John F. Fryer Arts and Music Foundation

The John F. Fryer Memorial Foundation was created to assist college students in funding their dreams of pursuing music as a career. John Fabian Fryer was a wonderful and vibrant individual who exemplified perfection for the art of ministry in the form of music. He was anointed and devoted his life to worshipping and praising God through music. His love for music was devout and throughout his lifetime he was affiliated with numerous churches. He directed several choirs and sang with a variety of groups which include The East Coast Regional Mass Choir, Praize, Harambee, Genesis at Philemon Missionary Baptist Church, The Allen Gilmore Inspiration Choir, and the Seacoast Revival Mass Choir.

About John F. Fryer

John had a passion for music and it was exhibited in his composition, co-producing, and penning of several songs on a gospel CD entitled “Take Up the Cross” which was released in 2003. John was an active member of Clear View Baptist Church in Newark, NJ since 1996. John was a phenomenal choir director and in 2011 he was promoted to the position of Director of Music Ministry. In that same year John established the Judah Praise Team Singers and the CVBC Men of Praise Dance Ministry. He was also an active member of the ministerial staff as an Associate Minister.

John was heavily involved in coaching drill team steppers throughout the state of New Jersey. He was a member of the American Marching Association and the Elite Marching Association, where he was on the executive board and also contributed as the assistant director. John went on to become a co-announcer for state and national competitions and a staff member of the Unique Drillers of Jersey City, New Jersey. John loved and worked very closely with these kids, and often times referred to them as his babies.

John referred to himself as “king Judah III – King meaning” “Ruler” and Judah meaning “The Praised One.” John passed away on January 23, 2013; however, someone as extraordinary as he deserves to live on and be remembered through a momentous foundation.

Our Mission

The mission of the John F. Fryer Arts and Music Foundation is to support the future of the Arts and Music and keeping it alive by providing scholarship awards to college students who wish to pursue a career in the field of The Arts or Music, to fund elementary schools Arts or Music program initiatives, and to give generously to worthy community-based Arts or Music endeavors.

High school students may apply for the John F. Fryer Arts and Music Scholarship HERE

College students may apply for the John F. Fryer Arts and Music Scholarship HERE

Fund Administrators

• Cynthia Whittle
• Veronica Clemons
• Sheila Velazquez

Scholarship Recipients

2014 – Ashley Romans
2015 – Shae’Lynn Ragin
2015 – Christian Olivera
2017 – Clifford J. Holmes
2018 – Yasmine Barlos & Jason Lavato

2019 – David Bonin
2020 – Sam Lazarev
2020 – A’lysai Robinson
2020 – TahJanae Lundy
2020 – Judah Nicole Lyles
2021 – Union Chapel AME Church Scholarship Fund
2021 – Clearview Baptist Church Scholarship Fund
2022 – Clearview Baptist Church Scholarship Fund
2022 – Angel Velazquez