused, fit, and future-ready by introducing exclusive programs that blend education and athletics, inspiring leadership, resilience, and greatness.
Adding even more firepower to the celebration, the excitement reaches new heights with a star-studded lineup, including our host, the charismatic Terrence J, American actor and television presenter. Prominent political figures, such as Incoming Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and members of the 2024 Power 100 List—including Adrienne E. Adams, Speaker of the New York City Council, Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President, and Rita Joseph, Council Member and Chair of the Education Committee—will also grace the event, as well as Phil Taitt, Emmy Award Winning Anchor for ABC News.
Celebrity appearances from renowned music producer and rapper Cash Cobain, rising R&B sensation LAILA!, chart-topping singer Jacquees, actress and singer Naturi Naughton, and more to be announced, will create a dynamic blend of entertainment and leadership, aiming to uplift and empower students to achieve their fullest potential.
As if that weren’t enough, the event will also feature inspiring messages from global icons DJ Khaled and Coco Jones, reminding students that the path to greatness begins with education. DJ Khaled declares, “Make this school year another great one, to achieve greatness. Stay focused and believe in yourself!”
This year’s I WILL GRADUATE DAY celebration of education will for the first time include an award ceremony recognizing individuals for their outstanding contributions. The Trailblazer Award will posthumously honor Fatman Scoop, the voice of I WILL GRADUATE, for his continued support of our program and his extraordinary impact on the entertainment industry, paving the way for future artists and celebrating the power of creativity in youth culture; the Chairman Award will honor the founders of REPUBLIC Monte and Avery Lipman for their significant support of educational programs that empower young people; the Champion Award will recognize Joseph Guillermo “Jim Jones” Jones II for his commitment to mentoring at-risk youth; the Community Impact Award will be presented to New York City Council Member Farah Louis for her tireless efforts in enhancing educational opportunities; and the Educator Award will honor Principal Darryl White of Bronx Collegiate Academy for his exceptional leadership in creating a supportive learning environment that inspires student achievement and personal growth.
In the lead-up to the event, students will kick off their journey with our annual I WILL GRADUATE Pledge Day, where over 155,000 students have already taken the pledge to commit to their education and future success. Following Pledge Day, students will participate in the 6-week BE GREAT! College and Career Readiness Curriculum, a comprehensive program designed to prepare them for success beyond the classroom. This curriculum will be completed prior to the I WILL GRADUATE DAY Awards, setting the stage for a transformative celebration of their academic and personal growth.
Since its launch, I WILL GRADUATE DAY has attracted influential figures from government leadership, business, and music/entertainment, including Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City, Letitia James, Attorney General of New York, Daymond John, star of ABC’s Shark Tank, Omar Epps, Joseph Sikora, Lala Anthony, and music legends like Mary Mary, 50 Cent, Wyclef Jean, and Remy Ma. Their powerful stories of perseverance and the pivotal role education played in their success have left an indelible mark on the students in attendance.
The I WILL GRADUATE DAY AWARDS 2024 will take place on October 29, 2024, at King’s Theatre, Brooklyn, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Students, educators, and community members are invited to join this transformative day of celebration and inspiration. To register, visit iwillgraduateprogram.com
For interviews and media coverage, please contact Ayanna Camara, at
acamara@iwgprogram.com
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About I WILL GRADUATE: Entertainers For Education Alliance, Inc. / I WILL GRADUATE PROGRAM (E4EA-IWG) headquartered in New York City, is a 501(c)(3) charity organization dedicated to serving and empowering students, families, and the community by communicating
the importance of educational excellence. They accomplish their goals through youth development programs, arts-in-education, college and career guidance, mentoring, parent engagement, school and community workshops, exciting events, and the use of multimedia platforms. They also enlist the talents, and resources of the music and entertainment industry along with prominent high-profile individuals to stress the importance and coolness of being educated.
About Tonya Lewis-Taylor, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Program: As an empowerment leader, musician, CEO, and author; Tonya Lewis-Taylor sits at the helm of the I WILL GRADUATE Youth Development Agency and the Entertainers 4 Education Alliance. Taylor's work has received proclamations, by New York City’s Mayor's Adams, Deblasio and Bloomberg, as well as former NYS Governor's Hochul, Cuomo and Patterson for outstanding service. Further recognition includes New York’s Daily News naming her one of New York City’s Great People, MSNBC honoring her as a Foot Soldier, and Columbia University naming her New Yorker of the Week. The former celebrity publicist/marketing executive at Roc-A-Fella Records is also a multifaceted performer singing backup for notables Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and gospel luminaries including Fred Hammond and Donnie McClurkin. Her Off-Broadway work includes “Mama I Want to Sing” and “Gospel Is.” Her debut album, Delayed But Not Denied, reached Billboard’s Top 15 with her single, “Thank you” and again charted on Billboard’s Top 25 with a song from her 2016 sophomore album, I've Got To Win entitled, “I'm a Winner.” She is the author of the new book "Be You Not Her: Becoming the Woman You were Created to Be," available on Amazon Books. Later this year, Taylor will release her anticipated 3rd album, I Am More Than A Conqueror. She is married, has 4 children and resides in Brooklyn, USA.