Texas Pauli Murray Scholarship

In Fall 2018, St. James’ Episcopal Church in Austin and Seminary of the Southwest began a collaboration to create the Texas Pauli Murray Scholarship. The purpose of this collaboration, which now has expanded to include other parishes, is to expand opportunities for low-income African American students and other students of color to attend the Seminary in preparation for priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. The scholarship provides financial support for living expenses for these seminary students, in addition to a full tuition grant and other assistance provided directly by the Seminary.

The goals of the Texas Pauli Murray Scholarship are to provide up to $25,000 in living expenses per year for a student in each of the three years of seminary study and to develop an endowment so that the scholarship can become self-sustaining. The successful 2019 inaugural gala held in Austin was integral in the initial funding of the scholarship. The Bishop of Texas later appealed to our foundations and the scholarship became part of the robust Episcopal Diocese of Texas Racial Justice Initiative established in January 2020. Our 2022 endeavor held in Houston (Bellaire area), as well as all future scholarship events, we hope, will serve as a significant source of inspiration to—not only help the scholarship grow—but also offer sustainability we desire in our commitment to achieve these essential goals.