Taijah Mott
2020 Recipient
Taijah Mott is JUST first awardee of the Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Taijah is currently attending Morgan State University where is majoring in Multi-Platform Production and plan to go into Broadcasting. She is an active student where she engages in a number of activities. One of the organizations she hold close and dear to her heart is called F.U.T.U.R.E (Females United To Uplift Reshape and Educate) which is an organization where black women on campus are uplifted and participate in a number of community service activities.
Alexis Ballard
2021 Recipient
Alexis Ballard is a recipient of the 2021 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Alexis is currently attending Governors State University where she is a third-year student majoring psychology where she plans to obtain her graduate degree in school psychology. Alexis is actively involved as a peer mentor for the Center for Junior Year and as a scholarship recipient in the Dual Degree Program at GSU.
Na’Harah Israel
2021 Recipient
Na’Harah Israel is a recipient of the 2021 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Na’Harah is currently attending Governors State University where she is a fourth-year student majoring in Pre-Med where she plans to specialize in neonatology and trauma surgery. Na’Harah is part of community clean ups throughout the Chicagoland area which target the neighborhoods with high crime rates.
Asia Jordan
2021 Recipient
Asia Jordan is a recipient of the 2021 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Asia is currently attending Governors State University where she is a third-year student majoring in business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship. Asia plans to start a not-for-profit organization that caters to women who are in domestic abuse relationships. Asia is a residential assistant, and she is in the process of launching a program on campus entitled Women2Women which focuses on self-confidence.
Shareen Kalfa
2021 Recipient
Shareen Khalifa is a recipient of the 2021 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Shareen is currently attending Governors State University where is a fourth-year student majoring in early childhood where she plans to become a teacher.
Keiara Kimmons
2021 Recipient
Keiara Kimmons is a recipient of the 2021 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Keiara is currently attending Governors State University where she is a third-year student majoring in Health Care Administration where she plans to become a Healthcare Manager and ultimately return to nursing school to become a nurse. Keiara is actively involved in S.A.C. (Student Activities Council) that provides amazing activities for students.
Jakiya Sutton
2021 Recipient
Jakiya Sutton is a recipient of the 2021 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Jakiya was the valedictorian at Christian Fenger Academy High School and will be a first-year student at Governors State University in their honors program. Jakiya plans to major in psychology and become a psychologist.
Neida Tobias
2021 Recipient
Neida Tobias is a recipient of the 2021 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Neida recently graduated from Joliet Township High School, and she will be a first-year student at Governors State University in the honors program. Neida plans to major in speech and communications and ultimately become a speech pathologist.
Ari Odell
2022 Recipient
Ari Odell is a recipient of the 2022 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Ari was a recent graduate of Thorton Fractional South High School. Ari will be attending North Carolina A&T State University where she plan to major in Nursing and minor in Psychology. After she completes her undergraduate studies, she plans to further her education and obtain her Doctorate of Anesthesia Practice and practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, DNAP. Ari plans to start a not-for-profit organization where students who aspire to go into the field of anesthesiology can receive guidance and resources including scholarships to assist them with funding for college.
Allegra Coleman
2022 Recipient
Allegra Coleman is a recipient of the 2022 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Allegra was a recent graduate of Albert G. Lane Technical High School. Allegra will be attending Loyola Marymount University where she plan to major in Journalism. Allegra plans to use her degree to make an impact on the world by reporting on situations that never rises to a level of awareness.
Kourtney Johnson
2023 Recipient
Kourtney Johnson is a recipient of the 2023 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Kourtney was a recent graduate of Lindblom Math and Science Academy. Kourtney will be attending Fisk University where she plans to major in Music Business and minor in English. After I complete my undergraduate studies, she plans to further her education and obtain her Juris Doctorate and practice as an Entertainment Lawyer. Kourtney plans to engage in philanthropy and give back to her community with an investment in the arts.
Chais White
2023 Recipient
Chais White is a recipient of the 2023 Thelma Bates Memorial Scholarship Fund. Chais was a recent graduate of Tinley Park High School. Chais will be attending Salem College where she plans to major in Physical Therapy. Chais plans to use her degree to make an impact in the sports arena by assisting athletics as they recover from any major injuries. Chais plans to make a huge impact in her family by setting the bar on the importance of a college education. Chais plans to further her education after undergraduate school.
