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Truist Funds Hampton University “Building Economic Mobility for Low and Moderately Skilled Individuals” Program with $250,000 Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Truist Funds Hampton University “Building Economic Mobility for Low and Moderately Skilled Individuals” Program with $250,000 Grant

HAMPTON, VA – November 14, 2023 – Truist, through its Truist Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation, presented Hampton University with a $250,000 grant to fund the university’s “Building Economic Mobility for Low and Moderately Skilled Individuals, from Underserved Populations in Newport News and Hampton” program. Truist’s Virginia Regional President, Thomas Ransom, presented a check on behalf of Truist to Hampton University President, Darrell K. Williams at the university’s museum, alongside local Truist leadership and university leadership and administrators.

“Truist is proud to make this investment in Hampton University’s workforce development program,” said Thomas Ransom, Virginia Regional President at Truist. “Our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities and one way we bring our purpose to life is through strong community partnerships and programmatic investments, with a special focus on creating opportunities for economic mobility and independence. We look forward to seeing the success and stability of future program participants, as well as their contributions to our local economies and communities.”

The “Building Economic Mobility for Low and Moderately Skilled Individuals” program provides hands-on training and certifications in construction trades for over 100 students in each year-long cohort. The program creates a skills transformation by upskilling and reskilling to generate qualified candidates for Virginia’s workforce, as well as sustainable careers for program participants. The program and university also collaborate with partners from faith-based institutions, law enforcement, high schools, community-based organizations, and area municipalities to round out its workforce development programming. Truist’s grant will allow Hampton University to expand the program’s reach and impact.

“Hampton University is thrilled to collaborate with Truist to advance our mission of positioning students and our communities for success,” said HU President Darrell K. Williams. “The Truist collaboration underscores the importance of private-sector partnerships in addressing the evolving needs of the workforce.

“This substantial investment not only strengthens the university’s position as a leader in education but also reinforces Truist’s commitment to making a positive difference in the communities it serves.”

About Hampton University:

Founded in 1868, Hampton University has been the Standard of Excellence in higher education for over 150 years. Hampton University is recognized as one of the top historically black colleges and universities in the world, and most recently named the top private university in Virginia. Providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts and graduate degree programs, Hampton is committed to academic excellence, leadership development, innovation, community service, workforce development and building future leaders. Learn more at www.hamptonu.edu.

About the Truist Charitable Fund:

The Truist Charitable Fund (“TCF”) is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. TCF was established as a donor-advised fund and is administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation. TCF invests in local community organizations, focusing on grants that support initiatives and programs in the areas of educational equity, leadership development, career pathways, small business, and community services. To learn more about Truist’s purpose, visit https://www.truist.com/who-we-are/about-truist.

About Truist:

Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country and offers a wide range of products and services through our retail and small business banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, insurance, wealth management, and specialized lending businesses. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank with total assets of $543 billion as of September 30, 2023. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Hannah Longmore

Truist Financial Corporation

402-613-3499

hannah.longmore@truist.com

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Taraji P. Henson, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, and kate spade New York Open the Second She Care Wellness Pod at Hampton University Campus in Hampton, Virginia

SHE CARE WELLNESS POD AT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN HAMPTON, VIRGINIA

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***  

The ribbon-cutting celebration featured musical and dance performances from local student artists to unveil the campus’s new ‘She Care Wellness Pod’, which will provide frontline mental wellness care and resources to the Hampton University community.

Taraji P. Henson, Tracie Jade Jenkins, Darrell K. Williams, Dr. 

Barbara Inman, Dr. Kristie Norwood, Taryn Bird, and T’Kiyah 

Reeves celebrating the opening of the second ‘She Care 

Wellness Pod’ at Hampton University

WHO:                   Notable attendees included actor, filmmaker, founder of The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation and kate spade new york Social Impact Council member, Taraji P. Henson, Executive Director of The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, Tracie Jade Jenkins, Hampton University President,Darrell K. Williams, Hampton University Vice President for Administrative Services, Dr. Barbara Inman, Director of the Hampton University Student Counseling Center, Dr. Kristie Norwood, Executive Director of Social Impact at kate spade new york, Taryn Bird, and more.

WHEN:                 Thursday, November 2, 2023

WHERE:               Hampton University, Hampton, VA

ASSETS:               For more information and visual assets of the pods, please see press kit HERE.

WHAT:                 On Thursday, November 2, 2023, Taraji P. HensonThe Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF), Kate Spade New York and Hampton University celebrated the opening of the campus’s ‘She Care Wellness Pod,’ an extension of the program launched earlier this year that aims to reach over 25,000 Black women on HBCU campuses with frontline mental wellness care.

In April 2023, BLHF and Kate Spade New York first teamed up to create more access to culturally competent mental health resources for women and girls by jointly launching the first-of-its-kind program, which was concepted by actor, filmmaker, and founder of The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, Taraji P. Henson, and Tracie Jade Jenkins, Executive Director of The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation at Alabama State University. 

In partnership with trusted community resources, the program takes a multifaceted approach through the opening of ‘She Care Wellness Pods,’ physical structures installed on campuses that offer a range of services, including:

·        Free mental health therapy sessions for female students experiencing an exacerbation of stress, anxiety and hopelessness. 

·        Hangout spaces that allow students to connect with peers or avoid isolation and grief during the school year and vacation periods.  

·        Unique programming including yoga, meditation, art and drama therapy, African dance, nutrition, and more, all provided by certified practitioners.

·        Workshops that offer resources and tools for those who suffer with anxiety, sleep deprivation, and insomnia.

·        Quiet spaces for silence, rest and respite to reset from daily stressors.

Hosted by Hampton University President, Darrell K. Williams, Taraji P. Henson returned to her D.C. Metropolitan area roots to make an appearance at the ‘She Care Wellness Pods’ opening event and shared remarks on her continued commitment to the program. Reaching even more young black women and students, the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially welcomed the Hampton University community to begin utilizing the ‘She Care Wellness Pods’ for mental wellness care. 

Each ‘She Care Wellness Pod’ is designed to create an environment that stimulates joy, peace and serenity through intentional design and color selection. Each campus’s pods feature a mural created by a student artist that reflects the unique identity of the institution from the perspective of the student body.  Selected to design the murals at Hampton University, T’Kiyah Reeves created a work of art that represents four Hampton University students and their intersecting identities. The art features colors of green, orange and purple which are synonymous with the student class colors.

The ‘She Care Wellness Pods’ were built by S.I. Container Builds, a woman-owned modular construction company that specializes in repurposing shipping containers and building with sustainable materials and were designed by Saudah Saleem Interiors in collaboration with Kiyonda Powell Design Studio. 

ABOUT BORIS LAWRENCE HENSON FOUNDATION:

Founded in 2018, BLHF has built its reputation on providing trusted referrals and demonstrating a deep understanding of the population health of communities of Color.  Through timely and relevant programming and awareness campaigns, BLHF encourages mental wellness, raises awareness of the stigma and the use of stigmatizing language when referring to mental illness, and provides mental health resources to the Black community. 

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is charting a new course that encourages Black individuals to own their history, heritage, and collective wounds in empowering, empathic, and transformative ways.  For more information, visit https://borislhensonfoundation.org/.

ABOUT KATE SPADE NEW YORK: 

Since its launch in 1993 with a collection of six essential handbags, Kate Spade New York has always stood for color, wit, optimism, and femininity. Today, it is a global lifestyle brand synonymous with joy, delivering seasonal collections of handbags, ready-to-wear, jewelry, footwear, gifts, home décor and more. In addition to its rich heritage and unique brand DNA that offers a distinctive point of view, and celebrates communities of women around the globe who live their perfectly imperfect lifestyles, another core piece of the brand’s DNA is its social impact work. For more than a decade, women’s empowerment has been at the forefront of the brand’s purpose, and the brand has committed to using its platform and resources to destigmatize mental health and provide more women and girls with access to resources and support. Kate Spade New York is part of the Tapestry House of brands.

ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY: 

Rich in history, steeped in tradition, Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degree programs. In addition to being one of the top historically black universities in the world, Hampton University is a tightly-knit community of learners and educators, representing 49 states and 35 territories and nations.

For more information, visit https://https://home.hamptonu.edu/about/

CONTACT:           LaForce, katespade@laforce.nyc

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Taraji P. Henson, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, and kate spade New York Open the Second She Care Wellness Pod at Hampton University Campus in Hampton, Virginia Read More »

The Honorable S. Bernard Goodwyn, Chief Justice Of The Supreme Court Of Virginia, To Deliver Keynote Address At Hampton University’s Opening Convocation On Sunday, October 1

Annual Ceremony Marks the Official Start of 2023 Academic Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hampton, Va. (Sept. 26, 2023) – Hampton University will mark another milestone in its 155-year history as the Honorable S. Bernard Goodwyn, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, will deliver the keynote address at the 80th Annual Opening Convocation on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Convocation Center. This event is open to the public.

In a ceremony that marks the beginning of the academic year, Hampton welcomes the newest and largest cohort of young scholars since 2016 and their families and friends to the university. “Hampton University is honored to welcome Chief Justice Goodwyn to our Home by the Sea,”said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams. “His renown as a man with a heart of service, Chief Justice Goodwyn is a remarkable example of leadership, an unyielding commitment to excellence, and an uncommon dedication to public service to which our students and all in attendance may aspire.”

Following his appointment in 2007 to the Supreme Court of Virginia by Governor Timothy M. Kaine, S. Bernard Goodwyn was unanimously elected by the General Assembly to a 12-year term in 2008. He was reappointed by the General Assembly to a second 12-year term in 2020. The Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia unanimously elected him to serve as the next Chief Justice, following Chief Justice Donald W. Lemons, effective January 1, 2022. 

Chief Justice Goodwyn served as a circuit court judge for ten years and as a general district court judge for two years. 

Prior to his service on the bench, Chief Justice Goodwyn was in private law practice and served on the faculty of the University of Virginia School of Law.  Chief Justice Goodwyn has served as a member of the Virginia Code Commission and the Judicial Council of Virginia, as a subcommittee chair of the Virginia Supreme Court Judicial Performance Evaluation Task Force, as a member of the Working Group for the Establishment of Guidelines for Compensation of Court-Appointed Counsel, as a member of the Editorial Board of the Virginia Bench Book for Judges and Lawyers, as a member of the Joint Subcommittee Regarding Commissioners of Accounts, as member of the Virginia Supreme Court Virginia Courts in the 21st Century Task Force, and as Judge of the Chesapeake Drug Treatment Court Program, and is the former co-chair of the Virginia Access to Justice Commission. 

A Southampton County native, Chief Justice Goodwyn graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with an undergraduate degree in economics and was a member of the varsity football and track teams at Harvard.  Chief Justice Goodwyn received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was an editor for the Virginia Tax Review, a member of the Raven Society, and a recipient of the Ritter Award for honor, character, and integrity. 

The Opening Convocation Ceremony will be live-streamed at https://home.hamptonu.edu/livestream.

ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education, dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. Its curriculum emphasis is scientific and professional with a strong liberal arts undergirding. A historically Black institution, Hampton University is committed to multiculturalism, serving students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. Research and public service are integral parts of Hampton’s mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. In achieving its mission, Hampton University offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute to our society in a productive and useful manner. For more information, visit www.hamptonu.edu.

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Media contact: James Parker, Senior Director of Marketing & Media Relations, Office of University Relations, Hampton University, james.parker@hamptonu.edu, 757-718-2949

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Expanding Affordable Broadband Access Takes Center Stage in Hampton, VA

Hampton University to serve as host for a Broadband Community Meeting Town Hall on Monday, October 2nd, at 6:00 PM at Student Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HAMPTON, VA – The Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), in collaboration with Hampton University and the City of Hampton, is set to host a transformative community event aimed at addressing the critical need for expanded affordable broadband access in the region.

The “Broadband Community Meeting Town Hall” is scheduled to take place on Monday, October 2nd, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the esteemed Hampton University Student Center, conveniently located at 135 Marshall Avenue, Hampton, VA 23668.

The primary objective of this landmark town hall meeting is threefold: to educate, inform, and engage the local community regarding the unprecedented funding opportunities stemming from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law in November 2021.

The IIJA is a legislative milestone designed to usher in essential infrastructure improvements, especially in communities that have historically been underserved and lack the fundamental resources needed for everyday life. Without active community involvement, there’s a risk that these crucial communities may once again be overlooked.

Highlighting the significance of this initiative, in June of this year, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) unveiled an astounding $1.5 billion in funding aimed at closing the digital divide within the state of Virginia. These funds are allocated through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program under the IIJA.

The “Broadband Community Meeting Town Hall” promises to be an enlightening and empowering event that will shed light on the transformative potential of the IIJA and the funding opportunities it presents. By participating in this gathering, community members can play an active role in ensuring that Hampton, VA, and surrounding areas fully benefit from these critical resources.

The Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, stands at the forefront of this transformative effort. SFI serves as a catalyst for enhancing freedom in both academic and life choices for students attending Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) by elevating their social and economic mobility. Through close collaboration with partner educational institutions and strategic allies, SFI addresses the wealth gap by promoting affordable access to higher education, offering hands-on professional and life training opportunities, delivering integrated student services, and enhancing technological resources. These efforts not only support students in achieving future personal and professional success on a global scale but also bolster participating institutions, making them more resilient and competitive as pillars within their respective communities.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

MIA YI | Sr. Manager, Marketing and Communications | Student Freedom Initiative

633 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 5th Floor; Washington, DC 20004 M 202.768.9356 | myi@studentfreedominitiative.org

ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY
Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education, dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. Its curriculum emphasis is scientific and professional with a strong liberal arts undergirding. A historically Black institution, Hampton University is committed to multiculturalism, serving students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. Research and public service are integral parts of Hampton’s mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. In achieving its mission, Hampton University offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute to our society in a productive and useful manner. For more information, visit www.hamptonu.edu.

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Media contact: James Parker, Senior Director of Marketing & Media Relations, Office of University Relations, Hampton University, james.parker@hamptonu.edu, 757-718-2949

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