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Pursue Stories: Makayla Jackson

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:19:01 GMT

Sports Medicine Rooted in Faith

Makayla Jackson, a freshman biology major on the pre-med track at the University of South Florida. With dreams of becoming a sports medicine physician, Makayla’s journey is guided by both faith and a lifelong love for basketball. Growing up in a family where both faith and sports were central, Makayla learned early on that her passion for science and her desire to serve others could intersect.

“I’ve always loved science — especially biology,” Makayla shared. “But I didn’t really understand how much until I started playing basketball. I began to see how amazing our bodies are — how intricately designed they are. Everyone is built differently, yet each body performs in such incredible ways. That’s when I realized, this is all God’s design. It fascinated me how powerful and yet fragile our bodies can be. That curiosity pushed me deeper into biology and eventually into sports medicine.”

Makayla’s love for basketball began with her father — watching games together, cheering from the stands, and bonding over the sport they both loved. But her basketball journey hasn’t always been easy. “When I transferred schools in fourth grade, I wanted to join the basketball team,” she recalled. “They didn’t have a girls’ team, but I knew two girls who had joined the boys’ team — so I decided to try. It was the scariest thing of my life but I love basketball a lot but then it was scary because I was on a boys team and they were mean because they are boys.” That same year, Makayla broke her shoulder. Still, she refused to give up. When she returned to the court in sixth grade, her team went on to win a championship — a moment that cemented her resilience and her love for the game.

As basketball had its highs and lows, so did Makayla’s spiritual journey. While faith was always part of her upbringing, her personal relationship with God deepened during one of the hardest seasons of her life. “I grew up in church, but I didn’t really get close to God until quarantine,” she said. “When my cousin Greg passed away, I went through a really hard period of isolation. I lost friends, gained weight, and just felt stuck. But that’s when I decided to truly follow God. He helped me through such a tough time, and I came to know his power and love in a real way.”

That season of transformation helped Makayla see purpose in her pain — and sparked a heart for serving others. “My faith showed me how important it is to serve,” she explained. “I always ask myself, ‘How can I please God with this?’ I think He gave me a gift for serving because I genuinely love helping people — even in small ways. Just seeing the joy on someone’s face when you can be there for them means everything.”

Makayla says pursuing higher education wasn’t just about career preparation — it was also about structure and personal growth. “Honestly, college was never not really a choice for me — it was expected,” she said with a laugh. “But I also wanted it. High school has structure — you always know what’s next. College felt like the next step to mature, to grow, and to figure out who I am. It’s like a safety net that gives me time to learn before stepping fully into the real world.”

The academic transition came naturally for Makayla, but socially, she admits it’s been more of a challenge. “The hardest part about going to college is the social side,” she said. “I thought all my high school friendships would stay the same, but they didn’t. I’m still learning how to find my people here.” Being away from my mom has also been hard — I love my mom and family — but having my uncle here in Florida has helped. His home feels like a piece of home for me.”

One of the most memorable experiences for Makayla so far has been the Pursue Scholars retreat. “Honestly, I appreciate everything about Pursue Scholars,” she said. “The retreat was amazing — being disconnected, surrounded by nature, and just feeling God’s presence. I remember hanging out on the lake, going on a hike, watching the sunset. It was peaceful and refreshing. Even though I didn’t connect deeply with everyone, I still left with such gratitude. Plus, the food was great — those chicken Caesar wraps were my favorite!”

Looking ahead, Makayla hopes to use her passion for medicine to give back to her community. “There are so many issues I see around me, and I just want to help however I can,” she said. “That might look like volunteering at pro-bono clinics one day, giving back financially, or volunteering my time. I especially care about taking care of our environment and improving conditions in under-resourced neighborhoods. We can’t wait for others to fix things for us — we have to take care of our communities ourselves.”

For Makayla, faith is what fuels her purpose, her studies, and her service. “Everything I do, I want it to please God,” she said. “If I can use my gifts to help others — through medicine, service, or just kindness — then I’m walking in the right direction.”

Stories like Makayla's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Briana Davila

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 17:20:32 GMT

Faith, Tech, & Community

Born and raised in Chicago’s Belmont-Cragin neighborhood, Briana Davila grew up surrounded by family and community. At Chicago Hope Academy, she discovered passions that shaped her path—playing volleyball, serving on the Spiritual Life team, and supporting chapel services through tech. Most importantly, she nurtured a strong Christian foundation that would guide her next steps.

When it came time for college, Briana wanted a place that aligned with her faith while also offering opportunities to grow. She chose Olivet Nazarene University, where she is now a sophomore majoring in computer science with a minor in theology. “In high school, I enjoyed my computer classes. I love creating new things, and since I’m not much of an artist, I saw this as another way to make art,” said Davila.

Faith was a central factor in her decision. “I’ve been to a Christian school my whole life, and it definitely strengthened my relationship with God. I wanted to stay in that environment while also exploring new places,” Briana shared. Financially, Olivet was the right fit as well—making it possible for her to continue her education without compromising her values.

Academically, Briana thrives in the classroom. She loves the challenge of learning and is eager to gain the professional skills needed for her career. Her current goal is to become a web developer. “I would love to get into web development. I’m doing that now through my job—designing websites and building user interfaces,” she said. “I'm currently working at the Seneca foundation where they kind of connect you with the web development field and get you kind of prepared for things like that and I'm also working at the admissions office here on campus.”

Alongside her pursuit of web development, Briana continues to nurture her love for theology. In high school, courses like Bible and film shaped her perspective in unexpected ways. “I began to see God outside of church—through art, through nature, in so many different forms,” she shared. This experience helped bring her faith back to life, moving beyond just attending church to actively engaging with her spirituality.

Support has been another crucial part of Briana’s journey. Alongside her family and friends, Pursue Scholars has walked with her through college. “I appreciate the financial assistance, but also the relational support—like when [Pursue] sends care packages or check in. It always makes my day,” said Davila.

Looking ahead, Briana hopes to use her skills to create stronger connections within her community. “People often say the Internet separates us, but I’d love to use it to bring people together. One of the projects I’ve worked on connects volunteers with nonprofits, and it’s been so much fun to work on. I want to keep building that kind of community through my work,” said Davila.

Stories like Briana's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Alexis Medley

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 20:44:30 GMT

First a Student, Now A Teacher

Alexis Medley was born and raised in Chicago’s Austin and Englewood neighborhoods. The oldest of three siblings, she became the first in her immediate family to graduate from both high school and college — breaking barriers as a first-generation student and earning a full-tuition scholarship through the Posse Foundation.

Alexis’ academic journey began at Gary Comer College Prep, where her teachers played a pivotal role in shaping her future. “I wasn’t even going to go to the Posse interview because I was intimidated and afraid of failure,” Alexis recalls. “But my teachers believed in me. They helped me overcome that fear and see that I was capable of anything I set out to accomplish.”

As a Posse Scholar, Alexis selected Agnes Scott College in Atlanta after careful research. “When I looked at their mission statement and what they offered, I saw myself there. Plus, Atlanta felt like home — somewhere I could adjust easily,” said Medley. Alexis discovered her passion for law, though initially she was interested in political science. “I thought I had to study political science to get into law school, but it was boring for me, especially starting college on Zoom during the pandemic,” she says. “Once I learned you can major in anything and still go to law school, I explored other options. I fell in love with law through mock trials at the University of Maryland, where I worked on corporate litigation cases. That’s when I switched my major.”

During her time at Agnes Scott, Alexis found support from Pursue Scholars, particularly Executive Director Clive Craigen. “Pursue Scholars became important to me when Clive came to Atlanta. He had reached out to me because he wanted to meet me and that stood out. I don't know if it was Thanksgiving or Christmas coming up but when Clive found out I might not make it home for the holidays due to my paycheck, he bought me a ticket. He showed me that Pursue Scholars is more than a scholarship or a program that I'm a part of. It's people that care about you and want to see you do well.”

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Alexis joined Teach for America in Houston. Teaching is something Alexis discovered that she loves and an opportunity to pour into her students. “I never saw myself working with kids as far as being a teacher, but I feel like God just has revealed to me my purpose. Even now that I'm going into year two and my contract is about to end with Teach for America, I can see myself still teaching beyond the two years.”

Her own childhood experiences fuel her passion for education. “Coming from a single young mom and seeing domestic violence at home, school was my escape. It was the only place I could just be a kid. I didn't have to worry about cooking, washing dishes, cleaning up, or calling the police to save my mom. My teachers celebrated wins with me and told me I was doing such an amazing job to be going through so much. They poured into me and I think that influenced me to teach and be the person that my teachers were for me for my students,” Alexis shares. “Not everyone has an adult or parents supporting them, believing in them, or making them feel important and special. It allows me to be more intentional with my kids, and make sure that I'm aware of things because I see so much of myself in my students. What they're going through now, I'm able to provide that wisdom and show them that it's possible to not become a [product of your] environment, even though it seems like everything could be bad right now, it's going to be a day where those moments don't even matter.”

Alexis’ influence extends to her family — one of her younger sisters recently earned a full-ride scholarship to college, inspired by Alexis’ path. She also plans to give back in three key ways. She wants to start a mentoring program for youth, taking them on college tours, field trips, and experiences outside their neighborhoods. She dreams of opening a domestic violence shelter for women and children, inspired by her own time in a shelter. And she hopes to provide scholarships for first-generation students, just as scholarships helped her pursue her own college education.

Today, Alexis is entering her second year of teaching and leaving her future in God’s hands. “I had this whole plan about law school after college. Then, I was going to teach for two years then go to law school. But God is grounding me and I'm just walking by faith and not by sight. I'm just following a journey that God has aligned for me because I know that nothing is coincidental. I’ve fallen in love with teaching and can see myself making it my career — maybe even becoming a principal. My focus now is reaching as many kids as I can.”

Stories like Alexis' are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: James Geevarghese

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 20:02:12 GMT

From the Windy City to the Big Apple

For James Geevarghese, Chicago isn’t just where he’s from—it’s home. Born and raised in the city, James grew up in a close-knit family of five where his two younger sisters quickly became his best friends. He graduated from Northside College Prep High School, where his natural curiosity and leadership began to shine.

In high school, James was involved in several student organizations, including Red Cross, cross country, and track and field. He also founded the club, HOSA—Future Health Professionals—to connect students interested in pursuing medicine, a field he initially planned to enter himself. “I always loved the aspect of helping people. ” James said. “But during my freshman year at UIC, I went to an engineering expo and saw all the different inventions created by that year’s graduating students. That changed my experience."

Inspired by what he saw, James shifted his focus from medicine to engineering, ultimately majoring in computer engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “I saw that through engineering, not only can applications that I create be of help to other people. But I can really make something that makes a difference, and that’s the biggest driving factor for me for going into engineering making something that can impact people in a positive way,” said Geevarghese.

James credits his family—and especially his grandparents—for instilling in him the values of faith, education, and service. “Growing up in a God-fearing, family-oriented household shaped me into the leader and adult I am today,” he said. “My grandparents came to America for better opportunities, and they did that through education, so that’s what they taught us."

With that foundation, James found support beyond his family through Pursue Scholars. “I appreciated so much about Pursue Scholars,” James shared. “Those early workshops—learning about communication, public speaking, and life skills—were an eye-opener. And the care packages? They were nice gifts that reminded me that people really care about me and my success,” said Geevarghese.

Now a recent graduate, James is stepping into new territory—literally and figuratively. He’s currently working as a Hardware Developer Intern at IBM in New York, a major shift from his Chicago roots. “This is a big transition, especially since I’ve only ever known Chicago,” he admitted. “But I’m hopeful. It’s a great opportunity to grow, learn, and start my career.” James isn’t done learning, either. He plans to pursue a Master’s degree in both computer science and business, believing that higher education will open even more doors.

Looking ahead, James remains grounded in his desire to give back—especially to immigrants and underserved communities, a reflection of his own family’s journey. “My grandparents worked multiple jobs just to give their kids a better future,” he said. “Because of their sacrifice it is the foundation on why my family was able to succeed. Because of this, my family now has the opportunity to be able to try,” said Geevarghese.

James has already begun paying it forward. He introduced his younger sister Hope to Pursue Scholars, and she’s now a new Scholar of the Class of 2029.

So, what’s next for James Geevarghese? While he’s still writing that chapter, one thing is certain: wherever life takes him, he’ll carry the spirit of service, leadership, and Chicago with him every step of the way.

Stories like James's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Olivia Obikili

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 20:58:48 GMT

Celebrating Black Culture

Growing up, Olivia was always involved in her community through various activities. She grew up in the Lincoln Square neighborhood in Chicago and then moved to Galewood. Olivia always valued education because her parents pursued higher education, and her mom taught her how to read.

In high school, Olivia was involved in clubs such as; the track and cross country team, captain of the robotics team for one year, chess club, and the president of the garden club. Even now, while attending Trinity College in Connecticut, she’s still heavily involved in her community. She is now the hospitality coordinator for chapel, on the rock climbing team, and in her first semester, she was involved in ballroom dancing.

When deciding the college she would like to attend, there were two major factors; financial aid and school size. Olivia mentions that she attended Trinity College due to the amount of scholarships she received and the size of the school because it would help her develop relationships and have a sense of community. “I received a substantial scholarship which is a big reason for why I came. I liked that it was a small campus because I’m pretty organized and on time, but I think it’s nicer to have a world that is smaller than massive to coordinate your day. Or to ride a bus for 20 minutes to get to class. I would rather not deal with that because college is hard enough as it is. I like having a good sense of community and being able to recognize faces. If I go to the dining hall, we only have one dining hall, so I know I can at least find someone there,” said Obikili.

In the beginning, Olivia was pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. However, she is now exploring public policy and education because she is motivated to make a difference within the education system. “I am exploring other things. I’m thinking about public policy and education. My mom is a teacher and my cousin is a teacher. So I have to explore that side of myself, and I feel like I can facilitate more change in that way. One thing I know for sure is that AI is not going to go well for teachers because we tried to see what that looks like. During COVID, we tried to go online and that didn’t go well for most students. I like the security of knowing I’ll have my job, knowing I’ll have my Summers off. And that just seems fun to me. I love public policy because Chicago Public Schools have a lot of politics involved. I feel like I can help facilitate change to help with the equities and inequities of our schools and help them in that way,” said Obikili.

While Olivia is navigating this transition and potential career change, she is grateful for the spiritual support she has from Pursue Scholars. “I appreciate the fact that there is religion involved at [Pursue Scholars] that helps ground someone. My first semester of college I didn’t incorporate myself with religion as much, which were some downsides to that for me. This is why I got a job at the chapel as a hospitality coordinator because I could tell I was craving that religion and that grounding. So it’s nice to have a community to fall back on those values as well,” said Obikili.

Now, during Black History Month Olivia is honoring the ones who paved the way for her. “Black History Month means to me valuing the wonderful excellence that we embody as Black people. [We must] acknowledge the people in the present who are showing Black excellence, as well those in the past who paved the way for us. That’s always exciting to know you are a part of that. It wasn’t an easy path to go on, so seeing Black excellence happen out in my daily life is wonderful and I will not forget the people who trail-blazed black excellence in different professions,” said Obikili.

To reflect on the ones who paved the way, Olivia mentioned ways she celebrated Black culture in the past. “I always did a project in school, I was heavily taught Black History Month, which was one of our biggest celebrations. It would start mid-late January and wouldn’t end until the first week of March. I will always read books on different trailblazers, and have to write essays about different people. That was a big part of Black History Month, and it was educational because I was able to write about whoever I wanted. At the time, I was thinking about pursuing engineering, so I was like let me find a Black engineer who’s a trailblazer in this field. I could give you random people I studied, and tell you about their life. On February 16th, our chapel is going to have a Kahoot for Black history religious leaders. I am also serving dinner, we are going to serve a Louisiana-New Orleans style dinner,” said Obikili.

One of Olivia’s favorite things about Black culture is the dance moves. “My favorite thing about Black culture is our dance moves. Anything from swing, the Charleston, and all groups of people in the United States were a part of that, but I think Black people are wonderful dancers. Our music, our art, and our dance are fabulous. I remember in high school, people would dress in African garb for Black History Month, and my dad is Nigerian so I had a good amount of clothes, so after Valentine’s Day I would be decked out in African garb,” said Obikili.

Due to the inspiration of the rich history of Black People, Olivia is inspired to go into education to be an inspiration for other young Black students. “I was only ever taught by two Black teachers in my 12 years in education, and if I could be a monumental Black teacher that would be wonderful. I like to give back to my community, by being a landlord of net zero housing and I would like to do that in a predominantly Black neighborhood. I think it’s important we take care of ourselves and protect ourselves. I want to be in the environment, being an activist and represent in that way, and strengthen our educational resources,” said Obikili.

Stories like Olivia's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Maribel Magallanes

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 17:41:58 GMT

Paving the Way for Future Generations

Maribel Magallanes grew up in Cicero, Illinois, with her parents and two brothers. She attended Saint Joseph High School, where she was involved in many leadership activities, including student senate and president. As a first-generation student, she then pursued higher education at Taylor University.

When Maribel first arrived at Taylor she did not know many details about different majors, but she knew she wanted to help people. Initially, she majored in Psychology and soon realized that wasn’t the direction she wanted. “I was taking a course at the school, Social Work 101. I quickly fell in love with [because of the] opportunity to serve your community at the macro and micro levels to serve families. But it's all very much hands-on like coming up with a solution to a problem, and that was one big reason why I quickly switched to social work to work with kids in the foster care system, orphanages, adopted kids, human trafficking cases, which was a big area that I was very passionate about,” said Magallanes.

Maribel then went on to receive her Master’s degree in Higher Education. At the time, Maribel didn’t know what the degree would have meant for her but she was interested in the opportunity. “As I started studying higher education, I quickly learned that the Lord had already known the skills that he had gifted me with, and he put me in the right area where I was able to use the social work skills that I had learned, but also advance my leadership in a higher education environment. Then, walking alongside students and doing programming was very much like social work. I was working with students on a 1on 1 level and just making sure they were succeeding, and so to me, it kind of brought everything together and it just showed me that God knew all along the route that I needed to pursue. Since I didn't have that guidance, he put people along my path to kind of guide me and put that desire to do that masters, so that's how I ended up in higher education,” said Magallanes.

When reflecting on why Maribel pursued higher education it was due to the sacrifices her parents made for their family to have better opportunities. “My family never had the opportunity to [attend college]. I wanted to pave the way for my family to just continue to improve themselves in life, but also for future generations. So to me, it was like it was a desire to make that difference in my family, not to just make a difference in terms of being a first in college, but also to open up opportunities for others in my family to be able to go to college, and also just as a way of thanking my parents for all the hard work. So, I'm grateful that after making that choice to go to college, I've been able to see more people in my family graduate,” said Magallanes. One of the people Maribel has paved the way for is her younger brother, Daniel Magallanes, who is also a Pursue Alum. Also, she convinced her husband to go to college and get his Bachelor’s degree and he’s now a fifth-grade teacher.

Before Maribel could pave the way for her family, she had to navigate and find support during college. One support system she mentions is the intentional care and campus visits from Pursue Scholars. “I appreciated how Kevin, his team, and Pursue were intentional every semester. At least once a semester, they would visit us and take us out to eat and just spend intentional quality time with us to invest in us to see how we were doing. See what the challenges were so it was nice to be able to talk to someone outside of the university. I was able to see through a different lens some of the challenges that we were facing as Christians or being Hispanic at a predominately white institution, so it was nice to just be able to have those conversations and be encouraged, be challenged, and motivated along the way,” said Magallanes.

Another thing Maribel appreciated about Pursue Scholars was the care packages and mentors she received. “Even outside of those moments that they visit us, anything that we needed we could always call them. When I was with my roommate, she was a Pursue scholar as well. We knew that we would get a care package in our dorm with full candy, but it meant a lot to us because we never got any care packages. Unlike other students whose families sent them care packages, we didn't because our families didn't have the resources or they didn't even know how to go about the process. Finally, I appreciated that during my last two years with Pursue and Taylor, they connected me with a direct mentor. Her name was Miriam Wallace, she poured into my life and my college roommates’ life every day, and she would email us a Bible verse that was a command and then also a Bible verse that was a blessing over our lives. She will speak life in our lives, but she will also challenge us in a spiritual walk with God. The day of my graduation she was able to meet me in person, but I felt like I had known her for a lot longer like I had already met with her multiple times,” said Magallanes.

By being surrounded by many mentors, Maribel became a mentor to many students at Taylor University as the Director of student leadership and culture programs. “I worked alongside the student leaders from each cultural organization. In the process of doing that, I was able to provide opportunities for the university to engage in multiple cultural opportunities and programming. I also oversaw the scholarship programs under the Office of New Culture programs, one of them being the Act Six scholarship, and then as that was coming to an end, I helped create two new scholarships. One of the things that I am most proud of is just walking alongside students. When I first started that role, the students who are seniors now were coming in as prospective students. So I was able to see them from the moment that they engaged with the possibility of going to Taylor, and now they're graduating. Being able to watch the amazing leaders that they have turned out to be, and the strong leadership that has impacted the campus while they're there are impacting their communities. They are going to make a huge impact in the world,” said Magallanes.

Now that Maribel is no longer working at Taylor University, the impact she left on the students is still there. Maribel is currently taking a small break to figure out what the Lord has next in her life while enjoying being a stay-at-home mom with her boys. “ I don't know if God wants me to go back to social work, remain in higher education, or just something different but that's where I'm going to start looking into it. I'll be substituting at the elementary and high school in the meantime,” said Magallanes.

When reflecting on her next steps and the legacy she wants to leave, Maribel wants the focus to be on Christ as a mentor. “ I don't want the focus to be on me. I want to focus on Christ. That [my mentees] can say that they are true followers of Christ, that they have grown to be leaders that are walking, and living on being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Stories like Maribel's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Nneka L. Jones

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:34:16 GMT

A Legacy of Service

Nneka L. Jones was raised as an only child on the South Side of Chicago by her mother. From a young age, her mother taught her the importance of public service and exposed her to the many ways that service could be embodied in her community.

When reflecting on how far she has come, Nneka credits the person she is today for watching her mother’s impact in the social services industry, further inspiring Nneka’s desire for a mission-driven career. “Watching [my mom] impact various communities, live a life of service, and consistently serve as a resource for everyone she comes in contact with inspires me to also have a passion for service and be someone in the community that people can trust,” said Jones. With this value in mind, Nneka’s track record of service began at a young age as she immersed herself in numerous community-focused activities in high school and college.

In 2022, Nneka received her Bachelor of Arts in political science with a focus on leadership development from Agnes Scott College. Nneka decided to pursue political science because she noticed the impact of politics and legislation on the educational experience of youth in Chicago very early on. “When I went to Agnes Scott, I had the first year to explore a little bit of everything. I know that my lived experience with educational inequality in Chicago is what encouraged me to pursue a course of study that would help me better understand why our communities are shaped or exist the way they do. When I realized that educational equity and civil rights were heavily impacted by political decisions and legislative changes, I realized the study of political science could help me understand the history of politics and its impact on our daily lives,” said Jones. This realization was Nneka's inspiration to pursue a law degree, which she is now only one semester away from completing.

While pursuing higher education, Nneka was motivated by her family and neighborhood. “I always knew and was always encouraged to know that education would be [how] my trajectory was charted. Also, coming from the South Side of Chicago, I grew up around many who did not have the opportunity to pursue higher education. The encouragement from my mom, mentors, and the reality of the neighborhood in which I grew up let me know this was a necessary pursuit for me to fight injustice, advocate for educational equity, defend civil rights, and explore the realm of government affairs and relations. I ultimately knew that I would have to have a higher education to even be in those rooms,” said Jones.

Throughout Nneka’s journey, she learned how to be confident in professional and political spaces due to the support from her mentor, Ms. LySandra Barnett. “She’s been with me since my sophomore year in high school. She was so instrumental because she inspired me to go beyond what I could see in my community. When I think back to who I was my sophomore year in high school, I think she saw the leader in me before I could see it in myself. That’s the gold in mentorship relationships – mentors always see you a little farther than where you may feel you are or know that you could even be,” said Jones.

Nneka also mentioned how Ms. Barnett helped her make her college decision and taught her how to effectively network by example. “She is the living book on how to effectively network and not just when you need something which is a lost art. She focuses on how to maintain relationships and has taught me how to be a connector of people. Ms. Barnett has been a woman of integrity, a woman who stands for what she believes in, and somebody who taught me how to represent myself. She also exemplified how to walk into rooms and know that I belong there, and I deserve to be there just as well as any other person in the room,” said Jones.

Not only has Nneka’s journey been uplifted by encouragement from her family and mentors, but also Pursue Scholars. “I went to college in Georgia, and what I appreciated most were my campus visits. I appreciated that because it gave me a sense of home already being far removed by distance. It was a reminder, and every time April came to Georgia we would talk about career opportunities, scholarships, and charting my next path,” said Jones. Although April is no longer a staff member at Pursue Scholars, she and Nneka are still connected to this day. She also mentioned how she appreciated receiving care packages during the semester and creating lasting friendships within the Pursue community.

While Nneka reflects on her educational experience, she recognizes the impact and community that her time at Creighton Law has afforded her while also helping to inform her next career decision. “Since I’ve been in law school, I have had the chance to intern at various places that have shaped my view on the career I desire to have, most recently including the 2024 Democratic National Convention. This particular experience allowed me to see political engagement from a new lens, understand how we mobilize people behind a common goal, and how we chart the path for continued success for generations to come. My law school experience has also allowed me to figure out how I want to practice law and the qualities that I will embody during my career,” said Jones. With these opportunities, Nneka is excited to begin her legal career after she graduates this May and looks forward to utilizing her experiences to develop a career at the intersection of litigation, lobbying, and government relations.

As Nneka prepares to study for the bar exam this summer—the final step toward becoming an attorney and joining the 2% of African American women in the profession—she also reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave, not only at her institution but throughout her life. “One of the legacies that I’d like to leave would inspire and encourage women at the intersection of ministry and government, which is very close to my heart. Outside of my career ambitions, I know that I am called to young women who are interested in the political space, helping them find their identity and manage the weight and the calling of both mountains. I want to be remembered as someone who helped others become confident at the intersection of their calling,” said Jones. Through her pursuit of this legacy, Nneka looks forward to inspiring others to walk in their God-given purpose and achieve the mission they have been deployed on earth to accomplish.

Stories like Nneka's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Jhene Thomas

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 23:37:39 GMT

Future Ultrasound Technician

Jhene Thomas was born and raised in Chicago with her mom and six siblings. She attended McNair Elementary School and then Prosser Career Academy. In high school, Jhene was involved in several clubs, such as the Black Student Union, Prosser Players as a stage manager, and the senior committee.

Jhene is now currently a freshman at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale studying as a radiology major. Originally, Jhene had something different in mind when she was thinking about college until she wrote a research paper in high school. “First I wanted to be a veterinarian, but in my junior year in high school, I wrote a ten-page paper about the radium girls. It was interesting to me, and I explored other careers in the medical field because I knew I wanted to work somewhere in the medical field,” said Thomas.

As Jhene navigates her first year as a first-generation student she mentions that the transition was a rocky start. “[My transition from high school to college] was kind of rough. In high school, I procrastinated a lot, so when I got here in college, it was different. I had nobody with experience around me and I didn’t know what to expect. In the beginning, I procrastinated a lot because I thought it was like high school and I could get this done at the last minute. But that is not the truth, you need to study, and plan out your day and what you need to get done. It was rough for me at first, and now I have gotten into the swing of things and it’s so much better,” said Thomas.

One thing that helped Jhene adjust is the study plan she made with one of our staff members, A’Niya. “What I appreciate about Pursue Scholars the most is how understanding everyone is and making sure I stay on track. A’Niya has reached out to me a couple of times, and she sat on the phone talking to me to help me come up with a study plan. I wasn’t really in it at the beginning of the year, so just being there when I needed someone to be there for me was the biggest thing. It has helped me because after we made the study schedule I got back on track," said Thomas.

Another person who’s been by Jhene’s side since she was in 4th grade is her mentor, Ms. Teirra Scott. Teirra was also a Pursue Scholar, and now she is the Founder/Executive Director of Goddess Mentoring Inc. “Back in elementary school, I was a part of Goddess with Ms.Scott and it was a girls mentoring group. It taught me a lot about myself and my community. We would meet and talk about things, there were some things I wasn’t comfortable with talking about with people at home. Doing so, helped me find myself and understand more of who I am. And what I need to do to be successful. Even when talking to Ms.Scott one on one away from the group, she was always motivating me since 4th grade, she has been by my side since then,” said Thomas.

When thinking about college, several factors motivated Jhene to pursue higher education. “No one else in my family went to college, so I wanted to be the first one to do so. Also, an IB coordinator in high school always worked with me and she always motivated me. I would tell her how I was so scared to go to college because no one I know has any experience. I didn’t have advice from anyone, and she would motivate me and assure me that everything would be okay and to follow what I wanted to do,” said Thomas.

Although Jhene still has time to figure out her career, she is interested in becoming an ultrasound technician. She’s currently working on her prerequisites now, and her goal is to get into the ultrasound tech program once she’s finished. Jhene knows she can accomplish anything just by seeing a strong example from her mom. “I grew up in a one-parent household, I always saw my mom taking on everything and being as strong as she could. So, I feel like that’s why I can do what I’m doing right now because I saw a good example in my life of someone who’s strong and defines the odds. I have a pretty good foundation, I have a great support system from my family, my friends, and everyone around me,” said Thomas.

Stories like Jhene's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Uriah Martin-Velez

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 23:15:45 GMT

Paying it Forward

Uriah Martin-Velez was born and raised in Chicago, and attended Chicago Hope Academy High School. In high school he was the captain of the wrestling team, and now, in college he’s in the Jiu-Jitsu club. Currently, Uriah is a sophomore attending the University of Chicago, where he is a double major in economics and data science.

Uriah chose to study as a double major because he loves numbers and the stability of the career path. “I like the interpretation and multiplication of data. So that double major was the best way to concentrate on that. Career-wise, every industry needs data scientists, it isn't only a finance or computer science thing. I picked up the economics major to focus on finance but data science is a stable career and position in general. Also, I enjoy it and it’s something I’m decent at,” said Martin-Velez.

When deciding to go to college, Uriah mentioned how his mom's work ethic inspired him to pursue higher education. “My mom is the one who inspired me to pursue higher education. She went into the medical field and got her degree in biology and she did higher education as well. I’m not pursuing biology but I am inspired by her track to go and do that. So her mom never went to college, so I’m following in my mother's footsteps in that sense.,” said Martin-Velez.

As he is navigating through college, Uriah mentions that his parents and his community have always pushed him to be the best he can be. One support system he mentions is the welcoming community he feels with Pursue Scholars. “I feel like I can be open and talk to everybody there. I can relate to a lot of people at Pursue Scholars. There are a lot of people from diverse backgrounds but I feel like I have something in common with everybody. Everybody is welcoming and open, so it’s a great environment in that sense,” said Martin-Velez.

Another support system that has impacted Uriah is his mentor and former wrestling coach, Dan Willis. “He was a phenomenal wrestling coach, a great teacher, and a strong man of God. One thing I appreciate that he did was that he melded the two perfectly. He would have us pray before and after our wrestling practices, he would always give glory to God whenever we won a tournament or did well in a particular bracket. So even though he was an amazing wrestling coach and a good person, he was a very strong man of God. And he can very well meld the two together. We tend to compartmentalize our lives and have our careers separate from our family, faith, and finances, etc. But one thing I saw in him is that he was able to have everything bleed into everything else,” said Martin-Velez.

While Uriah is supported through college, he is still trying to figure out his career path after college. However, he knows that once he creates a family, he wants to be able to provide for himself and his family, and the community/organizations that poured into him. “I think regardless of what career I go into, I do want to make a lot of money to be able to provide for myself and my family. Also, I want to be able to give back to the community that’s given so much to me including my family, my church, multiple organizations I have been a part of that have helped propel me in my education and career, and also soft skills or even religious organizations. But I want to make good money, provide value to my community, I want to give back to those who gave a lot to me,” said Martin-Velez.

When thinking about the legacy he would like to leave, Uriah mentioned being seen as a leader for youth. “I want to be a person that other people can rely on, that's my peers or people younger than me. I want to be a constant whether that’s financial, wisdom, or counsel. I want to be able to help people in every aspect whether that’s money, leadership, or counsel,” said Martin-Velez.

Stories like Uriah's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Quinn Curry

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 02:35:50 GMT

Like Father, Like Son

Quinn Curry grew up on the West Side of Chicago in the Garfield Park neighborhood with his parents and two little sisters. He attended George Westinghouse College Prep where he played basketball. Quinn is passionate about basketball and was able to share this passion with his dad, who was his basketball coach.

Fast forward after high school, Quinn attended Multnomah University where he received his bachelor’s in Business and Organizational Psychology while playing basketball. When deciding what he wanted to major in college, Quinn was transparent about not knowing what direction he wanted to take in life. “I think at 18, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and didn't know what kind of skillset I had outside of basic athletics. I was trying to find something that was pretty broad, something that gave me a lot of options upon graduation, so you know business and psychology was a dual degree. Mainly I was looking for something that would give me the most options and allow me to figure out what I wanted to do,” said Curry.

As Quinn was trying to figure out his life, the day of his college graduation he received an unexpected opportunity that shifted his plans for the future. “That morning of graduation, my former head coach offered me a position on the coaching staff…I love basketball and I wanted to see where it goes and I always had a connection with coaching,” said Curry. “After that first year, I fell in love with it. It was a unique opportunity to still coach where I went to school, so I had a lot of relationships with professors, students, and the athletic department. I was lucky enough to have many people to invest in me in that area and my coaching career.”

Now that Quinn is the Associate Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball team at his Alma Mater, he mentioned that he wants to be more than a coach to his players, but also a mentor like his dad. “So my career goal is to continue coaching, I’m open to any opportunities, whether that's college or the highest levels like professional, division 1, or down to where I’m at right now NAIA, which is what I love. I just want to make an impact in my players' lives and help develop them for whatever the next chapter may be upon their graduation. And in the process, if we could win some games that would be cool,” said Curry.

To be a coach and a mentor, Quinn's biggest goal is to create community between his players, and growing up in Chicago helped him gain that skill set. “Growing up in Chicago is a unique situation and it is such a unique city because you have access to many different viewpoints and walks of life. Different kinds of people give you a great social education growing up. Looking back on growing up in Chicago it prepared me to be a coach. I have players on my team from a variety of different states, economic backgrounds, and religious beliefs. I have to be able to coach everyone well. One of my biggest jobs is to build culture within the group. I have 15 players and a couple of coaches and our biggest job is to make sure everyone is connected,” said Curry.

One of the reasons building relationships has been a big value in Quinn’s life is the relationships he cultivated throughout his life. “Back when Kevin and Derick were working [at Pursue Scholars] they were open to talk. Coming home for the summer and having many like-minded people who are also in school. Building connections with people was the most important thing for me. Receiving the care packages with the candy and everything was great. But for me, building those relationships with people who are truly invested in you and want to see you succeed was helpful,” said Curry.

Another relationship that has impacted Quinn’s life is with his mentor Steve Pratt. Steve Pratt, is the founder of Full Package Athletics, where over the Summer in Chicago, Quinn would go help him coach high school athletes. “I was on the phone with him the other night for like 45 minutes. I think having the right people in your corner is so important, and I think most people talk about mentors as far as getting jobs, but I don’t think about it that way. I think about it more like helping you develop as a human being and as a leader. It’s a cherry on top when that person also works in a set career path as you. I have other mentors who are not in coaching, but Steve and I can talk for hours whether that's about basketball things or life in general,” said Curry.

Now, as Quinn is growing in his career and developing his relationship with his players, he recently just received his master’s in management and leadership. With his future, he hopes to leave an everlasting impact on his players to help develop leadership. “I think as far as legacy goes, I want to have good relationships with the players that I coach. There are people out there who think winning X amount of games would be a great legacy. But I think also having a group of guys and developing relationships with people, those relationships last forever. I think I could positively impact people and impact my players through my relationships with them whether that’s through coaching or mentoring. [I want to] build strong relationships with as many of my players as possible and I think winning comes from that. Being successful in your job comes from doing things the right way and creating relationships with the people you are around. I've been reading a book lately called “Give and Take,” and it talks about how a lot of the most successful people in the world are givers. I just want to be a coach that gives, who gives everything to my players that leads us down a successful path and shows them how to be leaders when they move on,” said Curry.

Stories like Quinn's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Ashley Reducindo

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 17:13:06 GMT

Reinvesting through Education

Ashley Reducindo was born in Oklahoma City, but she grew up in Peoria, Illinois. During her junior year of high school, her family moved to the West Side of Chicago where Ashley began attending Chicago Hope Academy. During her last two years of high school, Ashley was involved in cheerleading and student council.

Ashley is now a secondary education math major at Judson University. Her Junior year in high school was an impactful year for her because that’s when confirmed she wanted to become a teacher. “When I got to Chicago Hope, I loved my high school teachers, specifically doing math classes, so my passion for education grew. So around the end of my junior year, I decided I wanted to [pursue] education,” said Reducindo.

Her passion for teaching also started at a young age when she would pretend to play school. “I remember growing up I loved pretending to play school. One year for Christmas my parents got me an old overhead projector where I would play with that. So it was those little moments growing up where I loved to play school, hang out with my friends, and play with them,” said Reducindo. Ashley mentions that she hopes to become a teacher who knows her students and helps them understand math in a way that best suits them.

Now fasting forward, Ashley is in her senior year at Judson University and is ready to thrive in her career. “It’s surreal that I’m in my senior year and about to launch into my career. So I guess it doesn’t feel real yet, but I know it will feel real soon. I’m super excited, it’s been a long four years, so I’m excited to get my degree and start my career. I’m very excited to get out there to use what I learned,” said Reducindo. Ashley mentioned that after teaching for a few years, one of her dream goals is to teach overseas.

Ashley's motivation to pursue higher education is from her parents and her faith. “I think both of my parents inspired me to pursue higher education because they both graduated with a college degree. It made sense for me to choose that route as well. They always encouraged me to pursue more learning, expand and grow,” said Reducindo. “I grew up where my parents pursued their faith, and I grew up going to church. My parents pushed me to go to church and also helped me to develop my faith. Without my faith, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I’m thankful they [encouraged] me to pursue that for myself. Now I'm in college, I’m not with them anymore. Today I’m still pursuing Christ and Pursuing God and leaning on him for what my next steps are going to be.”

As Ashley is navigating her next steps, one thing she learned from the Pursue Scholars program is communication and community. “Something I learned from the Pursue Scholars program is communication and the importance of networking and having mentors in your life. Having good communication, making sure you're networking with other people, and staying connected and having someone who's able to guide you with experience and speak into your life,” said Reducindo.

As Ashley continues to learn and grow, she share advice for the next class of Scholars. “Make sure you take advantage of every opportunity. All the different opportunities that get placed in your path whether that’s through Pursue Scholars or college, you never know where that opportunity will lead you or who you may need. I know in college, I took an opportunity to take a Summer internship, and in that internship, I gained a mentor who was able to mentor me and speak into my life and we are still in contact today. She has led me to different opportunities for my next steps. That’s just one example of how I took advantage of that opportunity and still see the fruit of taking that risk,” said Reducindo.

Stories like Ashley's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Zharick Retamozo

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 06:36:37 GMT

Mentorship through youth

While growing up around her loving and supportive family in Colombia, Zharick Retamozo moved with her family to the United States around the age of 11. She describes how her first language was Spanish, but she and her aunt were determined to help perfect her English. Her aunt would spend several hours practicing verbs and helping her learn the language until she mastered it herself.

Zharick was always up for a challenge as she was involved in various sports. In Colombia, she was on a roller skating team. In high school at Chicago Hope Academy, she played volleyball and softball. “I believe that if you don't challenge yourself to grow then nobody else will do it for you more than you will,” said Retamozo.

Through Zharick’s work and church experience, she has always engaged with the youth in her community. “As a daycare teacher, and [growing up] in the daycare environment with kids of all ages, I found the experience very beautiful. I am also a Sunday school teacher and work with ages four to six. I feel like that age is an age where you can make an impact on kids and be a part of their education. They're easier to mold, and whatever you do with them it’s going to stick with them and build their character. In education, it’s easier to retain and start adding on from there,” said Retamozo.

Now, Zharick is attending Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights as an elementary education major with minors in Spanish education, bilingual endorsement, and business. By being in an educational environment, Zharick has always been inspired by her mom and aunts who are educators. “My mom [inspired me to Pursue a higher education] because my mom is very hardworking and she’s an educator as well. So I was always surrounded by that educational aura and atmosphere because everybody in my family, the women specifically, are educators. I grew up around that, and my mom and my aunts have created a safe space for kids and they have shown me what hard work looks like,” said Retamozo.

Growing up around hard-working women in her family, Zharick has also challenged herself academically this year more than last year. “Freshman year I was just trying to get a feel of the college experience and see how much I thought I could handle. But now, [in] my sophomore year, I feel like I got the hang of it, I’m pushing myself harder and I have acquired more responsibilities. I am very grateful because my family has been a huge support for me, and I can feel safe in challenging myself and doing more. For example, last year I was taking 15 credits per semester, this year I’m taking 18 credits which is a lot more work. But I have the confidence to challenge myself because I know that I can do it,” said Retamozo.

Not only does the support from Zharick’s family boost her confidence in a challenge but she has also received support from Pursue Scholars that encourages her journey. “From Pursue I have learned unity and what it means to be supported. As an immigrant I believe a lot of doors were closed for me. And to find myself being received and feeling so welcome, Pursue has made me understand that I am loved and cared for. It doesn't matter that I am an immigrant, I am still welcome,” said Retamozo.

Through support and her experience thus far, Zharick encourages the next class of scholars to thoughtfully plan out their goals. “A lot of people take college as only a space to socialize and get to know themselves, which is good to get involved in the community. But I feel it’s very important to analyze your goals and once you do that, see what's the best plan moving forward and how you can get your education successfully at the same time as making a social life. Don’t make the college experience only about exploring socially, said Retamozo.

Stories like Zharick's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Emily Rodriguez

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:28:05 GMT

Inspired by her Mom

Emily Rodriguez grew up on the West Side of Chicago with her mom and older sister. She was always involved in sports growing up such as; softball and she danced classical ballet. Emily mentioned how seeing her mom and older sister pursue their dreams always inspired her education and independence.

Emily is now a sophomore studying communication with a concentration in public relations at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Originally, she was studying as a political science major, but after taking a few communication classes, Emily felt passionate about brand awareness to bring social change through public relations. “I feel like I can make smaller differences in public relations. [For example] if there’s a small community that is trying to fix 3% pollution with water bottles, I can make a campaign to benefit from that change, I can do little things that make me happy and spread that [awareness].”

Before deciding on which college she would attend, Emily always knew she was going to pursue higher education because she wanted to follow in her mom's footsteps. “My mom [inspired me to pursue higher education] because she went to college, she’s successful and works so hard. Seeing her as a single parent and watching her work this amazing job and provide for three people is truly inspiring. I wanted to be just like her, and if that meant going to college, then that’s what I would have to do,” said Rodriguez.

As Emily is navigating her sophomore year, she was transparent about the challenges she encountered her freshman year playing softball. “My first year of college I was on the softball team, and I had the worst experience. I did not want to continue going to any university because I associated all universities to be like the experience I had at WLC,” said Rodriguez. “ I came back because of the friends I made, and I also decided that I wasn’t going to play softball, and that drastically helped my emotional state.”

Although Emily had to let go of softball due to her emotional wellness, it allowed her to grow spiritually. “I joined a weekly bible study and that helped my mental state being here. It helped me realize that I’m not here to play a sport, I’m here to get an education, make a difference in the world, and to Praise God. I give all my thanks to God and why I’m here and trying to finish my school education. The first year, I was lost and I didn’t have God and this year I do,” said Rodriguez.

Through her obstacles, Emily has learned to lean on her support systems to keep her spirits high. “I learned that community is everything, and [Pursue Scholars] have been super supportive and nice to me. [By] checking in on me, sending me [care packages,], and I can honestly say that I have had friendships for many years, and they do not contact me as much as Pursue. [Pursue] is empathetic and I love it so much,” said Rodriguez.

As Emily is still figuring out her transition to college and career goals, she has a passion for giving back and working hard like her mom to make the world a better place.

Stories like Emily are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Daijah Pierce

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 21:45:40 GMT

First-Generation Future Doctor

Daijah Pierce is a first-generation college student and aspires to become the first doctor in her family. She graduated from Kenwood Academy High School from the biomedical engineering program. She is now studying as a psychology major on a pre-med track at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).

As a kid, Daijah always knew she wanted to become a doctor. “Every year for Halloween I remember I would dress up as a doctor. Of course, after the second and third year it got a little old, so every year I would be a different kind of doctor. One year I was a cardiothoracic surgeon… [Another] year I was a psychiatrist…Then, one year I was a neurosurgeon. I just played in different ones. I was a doctor until about twelve [years old,]” said Pierce. Daijah mentioned that she realized that the costumes were much more than dressing up and she knew she wanted to pursue a career in medicine.

When she first decided to pursue her journey of becoming a doctor, Daijah shifted gears regarding which path she wanted to take. “Originally in my freshmen year, I came in as a neuroscience major because I love the study of the brain and how our behavior affects our lives and relates to the brain. Also, I like psychology because [we know] our physical health takes a toll on our body, but our mental health does as well. After taking psych classes, I found it interesting and decided to change my major,” said Pierce. Now, at UIC Daijah works with high school students in emergency preparedness.

As a future doctor, Daijah plans to address the health disparities in the healthcare system, especially within the Black community. “Being a lupus survivor and having many health challenges I was able to understand firsthand what it’s like to be a patient and the care of physicians who care about you but also physicians that don’t. I can understand why there is mistrust in the system and why there are certain disparities within the healthcare system related to finances and economic status that affect people's lives and their quality of care. I’ve been a victim of it and I've been blessed to [know] where I can make an impact. I think I’m being called to be a part of the change and helping people get access to care, specifically Black people in Chicago,” said Pierce.

Despite the challenges Daijah has encountered in the healthcare system it has pushed her more to become an advocate for patients. “The way I have lived my life and the experiences that I’ve been through with my financial challenges, applying to colleges as a first-generation student, having lupus, being Black, and also being a woman seeking equal healthcare, all of these different challenges have affected my life and who I am today in a way that may seem like a burden to most but has been the foundation of my resilience and determination to pursue a career in medicine,” said Pierce.

Daijah’s passion and inspiration for medicine come from her faith, her parents, and a mentor. “I wouldn’t be a person if it wasn’t for my faith, I think my relationship with God has allowed me to understand a different perspective of life…my faith is stronger than ever and my relationship is on a spiritual high. Also, my top inspirations are my parents, my dad is a nurse. He always had the best bedside manner, he was always the nurse called to place IV, and that always inspired me because of the nurse he was. Also, I have a doctor that I worked with, and at the time he was a medical student and he's now a fellowship. His name is Dr.Pratt, and he built the emergency room at the University of Chicago, he is almost like a second father to me," said Pierce.

Through her support system, Daijah has also found support through the Pursue Scholars program. “I joined Pursue in 2020 and that was nearly right after COVID-19. This was a timely program and community to be a part of just because I was going through so much. And I didn’t understand the real impact Pursue would make on me. I realized this was not a regular scholarship where you would get a check and they will send you on your way. This was a long-lasting community that was here to support you on your journey to put people in your way to check on you. That means the most and that has encouraged me just from little things like care packages. But just like all the people who are connected to Pursue, hearing the testimonies and stories about their challenges and how they overcame and graduated to become such amazing people is very encouraging. It allows me to see that I can do it too despite my challenges and it’s good because it's a community of people who are going through similar things as me but also are in the same walk as Christ and college. It’s a perfect opportunity, it’s a perfect program,” said Pierce.

As Daijah continues her medical journey, she wants to pay it forward in her community by giving patients an equal experience for quality healthcare. She also plans to reinvest in the next generation of scholars once she’s in a position to do so. “I look forward to staying connected with Pursue as long as I can until I can get into the financial way to give back one day as a future doctor,” said Pierce.

Stories like Daijah are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Hugo Aleman

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 21:26:50 GMT

Creating a Legacy

Hugo Aleman is a first-generation college student at Taylor University studying communications with a concentration in multimedia journalism. He grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago and graduated from Phoenix Military Academy High School. He mentioned that God led him to Taylor University because he wanted to grow spiritually.

Not only was he growing in his spiritual journey, but he also was figuring out his career passion. Hugo originally started as a pre-med major but realized it wasn’t his true calling, so he took a few communications and history classes and found his passion. “Last year, I took a few government, law, and history classes. I found out I’m passionate about law. I love reading and getting to know people, talking to people, and helping people. Law and communication go hand and hand with each other. A lawyer needs to get his point across, and be communicative, empathetic, sympathetic, and understand the importance of the circumstances at hand. I’m studying for the LSAT and I couldn't be more grateful for the communications department at Taylor. They are some of the best people I ever met and the amount of help that I’ve gotten from them has been a lot of help,” said Aleman.

After Hugo takes the LSAT, his goal is to return to Chicago to pursue criminal law because that’s where he feels the most connected. “I feel like there are so many people who are misrepresented. I think there are so many cases in Chicago where people aren’t heard. I think as a city we put money towards things we don’t need compared to the mental health community, and education for kids,” said Aleman. “I want to [reinvest] my time in Chicago, the kids especially [because] I hate seeing people go down the wrong path. I had so many friends in high school who unfortunately went down certain areas of life that I wouldn’t wish for anybody. I want to use my education for good and for my city, I feel like I owe it to them. ”

By being first-generation, Hugo is inspired to pursue higher education due to continuing his family legacy. “I have a lot of cousins back in Guatemala that went to college, they became deans of universities, lawyers, computer engineers, etc. Just seeing that and what they can achieve back at home and just having that inspiration from them has pushed me. Something that has pushed me a lot, which is [Common] in Latino households, is carrying the name of your family. My pride goes back to my grandpa and grandma, so everything I do is to honor them. And I try my best to Pursue a life that they would want to see their grandchildren living,” said Aleman.

Hugo’s inspiration also comes from his mom and younger brothers to get to the finish line to create his legacy. “My mom has been one of the greatest inspirations in my life. Getting to know her story and what she's been through, inspired me to pursue and keep pushing. When I feel down or complain about stuff, I look back on my mom, and my family's story and what they've been through, and [my problems] are nothing compared to what they've been through. My brother is pursuing a degree at Depaul University and my younger brother is a junior at Phoenix Military Academy…just seeing how they are doing in school made me feel so accomplished. To me, their accomplishments make me more happy than [what] I accomplished. So being that inspiration for them and them being that inspiration for me has pushed me to pursue higher education,” said Aleman.

From his family, school, and church, Hugo has a wave of support along his college journey. Hugo mentioned that Pursue Scholars has also been a support system by creating everlasting friendships and gaining mentorship through the program. “At Taylor when I’m feeling homesick seeing my friends and the other scholars from Pursue brightens up my day when I need that taste of home. It also taught me how to be such a good friend and how to be there for people. I feel like I owe Pursue everything because it’s given me an opportunity I can’t ever pay back and It’s been such a blessing. Kevin has been such a figure for me and a role model. Just seeing the resilience he carried on during my early college years pushed me to keep going even when I don’t want that,” said Aleman.

While Hugo is in his senior year, he describes it as bittersweet but it has been a great educational experience overall, and can’t wait to bring his skills back to the city he cares about and loves. “I feel like everyone strives for success here at Taylor, so it pushes me to be better, it’s healthy competition. It just pushes me to strive for more success, seeing how everybody pursues their careers. Just being able to take what I can, absorb everything I can from the education I have here, and having that hunger to pour into my community,” said Aleman.

Stories like Hugo's are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Jose Perez

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 21:22:24 GMT

Bringing awareness to mental health

Jose Perez was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago with his two parents, one older brother and one younger brother. He graduated from Thomas Kelly College Preparatory High School. When describing his typical household, Jose mentioned how he and his family would eat dinner together, enjoy Spanish worship music, and do traditional Latin dances.

Now, Jose is a senior at Taylor University pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in counseling. “I fell in love with the idea that people can improve. I fell in love that things can be fixed and there’s hope with people out there who have problems,” said Perez. “Also, I feel like on the South Side of Chicago there’s not much mental awareness that they talk about, so I want to be that change. I wish that when I was younger, I had a counselor or therapy which would have been pretty beneficial. So I want to be that person in the neighborhood and bring mental awareness all over Chicago.”

Having this passion and drive for bringing awareness to mental health in Chicago inspired Jose to pursue higher education. Jose also mentions that his family has motivated and supported him to go to college. “I think seeing my big brother go to college and seeing that he’s capable of doing it inspired me and motivated me. My dad also went to seminar for like five years, so seeing him study and being intentional with his time, I think motivated me. My parents were always supporting me and telling me I was going to do great things and have a good career, so I would say a combination of my parents and my big brother because he was the first one to graduate from a university in our family. Seeing that if he’s capable of doing it then I’m capable of doing it,” said Perez.

Not only has Jose's family poured into him to pursue higher education, but his family and church have shown him the value of community impact. “My dad is a part of a ministry that emphasizes and focuses on the community; it's called New Life Community Church. It’s very community-oriented, so we do a lot of community events, outreaches, and just events overall to help out the community. I think my vision and my personality of helping my neighbor shaped me to go back to Chicago. Although I’m studying in Indiana, I want to [return] to the city and pour out into the city that raised me,” said Perez.

Jose plans to go to grad school to receive his PhD and re-invest in Chicago by working to improve mental well-being as a youth counselor. “I would like to work somewhere like a youth organization in Chicago. I want to work with youth and minorities. I want them to know that there is hope out there and they can come up with solutions for their problems and the things that they go through. I feel like a lot of people around Chicago specifically in the city there is a lot of trauma that they do not explore. There is a need for being aware of trauma that needs to be explored, and the more you explore it, the more you understand it, your mental well-being improves and gets better,” said Perez.

With the passion and heart to give back to his community, Jose also mentioned that he learned to lean on others and his community through Pursue Scholars. “There’s a lot of things I learned from being a Pursue Scholar. One of the biggest ones is that I’m not alone. No matter what, I can reach out to someone from the Pursue Scholars staff, and they can help me out and explore what I want to do with my career or my life in general. I also learned about going back to the community and going back to where you are from and helping them out. I’m not alone and there’s people that believe in me and are willing to walk alongside me," said Perez.

While Jose is navigating senior year, he wanted to let the next generation of scholars know that if he can do it, so can they. “There’s hope out there and help out there, especially from the Pursue Scholars staff that are willing to walk alongside you and pour onto you. That’s some advice I can give and know that the Pursue Scholars' staff are willing to help. You can reach out to them no matter what and you can do it. There are many Pursue alumni who came from the city, and they are out there making big differences in the city of Chicago,” said Perez.

Stories like Jose are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and help them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Na'Imah Johnson

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 23:35:59 GMT

A Network of support

Na’Imah Johnson grew up on the Southside of Chicago and graduated from Gwendolyn Brooks High School. Na’Imah is from a family of six and mentions they went to church every Sunday. She was always involved in extracurricular activities such as cheerleading, gymnastics, or anything that kept her active.

Now, Na’Imah is attending Spelman College as an Economics major. “I chose to study economics as a major because it is unlike a subject like political science or pre-law track. I have a strong passion for the policy field. I feel like economics dive into the why of certain things and that’s what I’m interested in, [especially] the research part,” said Johnson.

Na’Imah is currently interested in working with policy and the public sphere, but she is still trying to figure out her dream job. Although Na'Imah is figuring out her career passion she was motivated to pursue higher education because of her parents. “ [My parents] did not have a direct route to college, so they went back to school later in their life, and my dad went right into the Navy. So seeing them going back to school while I was growing up inspired me to make sure I pursue a higher education,” said Johnson.

Growing up in her family and her neighborhood has pushed Na’Imah to be determined to pursue her dreams despite any obstacles. “I think growing up and watching family members strive for their dreams and goals pushes me to keep going no matter what. Also knowing that I have a support system just in case I trip a little bit or fall a little bit, they are there to push me back up,” said Johnson.

Now that Na’Imah is pursuing her dreams at Spelman, she mentions how she made the right choice for school. “Growing up, HBCUs(Historically Black Colleges and Universities) weren't really pushed, so I did not find out about Spelman until my junior year of high school. I think it’s important to bring awareness to HBCUs because they are institutions that were built for Black people. There are institutions where we can excel, but there are no other institutions that are built for us. Upon researching Spelman and what it stands for, and some of the alumnae who spoke when we visited for the admitted students weekend, Spelbound, I couldn't see myself anywhere else. Now going to Spelman, it reaffirms that there’s no other institution that could give me the opportunities I have experienced here,” said Johnson.

While at Spelman and gaining personal and professional experience, Na’Imah also mentions the social experience she gained from Pursue Scholars. “I feel like I gained a broader scope of social skills by being able to socialize with people from different backgrounds. Growing up, I went to schools with majority Black students with similar backgrounds. But joining Pursue Scholars, I was introduced to people who came from different backgrounds, raised from different sides of the city, or different racial backgrounds,” said Johnson.

As Na’Imah continues her college journey, she has a goal to come back to her community to reinvest through mentorship. “At Spelman, I go to the Boys and Girls Club to help mentor the girls there. Mentorship was big in my life, I had a couple of mentors to push me to learn who I was and what I wanted to do, so I would love to go back and mentor,” said Johnson.

Na’Imah encourages the next generation of scholars who are applying for college to figure out their purpose and to never let anyone influence them.

Stories like Na'Imah are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and help them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Arnez Kilgore

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 21:19:17 GMT

Re-investing in North Lawndale

Arnez Kilgore graduated from Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School and grew up in the North Lawndale neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago. He’s currently in his senior year studying Business with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Marketing at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. Arnez takes great pride in his community and mentions how that shaped him into who he is today.

Arnez plans to give back to his community in many ways and one way he’s doing that is through mentorship. “The main reason [I mentor] is because growing up in a fatherless home, I had my grandfather, but the absence of a stronger younger male figure within the house was missing for me. It played a huge role for me to attend my youth organization and to gain mentors to learn valuable lessons that I couldn’t learn from my grandfather because he’s a part of the older generation. So I know what it’s like to not have a father in the house, and the steps and the rules the mentors played in my life, I feel like it’s huge to do in younger generations.”

Just as Arnez has a passion for mentorship, he also has a deep passion for learning and understanding how a business works. “The main reason [I chose to study business] is for profit, I’m a money man and I try not to let money rule me but of course coming from a poverty-stricken neighborhood all you desire is to have a little cash in your pocket to do whatever you want to do. The second reason is that I like to stay busy. You can be busy and not productive but I like to say that I want to be productive while I’m busy. Another reason is the investment within the community needs to be higher, and when I say the investment I mean economic standing. We don’t have any stores, any fresh fruit, grocery stores, or Black-owned businesses within North Lawndale. My passion is to get that going within my community. Another reason is when I go into wholesaling, I love the chain of supply so it goes from the manufacturer to the wholesaler to the retailer. I always fell in love with that chain and how business works especially when it comes to creating and selling products," said Kilgore.

Arnez plans to use his degree and his passion for business to re-invest in his community to open up a wholesale store in the North Lawndale area similar to a mini Costco or Sam’s Club. “[This would benefit my community] because of employment, we lack employment and our employment numbers are low. So bringing a business like that would easily bring 50-100 jobs within the first five years of opening. That’s a big thing for me to allow a chance for individuals, especially the ones with a criminal background, to come in and work for me to help raise those unemployment numbers. We also have a food desert, diabetes, etc from a health standpoint is a problem within my community," said Kilgore

With Arnez’s goal to open up multiple businesses, he wanted to pursue higher education for that and many more reasons including his love and desire for football and his mentor Mike Trout. “My mentor Mike Trout pushed me to go and kept asking questions like; Are you going to college? What are you doing after high school? So, I had to sit down and think about these questions. His brother also had an opportunity to help me go to college, and with both of their help, I was able to go. It’s always been a passion of mine to go to college, I never wanted to stop my education at high school, but they just gave me the extra push,” said Kilgore.

Throughout his college journey, Arnez appreciates the support system and motivation he receives. “I gained help in many ways from Pursue Scholars, not just financially but having someone to talk to. You all are great with responding although I should do better. But just reaching out consistently to me and making sure I’m on top of what I am supposed to be on top of is the biggest help for me, although I have that in multiple ways, having those extra couple of people has helped. I also have to mention the financial part because coming from where I come from, going to college isn’t easy when you don’t have the money. I am blessed for you guys giving me this scholarship and it’s one of the things I would forever be grateful for,” said Kilgore.

As Arnez is navigating his last year, he encourages the next generation of scholars to have an open mind. “The advice I would give is to be honest with yourself and don’t overload your schedule. When you go, it’s always better for you to work your way around things don’t go in thinking you know everything in the world. Be humble when you go in,” said Kilgore.

Stories like Arnez are the reason we are grateful for Pursue partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and help them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Paving A Path For Future Entrepreneurs

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 21:36:12 GMT

Future hairstylist

Taphany Salley grew up in the East Garfield Park neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago with nine siblings. She graduated from Michele Clark Academic Prep Magnet High School in 2024 and will attend Northeastern Illinois University to pursue general business. “Growing up with nine other siblings it was always hard but easy at the same time because I was able to lean on my older siblings but it was hard because I had to watch after my younger siblings. Being the last girl in the house it became my responsibility to cook for my younger siblings and being there for them while my mom was at work,” said Salley.

The passion behind Taphany’s reason to study general business is her love for doing hair. “When I was about 11 I started doing my hair and I started picking it up more whether that was doing it with weave or without,” said Salley. "My favorite part about doing hair is when my clients say how good their hair looks. And when they tell me how everyone would ask who did their hair." Taphany also mentions that she chose to study general business because she wants to open a salon and know the basics of how to run a business and open one. With this business, Taphany plans on giving back to the community through hair. “I plan on spreading the word and teaching other young women or other people about the ways to become an entrepreneur and the benefits of starting their own business,” said Salley.

As a Pursue Scholar, Taphany is looking forward to the mentorship from the program. “I hope to gain community [from Pursue Scholars] and just more motivation to go on in college and be able to have people to mentor me through college,” said Salley. “Looking back at my family, it makes me want to become something better to help them out more.”

Taphany's goal to reinvest in her community is the reason why we are grateful for Pursue partners like you who invest in our scholars. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and helping them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Julianna Mokaya

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 17:53:15 GMT

Heading to the Ivy League

Julianna Mokaya graduated from Walter Payton College Prep High School and will attend Princeton University in the fall majoring in molecular biology and minoring in global health. “I like understanding how things work and I ask a lot of questions. Biology is strong in inquiring and trying to learn about how things work. That’s why I’m interested in the subject. I like to understand the background behind things and how things are pieced together, and I feel like Biology is a cool field to do that in, said Mokaya.

When applying for college, Julianna mentioned that her choice to apply for Ivy Leagues was “I honestly just applied because I never wanted to wonder if I would be able to get in, so I applied to three Ivy leagues; I applied to Harvard, Yale, & Princeton and I was surprised and happy when I got into all three,” said Mokaya.

She also mentioned that she wanted to be challenged in her education environment and wanted to learn more about different cultures. “I’m passionate about learning languages and I want to study abroad in college. I worked hard in high school and took rigorous courses and I believed that I wanted to be challenged in an environment with other students who worked hard and were dedicated to academics. So I said these places would be a great place for me, so why not try for it which led me to apply” said Mokaya.

Julainna’s passion for education is inspired by her grandfather and his passion for higher education. “My father is from Kenya, and his father, my grandfather, was passionate about education. That was the main thing he told his kids and he applauded anyone who was pursuing higher education. So I think my inspiration comes from him and my family because they always encouraged me to pursue higher learning,” said Mokaya.

When asking Julianna how her environment has shaped her identity she mentioned the roots of her family’s past have encouraged her to look at life from a different perspective and she expresses gratitude for the opportunities she’s been given. “I think my background as a daughter of an immigrant has impacted my perspective on life. I go into things with a different kind of mindset because knowing the challenges that my family has faced in the past and how I was able to reach the point that I’m at. I always have this thought in the back of my mind about the blessings I was given even when I’m having hard times or even when things don’t go my way. I always remember that I’m very blessed that God has given me a lot of resources that other people aren’t fortunate to have. So taking advantage of those has been a big thing, anytime I get an opportunity I want to take advantage of it,” said Mokaya.

For future career goals, Julianna mentioned that she’s working towards becoming a physician but she’s open to change. “I want my job to involve working with people and helping others so I think that would be a good combination of my interests,” said Mokaya.

As a Pursue Scholar, Julianna is looking forward to being supported in her spiritual development. “One of the things I like about [Pursue Scholars] is that it involves a Christian community so I’m excited to network and meet other people who are like me and from Chicago. I want to connect with people who can kind of help mentor me and help me transition my faith life to college. That is something I want to keep as a priority, but I know it would be hard to adjust to. I been going to the same church for 16 years so it would be a big change to move somewhere else and I have to find a new church and a new community, so I’m looking forward to that support," said Mokaya.

Stories like Julianna's are the reason we are grateful for Pursue partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and help them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: College Readiness Workshops

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 01:31:11 GMT

Annual Summer workshops

Every year our incoming class of scholars must attend at least two out of three workshops coordinated by Pursue Scholars. The purpose of these workshops is to help new scholars adjust and prepare for their first year of college. For these workshops, we aim to focus on three crucial concepts in life; professionalism, financial literacy, and spiritual development.

The first workshop was held on July 11th by one of our board members and the CEO of Pivotal Impact, Candace Washington. Candace focused her PowerPoint on navigating poise and professionalism in college. She first began to ask scholars what is their brand. And how do they stay authentic to their values? She then moved along to discuss how to dress for success and by showing examples of suggested clothing items for future interviews. She then wrapped up the workshop by discussing email etiquette when it comes to communicating with professors and Pursue staff. She had scholars break into pairs to send her a test email based on the scenario she gave them, so everyone could give feedback and suggestions for each group’s emails. “My favorite workshop was the professional etiquette workshop because it’s just a reminder of email etiquette and learning how to dress up for an interview was great,” said Fatamah Muhammad, an incoming freshman at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Candace Washington and scholars in the professional etiquette workshop

The second workshop was held on July 18th by another one of our board members, and the Director of Accounting at Lawndale Christian Health Center, Jeff Nelson. The workshop he facilitated was about financial literacy and being financially responsible. This workshop started with a conversation with scholars to envision themselves at 22, 32, or 52 and where they see themselves in those later years. Jeff then proceeds to discuss loan debt and how scholars can use a loan calculator to know how much they will have to pay after college. Jeff also mentions that scholars should calculate how much they need to earn and how much they will have to pay back if they take out a certain amount of loans. “ A lot of students don’t know what they are getting into and exposing us to the many problems that come with loans and federal aid is very helpful,” said Xavier Ortiz, an incoming freshman at Trinity College-Connecticut. To wrap up the workshop, Jeff's final words of encouragement for scholars is to count the cost, learn about aid, and talk to career counselors.

Jeff Nelson and s cholars in the financial literacy workshop

Our final workshop was held on July 25th and focused on spiritual and emotional well-being. This workshop was facilitated by Jordan DeVeaux, a spiritual care intern at Lawndale Christian Health Center. Jordan created an interactive playbook PowerPoint for scholars to follow along with learning how to manage their spirituality in college. She talks through four different stages of how to work on spiritual development by training, accepting, believing, and nourishing scholars' spiritual growth. She discusses transparency about making mistakes and cultivating a personal relationship with God. “My favorite one was the spiritual wellness because it’s true, we all go through different [things] in life and I know college is a new phase, so [spirituality] is something important,” said Luis Flores, an incoming freshman at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights.

Jordan DeVeaux and scholars in the Spiritual & Emotional Well-being workshop

Pursue Takes Camp Friedenswald 2024

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 19:47:41 GMT

Annual scholars retreat

Fireworks and bonding, Pursue staff took the new and current scholars on our annual scholars retreat to Camp Friedenswald over the Fourth of July weekend. The purpose of the annual retreat is to provide support for new scholars as they are about to transition into college while creating meaningful relationships over the weekend.

When we finally arrived at the campsite, everyone settled into the lodge and returned to the main room for the itinerary for the weekend. After, everyone indulges in nachos, a competitive game of Uno and Ping-Pong was followed shortly after.

The next morning, we started the day with breakfast and then devotion from our Executive Director, Clive Craigen. Devotion was guided by the scripture Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 which focused on friendship. This theme focused the conversation on having a friend to be able to carry burdens with you and how to also be a good friend to someone, which overall focuses on healthy friendships.

After devotion, Scholars transitioned to their first workshop which was a “Life Happens” college scenario focus. This workshop had scholars work in three different groups where they were provided with real-life college scenarios, and then they were given a negative card that shifted their initial scenario and ended with a positive card that could help their situation. The purpose of this session was to help scholars navigate difficult college life experiences while being a student.

The next workshop was about character development and self-love led by Pursue Alum, Teirra Scott. Teirra had several posters around the room that focused on questions that challenged scholars to dig deeper into who they were. For example, one question was “What are some qualities of achievements you appreciate about yourself?” All scholars were able to answer on post-it notes anonymously. The next phase of this workshop led scholars to write a letter to themselves, so they can read it in the future. Lastly, this workshop ended on character development by asking scholars to list one thing they like about themselves and something they wish they could change. “I had an amazing time, especially learning what self-love means to me and others. As well as things I could change about myself or things I can’t change that’s out of my control. I am leaving with an open mind and reassurance about myself,” said Sharmel Alexander, a rising sophomore at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Pursue Alum, Teirra Scott(pink shirt) facilitating the workshops and an example of one of the workshop posters with Pursue Alum, Leiny Vega (red shirt)

After all the workshops were finished, everyone ate lunch and then headed to the beach by the campsite for some Summer fun. Scholars played volleyball, and Kayaked through the lake while watching a mini boat parade. “This retreat helped me find peace. I went Kayaking for the first time, I never thought I would do that but I did it,” said Dekwon Smith, an incoming freshman at Trinity Christian College.

Dekwon Smith on a Kayak during the retreat

After some fun at the beach, the scholars went back to the campsite to prepare for the college panel led by current scholars and Pursue alum. This panel focused on a wide range of topics associated with college to help new scholars ask questions that dig deeper into college experiences. “One of my favorite things was the college panel because nobody in my family went to college, so I don’t have no one to talk to about the experiences, so hearing from all of you [Scholars & Alum] and gaining insight about what college life would be like is something that I appreciate that,” said Jhene Thomas, an incoming freshman at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

College panel with current scholars and two alum while new scholars are listening

Next after the college panel, everyone prepared to eat for dinner and then a firework show hosted by the camp. After the fireworks, scholars went back to the lodge for a game night explosion which also ended with the riddle of Johnny Appleseed.

Finally, the last day of the retreat consisted of breakfast, the final devotion led by Clive Craigen encouraged our scholars to enjoy life, but with a balance because God has the final judgment . “I appreciate this program, this program has opened my eyes to many opportunities, also now I have a little brotherhood [built over the weekend] but then again I love how Pursue gave me a good opportunity to show me a lot of things and meet new people,” said Jalen Jackson, an incoming freshman at Trinity Christian College.

Pursue Dreams: Justin Molina

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:03:41 GMT

Giving back through healthcare

Justin Molina is a Pursue Alum and a nurse at Lurie Children's Hospital. Justin's passion for nursing was inspired by his aunt while she was studying to become a nurse. "Growing up she would watch me on the weekends and I would be co-hosting her sessions of a lot of homework and studying as she was becoming a nurse. I have always been interested in the healthcare field, using my hands, interested in the sciences, and understanding the anatomy of what the body is all about," said Molina.

During Justin's college journey, he describes the financial support Pursue Scholars has given him, but he also describes the spiritual and community support Pursue has given him. "With the pressure and stress of a new school, pursuing higher education that will ultimately make your full-time decision as to what your life would look like for the rest of your life, all of those decisions can be pressuring and stressful. So being able to come back to a place where I can find likeminded people who are around me and within my same age group, who were going through the same thing as I was, and having leaders to support me going through that through Pursue was helpful..." said Molina.

To learn more about Justin's journey and how he gives back to healthcare, click the buttons below to listen.

Pursue Dreams: Kimberly Gavin

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 21:04:52 GMT

Holistic investment

Pursue Alum, Kimberly(Kim) Gavin is an Architect and Interior Design Lead at JaqCorp. She shares about her college journey and how Pursue impacted her journey beyond the financial support.

"This is one of the scholarships I still stay connected to, we used to get check-ins via call or email. I know Kevin came out to Indiana State a few times, and when I came home they would have gatherings to keep up with everybody. We got packages every season, and those are so nice, that was one of the best things that I appreciated about the scholarship because it's nice to receive packages especially when it's not junk mail," said Gavin.

If you want to learn more about Kim's journey, click the buttons below.

Pursue Dreams: Kianna Goss

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:45:34 GMT

The power of support

Kianna Goss, Associate Chief of Staff at Pursue Scholars shares her college journey and the support of her family as a first-generation college student. Kianna graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a concentration in Journalism and double minors in Sociology & Advertising/Public Relations.

After graduating, life after college has exposed Kianna to learning new things about herself and challenges about adulthood. "The first piece of advice I would give is to stay at home as long as you can, my family is allowing me to save and make smart financial decisions. If your home environment is good enough to stay in, give yourself enough time to save, and figure things out if you have a great support system," said Goss.

To learn more about Kianna's journey and her figuring out life post-graduation, click the buttons below.

Pursue Dreams: Yanira Trujillo

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 18:44:10 GMT

Canary Islands' Finest

Pursue Alum, Yanira Trujillo shares her journey as an Act Six Scholar at Taylor University. Later, she spent nearly two years as the Communications Specialist at Pursue Scholars. She tells the story of her international pursuit of higher education and beyond!

"When I came over here I was pretty much by myself, I didn't have financial support, so whatever I would get from work, I would get. I felt more alive and encouraged by when I got in [Pursue Scholars Act Six Program] at Taylor and the care packages [Pursue] would send me. You lived on a floor where moms and parents and family stop by and send you things, they would be small things but things that would help you. And I didn't have that in college because I didn't have anybody but I did have Pursue Scholars..." said Trujillo.

To learn more about Yanira's journey in college, click the buttons to listen below.

Pursue Dreams: A'Niya Thomas

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 21:13:21 GMT

The First-Gen Journey

A'Niya Thomas, the Coordinator of Scholar Experience at Pursue Scholars shares her journey as a former college student and being the first in her family to graduate. A'Niya graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Speech Communications in 2021. Being a recent graduate, A'Niya emphasizes the importance of reliability and connection with current scholars as they navigate their college journey.

"At the time HBCUs weren't getting as much traction as they are now it was like a taboo to go to an HBCU. But I am glad I made that decision because I could have easily ended up in Iowa or in the middle of nowhere in Illinois. I chose to go to Clark Atlanta because I knew everybody in my high school was going to Illinois State, Urbana, or any other Illinois school and there was nothing wrong with that. But I wanted to venture off and see if I would be able to make it outside of my family...," said Thomas.

To learn more about A'Niya's journey and her experience at an HBCU and how she's supporting the next generation of scholars, click the buttons below.

Pursue Dreams: Brandon Neal

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 16:01:34 GMT

Growing Into Leadership

Pursue Alum, Brandon Neal has always been active in school through sports, activities, and church to stay involved in his community. He shares his journey of learning about Pursue and figuring out his college choices.

“I managed to avoid a lot of the negativity that comes with living in this area of Chicago. I’ve been fortunate to have parents who always kept me involved with any and everything that would keep me busy and away from the things in these areas. Growing up I was always involved in sports and extracurriculars,” said Neal.

Click the buttons below to listen to Brandon’s story to learn more about him and his past experiences and how he came back home to help re-invest in the future generations of Scholars.

Pursue Stories: Celebrating Black History Month

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 20:15:05 GMT

Empowered by Ancestors, Driven by Purpose

Zaria Hobbs is a junior Agricultural Science major with a concentration in Educational Leadership & Communications at Tennessee State University. During Black History Month, Zaria reflected on how far society has come and she acknowledges the remarkable progress made in giving African Americans recognition for their contributions to society, but she knows there is still progress that needs to be made. "[Black History Month] serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done to address ongoing issues of racial inequality, making it a time for both celebration of achievements and a call to action for a more inclusive and equitable future," said Hobbs.

To celebrate the richness of Black culture, Zaria has been involved in a lot of ways to show her pride. "In the past, I celebrated Black History Month by watching movies, interviews, reading books, and being a part of educational programs and workshops that will teach me about our rich history and motivate me to work towards the change I want to see in the world," said Hobbs.

When asked who was Zaria's inspiration and who she would like to honor during this month she mentioned her mom. "My mom is faith-driven, determined, and an outgoing woman. She always inspires the youth and instills in them the importance of resilience, kindness, and hard work. Her unwavering faith guides her through challenges, and her determination fuels her pursuit of goals, she is constantly serving as a source of motivation for those around her. My mom effortlessly connects with people from all walks of life, sharing her experiences and wisdom to uplift youth. Through her actions and words, she exemplifies the qualities of a compassionate and strong individual, making her my biggest inspiration and a guiding light in my life," said Hobbs.

As Zaria continues to reflect on Black History Month, she mentions her favorite thing about Black culture is the music because it has a story and a certain level of swag to it. While taking pride in her culture, Zaria also wants to give back to the youth in her community. "Growing up on the West Side of Chicago posed challenges due to limited resources, hindering many kids from reaching their full potential. Despite the hardships, it served as a valuable learning experience, inspiring me to not only follow my dreams but also return and contribute to my community. By connecting with the youth and emphasizing the importance of faith in God, I aim to motivate them to persevere through challenges and strive for a brighter future, said Hobbs.

Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders to shine through the noise of that negative narrative and help them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Celebrating Black History Month

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 20:51:12 GMT

Honoring the past, Empowering the Future

Marcus Jackson is a sophomore Physics major at Lawrence University. In the past, Marcus has celebrated Black History Month by researching Black innovators, one of his favorites that he learned about is Ben Carson. Marcus loves to celebrate Black History Month because "It's a month of comfort, [It's a month] to honor and remember those that laid the path for me and acknowledge those that continue to do so today. Black history to me is a month of pride to be African American," said Jackson.

One person Marcus wants to honor during Black History is his father. "My biggest inspiration is my father, I love my father. He doesn't fall into negative stereotypes of how Black men are [portrayed]. He is there for his family, he loves his wife, and provides for his kids. He leads in his community and sets a concrete example of how to be a man in today's society. He follows God, handles business, knows how to control his anger, saves his money, and listens to advice. He is my ultimate role model and my great inspiration," said Jackson.

Also, Marcus' favorite thing about Black culture is the swag and the uniqueness that each individual brings to the culture. "Whether it's being savvy in class and showing our fellow peers we are smart and able to have fun, or if it's in the church showing we can praise God and we don't always have to be traditional and sacred to get deep into worship. You can see the effect of Black culture in almost everything; fashion, sports, and music. But we also thrive in science, activism, and entrepreneurship. Black culture is a gift and I am blessed to have been born in the skin I am in and I wouldn't have it any other way," said Jackson.

After college, Marcus plans to return to his community to give back to the youth in Chicago. "I want to show young Black boys and Black kids in general a positive picture of what they can amount to. I want to be there for Black men that feel like they have no outlet, and to let them know they can show emotion. I want to steward Black youth to Christ, and help them make their faith their own and not just something [someone] makes me them do every Sunday," said Jackson. Marcus' hopes to be an example for youth that makes them feel confident and encouraged just like his mentors did for him. He gives gratitude to his father, Mr. Zach, his uncles, brothers, and coaches that has shaped him to be the man he is today and guided him on the path to Christ and success.

Pursue Stories: Celebrating Black History Month

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 21:45:43 GMT

Unapologetically Black

Dorian Moody is a junior Health Science major on a pre-medicine track at Spelman College. In the past, Dorian has celebrated Black History Month in many ways to show honor and pride for Black culture. "From my earliest memories, I've embraced Black History Month with enthusiasm, engaging in meaningful discussions at school and within my family circle about the invaluable contributions of African Americans. Like many, I eagerly took part in the annual school presentations and activities dedicated to honoring this rich heritage. However, as I've matured, my commitment to understanding the past experiences of African Americans has deepened, particularly through avid reading and self-education on a more frequent basis," said Moody.

The importance of celebrating Black History Month for Dorian is, "a celebration of African Americans' resilience, important contributions, and cultural richness across the diaspora. Additionally, it honors past struggles and successes, amplifies marginalized voices, and offers a period of reflection on present-day challenges rooted in systematic racism. Moreover, it inspires a hopeful future rooted in progress, equality, and inclusivity. Most importantly, Black History Month isn’t just a month-long celebration to me, it is a daily celebration that I take pride in," said Moody.

Dorian describes her favorite aspects of being a part of the Black community and Black culture in four ways.

1. Unapologetic Nature: Black culture embraces authenticity and individuality without seeking approval from society's norms.

2. Resilience: Despite facing historical oppression, the Black community has consistently shown strength and determination to overcome challenges.

3. Leadership: Black culture has produced inspiring leaders who have made significant contributions across various fields, guiding and empowering others.

4. Diversity: Black culture celebrates a wide range of traditions, languages, and experiences, highlighting the richness and complexity of Black identity.

Also, Dorian mentions that being a leader and guide to her younger cousins is her biggest inspiration in her community. "As the older cousin to 23 younger children, I've taken on the role of caretaker and mentor, initially watching over them in the dedicated kids' room or basement during family gatherings.Over time, this evolved into being a consistent source of tutoring and guidance whenever they need it. These familial experiences have profoundly shaped my perspective and become the cornerstone of my inspiration. With every task I undertake, I'm driven by the desire to positively influence my younger cousins, knowing that my actions are paving the way for them to reach their full potential and achieve greatness," said Moody.

By being a leader in her close community with her loved ones, Dorian likes to re-invest in the Black community by pouring into youth in Chicago and in the Atlanta area. "Community service holds immense importance to me, a value instilled in me from a young age by my family and reinforced through my experiences as a Girl Scout. Last semester, I embarked on a meaningful journey of giving back by volunteering with Cool Girls, Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering young girls in vulnerable communities across Metropolitan Atlanta. In Chicago, I extend my commitment to community service by volunteering with Young, Black, and Lit, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to children's books that center, reflect, and affirm Black children. At Cool Girls, I contribute to their Monthly Unplugged Sessions, designed to nurture self-esteem, empowerment, mental health, and wellness among middle schoolers. In this role, I assist in various capacities, from setting up and facilitating group discussions to serving lunch and providing any needed support to the Program Manager. Engaging with the Cool Girls during these sessions is particularly rewarding, as I get to bond with them while guiding them toward personal growth and development. Furthermore, I extend my volunteer efforts to assist with external events hosted by Cool Girls, aiding in registration, event setup, breakdown, and offering support to the girls attending. Through my involvement with these organizations, I am honored to contribute to uplifting and empowering marginalized communities, fostering a sense of belonging and opportunity for future generations," said Moody.

Pursue Stories: Celebrating Black History Month

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 21:02:19 GMT

Rooted in Culture

Freddie Golden is a sophomore Computer Science major at Morehouse College. While attending a Historically Black College (HBCU) Freddie is inspired and proud to be a part of the Black community and celebrate Black History Month.

“Black History Month to me just means cultivation of our history, cultivation of culture, just bringing everybody together that looks like me and has my similarities. It's a big combination of who we are, and where we come from, and a way to celebrate that. It's a lot of times where we were downplayed and overlooked but [now] it’s a time where we can celebrate being here and being appreciated in our time and place,” said Golden.

As Freddie mentioned the importance of Black History Month to him, he also mentions who he looks up to and his biggest inspiration is his mother. “Just seeing everything [my mother] has been through, she’s a single mother of four. She just raised us all in a good way, we all went to college, and we all have our path. That's my biggest motivation for seeing how strong she’s been our entire lives and how she's been able to push through so many things and still provide for us. She’s my biggest inspiration to keep going in my studies, passions, and later in life for what I want to do for my kids,” said Golden.

Another thing Freddie loves about being a part of the Black community is the reliability in life through shared experiences. “ You can see a meme on the internet of something so random, but it’s a part of Black culture and everybody gets it, it’s like an inside joke. It’s just a funny and relatable thing that we all saw in our past, or something that we all experienced. I realized that we all have lived the same life in a sense. I like the reliability in our culture, almost all of us have the same struggles, experiencing the same environment, and it’s such a good thing to be a part of that community, and I take pride in it,” said Golden.

When it comes to ways that Freddie wants to reinvest back into his community, he has already started by pouring into the youth in Chicago. “I have a book out right now that focuses on the youth of Chicago and the people who are in underrepresented communities. I felt like I needed a mentor when I was younger. My book is called ‘The Million-Dollar Dream,’ and it’s a book about how I gained one million dollars in scholarships and how other people can do it as well. I feel like people need to understand scholarships, and going to school for free is possible, so that’s a way I give back to my community by showing young people and people that look like me that going to school is possible and necessary to push to the next phase of your life,” said Golden.

(Left): Freddie Golden at the 100 BMC College Scholarship Fair promoting his book, 'The Million-Dollar Dream' to Chicago students.

Pursue Dreams: Teirra Scott

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 23:28:49 GMT

Evolving Into Her Purpose

Pursue Alum, Teirra Scott shares her journey as a Chicago Westside native to a Howard University Alum. Teirra decided to attend Howard University because she got the opportunity to stay at Howard for a week to experience a glimpse of college life. She also felt a sense of community and being around individuals who looked like her. Although Teirra received no money from Howard during her Freshmen year, she found a community that supported her dreams.

"The money Pursue gave me was very small, but the impact they gave me was incredible. The biggest thing about being alone and doing something you don't have an example of, reminded me that it was just me and God. I had been in church my whole life but when I went away, I had to make sure I knew God for myself. Pursue made sure to cultivate that relationship with God, I was there by faith and made it through by faith. Pursue provided that spiritual support I needed even when sending care packages," said Scott.

After graduating, Teirra came back to her community as a teacher and mentor. Which sparked her passion to start her mentoring program. If you would like to learn more about Teirra's journey, click one of the links below.

Pursue Dreams: Derick Familara

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 21:28:15 GMT

Reframing Leadership

In high school when thinking about college, Derick expressed how he felt about applying for college. "Panic and fear, I had no idea of what to do next, and everyone around me had their entire next 20 years figured out. When going to a competitive school like Lane, there is competition in everything, not only in athletics because I was a part of the basketball team, but especially in academics," said Familara.

So, as high school graduation approached, Derick still had no idea of what he wanted to do, so he accidentally took a year off of college to figure out his game plan. During his time off he had three part-time jobs, in one of those jobs he was able to find his passion in youth ministry and loved working with kids. When he finally figured out his passions, he attended Moody Bible Institute where Pursue Scholars began to impact his journey. "I genuinely would not have been able to finish college if it wasn't for Pursue," said Familara.

Once Derick became a Pursue Alum, he became the Scholarship and Emerging Leaders Director for seven years here at Pursue. Through his journey, he learned the way leadership can be reframed and there are different leaders in different settings/career fields. To learn more about Derick's impact at Pursue, you can click one of the links below.

Pursue Dreams: Emmanuel Reid

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 21:17:56 GMT

Stepping into God's calling

Emmanuel Reid's family valued education, and therefore inspired him in the direction to pursue higher education and follow his passions. However, when applying for college, his biggest obstacle was finding scholarships. Emmanuel wanted to find ways to lessen the burden of financial costs for his parents, which is one reason that led him to Pursue Scholars. Another obstacle he faced while applying was having a spiritual foundation, and knowing that was going to be challenged away from home.

Although Emmanuel experienced challenges before going away for college, during college Emmanuel felt supported by Pursue Scholars. "Getting the Pursue bible as a graduation gift, having that visual reminder that this is one of the most important tools that I would be given in my entire life, it's not something I take for granted, and I treat it with the utmost respect that it deserved, so having that physical reminder was impactful. Also, the networking and being able to connect with other Scholars..." said Reid.

As Emmanuel continues on his journey, he talks about maturation and continuous molding into the man that God had called him to be. Join Emmanuel and listen to his journey of spiritual growth by clicking on one of the links down below.

Pursue Dreams: Daniel (Danny) Magallanes

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 19:45:29 GMT

growth through transition

Daniel (Danny) Magallanes attended Taylor University and was on a path to create his legacy after his sister Maribel Magallanes. When thinking about his college choices, Daniel described his biggest obstacle as himself.

Coming through Pursue Scholars Act Six scholarship program, Daniel describes the support as "The biggest [support] was if there was help needed then it was there, but if it wasn't needed then it was no pressure to use the support. [Pursue] will send care packages, which is a nice reminder that you are a part of something bigger and also remind you to be a bit grateful. The leadership development and encouragement to just to have people to be rooting for you was nice," said Magallanes.

If you want to hear more about how Pursue impacted Daniel's journey and his personal growth, listen to his journey by clicking one of the links down below.

Pursue Dreams: Maribel Magallanes

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 21:33:14 GMT

Paving the way for future scholars

Maribel Magallanes paved the way for future Scholars as she encouraged Kevin Gwin during one campus visit to have a conversation with the Vice president at the time at Taylor University. That conversation led Taylor to encourage more urban leaders to come through the launching of the Act Six program with Pursue Scholars.

"When [Pursue Scholars] will come visit me, to be able to have someone that I knew cared for me and checking in on me and taking the time to mentor, I never had a mentor and I found that to be a huge blessing," said Magallanes.

Do you want to know more about Maribel's impact? Listen to Maribel’s journey as she had to learn how to navigate through college and how she not only paved the way for future Scholars but also a program that impacted her younger brother.

Pursue Dreams: Madeja Sims

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 20:27:33 GMT

Graduating debt-free!

“Pursue Scholars checked in on us so much with phone calls and workshops on campus that helped build our relationship as students within our Cadre…,” said Madeja Sims, a Pursue Alum and Taylor University Graduate.

Listen to Madeja’s journey about how she graduated debt-free from college! Subscribe to our new podcast, Pursue Dreams, to make sure you don't miss how Scholars and Alum are pursuing their dreams!

Pursue Dreams: Desmond Herring

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 21:29:20 GMT

South Side Chicago To Pepperdine University

Desmond (Des) Herring grew up on the South Side of Chicago. He graduated from Gary Comer College Prep in 2013. He continued his education at Pepperdine University and graduated in 2017.

Desmond has been serving as an Alum Representative on our Board. Desmond shares how Pursue impacted his college experience. “When Pursue sent my care package I could get it right away which I think was so important [and] my family did a good job of sending care packages too. It was even more special that this organization went further than distributing funds for me to be here…,” said Herring.

If you would like to walk alongside Desmond’s journey and listen to his experience. Subscribe to our new podcast, Pursue Dreams, to make sure you don't miss how Scholars and Alum are pursuing their dreams!

Pursue Stories: Delani Rodriguez

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:21:27 GMT

Advocacy for students

Delani Rodriguez majors in English Education at Taylor University, found her calling through her involvement in youth ministry. During her time teaching Bible lessons, she noticed that many children were struggling with reading. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in education, with the goal of helping people read and write effectively to broaden their perspective through literature. Her passion for literature can be traced back to her high school English teacher, Mr. Chadwick. His unique teaching style, which encouraged group discussions and allowed students to explore their interests, sparked her love for learning and writing in an unexpectedly enjoyable way.

But Delani's commitment to education goes beyond personal fulfillment. She is acutely aware of the life-changing impact of a good education and the challenges marginalized communities face in accessing quality resources. She emphasizes the role of the education system in perpetuating systemic racism, and this awareness drives her dedication to making a difference.

Delani's ambition to be a leader led her to become a Pursue Scholar, where she could enhance her leadership skills. She's grateful for the guidance of mentors Derick and Megan, who helped her decide to stay at Taylor University during a period of uncertainty. Other areas of encouragement came from her family, who kept her grounded. "I’m very outspoken, stubborn, and bold. I think they always bring me back to Christ and remind me that I’m not here because of myself and anything I did, but because of Christ." As she approaches graduation, she values Pursue's focus on nurturing servant leaders through mentorship and tailored programs.

Looking ahead, Delani aspires to teach and eventually explore opportunities in higher education. She plans to get her masters in sociology and possibly teach on social issues using English as an outlet to achieve this. “I am hoping to get my Ph.D. in organizational leadership maybe. Then, I would love to teach in a big university. I'm hoping to go to school at the University of Houston, and maybe teach classes in Texas but I don’t really know where the Lord will call me when it comes to teaching,” said Rodriguez . As far as giving back to her community she plans to stay connected with her youth group and mentor someone from Chicago, regardless of where she lives. Delani is committed to promoting competency and empowering her students, reminding them that they are not defined by their identity and encouraging them to break free from systemic constraints.

Stories like Delani are the reason we are grateful for partners like you. Your gift to Pursue Scholars today will be actively investing in young Chicago leaders and help them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Jamila Del Raso

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:01:18 GMT

educational roots

Jamila Del Raso received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education Studies from North Park University in 2018. She currently works as a Lead Preschool Teacher at Breakthrough FamilyPlex. She always had a passion for teaching and was influenced by many teachers around her.

Reflecting on her childhood, she realized she had this passion at an early age because “when I was young, I would use my graded papers to pass out to my stuffed animals and teach them while managing my ‘classroom.’ Education was all around me growing up. My mom was an entrepreneur, owning her bus service and company. She would have so many kids on the bus, and I would tag along sometimes. I remember telling the kids what to do and essentially being bossy. My mom knew how to lead, instruct, teach, and discipline challenging behaviors in a way that impacted them later in life. She is memorable to them (they still remember her to this day,)" said Del Raso.

More teachers in her family continued to influence Jamila as an inspiration for education. “My grandma Minerva White was a music teacher. She taught all of her grandchildren how to play the piano. The gentleness she exhibited softens my heart to this day. She had so much to offer young minds. She was patient, loving, kind, wise, godly, and experienced a lot of hardship. She is a reminder that no matter what, I can keep my cool, whether that’s in the classroom or walking down the street. She was an amazing storyteller as well. Reading me bedtime stories when I spent the night. One of my distinct memories I have is of me sitting at the edge of the bed with her and starting to cry because I didn’t want her to die. She looked at me and asked, “Where is your faith?” That story is forever etched in my memory,” said Del Raso. “My grandfather taught history at a university. When I would have homework regarding history, I would ask my grandfather multiple questions, and he had so much to say about different times in history. My grandfather was wise and knowledgeable about the world around him.”

As Jamila followed her educational roots in her undergraduate experience, she mentioned the encouraging support system she had. “I had a great support system in college. My mom would take me to NPU from the South Side of Chicago. Also, my dad would pick me up from night classes since he works at NEIU. We would talk, catch up, and bond while he took me home. My church community was also a huge part that made me feel supported during college. My professors were super understanding when my grandmother got sick and died in 2014. They let me have an incomplete in my first semester so I could finish my work and be there with my grandma. I met with a counselor, and they were very accommodating and supportive,” said Del Raso.

Jamila had a strong foundation of support, and she mentioned how Pursue Scholars was a bonus to her support system. “Pursue Scholars was an encouragement to me. When Derick and Kevin would visit me, check on me, and eat with me, it was so nice to see them, catch up, and be around people who were truly in my corner. The care packages were so great, with good snacks. Mentally, it was nice to see familiar and safe faces on campus when Derick and Kevin came,” said Del Raso.

Also, Jamila appreciated her support system because one obstacle she faced in college was “living at home and traveling to school via train or my mom. Pursue helped encourage me to keep going even though it wasn’t comfortable always traveling from far distances. Grouping me with people who were also trying to be excellent at their university was also helpful,” said Del Raso.

As Jamila continues to reinvest in her students, she mentioned being aware first. “I see myself giving back by first making sure I am conscious of my identity. It starts with the way I respond to the kids. If I am on edge, bringing my personal life into the classroom, I won’t be able to give as God calls me to or on a professional level. After I continue to be strengthened, softened, and molded into who God wants me to be, I can be what the kiddos need me to be in the classroom. I can re-invest in the future by seeing children's challenging behaviors as them communicating something beyond defiance and not wanting to listen. I can reinvest in the future of education by giving every child the tools they need to be the best they can be. I hope to see the children I teach cope with their emotions, express their feelings and thoughts confidently, and make a difference in the lives of others, knowing their value and worth in Christ. Helping foster a healthy internal voice that doesn’t diminish or devalue themselves or others. The community that I teach needs emotional investment as well as teaching basic life skills and needs. People from infancy to old age should be equipped with emotional support, therapy (even if there aren’t any issues) and the best chance at life,” said Del Raso.

Pursue Stories: Angelina Calvillo

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 19:26:56 GMT

New Journey, Same Goals

Angelina Calvillo is a freshman at Trinity Christian College studying Elementary Education. Angelina grew up in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. Her inspiration for wanting to become a teacher started at a young age to make an impact.

“My dream ever since I was younger was to be a public school teacher; I want to make an impact on this younger generation. I feel like being a teacher allows you to do that because you are spending a lot of time with these students, and you can build them up and let them know the strengths you see in them and lead them to paths of success for their future,” said Calvillo.

Angelina's goal to make an impact was also inspired by one of her previous teachers, who taught the theory of knowledge, named Ms. Olszewski. “She was just a bubbly and joyful woman; every time I walked into her class, I wanted to genuinely be there. She made learning so much fun, and seeing how knowledgeable she was about the subject made me want to learn more about it. She was more than a teacher, she was a mentor, she would check up on us, and she was always someone we could talk to if we needed help,” said Calvillo.

Since Angelina started her new journey, she mentioned feeling encouraged by her support system. “My family offers me a lot of support; they check up on me through a phone call or text, and sometimes my family will visit me on campus to let me know they are there for me. Spiritually, they pray for me, and we do Bible study together to encourage me at times when I struggle during this first year. [Pursue Scholars] has also provided an awesome community I can go to, and I’m a part of a family with Pursue Scholars. If I'm ever needing help or struggling to find encouragement, I know Pursue Scholars is there," said Calvillo.

Additionally, Angelina mentioned how Pursue Scholars is encouraging her to face a personal obstacle. “I saw how Pursue wanted to invest in students and make them become leaders, and that’s something I struggle with is learning how to lead. Pursue Scholars will help strengthen me because I had leadership roles before, but I feel like Pursue will help me develop those skills,” said Calvillo.

As Angelina continues her journey to becoming an elementary school teacher in public schools she mentioned why that’s important to her. “I grew up in public schools, and I see public schools need a lot of help on how they teach their classes. I want to be able to teach younger classes because I feel like that’s where you can make the most impact. After all, they are still growing up and learning new things. For me, being able to teach them will be fulfilling and something I am excited to do,” said Calvillo.

Pursue Stories: Mariah Price

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 17:41:34 GMT

Future School Counselor

Mariah Price grew up on the South Side of Chicago and currently resides in the Woodlawn neighborhood. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Counseling with a minor in behavioral science in 2021. Mariah is currently studying to get her master’s degree in school counseling at National Louis University. She also is an Elementary Program Director at Sunshine Gospel Ministries.

Mariah’s inspiration for studying psychology was because “I always knew that I wanted to work with people and was interested in how people work. When I was in college, my major was psychology, and it was a few classes that showed me counseling was the way I wanted to go. It wasn’t until I started working at Sunshine that I wanted to pursue school counseling to work in a school setting,” said Price. Mariah has been involved with Sunshine since between the ages of nine and ten by going to their Summer camp a few times. She mentioned that from that time through high school, it sparked her inspiration to work with youth because “ I had a lot of mentors that I called my village who would pour into me and guide me, so I wanted to be the same thing for kids,” said Price.

One obstacle Mariah faced during her undergraduate experience was “I started in my college at a predominantly white institution in Indiana in the middle of nowhere, I wasn’t used to being the minority, that experience was different and harder for me to adjust academically and socially,” said Price. However, Mariah felt supported by her support system back at home including Pursue. She felt supported by Pursue because “being able to have people back home, the college visits and the care packages may seem small but it went a long way."

Another obstacle Mariah faced was “financial because I paid my way through college, so being supported by Pursue was helpful. Also, because I went to a Christian college and I felt like my spiritual walk was always being tested, I wasn’t used to being around a lot of people so advanced in their faith. I felt like Pursue allowed us opportunities to grow, they were there for spiritual support, they gave us Bibles and journals, I think spiritually they helped me navigate some difficulty I had,” said Price.

As Mariah described her experience and how much Pursue supported her as a student, she mentioned how that support continued in her adult life and provided her with lifetime mentors. One mentor that she gained from Pursue was “April, and we are still in touch to this day, although she’s not at Pursue anymore. I believe she was the only lady on staff there at the time, so having another Black woman who’s older than me and someone that I looked up to who was very influential. During the first retreat, she had cooked for us the whole time, and I admired and appreciated her hospitality and peaceful aura about herself. My other two are Derick and Kevin. Derick was always supportive and there if I needed him. I appreciated that support from him and him being himself. Kevin was the same way, and I felt intentionality from all of them, but specifically from Kevin. Being the founder of Pursue, he never made me feel like I was beneath him, he was very much involved and got to know us on a personal level,” said Price.

Since Mariah graduated in 2021, she has been intentional about reinvesting and being involved in her community. Mariah sees her involvement with working with youth as a way to re-invest in the future because “children today are our future, and I think it’s important to use the gifts and talents we have to make the world a better place. I think pouring into our children is important because one day, they will be in our shoes; they will be our changemakers. Just because they are kids, we shouldn’t look at them as kids who may not know any better. It’s important to plant the seeds now, so when they are older, they can make a change,” said Price.

Pursue Stories: Addison Curry

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 17:24:03 GMT

Walking in her parents footsteps

Addison Curry is a junior at the University of Tampa studying Elementary Education. Addison mentioned her inspiration to become a teacher was because of her parents. “My parents were both teachers, which is one thing that inspired me to become a teacher. I’ve always looked up to them and admired them, so I was partly interested in majoring in education because of how much they valued education. I also had so many great teachers growing up that inspired me to become a teacher; so many teachers left a positive impact on my life and inspired me to persevere through challenges, and I want to be able to inspire my future students in the same way,” said Curry.

Not only has Addison's journey been influenced by her parents, but also her high school piano teacher left a long-lasting impact on her. “One teacher who inspired me to pursue a degree in education was my piano teacher in high school, Ms. Perry. Every time we walked into her classroom, she made us feel safe, welcome, and supported. If I was having a bad day, I was instantly uplifted when I got to her class. Any time I was confused in class, she worked with me and let me know that she was there to support me. I genuinely felt that she cared about me as a person and wanted me to be successful. I hope to be a teacher like that for my future students; I want to have a classroom where all students feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves,” said Curry.

As Addison continues her journey of becoming a teacher, she mentions the solid support system around her. “My family and friends are all so supportive of me in my journey to becoming a teacher. My family is always checking in on me and sending me encouragement when I need it. My friends at school are all so supportive and help me out in any way they can; they have sat through countless lessons of mine, pretending to be students and doing assignments to help me run through. I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me, given me advice, and given me feedback,” said Curry.

Not only has Addison’s family and friends played significant role in her support system, but she also expressed that she feels supported by Pursue Scholars. “Pursue Scholars has been so supportive of me in my journey. From care packages to the most simple encouraging texts, Pursue has made me feel that they want me to be successful in my college journey. I know that if I ever need advice or someone to talk to, I can reach out and know they are able to help,” said Curry.

Although Addison still has time to figure out her career goals and the path she desires to take, she knows what kind of educational experience she wants to provide for her future students. “After I graduate, I plan to become a teacher. Some of my best memories growing up were at school, and I hope to provide an educational experience for students that they can remember positively. I not only want to help students be successful in their academic goals, but I also want to build connections with students and support them in their everyday lives. Some of my best teachers supported me in and out of the classroom, which is something I strive to do as a future teacher. While teaching is challenging, it’s all worth it to see students inspired and grow as they learn,” said Curry.

Pursue Stories: Madeja Sims

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 16:25:36 GMT

Reinvesting in her community

Madeja Sims was born and raised in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. She is a first-generation graduate in her family and graduated debt-free. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Taylor University in 2021. She is studying for her master’s degree in Special Education and Teaching. Also, she is a Special Education Specialist in the Noble Schools network on the West Side of Chicago.

Madeja was actively involved in the By The Hand Club For Kids program, where she was influenced by her mentor, Donnita Travis. Madeja mentioned how college was constantly introduced to her at a young age, especially in this program. “By The Hand talked about faith first, but they also talked about us dreaming as young kids. They told us the steps to take and helped us create visions. I went to a Noble Network high school, and it was college-driven. I was exposed to college a lot, even after I graduated from grammar school, and it was like, this is the route you should go,” said Sims.

Madeja learned about the ActSix program at Pursue Scholars through By The Hand. “It was new in Chicago, and I was doubting the process. I applied the night before it was due. I started sharing my heart in the essay we had to write. The next day, they told me I was accepted into the next phase, and I went through. I made it and got the scholarship and was the only one in my class who got a full ride, which was a blessing to me and my family,” said Sims.

When arriving at Taylor University, Madeja mentioned how the experience was different than what she expected. “It was different because I didn’t have any parents or anything with me, and it was a different setting that I was not expecting. Growing up in the inner-city, you get introduced to HBCUs and the importance of sororities/fraternities, so in my mind, that’s what I was excited about, but it was the complete opposite, and we felt like the minorities on campus, so I was pretty nervous. The way to make me comfortable is connecting with one person, so I started connecting to the workers and student workers,” said Sims.

Although Madeja learned a way to adapt to her school environment, she was also encouraged by her support system around her. “Pursue Scholars checked in on us so much with phone calls and workshops on campus that helped build our relationship as students within our Cadre. By The Hand was also a part of my [support system] because I had times where I wanted to go home and the only way I got to campus was because of By The Hand. Also, in my faith journey with Donnita, we would talk weekly every Saturday to check in mentally, spiritually, and academically. She would remind me about those small goals, but we always ended with a prayer or how my life was with Christ,” said Sims.

After graduating, Madeja thought she wanted to work in the nonprofit sector but quickly felt that wasn’t her calling from God. “I worked at three different nonprofits within six months, everything kept shutting down, and I had negative thoughts working in that area. I was not listening when God told me no, and that wasn’t the way to go. I applied to Noble twice and got denied twice, but the third time, they called me back to come, and this is where I needed to be,” said Sims.

Madeja's passion for teaching comes from that natural feeling she gets when she is in a school environment. “I work at a high school and it makes me feel good that I’m doing what I’m supposed to do. With me growing up in Englewood and the students growing up on the West Side, we have similarities, and being able to understand them if the teacher doesn't and speaking up for them when the teacher can’t hear them...all those things feel natural,” said Sims.

Ten years from now, Madeja mentioned that she is still determining where she is headed, but she does have a goal to take on more leadership roles in education. "One thing someone told me that helped me is even if you can't save all the kids, at least it's one child, so just noticing how much of an impact you can have not for the whole world but just for one person is very powerful, and it will have them go further than they think they can go," said Sims.

Every flower needs a bit of sunlight and water to grow. Similarly, every leader needs to be poured into and nurtured to be what God has destined them to be. It isn’t breaking news that the overarching narrative surrounding Chicago’s youth is negative. Our Scholars and Alum is challenging that narrative through leadership and reinvestment. This is why support like yours is needed. By donating to Pursue Scholars, you will actively empower young Chicago leaders to shine through the noise of that negative narrative and help them embark on a journey that will truly lead to change.

Pursue Stories: Zayda Strother

bneal@pursuescholars.org (Brandon Neal) — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 21:30:32 GMT

Plans to give back to her South Side Community

Zayda Strother is a junior at Taylor University, majoring in Elementary Education. She always knew she wanted to work with kids but initially wanted to do so through nursing. It wasn’t until she arrived at college that she realized education was the way to go. When she first arrived on campus, she was undecided but decided to take an education class just to see what it would be like and ended up falling in love with it.

Zayda has always had a heart to help the youth, especially on the South Side of Chicago, where she grew up. She noticed that within the education system, many students' experiences lacked that “relationship piece” and that is something that she wants to bring back once she begins her career as an educator. Zayda plans to become a teacher and then advance to being a principal on the South Side of Chicago so she can help make an even more significant impact on the youth in the city that she cares for so deeply.

The education system is lacking in certain areas and that is leading to young people not wanting to be in school as much anymore. “When people don’t want to learn, it's hard to teach anybody anything,” said Strother. And she knows from experience because her relationship with her fourth-grade teacher, Mrs.Delilah Brooks, directly influences why she wants to become a teacher today. “ One of my goals is to help reshape [student's feelings toward school] through relationships even if school is not their thing. If they have someone who has expectations for them, then they might want to come to school, then they kind of learn without realizing they are getting better at it day by day,” said Strother.

Relationships have played a huge role in Zayda’s life. Because of relationships, Zayda even began pursuing a career in education. While on her pursuit she is continuously supported by her loved ones and friends. She appreciates the time they take out of their schedules to give her a call and check-in. Those gestures go a long way for her.

Also, relationships helped Zayda get involved with Pursue Scholars. She heard about the program through family and friends, so when it became her turn to begin applying for colleges, she knew that Pursue was a good option, and it aligned perfectly with the aspects of her life that she felt were the most important. She values the relationships she has formed over the last couple of years, with both staff and scholars, and notes Megan Familara from Pursue had a huge impact on her life. In her own words, she says, “What sets Pursue apart is the relationship part. People genuinely care and try to check-in to see what you need. It comes down to the specifics; they provide us with a lot but they still give us choices of what we want.”

Zayda describes Pursue as “a program that helps better students [by helping them] become what they want to be. They help you meet your goals, it’s very relationship based, and morally it is support for people who want to do leadership.” Zayda plans to give back to her community in many ways, starting by being the change in one school and then continuing to help and support more and more students as her career progresses.

Pursue Stories: Vanessa McKay

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 20:52:04 GMT

Serving youth through school counseling

Trigger warning: This story contains sensitive information.

Vanessa McKay received her Bachelor's degree in Youth Ministry from Moody Bible Institute in 2017. Her inspiration for majoring in youth ministry was because “through the first year online program at Moody I got connected to Inner City Impact, so during our orientation I felt God telling me I don’t need you to work with teenagers through sports, but just working with teenagers in general, which is why I switched my major from sports ministry to youth ministry,” said McKay. Then, she received her Master’s degree in school counseling from Northeastern Illinois University in 2021.

The moment when Vanessa knew she wanted to pursue a career in school counseling was, “I think when I continued to serve at Inner City Impact, I loved being around students. I wondered where can I be around students for a longer period? And so they are at school for half of the day, so I knew I had to work in schools,” said McKay.

Vanessa’s struggles also motivated her to encourage the youth around her. During her undergraduate experience, she explained her support system as

crucial: “I hated college and was doing bad. My anxiety was very bad. I had a lot of seasons of clinical depression, I was in toxic relationships, and things were going on at home. I would say my support system was my church, and I think I had a codependency and savior complex when I wasn’t feeling good, so I would text kids from Inner City Impact to hangout so I could focus on them and make sure they were okay,” said McKay. Vanessa also mentioned that Pursue Scholars played a significant role in her support system. “ I remember when I failed my first class, I called Kevin, and I expected Pursue to revoke my scholarship, and I was more scared of Pursue revoking my scholarship than telling my parents that I failed a class. He told me Pursue wasn’t going to revoke my scholarship because he understands that life happens, but if I needed more support academically or personally, I needed to tell them that too."

As Vanessa continues in her career, she sees school counseling as a reinvestment into future leaders because “that’s where students are, but specifically because my cousin died of an overdose six years ago. He was well-rounded, it wouldn’t be so fun when he would get drunk or be on drugs. It got to a point where it would be dangerous to be in contact with him. I think if people had encouraged him to use his strengths and point him back to his values, I think his life would have continued and been a different story. I try to tell kids with similar paths that they matter no matter their mistakes, and that they have talents but using them in the wrong way. I emphasize to kids their value despite their GPA or what their teachers or parents might say. I tell them the choices they make now will affect them later in life,” said McKay.

Lastly, Vanessa emphasized that there are needs in communities of schools, and one of those needs is “we need people who work at schools who genuinely care about the students that they are serving. We need teachers and adults who work at schools that care about minority students and students in the LGBTQ+ community and speak to them in a way that shows that they care about them regardless of personal and religious beliefs. I would say to have a humble heart and an open mind,” said McKay.

Pursue Stories: Navigating College Life (Elianna Beier)

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 15:59:21 GMT

Meet Elianna Beier

Elianna Beier is a freshman at Trinity Christian College, and she’s majoring in nursing. “I chose nursing as my major because I love working with people and I am very interested in learning the human body,” said Beier. Since the start of her new journey, Beier describes how college is different from high school.

“My transition from high school to college has been different because transitioning to college is more about learning to be an adult and be independent, whereas high school was something you had to get over with before you could become an “adult.” So, with this transition one challenge Beier faced in college thus far is, “ learning how to balance everything, like taking care of myself, doing schoolwork, and having a social life.” While facing these new challenges, Beier expresses, “Pursue Scholars has helped me to prepare for college because they held sessions about certain aspects of college that are helpful to learn about. I also was able to meet people from my school before I moved in.”

However, despite the challenges Beier has faced so far, she has created a great social circle for herself. “Making a group of friends that are like a support group and doing fun things with them has been the highlight of my college experience so far,” said Beier.

Left side of camera person: Elianna Beier and her friend group having late night breakfast/dinner.

One piece of advice she wished she would have received was, “I wished someone would have told me how to create a good schedule. Figure out when you need to eat, when you need to do homework, when you need to sleep, and so on. It is very easy to forget, or not have time, to do basic tasks, or to go to bed on time.” As Elianna continues to grow in her new social group and overcome challenges in college, Pursue Scholars pray that she has a safe and successful first semester.

Pursue Stories: Navigating College Life

kgoss@pursuescholars.org (Kianna Goss) — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 15:41:52 GMT

Meet Sharmel Alexander

Sharmel Alexander is a freshman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Currently, she’s undecided but is interested in a Business major. Her interest in majoring in business is because there are not a lot of Black-owned businesses in her community on the Westside of Chicago.

Sharmel went to high school at Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy, and she compares her high school experience to college. “My transition from high school to college hasn’t been that much of a difference because you still have to do a lot of assignments. The biggest difference is the time you are in class because you go from having eight-hour school days in high school to only one or two classes a day throughout the week in college,” said Alexander.

There have been a few highlights and challenges while navigating college life. “The highlight of my college experience is the freedom of making your own choices, you become very independent and have a lot of free time,” said Alexander.

However, “The biggest challenge I have faced so far is my sleep schedule, organization skills, and college expenses. My sleep schedule is bad at the moment because I am not a morning person, so my 9:00 a.m. math class kills me. The first two weeks of class showed me that I am not organized at all.”

Another eye-opener moment for Sharmel is how expensive things are in college. “College is expensive and I’m not talking [only] about tuition, but college books as well,” said Alexander. “Finding used books or even books online has become my favorite skill, I’m doing anything and everything to save my money." Although Sharmel is finding ways to save and budget, she mentioned how Pursue Scholars prepared her for financial literacy. “Pursue Scholars help me prepare for college because at one of our workshops, we talked about budgeting money and how to save and I’ve been using the tips they gave us every day since I got to college.”

Financial Literacy Summer workshop held by Pursue Scholars with Guest Speaker/Board of Director, Jeffrey Nelson. Photo taken by Brandon Neal.

It’s been officially one month since Sharmel started her new journey and she’s already learned some tips and faced a few challenges of college life. A few pieces of advice that she wishes someone would have given her is, “It’s okay to ask for help when you need it,” said Alexander. “Spending money to treat yourself is okay sometimes but not all the time because before you know it, you will need something for class but don’t have it because you spent your money on Chick-fil-A or Wingstop.”

As Sharmel continues to navigate the ups and downs of college, Pursue Scholars prays that she has a safe and successful first semester.

Annual New Scholars Retreat

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 18:46:39 GMT

retreat transformation

By: Kianna Goss

Suitcases rolling, pillows across their arms and headphones in Scholars’ ears as they headed on the bus for our Annual New Scholars Retreat. Our Annual New Scholars Retreat happens at the end of June as an opportunity to connect with the new scholars who will be starting college in the Fall. This retreat allows scholars to bond with each other, Pursue Alum, and Pursue staff.

The bus quickly filled with laughter and music from a scholar's playlist accompanied by a few snores from sleeping passengers. During the two-hour ride, two scholars kicked off karaoke on the bus. “Party in the USA,” by Miley Cyrus, a classic road trip song woke everyone up over halfway into the trip.

The bus finally arrived in Lake Geneva, WI where the Scholars were greeted with a wave and smile from the Guest Relations Coordinator. After a brief orientation, Scholars scattered to their separate rooms, where they were welcomed with the instant smell of disinfectant spray and the loud rustling sheets being put on bunk beds.

The evening concluded with A’Niya Thomas, Pursue Scholars Program Coordinator, leading everyone in late-night snacks and bonding activities.

The new Scholars quickly grabbed plates of pizza and nachos. After eating, the Scholars transitioned into playing some classic childhood games, and then it was off to bed for everyone.

The next day started at 8:00 a.m. with a morning prayer before breakfast and light table conversations. This was followed by devotions taught by our Executive Director, Clive Craigen with a challenge to get rid of the waste in their lives spiritually speaking and Pursue growing spiritually not as a solo mission, but with others.

After devotions, everyone took a few minutes to read through everyone’s two-page autobiography which was completed by everyone (almost) before the retreat. Everyone was assigned to write a two-page autobiography for others to read and ask questions. After a few minutes of reading, questions were allowed. Everyone learned something new about everyone else like one Scholar enjoys ranch dressing on her spaghetti.

After lunch, we spent time canoeing and paddle-boating in the lagoon. Scholars then headed to the gym to play a short game of volleyball. We enjoyed a slip-and-slide down a hill filled with bubbles, water and laughter.

After getting cleaned up and having dinner, Pursue Alum and current staff formed a panel that engaged in conversation about a wide-ranging list of college-related topics. This panel proved to be a highlight of the weekend for all. This sparked questions from new Scholars and led to vulnerable conversations between staff, Alum and individual students. “My favorite part of the retreat was learning about finance and how to budget money as well as seeing how my peers think,” said Sharmel Alexander, a new Scholar who will be attending the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

After the panel, everyone gathered by the campfire to make a camp classic dessert, s’mores. As everyone roasted marshmallows and crunched loudly on graham crackers they all began to bond again around the campfire. Then, Scholars suggested watching a movie before heading to bed, so we gathered in the meeting room to watch, “Let It Shine.”

The next day started at 8:00 a.m. again as the Scholars headed to eat their final breakfast of the weekend. The bus arrived shortly after breakfast to take everyone back to Chicago. A Pursue Alum who has been on the retreat three times reflected on her experience, “each year is always different and unique due to it always being a different group of people. This year’s retreat was a refreshing time as I got to know other Scholars and share advice about college and life from my experience thus far,” said Myka Savage.

Finally, arriving back at the office in Chicago, Scholars proceeded to their cars after hugs and the exchange of phone numbers. This was the end of a successful, bonding and rejuvenated retreat. “The retreat opened the door for a lot of new relationships, it was fun and worth every minute,” said Nyari Gray, a new Scholar who will be attending Illinois State University in the Fall.

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From the Windy City to the Big Apple

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Celebrating Black Culture

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Paving the Way for Future Generations

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A Legacy of Service

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Future Ultrasound Technician

Pursue Stories: Uriah Martin-Velez

Paying it Forward

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Like Father, Like Son

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Reinvesting through Education

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Mentorship through youth

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Inspired by her Mom

Pursue Stories: Daijah Pierce

First-Generation Future Doctor ﻿

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Creating a Legacy

Pursue Stories: Jose Perez

Bringing awareness to mental health

Pursue Stories: Na'Imah Johnson

A Network of support ﻿

Pursue Stories: Arnez Kilgore

Re-investing in North Lawndale

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Future hairstylist

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Heading to the Ivy League ﻿

Pursue Stories: College Readiness Workshops

Annual Summer workshops

Pursue Takes Camp Friedenswald 2024

Annual scholars retreat ﻿

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Giving back through healthcare

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Holistic investment

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The power of support

Pursue Dreams: Yanira Trujillo

Canary Islands' Finest

Pursue Dreams: A'Niya Thomas

The First-Gen Journey

Pursue Dreams: Brandon Neal

Growing Into Leadership

Pursue Stories: Celebrating Black History Month

Empowered by Ancestors, Driven by Purpose

Pursue Stories: Celebrating Black History Month

Honoring the past, Empowering the Future

Pursue Stories: Celebrating Black History Month

Unapologetically Black

Pursue Stories: Celebrating Black History Month

Rooted in Culture

Pursue Dreams: Teirra Scott

Evolving Into Her Purpose

Pursue Dreams: Derick Familara

Reframing Leadership

Pursue Dreams: Emmanuel Reid

Stepping into God's calling

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growth through transition

Pursue Dreams: Maribel Magallanes

Paving the way for future scholars

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Graduating debt-free!

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South Side Chicago To Pepperdine University

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First-Generation Future Doctor

A Network of support

Heading to the Ivy League

Annual scholars retreat