Founded in May 2017, Neighborhoods Uniting Kids in Excellence (N.U.K.I.E) was established to provide youth with opportunities in athletics and the performing arts, with a strong focus on bridging the gap between the community and law enforcement. Through sportsmanship, discipline, and dedication, N.U.K.I.E aims to inspire and empower at-risk youth by fostering character development, innovative thinking, and entrepreneurship.

The organization was founded by Evangelist Shanita Harrison-Foster, a visionary leader and a 17-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, in honor of her cousin, Glennell Fairley Jr. (Nukie), who tragically lost his life in the summer of 2016 over a basketball game in the park. A Kenwood graduate with a bright future, Glennell was a star participant in Chicago’s One Summer Plus program at Phalanx Family Services. He played a key role in supporting former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s efforts to expand opportunities for youth, helping to inspire and uplift his community.

N.U.K.I.E remains committed to expanding its impact. With the addition of a new partnership in New York, the organization is broadening its reach beyond Chicago, offering more programming for youth and deepening its mission of community engagement and empowerment. Evangelist Harrison-Foster and the N.U.K.I.E team continue to train, inform, and uplift inner-city youth, ensuring they have the tools to succeed while fostering positive relationships between the community and law enforcement.