Baptist Church Steps in to Fund Mizzou's Defunded Black Student Council Amid University Cuts
The University of Missouri's Legion of Black Collegians, a historic Black student council, is set to lose its official funding following a decision by university leaders. This move comes in response to a U.S. Department of Justice memo that restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. In light of this, the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Virginia, led by Rev. Howard-John Wesley, has pledged financial support to ensure the student council can continue its programming. The church has assisted the council in establishing a 501(c)(3) organization to receive these funds. The Legion of Black Collegians, founded in 1968, was recognized as a student council a year later, representing Black students at the university. This decision by the church is seen as a direct response to the Trump administration's policies, with Rev. Wesley stating, 'When you don’t support us, we support our own.' 
