The Dolores Saxton Walker Scholarships were instituted by the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council (ChicagoMSDC), in 1979. For nearly 45 years they have supplied academic scholarships to high performing, well-rounded high school students who have the potential to be future business, industry and government leaders. To date more than $650K in financial support has been awarded to Chicago area, college bound, minority high school students graduating with a 3.5 or higher GPA.
The late Dolores Saxton-Walker was a successful entrepreneur who worked diligently on behalf of the mission of ChicagoMSDC. She understood the importance of developing future entrepreneurs by supporting students with excellent academic achievement and leadership skill. In 2021, The Dolores Saxton Walker Scholarship Planning Committee voted unanimously to change the name of the annual scholarship fundraiser and networking event to the Jim Osborne Scholarship Classic, paying homage to Jim Osborne’s long-standing support of minority business development.
Award recipients receive $3,000 toward college tuition and/or expenses. The Council’s scholarship fund of $18,000 - $20,000 initially supported six scholarships per year, but those numbers increased to 18 in 2021. Plans are to continue that growth trajectory and support more deserving students.
The Jim Osborne Scholarship Classic brings together our members supporters, donors and others to raise funds for college bound, minority high school students. This year’s event theme is “Focusing on our Future.”
