Beyonce’s BeyGOOD Foundation Gifts $100K To Texas Southern To Support HBCU Marching Band
The lofty gift will go toward upgrading the band's infrastructure and provide scholarships.
Beyoncé continues to BeyGOOD as her philanthropic foundation makes a lofty gift to an HBCU marching band.
BeyGOOD announced the singer’s donation of $100K to Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band. The Houston-based HBCU expressed its appreciation for the gift to its musicians.
“This gift expands opportunities for Texas Southern students by providing scholarships, strengthening programs with new resources, and preserving a legacy that continues to shape culture, creativity, and community,” captioned the shared post.
The TSU marching band has a prior connection with the H-town superstar. Over 200 members also appeared at Beyoncé’s NFL Christmas Day Halftime show in 2024. The university’s president also commended the foundation for its support of students as they matriculate.
“We are deeply appreciative of the BeyGOOD Foundation for this significant demonstration of its commitment to empowering our student musicians and elevating their form of artistic expression,” said TSU President J.W. Crawford III.
The Ocean of Soul Marching Band initially participated in Beyoncé’s historic performance not only because of its ties to her hometown but also due to its academic and musical excellence. Now, they are being further honored by the Grammy winner through this donation, which will support the next class of instrumentalists.
“The BeyGOOD Foundation’s impactful investment affirms the powerful role that HBCUs play in shaping the next generation of artistic, academic, and cultural leaders,” said Charlie Coleman III, TSU’s Senior Associate Vice President of Development & Alumni Engagement. “This partnership does more than support the Ocean of Soul—it opens doors for our students to access the arts in life-changing ways, inspired by one of the most beloved artists of our time. It is a shining example of how philanthropy can uplift communities and ignite futures.”
The scholarship will be allocated to support band members as well as recruitment and retention efforts. Additional funding will upgrade the band’s infrastructure and technology, furthering its place among the top-ranked marching bands across HBCUs.
Marching bands are an integral pillar of HBCU culture, with BeyGOOD recognizing and championing this storied artistry with monetary support.
Prince George’s County Couple Building Community And Generational Wealth Through Franchising
Alesha and David Magby originally met at Morgan State University in 1999. After a brief relationship in 2003, they went their separate ways, but reconnected 12 years later, in 2015, at Homecoming. Both had experienced life separately, becoming older and wiser. They decided to marry in October 2020, and their union has created not just life partners but co-parents of a blended family and owners of a portfolio of multiple franchise units across Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
Since entering the franchise world in 2018, the Magbys now own four Tropical Smoothie Café franchises — two in Washington, D.C., and two in Maryland, with the newest location opening in 2023, across from their alma mater, Morgan State University, in Baltimore. Baltimore is also home to a Phenix Salon Suites franchise, which they purchased in 2022.
Five franchises in five years, with more than one brand, is an impressive accomplishment that BLACK ENTERPRISE knew our readers would want to hear more about. Alesha agreed to share more about their journey, how they plan to expand their portfolio, and advice for others looking to build community and generational wealth through franchising.
BLACK ENTERPRISE: What drew you to the Tropical Smoothie Café (TSC) and Phenix Salon Suites brands?
Alesha Magby: With Tropical Smoothie Café, we were loyal customers before even considering franchising. A location opened in our neighborhood, and it quickly became part of our weekly routine. Every Saturday morning, after our workout, we’d stop in to grab a smoothie and share a wrap. That small ritual—just the two of us enjoying something healthy and consistent—lasted for over a year and made the brand feel personal to us. When we finally decided to explore franchising opportunities, Tropical Smoothie Café was at the top of our list. It aligned perfectly with how we live and serve, offering healthy, delicious options in a welcoming environment. It wasn’t just a smart business move but a natural extension of something we loved.
We were drawn to Phenix Salon Suites because it represents something bigger than just a business; it’s about empowerment. This model allowed us to support individual entrepreneurs—stylists, estheticians, barbers, and beauty professionals, by helping them become business owners in their own right.
We loved the idea of providing beautiful, fully equipped salon spaces where professionals could run their businesses flexibly and independently, without the massive overhead of opening a traditional salon. It felt like a perfect fit for our values, offering real people a path to ownership and stability. There was also strong demand in the communities we serve. The beauty and wellness industry continues to grow, and many professionals seek private, modern spaces offering more control and safety. Phenix Salon Suites because it allowed us to diversify our portfolio while directly impacting entrepreneurs’ lives, especially women and minority-owned businesses, by helping them build something of their own within a supportive, high-quality environment.
Diversifying
BE: I understand you’re growing your portfolio with two new franchise brands: Einstein Bro. Bagels and Jersey Mike’s. What was it about those brands that drew you to them?
Magby: Yes, we are excited about bringing Einstein Bros. Bagels back to Prince George’s County, MD, through a franchise development deal we solidified with the brand, and we’ve also signed a one-store deal with Jersey Mike’s.
As experienced multi-brand franchisees, we recognize the value of strong, innovative concepts that fit well into our existing portfolio and resonate with the communities we serve. Einstein Bros. Bagels offers a high-quality, fast-casual breakfast and lunch experience, which was missing in several of our local markets, especially in Prince George’s County, where we grew up.
The brand’s commitment to fresh ingredients, warm hospitality, and ability to drive substantial morning traffic made it a natural complement to our other franchises.
We were super fans of Jersey Mike’s before we ever thought of franchising with them. For years, our family gatherings weren’t complete without a Jersey Mike’s catering box on the table.
During various International Franchise Association (IFA) events, we would visit the Jersey Mike’s booth to network and genuinely rave about our love for the brand. As we looked for more ways to diversify our portfolio, the conversation with the Franchise Development team shifted from raving fans to potential franchise partners.
What sealed the deal was the culture. The Executive Board reminded us of what we loved about Tropical Smoothie Café: a strong, values-driven team that was welcoming, professional, and truly wanted you to feel like part of their family. The support, the people, and the brand integrity all aligned with our standards for partnership and growth.
BE: Funding is always a topic people are curious to know about. Can you share a little about how you’ve funded your portfolio?
Magby: Funding is always tricky; there’s no easy path. We’ve learned how to navigate it by being resourceful, persistent, and proactive. Traditional banks weren’t always the best fit for us, so we started working with commercial lenders who better understood the needs of franchise businesses. We also did the legwork to find and apply for local grants and state funds specifically set aside for small businesses and entrepreneurs like us. Funding opportunities exist, but you must be willing to dig. That means researching constantly, asking questions, showing up at state and local offices, and confidently telling people what you’re trying to build. When you’re clear about your vision and refuse to take “no” for an answer, the information and the support eventually come.
Advice from an Expert
BE: What is your advice on building a successful, diverse portfolio, and how does your success inspire others?
Magby: Building a diverse franchise portfolio starts with understanding your strengths and your long-term vision. You want to choose brands that not only complement each other operationally but also reflect your values and lifestyle. We have six key pieces of advice: 1) Start with what you know and love, 2) Diversify smartly, not just for the sake of variety, 3) Invest in strong leadership and systems, 4) Know your numbers and cash flow, 5) Leverage every resource—grants, lending partners, and state programs, and 6) Stay engaged with the franchise community.
As for inspiring others, we don’t always look at ourselves as “successful” in the traditional sense, because to us, success is a long journey, not a destination. There’s still so much we must learn; we rarely feel we have all the resources or answers. Every day presents something new, a challenge to overcome or a lesson we didn’t see coming. This path is not easy by any stretch. If anything is inspiring about our story, it’s that we’ve done it together. The real success isn’t in the number of units we operate or the brands we represent; it’s in being true teammates and partners, in both life and business. That’s the foundation of everything we’ve built. We hope others see that you don’t have to have everything figured out to get started. What matters most is showing up daily, trusting each other, and building on your strengths with relentless determination. If our journey shows anything, you can create something powerful when you lead with purpose, support each other, and never stop learning.
Howard University Professor Brings Students To South Africa For Immersive Tour Of Zulu Culture
A Howard University professor continues his tradition of bringing HBCU students to his home country of South Africa for an immersive tour.
Every year during the summer semester, Dr. Sipho Sithole takes students to South Africa for a six-week excursion, where they further engage in the study of Zulu culture, heritage, and language. The lecturer teaches Zulu and Zulu culture at the Washington, D.C.-based HBCU.
Sithole spoke with Newzroom Afrika’s Masechaba Mposwa to discuss the experiences students gain through this summer session. Alongside two Howard students, they highlighted the cultural immersion experience offered during the six-week tour.
For Sithole, the initiative stemmed from his welcoming experience teaching at Howard University, which he claims boasts the largest department of world languages and cultures.
“Howard University has got the biggest enrollment of isiZulu students outside of South Africa,” explained Sithole. “We teach about 150 students from Zulu 1 to Zulu 4. So this program has always been around…As you know, I’ve always been a cultural practitioner and traditionalist rooted in our culture, so I guess Howard University saw that I was the best person to come and teach. I was ready, and I’m there, and I couldn’t agree more.”
Through the program, students travel to battlefields and visit the graves of the Zulu Kings, while also developing a deeper understanding of traditional huts and prayers. They also meet with fellow students within the university and other grade levels, connecting with their generation despite hailing from different continents.
Students come ready to embrace the unique culture of the Zulu people in South Africa. Many have continued to matriculate through the courses offered at Howard, recognizing the cultural shifts not as present back home.
“I would have to say community,” shared student Ryen Reed, about how Zulu culture appeals to her most. “In the United States, we’re really worried about our own personal well-being and our own doings and our own opportunities, that we don’t take a lot into filling into the opportunities that others have around us in our community. Being here, I’ve learned that regardless if I know you or not, you’re my family and that I have to look out for you.”
With a jam-packed schedule of museum trips and classes, students also gain a spiritual understanding of the Zulu tradition. Praying and paying homage to one’s ancestors remains integral to this community, leaving some scholars emotional about finally being on the lands where their great-great-grandparents once lived.
The program aims to bridge the gap for Black American scholars and those interested in the Zulu culture, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with this lineage of people.
Deion Sanders Teases Return To Football Field In Recent Social Media Posts
University of Colorado Boulder football coach Deion Sanders has been away from his school and team recovering from an undisclosed ailment, but a recent social media post shows him in a weighted vest working to get back in shape to perform his duties as coach.
In two recent Instagram posts, the NFL Hall of Famer is seen wearing a weighted vest. There was no indication or mention of how the vest is helping him in his rehabilitation. In what appears to be a promotional post on his page, he is seen with the vest, holding up a can of Red Con 1 energy drink, with a matching baseball cap, with his head down. The caption alludes to the coach “walking it out” as he says he is one step closer.
“1 step closer Everyday, I’m Walking it out! Our Team is working their butts off; therefore, I’ve got to match that 🔥they have! #CoachPrime@redcon1 gave me what I needed!”
In another social media post a day later, he is with his son, Deion Sanders Jr., taking a photo with a thumbs-up, showing the weighted vest once again in the photograph, both men are smiling. In the caption, he promises a return to a stadium.
Sanders assured fans and his followers several weeks ago that he was OK and planning his return to the football field after canceling several public appearances amid rumors that he was not at the school. Deion Jr. told his followers that his father was home at the family estate in Canyon, Texas, and “feeling well.”
The upcoming season will be his first not coaching his sons, who are both currently on the rosters of NFL teams.
Zohran Mamdani Makes His Play Toward NYC’s Black Voters After Historic Democratic Primary Win
Putting forth the effort is the first battle!
New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani headed to Harlem to campaign for Black voters just days after winning the Democratic primary in New York City’s hotly contested mayoral campaign, leaning on the support of one of NYC’s most prolific leaders, The New York Times reports.
Mamdani stopped by the Harlem headquarters of National Action Network (NAN), founded by civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton, to speak out on his hopes of gaining the support of Black voters in November. His June 28 speech touched on a number of concerns facing the Harlem community, a staple of Black excellence, including making the neighborhood and the boroughs beyond more affordable to live. “It must be a morning where the worker comes first, a morning where a New Yorker does more than just struggle,” he said.
“It must be a morning where they know if they live in that rent-stabilized apartment, they will pay the same rent next year as well, and a morning where they know that child care will be universal.”
While neither NAN’s Sharpton nor director Spike Lee has yet to endorse the controversial selection, it is clear that Mamdani knows the importance of the Black vote, the same that secured victory for Mayor Eric Adams in 2022.
Sharpton rallied around the assemblyman’s courage to speak at the headquarters in lieu of reports that he wasn’t as popular in the polls from some of the city’s most solidly Black neighborhoods. “He could have went the other way and said, ‘It’s me against them.’ But he came this morning and he proclaimed something,” Sharpton said, according to the Associated Press.
And I gave him a lot of credit for that,” Sharpton said.
Former primary favorite Gov. Andrew Cuomo, however, did receive some support from Black voters, particularly in regions where nearly 70% of the residents were African American. The amount doubles Mamdani’s support — 59% to 26%.
Mamdani’s victory — making him potentially the first Muslim mayor of one of the country’s largest melting pots — was met with massive attacks of anti-Muslim rhetoric from social media users, both Democratic and Republican leaders, and even President Donald Trump. In a Truth Social post, Trump called him a “100% Communist Lunatic” who “looks terrible.”
After making claims that the 33-year-old was anti-semitic, Adams, who has faced federal corruption charges, was asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper what evidence he has to back up that claim. Adams pushed a narrative that his opponent was “pro-Hamas.” Adams said the primary winner once praised the terrorist organization, but when Tapper requested proof, he said,” a little research and you’ll be able to find it.”
Asked what specifically Zohran Mamdani has said that's antisemitic, Eric Adams doesn't provide a single example.
But not all are pushing racist narratives against the leader. Those in attendance for his NAN speech, like local Harlem Democratic leader Alyah Horsford-Sidberry, called it “electrifying” with reminders of former President Barack Obama.
While she was concerned that his tone might not garner results, Horsford-Sidberry admitted that the lack of Black support may simply be due to some rejecting the unfamiliar, but making the effort to visit helps. “The more he’s out here and community members get to know him, the better he will be received,” she said.
“They’ve just got to get to know him and see him at more events like this. What’s important, though, is that his concerns are the community’s concerns.”
Nas Joins $5 Billion Expansion Project At Resorts World in Queens, ‘Let’s Bring The Future Home’
Nas has partnered with Resorts World on its $5.5 billion expansion in Queens, New York.
Nas is helping “bring the future home” through a new partnership with Resorts World as part of its $5.5 billion expansion in his hometown of Queens, New York.
Soon after Resorts World New York City submitted its $5.5 billion bid to the New York State Gaming Commission to build a world-class resort in Southeast Queens, Nas announced his involvement in the project on Instagram.
“History in the making. @ResortsWorldNYC bets it all on the World’s Borough,” Nas captioned his video announcement. “Let’s build something legendary for the commmunity. Let’s bring the future home. #ItsTime.”
The video features Nas walking through the casino as he narrates about the “future” Resorts World is bringing to Queens. He’s seen standing over a model of the expanded resort before the footage shifts to a live-action reenactment showcasing the look and atmosphere of the upcoming development.
Nas then opens a briefcase containing a commercial license application, which he signs while declaring, “It’s time to invest in us.” He’s met with applause from Resorts World executives, celebrating his official partnership in the venture.
“In Queens, the future is now,” Nas declares.
The bid was submitted just ahead of the June 27 deadline. The expansion aims to build on the resort’s 15-year legacy of community partnership with a 5.6 million-square-foot proposal that would grow the city’s only casino, create thousands of union jobs, and generate billions for education and transit for Southeast Queens.
“Fifteen years ago, Resorts World made a promise to turn this site into an economic engine for Southeast Queens, New York City, and New York State,” Genting America East President Robert DeSalvio said. “And we succeeded, now generating more casino revenues and taxes each year than any other commercial casino in the U.S. Today is a major milestone for us to propose the world-class Resorts World Integrated Resort and further commit to this partnership and provide new career opportunities and tax revenue almost immediately, as soon as July 2026.”
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DATE: OCT 15-17, 2025 | LOCATION: HYATT REGENCY GRAND CYPRESS | ORLANDO, FL
The XCEL Summit For Men is the nation’s leading conference dedicated to elevating and empowering Black men—celebrating their excellence through the XCEL Awards and equipping them with the tools to thrive at every level of leadership, from entry-level to the C-suite.
The XCEL Summit For Men is the nation’s leading conference dedicated to elevating and empowering Black men—celebrating their excellence through the XCEL Awards and equipping them with the tools to thrive at every level of leadership, from entry-level to the C-suite.
Hands down the best event l've ever been to. It ain't even close - the brotherhood I got from being at this event is legit the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Every year, I try to attend. There are very few events that focus specifically on Black Men; focusing our efforts, refining our talents and developing lasting networks that serve us personally and professionally.”
“Every year, I try to attend. There are very few events that focus specifically on Black Men; focusing our efforts, refining our talents and developing lasting networks that serve us personally and professionally.”
“A great conference to attend, to participate in, and to witness great men doing great and awesome things in their lives and the lives of so many others. The networking was on
fire and I know many new collaborations and opportunities have been birthed.”
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Guest room rates: Single/Double – $239 plus applicable fees and taxes.
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Amenities include daily round-trip transportation to Disney, Universal Studio and Disney Springs. Pickleball court access, bike rentals, rock climbing wall, sailboats, paddle boards, kayaks, golf course, basketball court, access to jogging course and nightly movies at the pool.
The enshrinement ceremony for the Pro Football Hall of Fame at Tom Benson Stadium on Aug. 8 recognized athletic achievement and highlighted executive leadership, investment, and steadfastness. Inductees Larry Fitzgerald
Brandon Scott is using his power in politics to deliver economic progress and opportunity for African Americans in his city. And in the process, he’s proving to the world the
California State University, Los Angeles has strengthened its athletic department by appointing former Lakers forward Metta World Peace as associate head coach for women’s basketball. He joins Michael Cooper, who
Robert L. Johnson made history in several ways, but none have touched the lives of our community more than his greatest achievement. He is the country’s first African American billionaire
LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion, signed a two-year veteran’s minimum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. While this contract is a significant pay cut, it highlights the growing influence of
When the National Baseball Hall of Fame Era Committee meets in December, Johnnie B. “Dusty” Baker Jr. could become the first Black manager inducted into Cooperstown. Baker’s career provides valuable
New ‘Relooted’ Video Game Involves Heist Mission To Repatriate African Artifacts From White Museums
The game takes players on its Robin Hood-style mission to bring home these missing relics.
A new video game will offer players the virtual chance to reclaim looted African artifacts from white museums.
From South African video game studio Nyamakop comes Relooted, a game whose mission involves repatriating these stolen items. Nyamakop debuted the project at Summer Game Fest in Los Angeles in early June.
The game adopts a classic format similar to early versions of Tomb Raider, allowing players to conduct heists at museums. In the game, one joins a crew of well-intentioned thieves for the Robin Hood-style mission to make right on an abandoned treaty.
According to Ben Myres, the Creative Director of Relooted, the idea took over two years to research. He told Epic Games, a distributor for the game, about their development of the story. Myres had an abundance of stolen artifacts to use, but decided to focus on items that had their own lore surrounding them.
“We looked for artifacts with great stories in terms of how they were looted,” he said. “Why were they important to people? Just anything associated with them.”
The story is set in an AfroFuturism world of the 21st century. In its timeline, a botched treaty for the return of these African artifacts leads to the thieves taking matters into their own hands. The heist crew is also comprised of several members who all hail from different African nations, another testament to the diversity found within the project.
“Every member of the heist crew is from a specific country, culture, and ethnicity, and all of their clothing references for making their design are only from that regional culture rather than from some collage place,” added Myres.
However, they must work together to plan the elaborate heist and make it out in time without risking their exposure. Relooted works as a big puzzle executed through a gameplay loop. One’s player travels through the museum using parkour elements to run, jump, and glide through the building. Once the relic is caught, players have 30 seconds to escape and complete the heist.
The studio also built a 30-person team of full-time developers to bring this vision to life. Their work has garnered much praise and anticipation for the game’s African focus. However, this also extends to its impact on video game development on the continent.
“There are not a lot of opportunities for people here to professionally make video games,” Myres said. “So if you’re offering people here that opportunity, and it so happens that it’s an African-inspired thing—which you don’t get to see a lot of in games—people are pretty, pretty excited about doing that.”
While the game’s themes are provocative, they primarily aim to educate people about the importance of these relics, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding repatriation.
“We want to give people information about how important these artifacts were to the people they were taken from,” he said. “And then people can make their own decisions if they think the artifacts should stay in the museums or not.”
The creators of Relooted have yet to announce a release date. However, its launch will surely break barriers and spark conversation across multiple industries.
He’s Joking, Right? JD Vance Wildly Claims Trump Has Done ‘More To Save Black Lives Than Any Leader’
Remember when Trump labeled the Black Lives Matter movement a “symbol of hate?”
Vice President JD Vance feels a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo should come with a thank you to President Donald Trump from leaders of Black Lives Matter, since Trump has “done more to save black lives than any leader in our country,” Rolling Stone reports.
The former Ohio senator made the bold statement on the new social media platform Bluesky, where he already holds the title of most blocked account, after the treaty was signed on June 27.
“The peace treaty signing yesterday between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda was truly historic. That war has killed more than any since World War 2, almost all of them black,” Vance wrote.
The peace treaty signing yesterday between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda was truly historic. That war has killed more than any since World War 2, almost all of them black.
Then, he randomly called on leaders of the BLM movement, created in 2013 after the killing of Trayvon Martin, and then sparking a resurgence following the killing of George Floyd in 2020 at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, to thank the 47th president for “all he has done” for Black people.
“I’m sure the leaders and supporters of the black lives matter movement will join me in celebrating President Trump today, who has done more to save black lives than any leader in our country,” he continued by tagging New York Times opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie, who the VP and his boss targeted after he wrote about Vance’s pledge to “blood and soil nationalism.”
I'm sure the leaders and supporters of the black lives matter movement will join me in celebrating President Trump today, who has done more to save black lives than any leader in our country.@jamellebouie.net
The Trump-Vance administration is no fan of the Black Lives Matter movement, even prior to them taking over the White House. After labeling the troubled movement a “symbol of hate,” Trump sent the National Guard to handle Floyd and Breonna Taylor protestors, allegedly asking, “Can’t you just shoot them?”
Despite having a “Blacks For Trump” following for his 2024 presidential campaign, several incidents seemingly highlight that Trump and Vance haven’t been the best choice of “leaders” for the Black community. During the campaign trail, Haitians across the country and specifically in Springfield, Illinois, were attacked after the indicted politician made false claims that Haitian migrants were stealing neighborhood pets–cats and dogs–and eating them.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the Cabinet has only one Black member, Scott Turner.
But through it all, Vance isn’t backing down from his claims, as the United States benefited from the peace treaty with the African nations, an estimated $24 trillion in the Congo. Trump jumped on the praise train, of course, to pat himself on the back for ending “one of the worst wars that anyone has ever seen.” “They were going at it for many years, and with machetes — it is one of the worst, one of the worst wars that anyone has ever seen. And I just happened to have somebody that was able to get it settled,” Trump said.
“We’re getting, for the United States, a lot of the mineral rights from the Congo as part of it. They’re so honored to be here. They never thought they’d be coming.”
However, not everyone is jumping on the praise train. Several app users bypassed the peace treaty and went straight to the legacy issues, according to TheDaily Beast. One user called Vance a “bozo” for lying. “OK now that’s just an outright lie bozo. If you want to celebrate a small victory, fine, but the exaggeration of who Trump is and what he’s done is not going to fly on here,” the user said.
“Show your toadying, pathetic little self out. He is a failed president, and you are even less than that.”
Another response came from a supporter. Wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat in his profile picture, @trump-2028.bsky.social said, “Good job, now back to #AmericaFirst, please.”
Slutty Vegan Founder Pinky Cole took to Instagram on June 26 to share a video Flo Rida recorded aboard a private jet expressing his excitement about the popular vegan chain’s upcoming debut in Florida.
“I’m proud to say it’s official. Slutty Vegan is touching down in the state of Flo Rida,” the rapper said.
“It’s coming to my house. Shout out to my girl, Pinky Cole. She knows that health is wealth. I know that health is wealth. We ain’t trying to end it, we’re trying to spend it. It’s not to check in, it’s respect in.”
The announcement comes just months after Cole briefly lost ownership of Slutty Vegan before regaining it in April, prompting the business mogul to give a heartfelt shoutout to God for her latest comeback.
“One thing God don’t do is play about me,” she wrote before announcing Slutty Vegan Florida’s July 5 grand opening and location in Brandon, Florida. “Whatever you do….keep going.”
The new Florida outpost joins Slutty Vegan’s expanding footprint, which includes locations in Atlanta, New York City, and Birmingham, Alabama, as well as its spin-off vegan sandwich shop, Voagies. It also comes on the heels of Cole naming tech entrepreneur and investor Lauren Maillian as the company’s new president.
“Lauren is a force,” Cole said at the time. “She brings a sharp business mind, a fearless heart, and a deep understanding of what it takes to build brands that shift culture.”
It was after meeting Malillian at Kim Blackwell’s ExcelerateHER summit when Cole saw the opportunity to align their visions under the Slutty Vegan umbrella.
“It was clear from that moment that she was someone special,” Cole said. “As a founder, I know how important it is to have the right partner in your corner; someone who can execute with excellence and lead with vision. Lauren is that partner. Together, we’re not just continuing what we started, we’re leveling it up.”
