They’re preparing students for the hospitality industry!
In 2021, Chick-fil-A committed $500,000 to Morris Brown College alongside the construction of a new 150-unit on-campus hotel, Black Enterprise reports. The hospitality project included an instructional space for students, making Morris Brown the first and only historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the nation to launch a national hotel chain and offer an on-campus hospitality management training program.
It marked a pivotal moment for the historic institution, which was rebuilding since regaining its accreditation in 2022 after going without it for nearly two decades. The first educational institution in the state of Georgia to be owned and operated by African Americans, Morris Brown is looking to mark a new era of excellence for the college.
Now, Chick-fil-A has announced a second round of funding for the HBCU, awarding another $500,000 to fund the school’s leadership development initiative. Students at the liberal arts college will be allowed to learn the tools and skills needed to thrive in the hospitality industry, granting them exposure to service concepts, best practices from successful corporate leaders, and industry experience. The goal is to make Morris Brown a leading collegiate institution for Black and Brown people looking to own and operate restaurants and hotels.
“I look forward to Morris Brown being a direct pipeline of diverse leaders within the career fields of hospitality and organizational leadership for organizations like Chick-fil-A,” said Morris Brown College president Dr. Kevin James.
“Our goal is to give students access to opportunities and tools that will help them advance their skills, network, and prepare for success in their college journey, business, and life, added Carol Waddy, Chick-fil-A director of Community Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility.
The on-campus hotel site hopes to give students real-world experience and build the next generation of hospitality leaders in the industry. Selected students for the program will gain the access and opportunities necessary to launch their careers in hospitality while learning the confidence and skills it takes to navigate in the sector.
Cover photo: Chick-fil-A Commits Second Round of $500K to Morris Brown College Leadership Initiative/Photo by Morris Brown College