Truist Financial Awards UofM’s Hooks Institute a $40,000 Grant to Support Student Success Initiatives
Sept. 19, 2022 — Truist Financial Corporation has awarded $40,000 to the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis to support the Institute’s Student Success and Career Readiness Initiatives.
About the Hooks Institute’s Student Success and Career Readiness Initiatives
The Hooks Institute’s Student Success and Career Readiness Initiatives address college retention, graduation and career readiness disparities. While college courses provide formal learning in various disciplines relevant to chosen professions, overall personal and leadership development and soft skills are also vital to career success. The Hooks African American Male Initiative (HAAMI) and A Seat at the Table (ASATT) focus on these aspects of student success. In addressing hard and soft career-readiness skills, both programs will impact opportunities for students in employment, income, financial stability and wealth-building.
HAAMI focuses on improving graduation outcomes for African American Males enrolled in the University of Memphis and preparing them for successful careers and positive contributions to the community. The program works to improve academic outcomes for African American Males by providing enrichment in academic achievement, personal development, and career readiness. While HAAMI membership is not restricted by race, programming is designed to address unique challenges faced by African American male students and provide the support, guidance and instruction that will result in academic success and the attainment of broad skills needed for workplace success. Career-readiness components include personal financial literacy, academic peer group career preparation and job search skills, training in professional behaviors, and opportunities to interact with community professionals.
Launched in Fall 2021, ASATT focuses on career readiness for female students of low and moderate incomes. The program builds knowledge about varied career options and works to close opportunity gaps by creating mentorship pipelines and valuable career exploration experiences and empowers women to determine their career paths for themselves and use their voices to help them take advantage of opportunities.
“We appreciate Truist Financial Corporation’s commitment to the mission of the Hooks Institute and our student success initiatives,” said Rorie Trammel, Hooks Institute associate director and director of HAAMI. “Corporate partners like Truist are vital to the continuation and enhancement of programs that support student success and career preparation. Truist has been a great partner in educating our students on personal financial literacy, wealth building, professional development skills and community engagement,“ added Trammel.
“Our ongoing partnership with the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change is an example of our ongoing commitment to deliver on our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities,” said Johnny Moore, Tennessee regional president for Truist. “Our investment in the Hooks Institute’s Student Success and Career Readiness Initiatives is helping to level the playing field for young African American professionals so that they can develop the skillsets that are critical to starting and maintaining successful careers.”
About the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change
The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute implements its mission of teaching, studying and promoting civil rights and social change through research, education and direct intervention programs. Institute programs include community outreach; funding faculty research initiatives on community issues; implementing community service projects; hosting conferences, symposiums and lectures; and promoting local and national scholarship on civil and human rights. The Hooks Institute is an interdisciplinary center at the University of Memphis. Contributed revenue for the Hooks Institute, including funding from individuals, corporations and foundations, is administered through the University of Memphis Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. Visit memphis.edu/benhooks for more information.
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 services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank with total assets of $544 billion as of March 31, 2022. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.