I run both Java and Bedrock servers and successfully have this working in the Java servers.  This issue only happens on the Bedrock servers.  When configuring the MOTD (server-name in server.properties) with color formatting as outlined here https://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Formatting_codes#Use_in_server.properties_and_pack.mcmeta instead of the server name being formatted the client displays the unicode as text.

This issue exactly mirrors BDS-935 and BDS-936 which were requested to be closed by the person who created them without any details regarding a resolution or workaround.