ATLANTA, Ga. – Chick-fil-A, Inc. announced on Tuesday that two state charter schools, DuBois Integrity Academy and Ethos Classical, are 2021 True Inspiration Awards grant recipients. Chick-fil-A awarded a total of $5 million in grants to 34 nonprofit organizations that that are making a positive impact in the areas of hunger, homelessness and education through the 2021 True Inspiration Awards program. This year’s program honors organizations that are Black-led or impact communities of color.

DuBois Integrity Academy was selected as the prestigious 2021 S. Truett Cathy Honoree. The $350,000 grant is awarded to one organization nationally that embodies the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of Chick-fil-A’s late founder. Chick-fil-A also presented Ethos Classical with a $50,000 grant award as a regional winner of the True Inspiration Awards program.

“We are proud of DuBois Integrity Academy and Ethos Classical for using innovative approaches to help their students succeed, even when the odds are stacked against them,” said Lauren Holcomb, executive director of the State Charter Schools Commission.

“These awards are so well-deserved, and we are thankful for Chick-fil-A’s investment in these schools that are having an impact every day on the lives of children,” said Michele Neely, president of the State Charter Schools Foundation.

“We are overjoyed by the generous and heartfelt recognition and funding provided to DuBois Integrity Academy by Chick-fil-A. They have had an everlasting impact on the lives of our children and the community in which they live. Everybody within their organization should know that Chick-fil-A is a difference maker,” said Craig Cason, executive director of DuBois Integrity Academy (DIA).

“The recognition of DIA's hard work and dedication just makes all of us want to push even more in changing our community for the good. Our students, families, teachers, and staff will benefit from this gift in many ways. These funds will be used to directly support our expansion and technology efforts as we continue to grow our student population,” Cason said.

Founding school leader, Emily Castillo León, also shared their appreciation for the award to Ethos Classical.

“Words cannot fully express just how grateful we are from the support from Chick-fil-A through their gift of the True Inspiration Awards. This gift will help us fund our future media center, which is space our scholars are most excited about in our new facility.”

The two state charter schools were nominated by local Chick-fil-A restaurant Operators, and Chick-fil-A One members were able to cast their vote for the nominees through the Chick-fil-A App. The nominating Operators presented the checks to the leaders of DuBois Integrity Academy and Ethos Classical through surprise celebrations. According to information from Chick-fil-A, nearly one million people voted through the Chick-fil-A App to help select the 2021 True Inspiration Awards recipients.

DuBois Integrity Academy is an elementary state charter school serving students in Riverdale. Ethos Classical is an elementary charter school serving students in Atlanta.

For more information about the Chick-fil-A 2021 True Inspiration Awards, read their press release at https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/news/thirty-four-community-organizations-receive-grants-through-chick-fil-as-true-inspiration-awards 

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About the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia

The State Charter Schools Commission is a state-level, independent charter school authorizing entity. The mission of the SCSC is to improve public education by authorizing high quality charter schools that provide students with better educational opportunities than they would otherwise receive in traditional district schools. The SCSC has the power to approve or deny petitions for state charter schools and renew, non-renew, or terminate state charter school petitions in accordance with Georgia law. More than 37,000 students across Georgia attend one of the SCSC's 39 state charter schools. More information about the SCSC can be found by visiting www.scsc.georgia.gov.

About the State Charter Schools Foundation of Georgia

The State Charter Schools Foundation of Georgia (SCSF) is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to supporting high quality state charter schools serving children throughout Georgia by leveraging resources to help schools launch, build capacity and grow. For more information about the State Charter Schools Foundation, visit www.scsfga.org. @SCSFofGA

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