Celebrating Chick-fil-A Canada’s First
True Inspiration Scholar

Since the early 1970s, Chick-fil-A, Inc. has awarded deserving restaurant Team Members with scholarship funds to help them pursue their dreams and professional aspirations – and 2024 is no different. We’re excited to introduce this year’s
Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures™ scholarship winners and notably, Canada’s first True Inspiration™ Scholarship winner – Ammanuel. In addition to receiving a US$25,000 scholarship, Ammanuel will have the opportunity to join a 12-month leadership development program.

Meet Ammanuel 

Growing up in Regent Park in Toronto, one of the city’s most at-risk neighborhoods, Ammanuel regularly saw his community in the headlines of crime and gun violence news. He also noticed community members were often judged and overlooked when it came to academic and job opportunities because of the affiliated stigma.   

Despite humble beginnings, he paved a way out through basketball and hard work. At the age of 16, Ammanuel started waking up at 5 a.m. every morning to hone his basketball skills before school. He often spent up to eight hours training each day — and his hard work paid off. Ammanuel attained Division I scholarships at several universities and eventually had the opportunity to play for a prestigious Canadian team, helping his team secure the silver medal for men’s basketball.   

Unfortunately, Ammanuel’s career as a professional athlete ended prematurely when he sustained a career-ending injury. After recovering, his top priority became the pursuit of a law degree.   

To save up for this dream, Ammanuel has been serving as the Human Resource Director at Chick-fil-A^® Yonge & Bloor in Toronto, Ontario. On March 13, Ammanuel, the first in his family to pursue higher education, was surprised by his team at his restaurant, as well as
Chick-fil-A, Inc. CEO Andrew T. Cathy, who personally presented Ammanuel with a check for US$25,000.   

Giving back grace and generosity 

Ammanuel plans to attend the University of Toronto to pursue a degree in law, where he can develop skills for a career that will help him continue to provide a stable life for him and his extended family. 

“I have been the recipient of so much grace and generosity, which is what makes me feel obligated to achieve more and build something for others,” Ammanuel wrote in his scholarship application. “I want to leave a legacy of excellence in all aspects of my family, career, and community life.” 

To break generational challenges and better the situation for others, he wants to dedicate his career to uplifting his community of Regent Park. He looks forward to nurturing future leaders through his passions for basketball, nutrition and education.  

“Seeing Ammanuel win this scholarship brought tears to my eyes,” said Wilson Yang, local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Yonge and Bloor. “Ammanuel came from humble beginnings yet used those challenges as a motivator to both better himself and his community. He is extremely driven and wants to use his influence to make a difference in the community he grew up in by investing in the next generation of leaders.” 

Over US$26.4 million awarded to scholarship recipients in 2024 

Every year, eligible Chick-fil-A restaurant Team Members have an opportunity to receive scholarships in recognition of their dedication and hard work in school, in the restaurant and in the community. In Canada, 39 Chick-fil-A Team Members received Leadership Scholarships of US$1,000 or US$2,500 each, totalling US$73,500 in scholarships awarded to Team Members in 2024. 

Chick-fil-A, Inc. has a long-standing commitment to education and helping restaurant Team Members achieve their academic dreams. Since launching the initiative in 1973, the company has helped more than 105,000 Team Members pursue their career dreams through higher education and invested more than US$191 million cumulatively in scholarship giving.  

Congratulations to this year’s scholars! To learn more, visit our Remarkable Futures Scholarship initiative page.