Kalia D. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund

Kalia Davis passed away on June 8, 2023 from a condition called Carotid artery dissection. Carotid artery dissection occurs when there is a tear or separation in the layers of the carotid artery in the neck. There are two carotid arteries, one on each side of your neck. Dissection can occur spontaneously or after a neck injury. The condition can heal itself over time but may cause life-threatening complications, such as stroke or bleeding in the brain. Kalia was a high school athlete who ran track and cross country. She was also a straight A student during high school and received a full ride scholarship to UIUC University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana where she majored in Community Health. She continued to strive and excel there while working as a front desk clerk in one of the dorms. Her former boss said she would ask every day if there was more work that she could do. She had recently planned to go to ROTC basic training and wanted to eventually join the military. While attending UIUC, she served on the Executive Board for the Black Student Union. She made many friends in high school and college. She could be counted on by her peers for encouragement and a good laugh. She truly was a person of excellence and believed in doing her very best in every area of her life. She loved traveling, going to the beach to watch the sunset and dancing with her seven year old niece Aubrey. Throughout Kalia's young life, she had an impeccable work ethic. She worked as a swim instructor at the Arlington Heights Park District, as a manager at McDonalds, and as a server at Atlantis Banquet Hall. Kalia was very financially savvy and passionate about improving her credit profile and investing.