Truist Financial Awards Hooks Institute $25,000 Grant to Support Student Success Initiatives
October 18, 2023 —Truist Financial Corporation recently awarded $25,000 to the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change in support of the institute’s student success and career readiness initiatives.
The initiatives address college retention, graduation and career-readiness disparities, providing students with enrichment and skills beyond the formal education they receive in their courses.
In addition to focusing on academic achievement, Hooks African American Male Initiative (HAAMI) and A Seat at the Table (ASATT) programming include aspects of student success such as leadership, professional soft skills development, personal financial literacy and overall wellbeing. In addressing hard and soft career-readiness skills, both programs provide guidance for students in employment, financial stability and wealth-building, and career advancement.
“Truist Financial Corporation has been an invaluable partner to the Hooks Institute’s goal of reducing disparities and addressing challenges to strengthen the success of HAAMI and ASATT students,” said Rorie Trammel, Hooks Institute associate director and director of HAAMI. “We are grateful that our partnership with Truist goes beyond their financial contribution to directly working with students by providing personal finance training that greatly aids students in understanding how to manage their financial affairs.”
HAAMI works to improve educational and career outcomes for African American males. Membership is open to all groups. Career-readiness components include personal financial literacy, academic peer group career preparation, job search skills, resume writing, training in professional behaviors and opportunities to interact with professionals in the community.
Launched in 2021, ASATT focuses on leadership development and career readiness for female students attending the UofM, with a focus on students from low- and moderate-income households. The program encourages members to strengthen personal skills to prepare them for student leadership and for leadership roles in their careers and communities. The ASATT program focuses on closing opportunity gaps by creating mentorship pipelines and valuable career exploration experiences.
“We are so thrilled to provide this grant to the Hooks Institute to support efforts to increase UofM students’ success, financial education, and career development,” said Angela Conner, Community Development Manager at Truist. “Investing in programs and initiatives like HAAMI and ASATT help to level the playing field so that everyone in our community has the chance to meet their unique, personal career and financial goals.
“We’re excited to not only provide this grant, but also for our teammates to deliver personal finance curriculum to program participants so they are better positioned for success after graduation,” Conner added.
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About 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 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 $555 billion as of June 30, 2023. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.
CONTACT
Amy Ruggaber | amy.ruggaber@memphis.edu