Investing in Our Future Scholarship Gala Raises Hundreds of Thousands for Southland Students

Leaders gathered at the Tinley Park Convention Center for the third annual “Investing in Our Future” Scholarship Gala—a night of purpose that brought the community together to lift local youth through education. Rich Township District Superintendent Johnnie Thomas set the tone with a story that cut to the heart of the mission. “I had the unique opportunity, a few days ago, to give a Tougaloo College Scholarship—full tuition, full room and board—to a family in our community,” he recalled. “And I could not finish talking to the family because they cried the whole time I was announcing the scholarship.” That moment showed why nearly 40 superintendents joined forces with the United Negro College Fund: because access to college can change lives.“It goes to show you that our families want the best for their children. They want to have the opportunity for their children to go further than they have, and it’s up to us as a community to create those pathways for them to do well.” For the third year in a row, the Superintendents’ Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity (SCSDD) and UNCF proved that unity builds opportunity. The gala was a true party with a purpose....