Khadijah Bilal
Lighting the Way for Future Educators

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The Finer Alliance, Inc. 2022 Board Members issuing a $5000 Scholarship Award to its inaugural recipient, Khadijah Bilal at the Scholarship Award Brunch held on September 24, 2022. Pictured L to R: Board President Renée Spruill Walker, Board Treasurer Nakia Moore, Khadijah Bilal, Board Secretary Kerilyn Merritt, Director of Scholarships & Programs Tiffany Johnson, Ed. D, MBA

In May 2024, Khadijah graduated Cum Laude from Dominican University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, endorsed in English as a Second Language (ESL). Her commitment to academic excellence is clear—she maintained an impressive cumulative GPA of 3.6, embodying the values of scholarship and leadership that The Finer Alliance, Inc. holds dear.

Khadijah’s academic journey, however, goes beyond personal success. From the moment she received her scholarship, she knew that she wanted to use her education to make a difference in the lives of others. With a passion for teaching, Khadijah set her sights on becoming a teacher within Chicago Public Schools. Her story is one of resilience, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to her goal of empowering the next generation through education.

 

A Journey Fueled by Community Support

Khadijah’s story began when she was awarded The Finer Alliance, Inc.’s Light of Candle Memorial Scholarshipin 2022. Since then, she has been laser-focused on not only excelling in her studies but also on making a tangible difference in the educational field. Her ESL endorsement is just one example of how she is preparing to meet the diverse needs of the students she will one day teach.

In a special video shared on our social media channels, Khadijah expressed her heartfelt gratitude to The Finer Alliance, Inc. for believing in her dreams and providing her with the financial support to focus on her studies. In her own words, this scholarship allowed her to “focus on my studies and continue working toward my goals.”

Her journey reached an exciting milestone in May 2024 when she walked across the stage at Dominican University to receive her degree. Graduating with honors and an endorsement that will allow her to serve a wide range of students, Khadijah is well on her way to becoming an influential educator in the Chicago community.

 

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Help fund scholarships and programs that empower students today.

Celebrating Our Scholars

Tonja Harris, a doctoral student at Dominican University, is the 2024 recipient of the Light of Candle Memorial Scholarship. Her commitment to Applied Social Justice and her deep dedication to community impact embody the spirit of this prestigious award.

Leah Norwood, a recent graduate of Kenwood Academy in Chicago, will be attending Howard University this fall to pursue a degree in Education. Leah’s dedication to academic excellence and her vision for impacting future generations inspire us all!
Aramie Lyte, an outstanding Marian Catholic High School graduate with a 4.1 GPA, is headed to Louisiana State University to study Communication Disorders. Aramie’s passion for advancing this critical field highlights her potential to make significant contributions to society.

The Finer Alliance, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Illinois on August 20, 2020. The purpose of this foundation includes encouragement and promotion of education and scholarship, educational research and community service and educational programs. The specific objectives and purposes of The Finer Alliance shall be to solicit, collect and otherwise raise money for charitable purposes including scholarship: to expand, contribute, disburse, and otherwise handle and dispose of the same for such purposes relating to the aims and goals of The Finer Alliance and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Tau Xi Zeta Chapter. The Finer Alliance, Inc. received recognition from the Internal Revenue Service as a public charity that is exempt under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c) (3). The Finer Alliance, Inc. is governed by its Articles of Incorporation and its Bylaws.