By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Ezell’s Famous Chicken, in partnership with the Hazel Danielle Clayton Foundation (HDCF), has awarded its first-ever grant to A 4 Apple Learning Center, a childcare program dedicated to uplifting local youth. The grant honors Hazel Danielle Clayton, Ezell’s former Community Outreach Specialist, whose legacy of commitment to Black business collaboration, youth advocacy, and addressing food insecurity continues to inspire the community. Clayton passed away in August 2023, and HDCF was created to carry forward her impactful work.
“I am excited to be able to support such a great organization and a great cause,” said Lewis Rudd, founder and owner of Ezell’s Famous Chicken. “A 4 Apple has been around doing great things for the community. On behalf of the Hazel Danielle Clayton Foundation, which was created by Ezell’s, Hazel’s passion and commitment to community was so big, and we want to keep that legacy alive. A 4 Apple became the first recipient of a grant from the foundation.”
Nia Brown, the current Community Outreach Specialist at Ezell’s, echoed the importance of continuing Hazel’s work.
“I’m so excited to be awarding A 4 Apple with the Hazel Danielle Clayton Foundation Legacy Grant to honor all of the work that they do with the youth in the community,” says Brown. “It speaks directly to what Hazel Danielle Clayton did at Ezell’s in the community by uplifting the community and providing opportunities for youth and just making sure to bridge that gap between community and its youth.”
Deborah Coleman, who co-owns A 4 Apple Learning Center with her daughter, Apollonia “Apple” Washington, says that it is a humbling experience to be recognized for the work they do in the community, including providing high-quality programs for toddlers and preschoolers in a supportive and safe learning environment in what she describes as a “home away from home.”
“I feel overjoyed receiving this award because I didn’t look for recognition or anything to do this, this is just what I do and the passion that I have for the children and their families,” says Coleman. “But it is very humbling that all my work hasn’t been in vain, and I know even through the rough times, He has made a way for me to be an example to the community, to set the tone for Apple to take it to the next level, the next generation of education.”
Washington, who has worked alongside her mother for 16 years, said the award reaffirms their mission and comes at a pivotal time as the center expands to meet growing demand.
“My journey has been about 16 years now, and being able to have a lasting impact on a child’s life as early as birth means a lot to me,” Washington said. “Being a branch of my mom, I’m taking the business to the next level, honoring its legacy.”
Washington said the grant will support the center’s new after-school enrichment program, allowing them to offer free classes in STEM, art, and cooking.
Bonnie Jones, the mother of Hazel Clayton, is hopeful that the actions through their foundation will inspire more people to become active in the community and help to build and support Black businesses.
“I feel this is important because we are here to help Black businesses and those who need extra help, and I see what A 4 Apple is doing for the community, and my daughter would be very proud that this foundation is helping those in need,” says Jones.
Hazel’s sister, Nonis Clayton, says that it is important for their family to continue honoring the legacy of their late relative.
“My sister passed on August 2, 2023. She was in charge of Ezell’s Community Outreach and was very instrumental in providing resources to the community and those in need, from giving to shelters, collaborating with other businesses, a very resourceful person,” says Clayton. “So, this is important because we get to honor her in her name. She is smiling because this is something that she would have done.”
According to Rudd, supporting Black businesses is important because it helps to address the racial wealth gap by creating jobs within Black communities, fostering economic development, and enabling Black entrepreneurs to build generational wealth, all while promoting diversity and cultural representation within the marketplace—essentially contributing to a more equitable economy for everyone.
“One thought comes to mind is the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’” says Rudd. “It takes a community to raise a business. We need more businesses connected to community and supporting community, because the more businesses we have, the bigger our community becomes, and the greater support becomes, the greater the resources become. So, it is so important for us to support our businesses in the community, build community, and make that commitment.”
Washington says that collaboration among Black businesses is essential for sustainability and growth.
“Black businesses coming together to support one another is so important,” Washington said. “That’s networking—that’s how your net worth grows. I always tell people it’s important to network so you can build your net worth. That is what community is about. Each one teach one—we learn together, grow together. I love what I do.”
Brown agrees and says that mutual support among Black businesses amplifies their collective reach and impact on the community.
“It’s so important for Black businesses to support each other because it amplifies our reach,” Brown said. “At the end of the day, it is very important for us to be in the community. By working together, we are able to do that on a larger scale.”