Savannah State University’s class of 2024 received a remarkable graduation gift, setting them up for success in the entrepreneurial world. Pinky Cole Hayes, the founder of Slutty Vegan and Bar Vegan, announced during her commencement speech that she would be gifting $8.9 million to the Georgia Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduates in partnership with Operation Hope and One Million Black Businesses (1MBB).
"We are excited about this fantastic opportunity for our students and grateful to Mrs. Cole Hayes for leading this investment opportunity," said Savannah State University Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander.
This substantial investment aims to provide the graduates with an "Entrepreneurial Starter Pack," offering mentorship from 1MBB, educational resources, a free three-month subscription to Shopify, and an eight-week small business training course covering business plan development and financial management. Each graduate will receive $25,000 worth of entrepreneurial resources to support their future endeavors.
Cole Hayes, known for her philanthropy as well as her successful vegan businesses, emphasized the importance of supporting the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs, especially given the challenges they have faced during their college years, including the global pandemic.
"This graduating class has experienced so much adversity. Through it all, they have thrived and are ready to enter the ‘real world’ with more experience and the confidence to face life’s new challenges," said Cole Hayes. "I believe in these graduates, and I hope that this gift will help them as they transition into this next phase of their lives."
Pinky Cole Hayes has a track record of supporting education and entrepreneurship within the Black community. She recently sponsored the senior prom for Atlanta’s Benjamin E. Mays High School and gifted an LLC to every graduate of her alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, in 2022.
"Pinky Cole Hayes is a living example of what happens when a brilliant idea meets opportunity," said John Hope Bryant, CEO and founder of Operation Hope. "We want to offer opportunities to as many brilliant ideas as we can reach and are excited to partner with Pinky to help lift up the next generation of Black entrepreneurial excellence."
The collaboration between Official Black Wall Street, Pinky Cole Hayes, Operation Hope, and 1MBB represents a significant step towards empowering Black graduates and fostering economic growth within the Black community. Through mentorship, resources, and financial support, these initiatives aim to create a pathway towards generational wealth and prosperity for Black entrepreneurs.
