Chicago Students Awarded Thousands In College Scholarships, On The Spot

Hundreds of students offered more than 1.5 million dollars in scholarships during the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Empower Me Tour / Photo Courtesy: UNCF Tim Caver

Chicago Students Awarded Thousands In College Scholarships, On The Spot Hundreds of students offered more than 1.5 million dollars in scholarships during the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Empower Me Tour / Photo Courtesy: UNCF Tim Caver

Hundreds of Chicago high school graduating seniors filled the University of Illinois at Chicago Forum today during the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Empower Me Tour (EMT) for a chance to win thousands in scholarships. EMT is a free, traveling college-and-career-readiness roadshow that provides a platform for high school students to earn on-site scholarships and admission to the nation’s top historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Six students were surprised on the spot with a $2,500 scholarship each. Serena Echols and Benjamin Todd of Morgan Park Academy; Reginelle Sanders of Collins Academy; Amber Anderson of Kenwood Academy; Sheniya Jenkins of Roberto Clemente Community Academy and Lawrence Pope of Hyde Park Academy. “Earning this scholarship starts my financial future on the right path,” says Lawrence Pope who ranks number seven in his senior class. “I come from a low-income family. My mother works at Cook County jail and barely earns a living wage. I try my hardest in school to help my mom. I want her to worry less,” adds the 17-year-old.

UNCF is the largest scholarship provider to students of color, awarding $100 million annually in scholarships to more than 10,000 students across the country. “Earning this scholarship allows to continue giving back to my community,” says Amber Anderson, founder of ‘Black is Gold,’ a peer mentoring group to support and develop young teenage girls. “Creating this organization allows me to serve my community. Receiving this scholarship today changes the game for me and young women who look just like me,” she adds.

Through a host of local partnerships including Chicago Public Schools, the City of Chicago, EMT offered access to information and recruiters from HBCUs, college prep workshops, and dynamic presenters. Students applied for college admission, financial aid and scholarships including the EMT Merit Scholarship, presented in partnership with Target on the spot. The EMT is nationally supported by Target, Wells Fargo, P&G and FedEx.

Chicago is the fourth of six stops on the Empower Me Tour. Other cities include Fort Worth, TX, Cincinnati, OH; Milwaukee, WI; Los Angeles, CA and Atlanta, GA. For more information, visit: www.EmpowerMeTour.org. You can follow EMT on social media @UNCF #EmpowerMeTour.

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