Scholar Celebration Recap
What an amazing evening we enjoyed together at Zhou B Art Center on Thursday, June 18, as we gathered to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our Class of 2026—a remarkable cohort of 46 Scholars—and their unwavering commitment to reach their dreams!
Our signature Scholar Celebration event reflects our six-decade commitment to educational equity and the academic and leadership excellence of Black students in Chicago. We’re especially grateful to Old National Bank for sponsoring this year’s event. Addison Sloss and Cory Dean, Class of 2027 Scholars, served as our Scholar Hosts for the evening, and they did a fantastic job of keeping the program running smoothly.
We are so proud of all of our Senior Scholars, including three POSSE Scholars and one Jordan Wings Scholar. Collectively, the Class of 2026 has been awarded more than $20 MILLION in scholarships and grants. Scholars, your hard work and dedication have truly paid off. The doors of opportunity are open—now walk through them!
Here’s a recap of the evening’s superlatives, awards, and notable scholarships:
SUPERLATIVES
Most Likely to Lead a Social Movement — Ryann Dawson
Best Friends/Inseparable — Cassidy Cerant and Makenzie White-Vontayes
LINK Spirit Leader — Chace Martin
Most Likely to Be Famous Artist — Indira Hammond
Most Athletic — Israel Easley
Most Likely to Be a Social Media Influencer — Saniyah Freeman
AWARDS
Parmer-King Outstanding Leadership Award — Kye Phillips and Dylan Redd
Exemplary Scholar Award — Christian Gates and Chloe Dahlan
Partner in Excellence Award — UtmostU
Mentor Impact Award — Nadine Moulta Ali
Alumni of the Year Award — Bethel Kifle, LINK class of 2010
Khloe Harmon of Chicago Hope Academy was named this year’s recipient of the James J. Gavin Humanitarian Award in recognition of her dedication, leadership, and active engagement throughout the LINK fellowship program. Reflecting on the honor, Khloe described the award as both “surprising and meaningful,” representing the hard work and challenges she overcame during high school. Khloe emphasized the importance of scholarship support, noting that financial assistance helps close the gap for students and allows them to focus more on their studies rather than worrying about the cost of higher education. This fall she will attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges to study elementary education, continuing her commitment to service and helping others.
NOTABLE SCHOLARSHIPS
POSSE Scholar — Chace Martin
POSSE Scholar — Jayla Allen
POSSE Scholar — Zuri Joplin
Jordan Wings Scholar — Grace Mensah
We were also incredibly proud to recognize 12 Collegiate Scholars who graduated from their respective colleges this spring:
Amiah Blackwell — University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Keniah Cooper — University of Illinois Chicago
Zion Horn — Morehouse College
Zuri Yearwood — North Carolina A&T
Laniah Dennis — Hope College
Trinity Bailey — Marquette University
Monique Robinson — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Zuri Yearwood — North Carolina A&T
Talaja Taylor — Fisk University
Enyinnaya Nwagwu Jr. — Illinois State University
Lucienne Petit — University of Illinois Chicago
Charity Alfred – University of Wisconsin Madison
After the awards presentations, Scholars happily received swag bags of Jordan apparel courtesy of our partnership with Jordan Wings. Then Steven Hunter (LINK Class of 1998) presented an inspiring keynote address, speaking about possibility, perseverance, and purpose. Reflecting on his journey as a first-generation college student, he shared how mentorship, education, and resilience helped him overcome challenges and build a successful leadership career. He encouraged Scholars to pursue their goals without fear, seek support when needed, and strive for excellence. Sharing about the personal loss of his mother during college, Hunter emphasized the importance of community and mentorship, reminding students that their backgrounds do not define their potential. He concluded by challenging scholars to imagine the impact they will make and to one day return to inspire future generations.
Finally, a joyful group of LINK Alumni came together to lead all 46 graduating senior Scholars in reciting the LINK Alumni Pledge, marking the culminating rite of passage moment where LINK Scholars transition to LINK Alumni. Throughout their middle school and high school journey, Scholars eagerly anticipate the time when they’ll become Alumni—and the moment finally arrived for this year’s graduates. It was their time to commit to standing in community with future LINK Scholars, serving as role models, and building up the next generation of Black excellence.
As senior Scholars raised their right hands, they pledged to uphold the LINK values of Integrity, Resilience, Accountability, Drive, Selflessness, and Intellectual Curiosity through their successful completion of college and into their professional lives.
Congratulations, Class of 2026! This year invited you to truly dive into our “Be You x 10” mantra, and we are so proud of all you have accomplished!
