Rev. Ira Acree with Sonya Blakey of Inspiration 1390 during an Aug. 3 scholarship concert held at Acree’s church in Austin. | Submitted photos
CELEBRATE: Don Harmon with the congregation celebrate during an Aug. 3 scholarship concert held at Acree’s church in Austin. | Submitted photos

Earlier this month, an Austin church gave away $20,000 to 17 college students during an Aug. 3 scholarship concert. The event, held at Greater St. John Bible Church, 1256 N. Waller Ave., featured gospel acts such as Sir The Baptist and Lillian Lloyd of Ricky Dillard and New G. 

Greater St. John’s pastor, Rev. Ira Acree, said that 16 students were selected to receive $1,000 scholarships while one student received a $1,500 scholarship during the annual service. Acree also picked random college students from the audience to surprise them with monetary gifts of at least $100.

Acree said that the scholarship program has operated since 2001 and has given out more than $320,000 to Austin area students since it was created.

“If we are going to stem the tide on the violence, every institution must make an investment in our neighborhoods,” Acree said. “Government can’t do it alone! Everyone needs some skin in the game. I’m grateful to our members and partners for their sacrifice.”

The ceremony took place a day after Acree helped organize an anti-violence march that shut down Lake Shore Drive.

“Pastor Ira Acree and Greater St. John are a role model for urban churches across the country,” said Rev. Gregory Seal Livingston, one of the lead organizers of the march and the president of the Coalition for a New Chicago. 

“Acree has the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other, blessing his people with what some might call a Reality Christianity – in other words, one day he’s marching for resources for the marginalized and the next day he’s blessing our youth with the gift of education.” 

2018 scholarship recipients

Isayas Aris | Copper Mountain College

Paradize Brown | Lakeland University 

Tralese Campbell | Lakeland University 

Jaylan Crout | Columbia College

Carolyn Johnson | University of Illinois at Chicago 

Kendall Jordan | Illinois State University 

Courtney Lilly | Illinois State University 

Crystal Lilly | University of Michigan, Ann-Arbor 

Keionyae McNeal | Florida Memorial University 

Marquan Morrison | Clark Atlanta University 

Jamille Newson | Lakeland University 

Brianna Patterson | University of Illinois – Springfield 

Keondra Rollins | Elizabeth City State University 

Cari Russell | Illinois State University 

Jermesha Striblet | Bradley University 

Donte Washington | Illinois State University 

Jaidin Winfield | Jackson State University 

CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com