Chicagoland Hooters Donates Two $1,000 Scholarships
To honor and celebrate Black History Month, Hooters focused on education by supporting students in underserved neighborhoods. We partnered with two non-profits, ChiGivesBack and Pulse of Perseverance, to help us select high school students as the recipients.
Hooters presented a $1,000 scholarship to Joshua Smith at Leo Catholic High School in Chicago. The student was surprised with the scholarship during the school’s Black History Month Assembly. The assembly highlighted African American leaders including former Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, and Co-Founder of ChiGivesBack, John Boddie. “This scholarship will help me to purchase the necessary books for my medical education. Without these books, I would not have the tools that I need to succeed in my field," said Joshua Smith, junior at Leo Catholic High School.
Hooters partnered with ChiGivesBack for the scholarship selection process. ChiGivesBack Co-Founder John Boddie nominated Smith. The Hooters of the Chicagoland area has volunteered with ChiGiveBack on several local initiatives so far this year including MLK Jr. Day and the Black History Month Scholarship selection.
“ChiGivesBack values its partnership with Hooters as it aligns with our mission to empower underserved communities in Chicago through impactful programs. By leveraging diverse networks and resources, we aim to address social issues and drive community reinvestment, envisioning a future where all residents have access to resources and opportunities to thrive,” said John Boddie, co-founder of ChiGivesBack.
We also partnered with a non-profit called Pulse of Perseverance (also known as P3). This organization was founded by 3 African-American doctors. Their mission is to connect and mentor minorities that are interested in pursuing a degree in the medical field. We partnered with P3 to provide a scholarship to a student in the Chicagoland region. The recipient is a young male that attends Leo Catholic High School in Chicago. We invited P3, the winner, and his family to dinner at Wells Street Hooters to congratulate him and present the check. “This scholarship will help me prepare for college life and further my education,” said scholarship recipient Christian Whiteside. Christian would like to study engineering.
"Partnering with Hooters has been a unique opportunity for Pulse of Perseverance to support local teens in their journey toward college. Through this partnership, we've been able to tap into resources and networks that we wouldn't have access to otherwise. Hooters' commitment to community engagement aligns with our mission of providing mentorship and scholarships to at-risk youth, creating a synergy that benefits both parties and, most importantly, the teens we serve.
Whether it's through fundraising events, mentorship programs, or scholarship opportunities, partnering with Hooters has allowed us to expand our reach and make a meaningful impact on the lives of local teens, empowering them to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams of higher education," said P3 co-founder Pierre Johnson.
For more information on Pulse of Perseverance (P3’s) visit https://www.thepulseofp3.com/about-us.
