On March 16, 2018, eight-year-old Tanitoluwa "Tani" Adewumi, beat 73 young competitors to win the New York State Chess Championship in his age category—kindergarten to third grade. While the achievement is great in itself, what makes it even greater is that the youngster, who was homeless at the time, began learning the game less than a year ago.
Tani and his family arrived in New York City from Nigeria in 2017, seeking religious protection. A church pastor (牧师)helped find the family of four space in a homeless shelter and soon after, Tani entered the local elementary school. It was here that the young talent was first introduced to the basics of chess by a part-time teacher. Attracted by the game, the then seven-year-old begged his mother, Oluwatoyin, to allow him to join the school's chess club. Concerned the family would be unable to afford the fees and expenses, which add up to thousands of dollars, Oluwatoyin emailed Russel Makofsky, who ran the club. To her surprise and delight, Makofsky agreed to waive all costs for young Tani. The rest, as they say, is history. The young boy, who has got seven prizes in less than a year, currently ranks 27 in America in his age category.
Though the chess club certainly helps, it is Tani's devotion to the game that is largely responsible for his great success. Not surprisingly, Tani's incredible story, first reported by The New York Times, has resulted in an outpouring of support from the American public. It has raised $200, 000 in just ten days, far more than the original goal of $50, 000, and the funds keep coming.
Since they now have a home, the Adewumis have decided to "pay it forward" and donate the over $200, 000 collected on GoFundMe. They plan to give 10 percent of the funds raised to the church that has supported them. The rest will be placed in the newly-created Tanitoluwa Adewumi Trust and given to African immigrants to America who are struggling the way the family was.
