Najee left a tremendous mark on countless lives through his generosity, courage, and kindness. His commitment to helping others shines through his life and legacy as a continued inspiration to everyone who knows and loves him.

To honor Najee's memory and to ensure his impact continues, Ayesha Bell Hardaway, Stephen Hardaway, and Nya Hardaway, his parents and sister, are establishing The Najee Hardaway Foundation. Our vision is to create an organization that offers scholarship support alongside community-based initiatives serving those in need, ensuring that Najee's legacy continues to make a difference for many years to come. In Najee's words, "the best thing you can do is solely put your energy and effort into the things that you can control." We are working together to channel his same focus and determination into a purpose and values-driven foundation.

Born on April 3, 2000, Najee's gentle spirit and compassionate heart were apparent immediately. Throughout his childhood, he was an incredible empath. His generosity only grew as he matured, and his friends, coworkers, and loved ones recount endless stories about Najee being the first person to support or help them whenever they needed it most. As a scholar-athlete at the College of Wooster, Najee impressively always managed to make time for service. He was an active supporter of Wooster's Black Women's Organization and served as a two-time President of Wooster's Black Student Union. After college, he continued a life dedicated to service as a fourth grade teacher at Lomond Elementary School.

Community is core to Najee's being. The Najee Hardaway Foundation will carry forward Najee's work of uplifting those who go seldom heard and often unseen.

The funds raised here will support the legal formation of The Foundation and the early implementation of programs and services aligned with our mission. We are committed to being transparent about how funds are used and will keep supporters updated as we execute the formation process.

Join Us in Launching The Najee Hardaway Foundation