BPEFI 2025 Scholarships
Applications Open in December
About Our Scholarships
Blue Pearls Enrichment Foundation (BPEFI) Scholarships support educational programs in the Chicago Metropolitan area on behalf of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Zeta Chapter Dolton, Illinois. BPEFI scholarships are awarded to High School Seniors annually who enroll in accredited two or four-year colleges or universities and are matriculating toward earning a degree.
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KAREN LYNNE HARRIS ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP
The Karen Lynne Harris Scholarship was established in 1999 in memory of her service to the community and sisterhood. Karen was initiated as a member of the sorority on April 16, 1977. She was a charter member of Zeta Zeta and held various positions in the chapter. She served multiple terms as the chapter’s Treasurer and was the chapter’s first Historian. Karen possessed a strong financial background, was very analytical and extremely good with money management and developing budgets. Karen majored in Business Administration and attended Illinois State University.
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JYNETTA THORNTON ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP
The Jynetta Thornton Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 in memory of her service to the community and sisterhood. Jynetta was a dedicated member of Zeta Zeta Chapter since joining the organization in 1997. She held various positions in the chapter and served four years as the chapter’s Scholarship Chair. Jynetta loved children, was passionate about Scholarship and worked hard to ensure every event was successful. Jynetta attended Virginia Union University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She later attended Governors State University and earned a Master of Science Degree, also in Education.
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CRYSTAL K. WARD-ROSS ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP
The Crystal Ward-Ross Memorial Scholarship was established in 2008 in memory of her service to the community and sisterhood. Crystal was an active and staunch supporter of education. She promoted education to any young person she met through various community service projects and activities that the sorority held annually. She also gave generously of her time and finances to assist those young people who needed assistance to begin, continue or
complete their education. Crystal received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rush University and her Master of Science, Nursing from Governors State University.
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JANICE GANTT KISSNER BPEFI ESSENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Janice Gantt Kissner Essential Scholarship was established in August 2024 in memory of her service to the community and sisterhood. Janice Kissner was the 17
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International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., from 1974-1980 and was affectionately known as Grand Jan. Zeta’s national slogan” A Community Conscious, Action Oriented Organization” was adopted during her term. Grand Jan was initially employed in NY as Director of Community Service for The March of Dimes. She relocated to the Chicagoland area in 1986 where she worked alongside like-minded Sisters to provide resources, knowledge and background that resulted in her and thirty-four other young ladies re-reactivating and re-chartering on October 3, 1987, the very prestigious Zeta Zeta Chapter name in Dolton Illinois. As a result of Grand Jan’s community sharing and caring principles, the creation of this Essential Scholarship Award became imminent to further enhance the lives of others through education.
2023 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Raina Ford - Howard University
Name
Name
Name
$20/Month
Little Kids Club
Describe what’s included in this monthly price.