Tom Joyner, Kellogg’s Launch Fund-Raising Galas to Support HBCUsTom Joyner, Kellogg’s Launch Fund-Raising Galas to Support HBCUs
DALLAS
Nationally syndicated radio host and education advocate Tom Joyner has announced the next stage of his plan to increase support for historically Black colleges and universities around the country — fund-raising galas. These events, featuring Joyner as keynote speaker and sponsored by Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund, will take place at 11 schools across the country this year.
“The Tom Joyner Foundation is working to help students stay in school, though we also have to make sure that the schools themselves have the resources to stay competitive,” Joyner says. “I hope this new venture with the schools will help energize the local communities to provide much-needed support.”
To launch the program, Tom Joyner Enterprises sent a letter to HBCUs across the country, offering to help the schools organize fund-raising galas featuring Joyner. Kellogg has committed $110,000 to the program and will kick off the fund raising at each gala by presenting the school with a check for $10,000. The first school to respond was Knoxville College of Knoxville, Tenn. Their event, held last month, raised more than $100,000 and drew a crowd of more than 400 guests. Bowie State University in Maryland has signed on for a gala in May.
“We are pleased to partner with Tom Joyner to continue our support for historically Black colleges and universities,” says George Franklin, vice president of external affairs for Kellogg Company and president of Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund. “We’ve worked with the Tom Joyner Foundation for the past three years to support students at HBCUs, and helping strengthen their schools is a great next step. As a global company, we know our future success depends on young people having the necessary skills to take the lead, and education is key to preparing them for this challenge.”
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