LINK Unlimited Draws Private Equity Support for African American High School Scholarship Program

May 20, 2011 - PRLog -- CHICAGO -- Leaders in Chicago’s private equity community were challenged by former CEO of Chicago Public Schools Ron Huberman to step up and support programs that enable a larger percentage of  African American students to be successful in high school and go to college.  “LINK Unlimited is one of those special community programs that is making a huge difference by getting more economically disadvantaged kids into better high schools and preparing them for college,” Huberman said.  

Speaking on "Improving Urban Education -- Reflections from my tenure at Chicago Public Schools" at a luncheon hosted by Winston & Strawn, Huberman outlined how LINK assigns each program-supported scholar his or her own mentor who gives time and resources over a four year period to ensure the student’s success. “That mentor is the special element that sets this program apart from all the other programs targeted at this at-risk community,” he explained.  

The luncheon is expected to raise $100,000 for the LINK program.  In addition to Winston Strawn, other Platinum sponsors included MFC Capital Funding, Fifth Third Bank, Schiff Hardin LLP, Goldberg Kohn Ltd and GE Capital.

Started in 1966, LINK Unlimited is the oldest scholarship mentoring organization for African American high school youth in Chicago.  LINK-supported scholars attend the top
Chicago private high schools and are required to maintain at least a 2.7 grade point average over the four years they are sponsored. Seventy-five percent of the 275 students in the program actually achieve a 3.0 average or better, said Virgil Jones, CEO of LINK, and 85% of LINK scholars achieve honor roll status each year.  

All are expected to participate in four years of community give-back service opportunities to enhance their college applications.  For the last 11 years, 100% of LINK scholars were accepted into four year colleges and universities and 75% of the 2010 class attended top tier institutions including  Washington University, Vanderbilt University, Williams College, Grinnell College, University of Notre Dame, Pomona College, Colgate University, Spelman College, Hamilton College and Denison University.

Aamir Walton, a LINK scholar and senior at St. Rita’s High School, told the private equity group that LINK helped build his self-confidence and exposed him to different people and cultures.  “No other program in the city compares with LINK,” he added.  “Without
it, I would never have applied and been accepted at Grinnell College where I’ll be attending this Fall with a full scholarship.”

More than half the LINK students come from homes with annual incomes of less than $40,000. Approximately 70% of the scholars are from single parent homes and the majority are the first generation in the family to attend college.  Each incoming student is matched with a mentor from the larger community for his four years in high school.  Mentors who include experienced bankers, lawyers, engineers, doctors and the like agree to financially support the student’s private school tuition and are expected to be a role model and friend to the student.  They interact with their student scholar at least twice a month to track his or her progress and to provide learning insights and opportunities that support the student’s education.

In its 45 year history, LINK has provided over 1,700 African American youth with scholarship and mentor support.  The program has five key goals:  provide a high quality education to disadvantaged students, ready the students for college, offer opportunities for leadership development, ensure personal development and encourage interracial harmony.

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LINK Unlimited is one of Chicago’s oldest scholarship and mentoring organizations serving economically-disadvantaged African American youth. Founded in 1966, LINK has enabled academically motivated students to obtain a college preparatory education at the high school of their choice. All LINK students are paired one-to-one with a sponsor/mentor, who assists with scholarship support and personal guidance. Students are also provided with high quality educational enrichment and college readiness services to prepare them for success in higher education. As a result, LINK students academically outperform their peers locally and nationally. Since 2000, 100 percent of the LINK graduating seniors have enrolled in a four-year college or university, the majority with full or significant tuition scholarships.