Scholar Highlights

Shout-out to Addison Belhomme, a Class of 2025 Scholar, who is continuing her impressive accomplishments in film!

LINK Scholar Addison Belhome, a student at Lindblom Math and Science Academy, had a great time in July screening her short film and speaking on a film panel at the Essence Film Festival in New Orleans—and she got the chance to meet a few celebrities, such as Academy Award Nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as well as Sylvester Powell, the actor from All American: Homecoming! Take a look at her TikTok recap here.

Also, closer to home, Addison was celebrated by The Sisters in Cinema Media Arts Center on Chicago’s South Side in August. Featured in their Director’s Spotlight Series in an interactive workshop entitled “From Script to Screen: The Art of Filmmaking,” Addison shared insights about her film journey, including starting her “Director’s Eye” film company and how she has worked with Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Chance the Rapper, and more. She also provided in-depth information about her film, “A Thin Line Between Black and White,” and offered tips on producing a film, finding cast members, location scouting, and more. Congrats, Addison! You’ll be walking the red carpet someday soon!

And kudos to our Class of 2026 Scholars Ryann Dawson and Remi Edwards for their recent accomplishments! We’re so proud of you!

Ryann won the gold medal for Poetry Performance at the NAACP National Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) in July in Las Vegas. Ryann attends Fenwick High School, and she won the gold medal at the regional competition back in the spring to qualify for the national competition. She also attended the National Association of Black Journalists conference in Chicago where she participated in JSHOP, a high school journalism workshop, where she received the Top Investigative Reporter Award. Congrats, Ryann!

Remi is a student at De La Salle High School, and he recently completed a summer internship through the Chicago Summer Business Institute, which provides paid summer internships for Chicago high school students to introduce them to the financial services sector. This opportunity allows students to get real-world professional experience and networking opportunities all while getting paid. Remi was placed with Baker Tilly, a top-10 advisory tax and assurance firm headquartered in Chicago. Congrats, Remi!