Final Explosion Entertainment, home of the Chicago Youth Awards.
CONGRATULATIONS
🏆 Final Explosion Entertainment proudly congratulates all the winners of the 2026 Chicago Youth Awards. Your hard work throughout the year has inspired and uplifted so many. Keep shining and keep leading. See below for the full list of winners.
Youth Crowd Rocker - Emmy Extra
Youth Impact Award – Jahmal Cole - My Block, My City, My Hood
Youth Humanitarian Award -Collin Williams
Best Dressed – Harper Anthony (Lindbloom HS)
Entertainer of the Year (Junior) – Khi Got The Clout
Entertainer of the Year (Senior) – Zia Jenaye
Youth Cheer Team of the Year (Junior) – Brooks Academic Center
Youth Cheer Team of the Year (Senior) -Kenwood High School
Mom of the Year – Ashley Coleman
Dad of the Year – Terrance Sirleaf
Youth Dance Team of the Year (Junior) Geek Skquad
Youth Dance Team of the Year – Legacy School of Performing Arts
Youth Scholar of the Year – Langston Zolicoffer (Kip Elementary)
Youth Scholar of the Year (Senior) – Mohammed Toure (Michelle Clark HS)
Youth Entrepreneur of the Year - Harper Anthony (Lindbloom HS)
Academic Athlete of the Year (Junior) – General Waters
Academic Athlete (Senior) -Elijah Sirleaf ( De Lasalle HS)
Youth Scholar of the Year – Langston Zolicoffer (Kip Elementary)
Twins of the Year – Kayce & Kayden Carter
Youth Organization of the Year – True Star Media
MVP – The Real Rockstar Jason
Youth Content Creator of the Year – Lia Moski
nominATIONS Are in!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
We are excited to announce that the nominees for the 2026 Chicago Youth Awards are now available below! Congratulations on your nomination! If you’ve been nominated, please confirm your acceptance by emailing final.explosion@yahoo.com with (1) a current photo, (2) the name of your school if applicable, and (3) confirmation that you'll attend the event. Each nominee receives free entry and may bring one guest for free. This is a red-carpet event for youth, and there will be a Best Dressed prize—so come ready to impress! Once again, congratulations!
2026 Chicago Youth Awards - Nominees
Best Dressed
· K Dior
· LJ A Chicago Kid
· Harper Anthony
Dad of the Year
· Mike Woods
· Anthony Shields -
· Terrance Sirleaf
· Young Chock
· Chris Ward
Mom of the Year
· Ashley Coleman
· Lashawanda Williams
· Angel Wiggins-Heggs
· Jazmyne Shante
· Saavedra Lewis
YOUTH MVP AWARD
· Super Te Major
· Kamari Jones
· The Real Rockstar Jason-
· Emmy Extra
YOUTH HUMANITARIAN AWARD
· Collin Williams- University of Chicago Laboratory school
· Kyran Oliver - Lewis Elementary
YOUTH DANCE TEAM
Junior
· Geek Skquad
· Astronaut Flee
· MSB Dance
· MVP Allstars
Senior
· Creative Mindz dance team
· X2 Dance Crew
· Empiire Dance Team
· Legacy School of Performing Arts
· Ultimate Threat Dance Org.
YOUTH CHEER TEAM
Junior
· Leland Cheer Team
· Brooks Academic Center
· Eternal Cheer
· Black Onyx
· Dewey School of Excellence
Senior
· Proviso West Cheer
· Kenwood Academy
· Chicago Bulls High School
ACADEMIC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Junior
· Jason Cross –University of Chicago Laboratory school
· Caydenn Anthony - Mac Irvin Lady Fire
· Aiden Mayes – Depriest Elementary
· General Waters -
· Cali-Rae Hollingworth – Mac Irving Lady Fire
Senior
· Kamari Jones -
· Elijah Sirleaf – Illinois Vikings Football
· Cameron Fox – Dyett High School
· Jayden King – Simeon High School
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Junior
· B Queen
· Kid BJ -
· Khi Got the Clout
· K Dior
· Lia Moski
Senior
· Littygangtwins -North Lawndale College Prep
· Zia Jenaye
· HBK Kash
· 21 Rakks – Austin High School
HOTTEST TWINS OF THE YEAR
· Litty Gang Twins – Lawndale College prep
· Kayce & Kayden Carter
· Malik & Malikai Kianez
YOUTH SCHOLAR OF THE YEAR
Junior
· Nivea Ewing – Depriest Elementary
· Langston Zolicoffer – Kip Elementary
· Levar Elliott – Beasley Academic Center
· Garon Sweeting Jr – Bronzeville Classical
Senior
· Azariah – Chicago Bulls College Prep
· Lael Managuit – Westinghouse HS
· Soloman Murray – Kenwood Academy HS
· De’Zire Davis – Muchin College prep
· Mohanned Toure – Michelle Clark HS
YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR –
· Black King Clothing
· Troy Collins (Alabortay)
· Colin Williams - University of Chicago Laboratory School
· Harper Anthony – Lindbloom HS
YOUTH ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
· I Am A Gentleman
· Boxing Out Negativity
· Chi Jumping Juniors
· True Star Media
· Box United
YOUTH CONTENT CREATOR OF THE YEAR
· Tylie Jhene
· Alex Hunter - University of Chicago Laboratory School
· Lia Moski
· Jayven Funny
· Skin bone kids
2025 Chicago Youth awards winners
Congratulations to all the amazing winners of the 2025 Chicago Youth Awards! We're so proud of you!
STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR (JUNIOR)
-CT Marsmillow
STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR (SENIOR)
· Malachi Henigan – Brother Rice HS
YOUTH ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (JUNIOR) )
· Emmy Extra
YOUTH ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (SENIOR)
-Zia Jenaye
YOUTH CHOIR OF THE YEAR
· Leo High School
YOUTH CHEER TEAM OF THE YEAR (JUNIORS)
-Cheer Destiny
YOUTH CHEER TEAM OF THE YEAR (SENIORS)
-Chicago Infinity Cheer
YOUTH SCHOLAR OF THE YEAR (junior)
- Skylar Wallace - Disney Magnet
YOUTH SCHOLAR OF THE YEAR (SENIOR)
· Egypt Murray – Kenwood High School
YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
· Jade & Joy Lee
YOUTH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
· Steppenwolf Theater Young Adult Council
YOUTH CONTENT CREATOR
· Jade & Joy Lee
Youth Hip Hop Artist of the year (Junior)
· LJ, A Chicago Kid
Youth Hip hop artist (senior)
-Litty Gang Twinzz
Youth Dance team of the year (junior)
· Empiire
Youth dance team of the year (seniors)
· Astronaut Flee
Hottest Twins of the year
· Litty Gang Twinzz
YOUTH MVP of the Year
· Collin Williams – University of Chicago Laboratory School
Drill Team of The Year
-South Shore Drill Team
YOUTH CROWD ROCKER
-Khi Got the Clout
YOUTH IMPACT AWARD
JESSE WHITE TUMBLERS
The Chicago Youth Awards is delighted to present the 2025 Youth Impact Award. This distinguished award celebrates a profound commitment to transforming the lives of at-risk youth throughout the Chicagoland area. This year, we are proud to honor The Jesse White Tumblers, a remarkable organization founded in 1959. Their extraordinary dedication has illuminated the path for countless young men, offering hope, support, and invaluable opportunities when they need it most. The legacy of the Jesse White Tumblers in uplifting at-risk youth continues to inspire us all, reminding us of the power of community and compassion. Please join us in warmly welcoming and congratulating the Jesse White Tumblers for their decades of success and their enduring impact on our community.
Photos from the chicago youth awards 2024
