The Eagle Academy Foundation, a groundbreaking initiative to empower young men of color through all-boys schools, celebrated its 20th anniversary at a spectacular gala in Manhattan.
Founded in 2004 by a group of dedicated leaders from 100 Black Men, Incorporated (OHBM), Eagle Academy for Young Men has grown from a single location in the Bronx to locations in all five boroughs and a school in Newark, New Jersey.
The concept and curriculum for the schools has been praised and endorsed by educators across the nation for transforming abysmal graduation rates and disproportionate incarceration rates among young men of color.
Former Schools Chancellor David Banks made an appearance at the 20th Anniversary Gala for the Eagle Academy Foundation on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Credit: PHOTO CREDIT: Ariama C. Long. 
Current Eagle Academy students seated at the Gala event on Feb. 25. Credit: PHOTO CREDIT: Ariama C. Long. 
Past and present Eagle Academy students on stage at the 20th Anniversary Gala on Tuesday. Credit: PHOTO CREDIT: Ariama C. Long. 
Councilmember Rita Joseph, education chair, (second left) attended the 20th Anniversary Gala event for Eagle Academy Foundation on Feb. 25. Credit: PHOTO CREDIT: Ariama C. Long. 
Current Eagle Academy Foundation President and CEO Donald M. Ruff was delighted to see the turnout for the gala, but even more excited that people showed up to support the students. At the fundraising portion of the event, donors gave over $127,000 to the foundation.
“Tonight is a huge milestone,” said Ruff. “To be able to celebrate 20 years. Not many people are doing this work with this very specific population of young men of color. So we’re very proud. They’re at the bottom of every indicator when you take a look academically. Those are the young men that are counted out consistently, right? Where the world is not looking for them. But we are.”
Ruff said that Eagle Academies had a 95% graduation rate in 2024 — markedly higher than the 32% graduation rate they had in 2004. He added that 98% of Eagle graduates got accepted into college last year. The Eagle foundation is also led by predominantly Black and Brown professionals, 65% of the Board of Directors and 84% of school staff. “We all need a blueprint to follow. We all need a goal to aspire to. What a mentor does is show us that success is possible,” said Ruff about the mentorship and representation. “When you see someone that looks like you that has achieved great things, it inspires you to dream bigger. To elevate higher, mentorship is everything. That’s why we need it.”
To kick off the festivities, world renowned poet Daniel “Koa” Beaty delivered a powerful rendition of his poem “Knock Knock.” Afterwards, Eagle Academy students marched into the venue in processional fashion to what was dubbed the King’s Table, brimming with pride.
There was also a pouring of ceremonial libations into a plant, symbolizing a homage to ancestors and Eagles who have passed away.
Over 500 people were in attendance, including former OHBM President Phillip Banks Jr. His son, former New York City Schools Chancellor David C. Banks, who was a founding principal of the first Eagle Academy, also attended later in the evening. Banks hasn’t been in the limelight since resigning from his city position, however he said he wouldn’t have missed the gala for anything.
During the Gala event, several people took home awards: Paul T. Williams, management trustee for the Ntozake Shange Trust and former Chair for Eagle Academy Foundation, and the organization of OHBM received the Taking Flight Founders Awards, while the World Wide Technology company received the Taking Flight Corporate Philanthropy Award.
“The Eagle Academy initiative is one of God’s wonders,” said Williams in a moving speech. He recounted how the board for OHBM voted down the idea of Eagle Academy initially, and even when it was approved very few people thought they could succeed. “The cards were stacked against us.”