Carolina Youth Coalition is proud to partner with Jordan Wings, the Jordan Brand’s community impact platform inspired by Michael Jordan’s legacy of greatness and commitment to education.
Through this partnership, CYC Fellows have gained access to scholarships, design programs, mentorship, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that inspire academic achievement and creative confidence. Learn more about Jordan Wings
The Journey
Since 2018, CYC Fellows have brought bold ideas to life through the annual design program. Guided by design experts, executives, and mentors, Fellows learn design principles and visual storytelling, with their work featured at several notable Charlotte events:
CYC Fellows and students from Rise2Impact designed Jordan Brand T-shirts that were printed and sold during NBA All-Star Weekend at the Mint Museum, Spectrum Center, and Social Status. With guidance from Jordan Brand, the Charlotte Hornets, and ArtPop Street Gallery artists, students explored apparel design, marketing, and creative ideation.
Fellows also participated in a custom shoe design workshop with The Shoe Surgeon and NBA All-Stars Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge.
CYC was selected as a community partner and beneficiary of the inaugural Jumpman Invitational in Charlotte. Through the Jordan Wings Design Program, 23 Fellows completed an eight-week experience and designed limited-edition warm-up shirts for the men’s and women’s basketball teams from UNC-Chapel Hill, the University of Florida, the University of Michigan, and the University of Oklahoma.
Along the way, Fellows were mentored by Jordan and Nike designers, Triple Threat, sponsor volunteers, and Social Status. The program culminated at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, where Fellows presented their designs to the teams and were recognized on court during the UNC-Chapel Hill vs. Michigan game.
Alongside scholars from Rise2Impact, CYC Fellows designed a race car for 23XI driver Tyler Reddick, a design inspired by the classic “Grape 3” Jordan sneaker.
Fellows return to the 2024 Jumpman Invitational with fresh designs that combined style, meaning, and school pride worn by over 1,500 fans.
To celebrate a decade of impact, CYC Fellows and Rise2Impact scholars created a Wings-inspired race car design for 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick that captured the creativity and voices of young people.
Wings Scholars Program
A graduate of Cato Middle College, Blane is attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to major in Public Health.
A graduate of South Mecklenburg High School, Kali is attending North Carolina A&T on a pre-law track, with an interest in Liberal Studies.
A graduate of Charlotte Latin School, Emy is attending Colgate University and is majoring in Psychology and Education.
A graduate of Hickory Grove Christian School, Heywan attended New York University and majored in purse Global Public Health with a concentration in Biology.
CYC Fellow Dyamond Grate received a full-ride scholarship to the university of her choice, presented by NBA All-Star Bradley Beal at the Jordan Brand Classic in Chicago.
Dyamond attended North Carolina A&T majoring in Computer Science.
CYC Fellows Jacob Desalegn and Musie Gebreegziabher each received a full-ride scholarship to the university of their choice.
Both attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with Musie majoring in Information Science and Jacob pursuing pre-med studies.
CYC Fellow Augustine Glaygbe received a full-ride scholarship to the university of his choice, presented as a surprise by the previous year’s recipient, Carlos Santos Ortiz.
Augustine, a senior at Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences, attended UNC Greensboro majoring in pre-med studies.
CYC Fellow Carlos Santos Ortiz received a full-ride scholarship, while Gloria Nzuzi and Olivia Rice each earned $5,000 scholarships through Jordan Wings.
Carlos majored in architecture with additional college persistence support through UNCF. Gloria planned to attend UNC Chapel Hill, and Olivia planned to study Nursing at Appalachian State University.
2026 Recipient: Blane Assefa
2025 Recipient: Kalkidan Adhanom
2024 Receipent: Emily Pacheco-Ramirez
2023 Recipient: Heywan Samuel picture with 2022 winner, Dyamond Grate.
2022 Recipient: Dyamond Grate
2021 Recipients: Jacob Desalegn Musie Gebreegziabher
2020 Recipient: Augustine Glaybe
2019 Recipient: Carlos Santos-Ortiz
Fellow Spotlight
Dyamond Grate, a CYC College Fellow and 2022 Jordan Wings Scholarship recipient interned at Nike’s Oregon headquarters during summer 2025. As a Software Engineer on the Global Technology team, she helped develop internal applications designed to streamline business processes across the company.
Reflecting on the experience, Dyamond shared, “Before joining the WINGS family and interning at Nike, I wasn’t sure where my future was headed. But after this summer, I’m confident that wherever I land next, the path will be bright.”
The WINGS Scholarship Program continues to open doors beyond college by recipients connecting to both internships and limitless learning opportunities for scholars across the globe.
