Moderated by CBS2 reporter Jamaica Ponder, West Side of Chicago natives Larenz, LaRon and Lahmard Tate speak to Hope Scholars about growing up in Chicago and their pathways to success in both higher education and careers on June 27 at the Hope Chicago GoalGetters 2024 Conference at Illinois Institute of Technology (Credit: Hope Chicago).
The Hope Chicago GoalGetters Conference 2024 brought together nearly 1,000 Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars for five days of intensive programming to foster success through college and beyond.
The third annual conference took place June 24-28 at Illinois Institute of Technology and is designed to equip Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars with essential skills and build connections in the summer months that will help set them up for success in the year ahead.
Attendees participated in sessions on college preparedness, financial literacy, mental health, career planning, and more. Notable highlights included the Lead with Hope Youth Voice Summit on June 27, when 250+ Scholars engaged in solutions-oriented policy discussions, addressing issues like education, climate change, and community safety.
A Hope Scholar speaks to his peers during the Lead with Hope Youth Voice Summit on June 27 at the Hope Chicago GoalGetters 2024 Conference at Illinois Institute of Technology (Credit: Hope Chicago).
Representative Theresa Mah, Representative Edgar Gonzalez Jr., Senator Lakesia Collins, Senator Celina Villanueva, and Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia participated in the Summit, encouraging Scholars to get involved in civic matters and share their voices.
Throughout the week, participants also heard from speakers, including Hope Chicago CEO Dr. Janice K. Jackson, author Mahalia Ann Hines, and the Tate Brothers, including actor and philanthropist Larenz Tate, who shared their journey to success from their West Side roots.
Actor and philanthropist Larenz Tate speaks to Hope Scholars about growing up in Chicago and his educational and career experiences on June 27 at the Hope Chicago GoalGetters 2024 Conference at Illinois Institute of Technology (Credit: Hope Chicago).
Through initiatives like these, Hope Chicago continues to advance its mission of providing equitable access to higher education and economic mobility for Chicago’s underserved communities – two generations at a time.
In 2022, Hope Chicago announced all students enrolled at the time in five Chicago Public Schools partner high schools (below) and one of their parents/guardians could go to college or pursue a workforce development program debt-free.
This fall, Hope Chicago is sending its third cohort off to begin college and workforce programs and to date, more than 1,200 Hope Scholars have enrolled in programs completely debt-free.
Hope Chicago Partner High Schools:
- Al Raby High School (East Garfield Park)
- Benito Juarez Community Academy (Pilsen)
- Farragut Career Academy (Little Village)
- Noble Johnson College Prep (Englewood)
- Morgan Park High School (Morgan Park)