UNCF Chicago Hosts 42nd Annual Walk for Education to Support Underrepresented Students

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) will host its 42nd Annual Chicago Walk for Education on September 13, 2025, at Burnham Park, marking a significant grassroots fundraising effort to support educational opportunities for underrepresented students. The event, which begins at 9:00 a.m., features both a 5K walk/run and a 10K bike/skate option, with registration available online at https://www.uncf.org/chicagowalk or on-site starting at 7:00 a.m. on event day.

Lisa Rollins, UNCF Development Director, emphasized the critical need for scholarship support, stating, "For every one kid we give a scholarship to, there are five more who need it. We know for a fact that the average $5000 scholarship can, for a first-generation college student, singularly change the life of their family." This statement underscores the transformative impact of individual contributions on students' educational trajectories and intergenerational mobility.

The event holds particular importance given UNCF's role as the nation's largest minority education organization. While UNCF's 37 member institutions represent only 3% of all colleges and universities, they award 15% of bachelor's degrees, 5% of master's degrees, 10% of doctoral degrees, and 19% of all STEM degrees earned by Black students in higher education. These statistics highlight the disproportionate impact HBCUs have on producing Black graduates in critical fields.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will chair the walk, which will be emceed by radio personality Davante "Stone Pony" Stone along with media personalities Frankie Robinson and Tamera Fair. The 2025 Walk honors several community leaders as Grand Marshals, including Dr. Macquline King, Interim Superintendent/CEO of Chicago Public Schools, and Reggie Summerise, President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council Chicago.

The Chicago chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, led by Summerise, is partnering to mobilize its Divine Nine organizations in support of scholarships and educational opportunities. This collaboration demonstrates the broader community commitment to addressing educational disparities and supporting college readiness initiatives.

UNCF's primary focus remains increasing the total number of underrepresented college graduates by ensuring more students are college-ready, enroll in college, and continue to graduation. The organization currently supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities nationwide through more than 400 programs including scholarships, internships, fellowships, and mentoring initiatives.

The Walk for Education represents a critical funding mechanism for these programs, particularly as UNCF institutions continue to punch above their weight in producing Black graduates across all degree levels. The event's success directly impacts the organization's ability to maintain its trademark commitment that "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," serving as a reminder of the ongoing need to invest in educational equity and access.