Gary, IN 3-2-2011 – Toi Baylor began the Baylor Youth Foundation in 2001; helping young boys and girls from the inner city realize their potential and understand the importance of education, hard work, self respect and teamwork. Because of her dedication and inspiration to the youth of northwest Indiana, she was honored with the Athletic Mentor Inspire Award in Indianapolis on February 23^rd.

The Inspire Awards were created to celebrate the efforts of 7 individuals and one organization for mentoring, which have inspired excellence in the workplace or the community. Hundreds of business, political and community leaders gathered for the mentoring awards at a luncheon at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Baylor’s drive and determination helps her communicate with the children in her programs and teaches them to understand the importance of commitment, responsibility and working together. The success of her basketball program is impressive as well as the accomplishments of these children after they leave the Baylor Youth Foundation. More than 100 children in her program receive scholarships and dozens have gone on to play basketball in college with a scholarship. She not only spends day and night teaching girls and boys about basketball, but she also has spent the better part of the last decade as an athletic teacher.

Jason Sands, Director of Sports Development for the South Shore CVA nominated Baylor for the Inspire Award and stated, “What she is doing for this area is nothing short of a miracle for these children. She gives them hope, makes them responsible for their actions, in and out of the classroom, and gives them the tools they need to succeed in life.”

Baylor will also be featured on ABC’s new show, “Secret Millionaire” beginning Sunday, March 6^th. Baylor Youth Foundation in Gary, Indiana will be featured on the show on March 20^th.

To learn more about Toi Baylor and her organization, visit www.bayloryouth.org. For more about the Inspire Awards, visit www.collegementors.org.