In the Spirit of Giving DIAGEO and Its Brands Celebrate the 50th Annual Bayou Classic, Culture and Education with Scholarships to Grambling State University and Southern University

(L-R: Malcolm Ellis, Head of Diverse Investments DIAGEO – Pronghorn; President Dennis Shields from Southern University; Dr. Danielle Robinson, Head of Community Engagement and Partnerships at DIAGEO; Perry Jones, President of DIAGEO North America Supply; President Rick Gallot of Grambling State University; Greg Jones, HBCU Cares Founder)

More About The DIAGEO Fund for HBCUs

DIAGEO has helped many HBCUs in funding to support black excellence and continues to honor diversity throughout the country. DIAGEO along with many of its brands including Ciroc, Crown Royal, Don Julio and Tanqueray, have already helped 29 HBCUs fund education.

The purpose of the DIAGEO Fund is to continue the traditions of HBCUs and to cultivate the next generation of diverse leaders. DIAGEO’s mission is to provide support and create experiences that honor diverse thought to celebrate inclusion as well as equality throughout education. DIAGEO celebrates the historic traditions of HBCUs and they honor Black excellence with events in Birmingham, AL & New Orleans, LA.

DIAGEO was the official spirits partner of the 50th annual Bayou Classic between Grambling State University and Southern University, which took place on November 25th. The Bayou Classic was an opportunity to celebrate football, legacy and longstanding traditions surrounding HBCU football classics.

For Battle of the Bands, Greek Show and Bayou Classic Fan Festival, the DIAGEO team was at the pre-game celebrations to get the crowd warmed up while also being on the field before the game. From there they presented a check to HBCUs celebrating the 50th year with an additional $50,000 to create a permanent endowment fund and help provide financial aid to thousands of students.

In the last 2 years, DIAGEO has already invested over $11 million to 29 Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions through an endowment program to address educational inequities and support career pipeline opportunities for historically underrepresented groups.

“We are proud to return to New Orleans at the 50th Bayou Classic for a 2nd year in a row and show up for the community during moments that matter and work with institutions like Grambling State University and Southern University that share our commitment in shaping a more equitable society,” said Dr. Danielle Robinson Head of Community Engagement and Partnerships at DIAGEO. “We look to the future diverse leaders, to provide them with much needed financial assistance and champion them to success.”

DIAGEO is a company that wants to advance the next generation and give them the tools to be able to continue their education as well as becoming the next leaders that the world needs. They will continue their mission as part of their Society 2030 ambition to reshape the world to be more inclusive through educational advancement.

To learn more about the DIAGEO fund for HBCUs, their spirits portfolio, and everything that they have to offer, you can visit their website.

Image Credit: Malcolm Johnson Jr.

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