Level Playing Field Awards Scholarships To Five Deserving Taylor Business Institute Students

Pictured are 2011 Level Playing Field (LPF) Scholarship winners along with
LPF Board Members and TBI Faculty

Level Playing Field (LPF) awarded Scholarships to five deserving students during an official ceremony held on Tuesday, May 10 at Taylor Business Institute (TBI) located at 318 West Adams Street. All of the winners were TBI students who submitted 250 word well-written essays explaining how the Scholarship would change their lives. Each student was graded on grammar, spelling, thoughtfulness, clarity, and coherence. 


The LPF Scholarships ranged from $1,000 to $750 with the following students garnering the awards: Sharleatha Green, awarded $1,000 and majoring in medical billing/coding; Juanita Johnson, awarded $1,000 and majoring in Criminal Justice; Ashley May, awarded $1,000 and majoring in Criminal Justice; David Herrera, awarded $750 and majoring in Criminal Justice; and Carla Rodriguez, awarded $750 and majoring in Criminal Justice. 


"Each quarter I'm inspired by the essays we receive as well as the determination and hard work each applicant exhibits. We Hope Level Playing Field is doing what the name suggests, leveling the playing field for everyone willing to put in the hard work." said Lonnie Jenkins, president of Level Playing Field. 

Founded in 2002, Level Playing Field is an outreach resource for Taylor Business Institute and its students. Level Playing Field has awarded over $750,000 in scholarships to more than 300 students since its inception. These students have gone on to pursue both higher education and successful careers, achieving a level of accomplishment that wouldn't have been possible without assistance offered by LPF Scholarships that are awarded each quarter to deserving students. 


"We are so proud of our students. Although many of them face challenges in their personal lives, they are not letting that stop them from getting the education they deserve. They are becoming role models for their families," said Janice Parker, president of Taylor Business Institute. For the first time in TBI's history, the president of the school's Alumni Association, Ollie Sims, as represented by the TBI faculty, staff, and students, presented a check for $500 to the president of Level Playing Field during the ceremony. These funds will be added to the Scholarship money currently available.


The money was raised by TBI hosting a Rummage Sale for over two-weeks where TBI students, faculty, and friends purchased gently used baby and adult clothes for only $1. For more information about Level Playing Field and Taylor Business Institute, please go to their websites at http://www.tbiil.edu and http://www.lpf-chicago.org/or contact Karla D. Thomas at 312.543.5505.

Pictured is Keely Denneberg (far left), executive director of Level Playing Field and
Lenny Jenkins (center), president of Level Playing Field, holding a $500 check 
presented to him by Ollie Sims, president of Taylor Business Institutes 
Alumni Association.

Pictured is Janice Parker, president of Taylor Business Institute, posing with
Sharleatha Green, winner of a $1,000 LPF Scholarship