John Walt Foundation

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John Walt Foundation

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The John Walt Foundation is a Nonprofit Organization, formed after the tragic death of Water Long Jr.

Nonprofit Organization, formed after the tragic death of coming hip-hop artist "John Walt", “ The foundation provides opportunities and support for Chicago's youth with interest in the arts.

501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization Walter was an up and coming hip-hop artist who was better known as, "John Walt", in the city of Chicago. During his career, John Walt wanted to use his ambition and creativity to make others happy with his music. Walt's drive to live out his dream while spreading positivity with his art is what inspired the start of this foundation, which support inner-city artists working towards that same goal.

10/08/2026

We’re just a week away! 🗓️

Join us for the 9th Annual Dinner with John💫

A night of creativity, community & impact is coming to Chicago!

Hosted by the John Walt Foundation, co-founded by SABA & Nachelle Pugh in memory of Walter Long aka John Walt, this special night uplifts young artists and celebrates their brilliance.

📆Thursday, October 15th
📍Columbus Park Refectory | 5701 W Jackson Blvd
⏱️6PM-9PM

This event will feature live performances, a presentation of our Young Artist Scholarship winners, DJs, food, and more!🔥

All proceeds help to support our JWF initiatives including the young artist scholarships, apprenticeship programming, community events, HALOFEST & more!

Every ticket helps shape the future of Chicago’s youth through the arts.🤞🏾💙

🎟️Tickets available now
https://lnkd.in/ge4i8MUU

08/19/2026

HALOFEST 2026 is this Saturday! Free registration is open - https://mailchi.mp/1cb2ea65c288/jwf26halofest

08/15/2026

BIG MOUF’BO FOR HALOFEST 2026!🤩🔥💫

We are excited to announce that will be our host for HALOFEST!

Big Mouf’ Bo is a rapper, recording academy/GRAMMYs member, writer, actress, and humanitarian known for her appearance on Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow and her creative work centered around music, film, and social impact.

Come out to HALOFEST on August 22nd to see her take the stage! 🤩

Registration is REQUIRED for entry, so be sure to RSVP with the link our bio🎟️ See y’all there!

🏈Columbus Park Football Field
📍500 S. Central Ave.
⌚️12pm-5pm
🎟️FREE ENTRY!

08/15/2026

Nachelle Pugh, ASA alum and executive director of the John Walt Foundation, stopped by to visit with Dr . Simpson as ASA prepares for the upcoming school year.

08/13/2026

JESSE WHITE TUMBLERS FOR HALOFEST 2026!🤩🔥💫

If you’re from Chicago, then you know how exciting it is to witness the Jesse White Tumbling Team in person🤩

At just 25 years old, Jesse White founded the Jesse White Tumbling Team in 1959 with a simple but powerful mission: to provide at-risk young people with a positive alternative to gangs, drugs, alcohol, and violence while instilling the values of education, discipline, teamwork, and community service.

We are so excited to have them join us at our festival especially after they just killed it on America’s Got Talent!! 🔥🙏🏾

Come out to HALOFEST on August 22nd to see this legendary team take the stage! 🤩

Registration is REQUIRED for entry, so be sure to RSVP with the link our bio🎟️ See y’all there!

🏈Columbus Park Football Field
📍500 S. Central Ave.
⌚️12pm-5pm
🎟️FREE ENTRY!

08/13/2026

STAR BANDZ FOR HALOFEST 2026!🤩🔥💫

We are so excited to have Chicago’s own 💫SB3bs join us at our festival!

She combines hard-hitting beats with direct lyrics and a confident, natural flow. She was only 16 when she created buzz well beyond the Windy City in 2024 with viral singles like “My Baby” and “Yea Yeah” and her debut mixtape, Estrella. 🔥

Come out to HALOFEST on August 22nd to see her take the stage! 🤩

Registration is REQUIRED for entry, so be sure to RSVP with the link our bio🎟️ See y’all there!

🏈Columbus Park Football Field
📍500 S. Central Ave.
⌚️12pm-5pm
🎟️FREE ENTRY!

08/13/2026

PIVOT GANG FOR HALOFEST 2026!🤩🔥💫

Of course we had to have our very own grace the stage!

Pivot Gang is a rap group from the Austin neighborhood of the west side of Chicago consisting of Saba, Joseph Chilliams, MFnMelo, Frsh Waters, and daedaePIVOT . Long live John Walt and SqueakPIVOT who were also part of Pivot Gang💛🙏🏾

HALOFEST is not only about shining a light on our youth who are doing incredible things in our city, but it’s also about remembering our angels who made a beautiful impact while on this earth and how they’re still inspiring us today💫🪽

Come out to HALOFEST on August 22nd to see our family take the stage! 🤩

Registration is REQUIRED for entry, so be sure to RSVP with the link our bio🎟️ See y’all there!

🏈Columbus Park Football Field
📍500 S. Central Ave.
⌚️12pm-5pm
🎟️FREE ENTRY!

08/12/2026

MIKE DFG FOR HALOFEST 2026🤩💫🔥

We are thrilled to announce Mike DFG ™ (HEI$MAN) as our headliner for this year! If you are not familiar with him, do yourself a favor and check him out🤝🏾

This is a special moment for us because we had the pleasure of having Mike in our 2024 summer apprenticeship cohort, and he was also one of our scholarship recipients that year! We have been able to watch him grow in his craft over the years, and we are SO proud of all his accomplishments✨

Come out to HALOFEST on August 22nd to see him take the stage! 🤩

Registration is REQUIRED for entry, so be sure to RSVP with the link our bio🎟️ See y’all there!

🏈Columbus Park Football Field
📍500 S. Central Ave.
⌚️12pm-5pm
🎟️FREE ENTRY!

08/04/2026

✨HALOFEST 2026 IS AROUND THE CORNER!!✨

On August 22nd, we will be taking over the football field at Columbus Park for our first festival‼️🔥 This is the last weekend before school starts back, so let’s have some fun!

🔉 Live Youth Entertainment
🎤 Community Open Mic
🌭 Free Food
📋 Free Resources
🎯 Outdoor Games and Activities . and so much more!!

If you are interested in volunteering, being a vendor, or sponsoring in any way, the deadline is Wednesday, August 12th‼️

🎟️REGISTER TO ATTEND HALOFEST IN OUR BIO!

See y’all on the field🤝🏾

07/16/2026

Feed the Westside!!! BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENT! 📚

The John Walt Foundation ( ) is excited to host our annual Back-to-School Giveaway on Saturday, August 8th from 12 PM – 4 PM at LaFollette Park (1333 N. Laramie Ave)! 🎉

✨ Come out for a fun-filled day packed with:
✅ FREE backpacks + school supplies (child must be present)
✅ FREE groceries for families
✅ FREE lunch by 🍽️
✅ Live DJ 🎧, games + more!

This is a day for the community to come together, get prepared for the school year, and celebrate our youth. 💙

📩 Interested in sponsoring or donating? Contact us: [email protected]

📆 Mark your calendars — we can’t wait to see you there!

📚✏️ ChicagoEvents

Address

PO Box 803
Oak Park, IL
60303

Website

http://www.johnwaltfoundation.org/, https://linktr.ee/HALOFEST2026?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_b

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