Bethany College has announced that the Bethany Memorial Church has received a grant totaling $16,620 from the National Benevolent Association, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), to benefit the Bethany College Black Student Union (BSU). This grant aims to support the realization of a visionary project titled “Black Identity and Developing Young Black Leaders in West Virginia.”
The grant will benefit students by covering charter buses, hotel accommodations, some meals, and a donation to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. BSU students will not only explore the rich history at the National Museum but will also visit the esteemed campus of Howard University, a private historically Black research institution, and engage in meaningful conversations with Black legislators.
Bethany Memorial Church is proud to be actively involved in this initiative, with church members serving as sponsors and facilitators of conversations with students. These interactions aim to address how the town, church, and College can better support Black students in Bethany, fostering a sense of community and empowerment.
Bethany College Chaplain Pastor Erin James-Brown expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “This project was a dream of Bethany College Black Student Union President Lynn Burton ‘24 and the members of BSU. I hope we can offer the students a fun and informative trip where they see the results of Black leadership in action and feel encouraged to pursue leadership opportunities of their own.”