“I’m just excited to be able to continue to do what I did in the past, but with a new found energy that feels good to me, and I’m truly at the helm of this ship nowadays.” Lessons from Clark Atlanta When Cole reflects on resilience, she often returns to the campus of Clark Atlanta University, where she studied, pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and was crowned Miss Clark Atlanta University.
Serving as Miss CAU also gave her an early lesson in humility and professionalism. “You are a representative of an organization, so it is critical in your level of professionalism to appear in the best way that the institution wants you to appear. That is game changing,” she said. She adds that “that level of humility was preparing me for the success that God was about to bring me.” Those lessons shaped the way she leads today, giving her confidence while staying grounded. “Humility is a superpower,” she said. “It’s not the people that are the loudest in the room, it’s the people that bring the most to the table. I don’t mean you gotta be quiet. I mean having gratitude. Being grateful and providing grace for yourself and for other people, in my opinion, is the recipe for success.” Giving Back and Building Forward In the past six years, through her foundation and partnerships, Cole has: - Covered one year of life insurance premiums for Black men in Georgia earning $30,000 or less
- Paid past due electricity bills for 100 Georgia families - Covered rent for small Black owned businesses impacted by the pandemic - Donated plant based meals to essential workers - Provided the children of police brutality victim Rayshard Brooks with $600,000 in scholarships to Clark Atlanta University She has also supported HBCU students in meaningful ways. In 2019, she helped pay off the balances of more than 30 Clark Atlanta students and later gifted each member of CAU’s 2022 graduating class their own LLC, giving them the tools to start businesses immediately.
of HBCUs.
“Supporting students at HBCUs increases the chances of them going into private equity, which ultimately impacts how much funding Black owned businesses receive,” she said.
The Road Ahead With full ownership of Slutty
Vegan back in her hands, Cole is focused on scaling nationally and globally. She recently opened her first Florida location, announcing it on Instagram alongside music artist Flo Rida. “I’m excited about the direction that I’m about to go in my business,” said Cole. “But I couldn’t have done it if I didn’t go to an HBCU and learn what I learned.”
“It prepared me for life,” said Cole.
She explains that her time at an HBCU broadened her worldview. “You broaden your mindset and your horizon, because you have met people from different walks of life.”
Cole sees this work as part of a bigger mission.
“When one person gets through the door, it is your responsibility to bring others to the door behind you. When they get through the door, they’ll do the same thing. What happens is a beautiful domino effect where you see more Black graduates of HBCUs in high spaces.” More recently, she was honored at the UNCF National Gala, where she emphasized the importance
She carries that sense of purpose into every move.
That, she adds, is what makes the HBCU experience so unique.
“I know that I have a really big responsibility, and I won’t let my people down. I won’t let the culture down. I won’t let CAU down.”
“Going to an HBCU is like going to a melting pot where you meet people from all walks of life. You’re talking about diversity and socio economic backgrounds, diversity in living conditions, living arrangements, and education.”
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