Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate creates scholarship fund for minorities

Now in his second NBA season, Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate is announcing the Jae’Sean Tate BUILT Scholarship fund.

Via a team announcement, the new scholarship is available for minority and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) service workers in the coffee and food industry who have had to juggle school and work while facing numerous challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Education is deeply important to me,” Tate said. “I was a four-year student-athlete at Ohio State, and graduating with a college degree is one of my proudest accomplishments. I’ve created a scholarship that will support minority students who are balancing work and education.”

To help raise awareness for his NBA All-Rookie campaign last season, Tate’s love for coffee led him to partner with Houston-based Greenway Coffee to develop his own blend. He became the fourth Rocket dating back to 1985-86 to have earned All-Rookie First Team honors.

Those interested in supporting Tate’s scholarship fund may visit his page on Bold.org. Founded in November 2019, Bold.org offers a platform for any person or company to create personalized scholarships, fellowships, or grants. For this program, each grant is for $8,000, which allows Tate to select more winners as the value of the scholarship fund increases.

Tate plans to send a signed piece of memorabilia to the top contributor for each month that the scholarship is running. The first top donor will receive Tate’s custom Halloween-themed shoes worn during his game at the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 31.  The winner will be announced on Monday, Nov. 8 on Instagram Live via Tate’s account.

Applicants for Tate’s scholarship fund may follow the “apply now” option on his Bold.org page. Winners will be announced on May 8, 2022.