It is our pleasure to announce that the Black Clergy Caucus of the Lutheran Church has selected The Black Lutheran Alumni Scholarship Team (Fort Wayne, IN) as its official partner. B.L.A.S.T. will travel nationally and assist other schools in the development of their own B.L.A.S.T. model. Please follow the link to review their website.
Dear Friends,
Here is an update from all of our B.L.A.S.T. scholarship recipients!
While B.L.A.S.T. can’t take credit for the unbelievable achievements of these young people, we hope we played a small role in helping them financially.
Thank you to Concordia Lutheran High School for its support of this important partnership.
We also thank the Black Clergy Caucus of the LCMS for its support, and the amazing opportunities that will arise from this partnership.
Thank you again!
B.L.A.S.T. SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT UPDATE: May 2025
Dontrell Johnson, 2022 - Dontrell was our first B.L.A.S.T. scholarship recipient. Dontrell completed his undergraduate studies at Ball State and the Miller College of Business one year early, as a Business Analytics Major and Quality Management Minor. Dontrell was also named one of the top 100 graduates at Ball State University. Dontrell was accepted into the University of Cincinnati and will begin his graduate studies this fall, working towards a Master’s in Business Administration.
Mahelat Lee, 2022 - Mahelat is on track to graduate May 2026. She has one semester of study this fall. Mahelat is working on a diverse resume. She has switched her major to anthropology, and post-graduate, she plans to take a break and work in social work or human services. Mahalet intends to get her Master’s in theological studies, or possibly do research in a graduate’s anthropology degree. Mahelat is also taking a Mission trip in June with ACE, a campus Ministry group at Purdue University, Fort Wayne.
Paige Jackson, 2023 - Paige is nearing the completion of her sophomore year at Indiana University, Bloomington. She continues to study Elementary Education and hopes to pursue that career path for her final two collegiate years
Ulysses Jackson, 2023 - Ulysses is completing his sophomore year at Purdue University, West Lafayette. He continues to study Kinesiology, as well as Film and Video. Ulysses continues to move towards his goal of Athletic Trainer.
Noelani Lewis, 2024 - Noelani says her freshman year of collegiate Indiana State University has been her most eventful year in a long time. She’s declared Kinesiology under the Pre PT (Physical Therapy) program as her major. She enjoys taking classes that involve her career path. Academically, Noelani says this has been the best year since her sophomore year at Concordia. She says there have been low points, but with the foundation laid by Concordia as well as her friends and family circle, she says the Lord has allowed many breakthroughs in her journey. Noelani is grateful for the opportunity to attend Indiana State with the help of B.L.A.S.T, and she plans on returning to ISU in the fall.
Steven Essex, 2024 - This year Steven gained admission to the Kelley Business school where he will study marketing. Steven was also admitted into a new IU program called Music Business through the Kelley Business school and Jacobs Music school, so he will be working on a double major. Additionally, Steven made the advisors dean list both semesters and ended the year with a 3.77 GPA.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL B.L.A.S.T. RECIPIENTS from THE BCC-LC!