Chicago Bank & Nonprofit Partner to Award College Scholarships To Students Impacted by Gun Violence

CHICAGO - May 15, 2018 - PRLog -- The Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation (ETSF) (http://www.eztaylor.org/) partnered with ISF Bank (https://www.isfbank.com/) to award a high school student an academic college scholarship for the 2018-2019 school year. Rich South High School Senior Marlon Stokes won with his essay on how Chicago's gun violence has impacted his life.

"The availability of guns in my community is a product of systematic oppression," says the 18-year-old. "I see what it does to our community. My father traveled down the wrong path. He's been shot several times and even served a prison sentence. My mother and grandmother moved me to the suburbs for a better life. And I'm setting an example. I want to use my voice to give back and mentor other youth, and obtaining a college degree will help me do that," he adds. Stokes boasts a 3.1 GPA and will attend Howard University (https://www2.howard.edu/) in the fall.

The scholarship foundation, named after Ezekiel Taylor who was killed on the Southside of Chicago, identifies young black male students who've been impacted by gun violence and provides them with college funding, mentorship and programming. "My father was innocently murdered on 79^th and Stony Island…by teens who lost their way," says Tenisha Taylor Bell, Foundation CEO. "We can't keep overlooking our young black men. They have great potential but need a village of people to pour into them to make good life choices. We have to provide them with opportunities," adds the former CNN executive.

Bell has written extensively on the impact of Chicago's gun violence. She uses the foundation as an opportunity to turn her personal tragedy into triumph. (Articles: Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-...), NBC (http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/essay-why-i-refuse-rai...), CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/15/opinion/bell-chicago-violence)). In 2017 the 501(c)3  awarded 11 students scholarships. "This is a family foundation," says Bell. "We're partnering with organizations like ISF Bank to provide jobs, scholarships, and seminars to young men. I'm thankful to ISF Bank CEO Mr. Robert Klamp to recognizing the need in our community and being an impact leader that evokes change."

ISF Bank was founded the 1930s by thirteen African American businessmen who wanted to provide economic development and offer home mortgages to people of color on Chicago's Southside. Today the foundation continues to invest into the community it serves by offering scholarships and financial literacy programs. The Bank will award scholarship winner Marlon Stokes at its 'Customer Appreciation Black-Tie Gala.'

WHEN: Wednesday, May 16, 2018

TIME: 6:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Parkway Ballroom
4455 South King Drive
Chicago, IL 60653

MEDIA AVAILABILITY:

Tenisha Taylor Bell, Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation CEO
Mr. Robert Klamp, ISF Bank CEO
Marlon Stokes, Scholarship Winner

To schedule an interview or confirm your attendance please contact: Kayla@PerfectPitchMediaGroup.com
For more information and scholarship details visit:  www.EZTaylor.org