The Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund is putting a virtual comedy show to help raise money for local students to attend college in Milwaukee. (Picture by Joel Boyd)
The Martin Luther King Scholarship Fund of Milwaukee is a program that has been around for almost 40 years. What once started as three pastors desiring to teach the younger generation about Martin Luther King’s legacy turned into the Church Inc. program. The program consists of a scholarship fund where 12-15 Milwaukee area churches participate in each year. The participants’ churches or organizations must raise a $500 entry fee.
Any child, local church, or organization in Milwaukee is encouraged to participate. To become eligible, participants must apply for a three-step process. Each applicant must additionally submit their own $200, often achieved by collecting pledges from friends, family, and community members. The applicants, usually ranging from high school seniors up to college seniors, must write an essay according to a theme chosen by the MLK Fund committee. Finally, participants compete in MLK All-a-thon, which is a multiple-mile walking course through the city of Milwaukee in the Spring.
Comedians and actors performing at the Comedy Fundraiser last year. (Picture by Joel Boyd)
Organizations, their applicants and family members can walk, run, bike, etc., to show their appreciation for Dr. King! Each year, an MLK ceremony held the week of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday to honor Dr. King and award the scholarship recipients. All applicants currently receive an average of $1,200 for their scholarship, with the top winning essays receiving an extra $500 as chosen by the committee.
TV writer and artist Joel Boyd was one of the students who received the scholarship when he was in high school. Now, several years later, he wants to give back to the organization that did so much for him.
An artist performing at the Comedy Fundraiser last year. (Picture by Joel Boyd)
“I do comedy, writing, and acting,” the Milwaukee native said, “And I figured that I could do another event to help them to raise even more money.”
Boyd established the Comedy Fundraiser four years ago, where industry actors, comedians, and musicians put on a show for audiences and raise money for Church, Inc. This year, the Comedy Fundraiser will occur virtually, but Boyd promises a good time for viewers.
“It’s going to be silly, hilarious; we’re making fun of telethons, even though this is one!”
The live comedy parody will include actors and comedians from hit shows on HBO, Hulu, and Showtime doing skits, playing characters, and performing live musicals.
For Boyd, the fundraiser is a great community effort to make a difference in young kids’ lives.
“I love that this organization is hands-on, local, and historical in Milwaukee specifically,” said Boyd. “The scholarship fund started because leaders and pastors wanted kids to do well.”
The MLK Scholarship Fund encourages local organizations, churches, or nonprofits to apply by contacting Pastor Joe Ellwanger at joe.ellwanger@gmail.com for more information.
Viewers can watch the show here.