MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 4, 2018—Leaders of the MLK50: Gospel Reflections from the Mountaintop event announced today that more than $1.5 million dollars has been raised for the “MLK50 Dream Forward Scholarship Initiative,” that will allow Christian colleges and seminaries to invest in the educational future of minority students.
The centerpiece of this effort is the creation of a pathway to a quality higher education through an array of full and partial tuition scholarships at participating Christian colleges and universities around the country reserved exclusively for minority students in Memphis.
“We believe there are multiple reasons for Christian colleges and seminaries to participate in this program and we are grateful to these schools who have so generously joined this effort,” said Brent Leatherwood, ERLC director of strategic partnerships. “The city of Memphis was the scene of a brutal murder of the leading figure of the Civil Rights Movement. Unfortunately, even to this day, shockwaves from that terrible moment still reverberate in the community. But pastors, church leaders, and local activists are resolved to make racial unity a reality. This initiative reflects that good work being done and offers a way to come alongside and support it.”
A broad range of financial aid resources will be given to selected minority students from Memphis who demonstrate a heart for Christ and a potential for academic excellence while meeting basic admission requirements.
Christian colleges and universities participating in the scholarship initiative include:
- Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C.
- Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.
- Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill.
- Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas
- University of Mobile, Mobile, Ala.
- Bethlehem College and Seminary, Minneapolis, Minn.
- Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, Okla.
- Union University, Jackson, Tenn.
- Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Ill.
- North Greenville University, Tigerville, S.C.
- Gateway Seminary, Ontario, Calf.
- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, La.
- Blue Mountain College, Blue Mountain, Miss.
- Shorter University, Rome, Ga.
- Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Ark.
- Missouri Baptist University, St. Louis, Mo.
- Hannibal-Lagrange University, Hannibal, Mo.
- Gordon College, Wenham, Mass.
- Boyce College, Louisville, Ky.
- Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo.
Following the conclusion of the MLK50 Conference, full details about the scholarship program will be available by visiting mlk50conference.com/memphis.
