CUBS SCHOLARS GRADUATES ARE CELEBRATED AT WRIGLEY FIELD

Malcolm Fox speaks to the Cubs Scholars Graduates during the commencement at Wrigley Field. Fox was a Class of 2016 Cubs Scholar. Photo provided by Cubs Charities
Malcolm Fox speaks to the Cubs Scholars Graduates during the commencement at Wrigley Field. Fox was a Class of 2016 Cubs Scholar. Photo provided by Cubs Charities

Cubs Scholars graduates are celebrated at Wrigley Field

BY TIA CAROL JONES
      Last year, Malcolm Fox set a 10- year goal for himself that one day he
would speak at Wrigley Field. That day came this summer when Fox gave
the commencement speech to the Cubs Scholars Graduates. Fox was
a 2016 Cubs Scholars graduate. He graduated from Howard University
and is set to work for the McDonald’s Corporation.

 The Cubs Scholars program was launched in 2013 as part of the Cubs
Charities. The mentorship program is open to students from Chicago who
needed financial assistance. It also prepares students for their transition from high school to college. Those students receive a $20,000 scholarship once they are enrolled in a four-year college or university.

Students in Cubs Scholars are also a part of the Chicago Scholars Foundation program. Chicago Scholars Foundation was founded in 1996. It is a seven-year program that helps first generation college students to navigate through college to a career.

Cub Charities turned to Chicago Scholars to work in tandem with Cub
Scholars. The program is in its ninth year Jeffrey Beckham, Jr., CEO of Chicago Scholars Foundation, said Cubs Charities has been wonderful partners. Students enrolled in the program are provided with scholarships, resources, mentoring, career development and  networking opportunities.

“It’s a robust partnership with an organization that wins on the field as
well off. We, at the Chicago Scholars Foundation pride ourselves on doing the same thing,” Beckham said.

Cubs Scholars and the Chicago Scholars Foundation helped Fox in a multitude of ways; including motivating him, financially and emotionally. Chicago Scholars Foundation paid Fox’s balance, as well as provided him with a mentor. He never doubted he had support from them.

Students who do not get into the Cubs Scholars program still receive
the support of The Chicago Scholars Foundation through college. The 2021- 2022 Class is the ninth class of The Cubs Scholars.

Alicia Gonzalez, executive director of the Cubs Charities said all the scholars are exemplary young men and women. Fox has an extremely
outgoing personality, he wants to support others as evidenced in the way
he supports his cohorts from his Cubs Scholars Class.

 “His desire of wanting to come back to the city he once grew up in and make a difference is sincere. I think he’s an exemplary role model for the future generation of Cubs Scholars. From what I’ve seen of Malcolm, and learned of Malcom, he is extremely mission-driven,” Gonzalez said.

Fox prides himself in mentoring to those who come after him. He is
involved in the community, making sure the youth don’t face the same problems he did.

“For me to be able to do that a couple of weeks ago was just more fuel to the fire, it added more drive and my hunger for me to keep going and keep straight on my path to change the world,” Fox said. “It was a great experience, it just further motivated me to keep going and keep playing my part to change Chicago for the better.”

Beckham sees Fox as an example of the face of the future leadership in
Chicago. A dynamic city, talent and powered by diverse leaders in every
neighborhood.
 
“Malcolm truly stands in the gap to provide a focal point of what our scholars can become but also a visual reference of the kind of effort and diligence and resilience that the young people we work with at the Cubs Scholars and the Chicago Scholars Foundation, together have and holds true. Truly brilliant, truly heartfelt and truly service -oriented who care about Chicago,” he said. “He puts all of his heart and effort behind the work of just helping people and connecting people to achieve their dreams.”

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