Teyana Taylor is giving back to her hometown of Harlem.
Over the weekend, the mom of two held a back-to-school giveaway and “Teyana Takeover” at Dyckman Basketball to celebrate the launch of her new foundation, TEY.
In attendance at the inaugural event was Taylor’s daughter, Junie, as well as rapper Fabolous and actress Storm Reid.
“My heart is full,” Taylor shared on Instagram. “Our TEY Foundation Back to School Giveaway + Teyana Takeover at @dyckmanbasketball was everything I prayed for & more.”
She continued, “But beyond the celebration, this moment represented something even greater: the official launch of the TEY Foundation and the beginning of a mission rooted in love, purpose & communiTEY.”
The name TEY stands for “Time Evolves You,” which Taylor explained in her post.
“As time changes us, teaches us and helps us grow, we begin to understand that our growth was never meant to stop with us,” she wrote. “It is meant to be poured back into the people, places and communities that helped shape who we are.”
Giving back to Harlem is especially important to Taylor.
“I’m a Harlem girl and I know how powerful it is for our babies to SEE us, FEEL us and know that we haven’t forgotten them,” Taylor said. “I know what it means to be surrounded by community and I know the impact of showing up! Not just with words but with action, love and intention.”
She added, “That is the heart of the TEY Foundation: growing with time, giving with purpose, creating opportunities and reminding the next generation that they are seen, believed in, supported and worthy of every dream they carry.”
Taylor also gave a special shout-out to Jordan Brand and thanked the company for helping her give back long before she officially launched the foundation.
“NYC raised me. It gave me a foundation, a voice and a place to dream,” she wrote. “It will always be an honor to return that love and pour back into the soil that helped grow me.”
Up next, Taylor plans to bring more TEY Foundation back-to-school giveaways and events to communities beyond Harlem.
