The power couple is building their empire and legacy!
ATL restaurateurs Pinky Cole and Derrick Hayes recently got engaged and welcomed their second child.
Both Cole and Hayes are public figures in the Atlanta restaurant scene, Cole owning the super popular Slutty Vegan and Hayes making a name for himself as the owner of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, an establishment named for his late father. The two connected over their commitment to the community, falling in love and making history as the first restaurant owners to grace the cover of ESSENCE magazine this past January.
In addition to their individual endeavors, the couple came together to launch a life insurance company giving Black men in Atlanta who make $30,000 or less life insurance for free. Last year, the two welcomed a baby girl, D. Ella Hayes, building a legacy together on top of their rapidly growing empires. For Hayes, it all just made sense.
“We were able to use this one thing over everything, and that’s love – not just for ourselves, but for the community…our first time really giving back together…when we did that, I saw how powerfully people resonated with us doing something together. So we wound up saying, ‘All right, well, let’s build a business together,’” Hayes previously told reporters.
Last weekend, while the duo was making their rounds in matching outfits at ESSENCE Fest, Hayes surprised Cole by proposing to her on stage at one of her scheduled panels. A visibly emotional Cole later posted a video captioning the moment calling it “one of the best days of [her] life.”
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Now the couple is doubly blessed, recently welcoming their second child just days after the proposal. Derrick Hayes Jr. was born on July 6, Hayes taking to social media to share his excitement and awe about the full-circle moment of having his first son on the anniversary of his father’s death.
“My father died July 6, 2009, and I dedicated my business to him. My son was born today, July 6, 2022, and I’m dedicating my life to him. Welcome to the world son, I got my big Dave in heaven and now I got my Lil Dave here on earth,” Hayes captioned a picture of himself holding the newborn.
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He furthered shared with People, “I’m super excited about having a son because I’ve tried for so long and honestly thought I couldn’t make boys. I’m really happy, it’s a blessing because I now have my legacy that will carry my name and the memory of my Dad, Big Dave.”
Yep, now we are all crying! Congratulations, Derrick and Pinky!
Photo Courtesy of Derrick Hayes; Robin L. Marshall/Getty Images