LINK Unlimited Scholars

Calling all Mentors for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year! We're excited to get things started for the upcoming year with our Mentor Kickoff event. Mentor Kickoff allows us to provide guidance, resources, community building among your Mentor cohort, and share best practices to ensure that you are all set for the journey that is to come. Attendance at one of the two Kickoffs is required for all Mentors to please make sure to mark your calendars and RSVP through the link!

Both Mentor Kickoff events will be held on the 17th floor of our office building (17 N. State, Suite 1740).

Thursday, June 4th at 5:30pm
Saturday, June 13th at 10am
You only need to attend one of these two Kickoff sessions, so please choose the date that works best for your schedule.

We have a lot to look forward to and can’t wait to get started on what promises to be a meaningful year ahead.

Any questions? Reach out to Simon Jeffrey, Director of Mentor Recruitment & Experience at [email protected].

🎁 The Silent Auction is a highlight of the LINK Annual Golf Outing!

Guests will have the chance to bid on exciting items and experiences while supporting LINK Scholars.

We are still accepting donations from businesses, alumni, and community supporters.
If you have an item or experience to contribute, we’d love to hear from you!

📩 Submit your silent auction donation to [email protected].

🎓 It’s college acceptance season — and the results are in.

For the LINK Class of 2026 (46 Scholars):
✨ Nearly 90% submitted 7–10+ college applications, totaling 541 applications — an 11% increase from last year
✨ 2,751+ college acceptances and counting
✨ $300,000+ in scholarships — and growing

The numbers speak for themselves, but the impact goes far beyond them. This is what it looks like to support students to, through, and beyond college.

As we honor 60 years of impact, we invite you to invest in what comes next. Our goal is to raise $40,000 through our Spring Appeal to ensure Scholars continue to have access to the opportunities, resources, and mentorship they need — not just to reach college, but to graduate and thrive.

💙 Be part of the impact. Donate today.

Calling All LINK Alumni 🚨

The All Class Alumni Reception is more than just a reunion — it’s a chance to reconnect, celebrate, and network with other LINK alumni. This evening is about honoring the transformative experiences within LINK’s 60 year past, while building excitement for the future!

Come enjoy cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and a live DJ, before welcoming the Class of 2026 into the Alumni Association at our Scholar Celebration as we uplift their incredible accomplishments.

For 60 years, LINK has been building Black leaders, and this moment is proof of that impact.
📍 Zhou B Art Center
📅 June 18, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM

Let’s fill the room with LINK pride, alumni love, and celebration. Register today at the link and come celebrate the power of the LINK alumni community.

We’re still looking for Mentors for the 2026–2027 school year!

LINK’s new College & Career Mentor-Sponsor model is a one-year commitment to support a high school senior during one of the most pivotal moments of their journey — the college application and decision process.

Swipe through to learn more about the program and get your questions answered.

Ready to help turn a Scholar’s college dreams into reality? Reach out to Simon Jeffrey, Director of Mentor Recruitment & Experience, [email protected], to learn how you can make a lasting impact through mentorship.

Supporting a young person on their journey to college and beyond takes community, consistency, and people willing to invest in their future!

Because of the support of the LINK community, our Scholars are not only getting into college, they are navigating their journeys with the mentorship, advising, resources, and network needed to succeed.

This year alone, LINK’s graduating class has earned nearly $15 million in scholarships and grants. Behind every scholarship dollar is a story rooted in resilience and persistence.

Below are graduating seniors for whom we are proud to announce the next step in their educational journey to college. From left to right in the photo above:
• Indira Hammond — De La Salle Institute → Xavier University
• Christian Gates Jr. — UIC College Prep → Illinois State University
• Cassidy Cerant — Marist High School → Bradley University
• Saniyah Freeman — Marist High School → Howard University
• Ryann Dawson — Fenwick High School → Howard University

These long-awaited college decisions do not happen by chance. They happen because a community of supporters continues to show up and invest in our Scholars year after year.

This spring, LINK is working to raise $40,000 to sustain and deepen this impact, ensuring Scholars continue to have access to the mentorship, guidance, and opportunities that support them on their journey to, through, and beyond college.

As LINK celebrates 60 years of impact, we invite you to continue investing in the next generation of Black leaders.

🔗 Make your gift today: https://give.linkunlimited.org/give/388829/ #!/donation/checkout

Our Scholars have always been building toward something bigger.

This photo captures members of the Class of 2012 celebrating a major milestone and stepping confidently into what’s next.

Now, we celebrate the Class of 2026 as they reach that same moment. 🎓

Each year, LINK Scholars carry forward a legacy of growth, achievement, and possibility — a journey that continues with every graduating class.

👏 Congratulations, Class of 2026!

🎉 We’re proud to celebrate Grace Mensah, Class of 2026, on being selected as a Jordan Wings Scholar!

Through LINK’s partnership with the Jordan Wings Foundation, Scholars have the opportunity to be nominated for the highly competitive Jordan Wings Scholarship — a last-dollar award that supports students at accredited institutions across the country.

Recipients are selected for their academic dedication, creativity, authenticity, and commitment to overcoming obstacles — and Grace is one of just 23 Scholars nationwide chosen for this prestigious honor.

Congratulations, Grace! We’re excited to see all that you accomplish with this incredible opportunity. 💙

Today, we celebrate the incredible mothers, mother figures, and caregivers who show up with love, strength, and unwavering support every single day.

Your encouragement, sacrifices, and belief in what’s possible help shape the journeys of our Scholars and the strength of our community.

Thank you for all that you do — today and always. ✨

⚾ Mentors and Scholar,s don’t miss out! We still have tickets available for our upcoming Mentor/Mentee outing as the Chicago White Sox take on the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, May 14, at 6:40 PM.

Interested in joining us? Email Simon Jeffrey at [email protected] today to reserve your spot!

Please confirm that both Mentor and Scholar are available before requesting tickets, as we want to make sure every seat is filled and enjoyed.