The Alfred Street Baptist Church (ASBC) in Alexandria, Virginia, has announced a $1 million gift in support of Jackson State University.

With its latest gift, ASBC has awarded more than $42 million over the past 20 years to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the country, which it states makes it the largest faith-based financial supporter of HBCUs. ASBC has given a combination of direct donations, contributions, scholarships, and/or waived fees awarded to students from its annual HBCU College Festival. At its latest festival, $4 million in scholarships and waived fees were awarded to thousands of students. 

“HBCUs produce almost one-fifth of all Black college graduates and meet the needs of low-income and first-generation college students,” said Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church and chair of the United Negro College Fund’s National Faith and Education Initiative Advisory Council. “We are pleased to support these critical institutions that produce graduates who play an essential economic role as professionals, entrepreneurs, consumers, and investors.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/skodonnell)