Founded in 2000 by Sid E. Taylor as a direct result of his attempt to provide jobs to inner city residents, the scholarship fund was set up to serve inner city students and provide scholarships based on need. Students are chosen based on their need for financial assistance, their desire to attend a higher education institution and a student’s ability to graduate and be accepted into a college or university of their choosing.
The students chosen for our scholarships are often the very students who do not fit into the usual scholarship criteria; requiring that students have a certain GPA or select a particular major. Real Life 101 chose to focus on the “average” student with financial obstacles that can prevent them from attending college. Our first scholarship recipients were 10 students from Detroit’s Mackenzie High School in 2000. Each recipient was awarded a $1,000 scholarship and a laptop computer. The recipients were selected by the high school counseling staff.
The program was initially open to male and female students. With stellar success, the Real Life 101 scholarship program became a permanent scholarship offered at Mackenzie High School from 2000 to June 2007 (the school closed in 2007). Real Life 101 from 2000 to 2005 awarded 34 scholarships and laptop computers to high school graduates from Mackenzie High School. At the end of 2005 Mr. Taylor was compelled to reach out to more students. He knew, among the many issues facing our Black males, they were not receiving the type of attention or action needed to reduce their “at-risk” status.
As program recognition grew, school administrators outside of Mackenzie High School requested to have the program implemented at their schools. The Real Life 101 program was soon expanded to 10 City of Detroit high schools; 10 scholarships per school, for a total of 100 scholarships. Each of the 100 students also received a Laptop computer and an assigned personal mentor. Each recipient received a five-year scholarship commitment in which to pursue and obtain a degree from a higher education institution in a field of their choice. A decision was also made to change the focus of the program to at-risk African American males, given the growing negative statistics re-ported by the news and print media. Our scholarship students are enrolled in institutions all over the country and entering their 5th year of the program.
The Real Life 101 Scholarship Fund is in its 11th year of service providing mentors, scholarships and computers to at risk inner city high school graduates. Our five - Year Scholarship program is entering its 5th year of the five year commitment with the beginning of the 2010/2011 school year.
From 2000 to 2010 Real Life 101 has awarded more than 650 laptop computers to high school graduates and with the 2010/2011 school year over $600,000.00 in scholarship funds. Additionally, we have more than 125 dedicated professionals who serve as mentors to program participants in the Mentor Program.
In June 2010 at our Annual Gala-Awards Ceremony we announced the launching of our National Plan with the goal of at least one inner city school in a major city in each state. This model will provide 10 students a five - year $1000 per year financial commitment, a Laptop computer and a personal mentor from the local community of that city and/or state.
In addition to two other out-of-state schools, the third out of state school is CEO Leadership Academy, Milwaukee Wisconsin. This school is sponsored by the Johnson Controls Foundation. We currently have a commitment from Sam’s Club/Wal-Mart executives to add up to five additional states to the program. The state of Mississippi has also committed for the 2011 school year.
The value of the Real Life program to date to include, Scholarship dollars, laptop computers and other expenses to the 100 at risk black males will exceed $1.6 Million dollars.
For the last 11 years of operation we have had no paid staff or administration. All services are provided by volunteers and underwritten by SET Enterprises, Inc. Our financials are audited by the respected firm of Gordon Advisors, P.C.
Real Life 101 is a 501(c)(3) organization