The Royal Foundation was established by Kaya Royal in 2021. He is a US Navy veteran born and raised in Brooklyn NY, who later relocated to Harlem USA. He is the eldest of 4 boys to a single mother. You can say Kaya has been groomed to be a leader from a very young age. Royal attended college at Adelphi University earning his Bachelors of business administration in accounting. During his time at Adelphi University, his senior year a professor called him into his office. It was there he asked Kaya why did he choose accounting as his future. As a young ambitious young man, he responded with, a desire to be successful in corporate America. His business policy professor told him he saw so much more in him and that he had a natural ability to lead and mentor people. He encouraged Kaya to think beyond accounting and business.
Upon graduating Adelphi Royal pursued his love for fitness and bodybuilding. During his competition days he also served as a mentor to youth in Urban communities. His first opportunity to mentor kids was given to him in 2008 by a guidance counselor at Harlem Choir Academy named Robin Hibler. The kids loved Kaya’s stern yet kind approach in the classroom. He immediately gained their trust and quickly built lasting relationships.
Kaya continued his positive influence in schools becoming president of his daughter’s parent association in 2020 at Henry Highland Garnett elementary school located in Harlem USA. It was here that Royal blossomed into a community leader and educational advocate focusing on the need for greater support and services for Black and Brown children living in inner cities. He was recruited by Dr. Shango Blake (president of black edfluencers united) to lead their advocacy committee as chairman. Royal was an intricate part in securing 30 million dollars from NY city council to create and implement a first of its kind Black studies curriculum to be taught in the NYC department of education.
Royal didn’t stop there. He grew the Royal foundation’s services that provide enrichment services in the areas of social emotional learning, career training education, Health wellness nutrition and professional development to schools that span across all 5 boroughs. He’s hired master level educators to his staff that assist in providing equity to young scholars much in need. It turned out Kaya’s college professor was right all along. He had so much to offer people that exceeded being an accountant.
We see a world where some children have been forgotten. We look to take on the responsibility as educators to provide opportunity and equity that aids children living throughout inner cities to finding his/her light switch.