The founder of Slutty Vegan, Aisha ‘Pinky’ Cole-Hayes, has offered to sponsor Benjamin E. Mays High School’s 2024 prom, according to Atlanta Public Schools.
Pinky Gives Back, the entrepreneur’s foundation, will sponsor the April 27 program, which will help kids with prom-related expenses such as food, décor, a DJ, and souvenirs.
She told the district, “I was the prom queen at my high school, and I cherish the memories I created at my prom. It is important for me to support my community by helping people have experiences that will impact them for the rest of their lives, and I hope that my contribution does just that,” per 11Alive.
Cole-Hayes visited the school last Monday and told the students, “I’m paying for the entire prom, so you don’t have to pay for nothing.” She then handed the school a check for more than $10,000.
The charity not only provides dresses and tuxedos for those in need, but also covers makeup for a few students. Aside from covering a portion of each student’s prom ticket prices, the group is also providing hygiene kits and haircuts to male students.
The student body president, Tamar Echols, expressed relief and gratitude at her donation, saying, “Everybody can’t afford prom, so because everyone can’t afford prom, it’s kinda, a thing of, am I going to go or not. And, so when you get the news that a big black company is sponsoring your school, it just kinda gives you, a thing of relief, that now I can go.”
The mompreneur stated that since many of the pupils contributed to her success, assisting them is the least she can do.
Cole-Hayes aims for students to understand the importance of paying it forward after achieving their objectives. She hopes they will return to Mays High School and help others. They’ll be able to identify and support a community in need.
The Pinky Cole Foundation, established in Atlanta, is focused to empowering young people of color via a variety of activities. Since its inception in 2019, the foundation has provided financial support to promote financial literacy, combat poverty, and support entrepreneurial activities.
Cole-Hayes recently paid full tuition for 30 students at Clark Atlanta University and assisted local businesses struggling to pay rent.