The MGFD was founded in 2013 by Chetranda Gray, mother of Michael Gray, who was shot on September 7, 2012 in the North Lawndale community. Instead of allowing the incident to leave the Gray family feeling like victims, they decided to create an organization that would empower youth.

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"My goal for MGFD is to provide youth with an  abundance of services so that they can be inspired to live a productive life. This foundation is a reflection of my core values + beliefs surrounding educating and uplifting our youth. My mission is to work with, community representatives, practioners, and policy makers on correcting the psychological and economic disadvantages faced by many of our youth in the city of Chicago"