Black Philanthropy Month Spotlight: Troy Boyd, Jr.

Troy Boyd, Jr. is the chief operating officer of Urban Prep Academies, educating young men in Chicago’s Bronzeville, Englewood, and Near West Side communities. A Chicago native, Boyd is dedicated to serving, advancing, and engaging with his community. He is currently the chair of African American Legacy (AAL), an affinity fund advancing philanthropy in the Black community since 2003.

He recently joined Trust Content Specialist Liz Weber to discuss why he’s passionate about helping young people, what inspired him to join AAL, and his hopes for Chicago’s future. Some questions and answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Liz Weber: Can you talk about your philanthropic journey and how you like to give back to the community?

Troy Boyd, Jr.: My philanthropic journey started in college. I went to Northwestern University and, in my sophomore year, became very involved in serving my community by participating in opportunities through the historically Black fraternities and sororities on campus. Some of my friends, women who were a part of Delta Sigma Theta – they called it Delta Academy – worked with a middle school in Evanston. They tutored young girls, and I took part as a tutor.

My calling has always been working with young people. I got to where I am today because every step of the way, someone older than me was willing to help and fill in the gaps that existed for me. I’ve always been committed to doing that for others.

LW: Can you talk more about what issues you are very passionate about?

TB: Number one, working with youth and helping improve the lives of youth. It’s very cliché, but honestly, it’s 100% true. Young people are the future. And during my time on this earth, I not only want to be part of making the world a better place for myself and my family, but I also want to be a part of helping young people.

Also, education is so important. Having had the opportunity to attend Northwestern University for undergrad and the University of Chicago for graduate school, that’s been so key. It has opened so many doors for me and the things I’ve been able to do in my life. I always say that education is the most readily accessible vehicle for people to improve the quality of their lives. So, I would say I’m most passionate about those two things.

LW: What inspired you to join African American Legacy?

TB: In 2017, I connected with Mary Patillo, who is currently a life director but was the Grant Committee chair. She was also a board member for Urban Prep and was one of my professors at Northwestern. She introduced me to what AAL does, and I got to hear from other board members about their impact, especially work to uplift young men of color.

And working at Urban Prep, where we serve African American boys and try to help them get a college degree to change their lives and their family’s lives, I know firsthand that the resources available to us aren’t always enough to do the work we need to. I wanted to be a part of AAL because I would have the opportunity to be on the other side instead of asking for grants or trying to get resources. I would be able to be a part of ensuring that those who need resources have access.

Currently, I serve as the board chair. It’s been so awesome to be a part of an organization with so many influential, successful, impactful people who have done many great things in their careers. But who all come together and realize the importance of collective giving.

LW: What advice would you give to anyone who’s interested in getting involved with AAL?

TB: Reach out. Visit our website. Attend our events. We host a couple standing events throughout the year where we love to have people come out to support and witness the work we’re doing, including our grant recipients. I mean, that’s what AAL is all about: the power of individual and collective giving. So, any amount is important.

And every year, we’re always looking for new board members. If that’s something that people are interested in, they can absolutely connect with me. And I can get them linked up with the chairs of our board development committee who oversee the process of selecting and onboarding new board members.

LW: What is your hope for the future of Chicago?

TB: My hope for Chicago is similar to my hope for the entire world: that we get much closer to an equitable place in every aspect for all members of society. Particularly here in the United States, we have witnessed a lot of struggles for minority groups like African Americans, the Latinx population, and LGBTQIA community – so many different groups. I hope that we get to the point where we have a more equitable situation where more opportunities are accessible to all members of society. And we just get to a place where we care about the wellbeing of everyone so much that we don’t let these longstanding barriers that have existed between us remain.