Scholarship & Awards Gala
About
This annual event takes place before the Bud Billiken® Parade. During this event, the entire Chicago Defender Charities’ (Charities) history and impact is celebrated. In addition, recipients of the Charities’ Scholarship Program and other awardees are honored. We are committed to academic advancement in the African American community and proud to continue the Charities’ Bud Billiken® Scholarship Program. We believe this investment today will return a positive impact in our communities in the future. Thus, the program is designed to encourage students and assist in the progression of their education. Students are awarded $2,500 each totaling $50,000 annually. Since inception of the Scholarship Program in 2003, The Charities has given away more than 1.5 million dollars to over 300 deserving youth in the Chicagoland area. Institutions attended by the selected students include Howard, Hampton, Chicago State, Boston College, University of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, University of Illinois, and Northern Illinois University, to name a few.