Dr. Lillian Adams Parks Scholarship

Dr. Lillian Adams Parks
The Dr. Lillian Adams Parks Scholarship was established by the Gateway (IL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated in honor of the chapter’s organizer, Dr. Lillian Adams Parks. As an educator who served children and families of East St. Louis, Illinois, Dr. Parks has inspired generations of young people to believe in themselves and to obtain an education that would assist them in building their lives and to support their family and community. As a life-long resident of East St. Louis, Dr. Parks’ involvement in her church, community, and civic and professional organizations is a testimony to her commitment and willingness to share her time and talents to serve others. These values are incorporated in each student that is awarded the Dr. Lillian Adams Parks Scholarship.

The Dr. Lillian Adams Parks Scholarship supports African American high school students who reside in the metropolitan area of St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis, Illinois, who are planning to attend a 4-year college or University. Students must demonstrate their involvement in organizations within their school community, the African American community and provide commentary in an essay format that addresses a recent social event impacting the local and/global community. The scholarship is renewable up to three years to current scholarship recipients.

The Dr. Lillian Adams Parks scholarship is currently funded by fundraising activities hosted by the Gateway (IL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and individual donations. In addition to the legacy of our beloved Link sister, the promotion of education is a part of the five facets of The Links, Incorporated, specifically The Arts, Health & Human Services, International Trends & Services, National Trends and Services and Services to Youth. The first scholarship was awarded at the Chapter’s Founders Day luncheon. Below are the 2022 Dr. Lillian Adams Parks scholarship recipients.

To learn more about the Dr. Lillian Adams Parks Scholarship application process and deadlines, interested students should go to . Awards are announced no later than June 15th.


Dr. Lillian Adams Parks Scholarship Awards

Jordan Brown
Wasihun Gema
Takia McMorris
Danielle Stewart

Name College High School
Jordan Brown $1,500.00* Jackson State University
Wasihun Gema $1,500.00* St. Louis University
Takia McMorris $3,000.00 University of Missouri-St. Louis
Danielle Stewart $3,000.00 Parson School of Design New York
*Renewal Recipients

First Name Last Name Amount College/University
Valerie Bownes $1,500.00* Tuskegee University
Jordan Brown $3,000.00 Jackson University
Ashanti Hoffman $3,000.00 Western Illinois University
Jordan Ryan $1,500.00* Grinnell College
Amarian Woods $3,000.00 Savannah College of Arts and Design
*Renewal Recipients

First Name Last Name Amount College/University
Brendan Ball $1,000.00* University of Missouri-Columbia
Brittany David $2,500.00 University of Kentucky
Donovan Dixson $2,500.00 Washington University-St. Louis
Wasihun Gema $1,500.00 University of Missouri-Columbia
Lailah Hall $1,500.00 North Carolina A&T State University
Mikayla Hennings $2,500.00 Xavier University
Bricyn Johnson $1,500.00 Austin Peay State University
Christian LeNoir $1,500.00 Purdue University
Skyla Owens $1,500.00 Southern University
Mason Player $1,500.00 University of Kentucky
Jordan Ryan $1,500.00 Grinnell College
Kaylin Walters $1,500.00 University of Denver
Angelina White $1,000.00* John Carroll University
*Renewal Recipients