The Sojourner Scholars Program is an immersive, 3-week, college-level humanities program for high school students to promote intellectual growth, community, and civic participation.
Through a series of seminars covering disciplines such as philosophy, film studies, history, and literature, the Sojourner Scholars program aims to both nurture student’s intellectual pursuits and support their emergence as critical and creative citizens.
The Sojourner Scholars Mood Tracker Poetry Project was developed during a three week summer seminar exploring the life and legacy of our beloved poet Gwendolyn Brooks, with Second Year Sojourner Scholars, facilitated by award winning poets Nicole Bond and Dr. Tara Betts.
Using the Gwendolyn Brooks epic collection of work Blacks, published by Third World Press, the Scholars embarked on a literary journey to include stops at historical events, visits to Chicago landmarks of the past and present, and introductions to important figures and complex characters. All vividly captured in the poems, The Chicago Defender Sends a Man to Little Rock Fall 1957, The Chicago Picasso, The Wall, Paul Robeson, of De Witt Williams on his way to Lincoln Cemetery, a song in the front yard and many others.
Scholar Alpheaus McCoy speaking at a poetry workshop led by author Tara Betts.
“From the speakers, the field trips, and the curriculum itself, Sojourner Scholars is a program that doesn’t just invest in its students’ education, it actively cares about their well-being as people.”
–Ru’Gia Jones, Sojourner Scholars Alumnus
Overview
Sojourner Scholars provides high school students from four South Side Chicago Public School high schools the opportunity to take college level courses with local university and college faculty over the course of three summers, beginning the summer following their freshman year.
During the first two summers of the program, students study literature, U.S. history, philosophy, and art history. In the final summer, students embark upon a research-intensive capstone project that draws upon local, community-based archives and resources.
Upon successfully completing all three summer sessions, students earn eight college credits in the humanities that they can transfer to any two or four-year college or university.
In addition to the summer sessions, year-round programming is available to the students in the form of book groups, art making workshops, field trips, internships, and college advising.
“One of the most memorable experiences from Sojourner Scholars was learning about and researching mass incarceration. Listening to presentations from people impacted by mass incarceration helped me gain perspective about what’s going on in the world and the challenges people face.”
–Amir Camper, Sojourner Scholars Alumnus
Scholar Kaliyah Harris shares her definition of freedom at Sojourner Scholars’ Presentation Night with instructors Christophe Ringer and Miriam Petty listening in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does The Sojourner Scholars Program Cost?
The Sojourner Scholars Program is free. Thanks to our funders and partners, there is no cost to be a student. Course materials used in class are provided at no cost, as well as snacks and lunch at our on-site location. Basic school supplies are also provided, if needed. Public transportation assistance is available to all students.
How/When can I apply?
At this time, the Sojourner Scholars program is offered through four high schools in the Chicagoland area: Harlan Community Academy High School, Hyde Park Academy High School, Neal F. Simeon Career Academy, and the Percy Lavon Julian High School. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the spring leading up to the start of classes in the summer.
When do classes meet?
Classes meet daily, Monday through Friday. Classes typically begin the last week of June and carry through to the end of the third week of July.
Where do classes take place?
Due to safety and health precautions in light of COVID-19, classes currently take place remotely via Zoom.
Sojourner Scholars’ instructor Damon Locks and Scholars Shakira Smith, Khyndal Henderson and Thomas Garrett during a Sojourner Scholars end-of-session presentation night celebration.
“One of the most rewarding experiences through Sojourner Scholars has been seeing students feel more confident in expressing themselves as a direct result of the material we’ve worked through with them.”
–Maddy Klein, Sojourner Scholars Intern
Staff
Director
Audrey Petty is a co-founder of the Sojourner Scholars Program. She has taught creative writing and literature at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, Portland State University, Knox College, and in the Prison + Neighborhood Arts/Education Project. She is the editor of High Rise Stories: Voices from Chicago Public Housing (Voice of Witness/McSweeney) and co-editor of The Long Term: Resisting Life Sentences, Working Toward Freedom (Haymarket Press). Her work has been featured in ColorLines, Saveur, Oxford American, African American Review, Callaloo, Gravy, The Chicago Neighborhood Guidebook (Belt Press), and other publications.
Teaching Faculty
Anwuli Anigbo, Invisible Institute
Kian Bergstrom, Roosevelt University
Brian Colar, University of Illinois at Chicago
Dr. Erica Davila, Lewis University
Jo de Presser (aka Marlon Billups), Honeypot Performance
Valentina Gamboa-Turner, Northeastern Illinois University
