GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist Megan Thee Stallion and Fashion Nova Cares, the nonprofit arm of Fashion Nova, the leading e-commerce fashion lifestyle brand, provided a $25,000 donation to North Carolina-based Bennett College, in honor of Women’s History Month. According to a statement released by Bennett College officials, the funds were awarded to support Bennett’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies to support and encourage future initiatives among students.
Fashion Nova, which was founded in Los Angeles in 2006, has been described as one of the world’s leading fashion and lifestyle brands championing female empowerment and inclusivity. The innovative fashion company brings the freshest assortment of new styles for women, men, and kids across the U.S. and internationally. In 2020, Fashion Nova reportedly partnered with Cardi B to provide $1 million to individuals who had been impacted by COVID-19. A similar $1 million commitment to support Black Lives Matter-related causes and opportunities were made through the Fashion Nova Cares program. Richard Saghian, founder and CEO of Fashion Nova, said that women’s empowerment, and ongoing advocacy for diversity and inclusion, have always been part of the company’s guiding principles.
Information released by Bennett officials also explained that throughout March, Fashion Nova Cares elected to highlight, support, and donate $1,000,000 to female-focused charities and organizations, various women entrepreneurs, female students, educational institutions, and women-owned businesses. Megan Thee Stallion, Fashion Nova Cares, and Fashion Nova launched the Women on Top initiative, in conjunction with Fashion Nova’s ongoing support of various activism and awareness campaigns that have been committed to fighting racial inequality.
“What a time to be a woman, specifically a Black woman. I am truly appreciative that Bennett [College] was not only selected but pre-selected to receive and participate in Fashion Nova’s new philanthropic initiative, ‘Women on Top.’” Suzanne E. Walsh, president of Bennett College, said in a statement. “This donation coordinates perfectly with who we are and what we represent as a historical higher education institution for women.”
Tammy McNeil, interim department chair of business and economics and assistant professor at Bennett College remarked that the donation would help to support and encourage students who want to be an entrepreneur. Economic, innovative, and social entrepreneurial needs in today’s economy are addressed at Bennett College Center for Entrepreneurship Studies.
Bennett officials also informed that the Department of Business, Economics and Entrepreneurship hand-selected three students to highlight. Janeal Marshall, a plus-size influencer and freelance makeup artist; Zauria Murphy, the CEO and founder of Satin Skin Co., homemade luxury skincare and self-care business; and Aariella Houston, the CEO and founder of an apparel company, Zage Apparel, were recognized as Bennett’s bright entrepreneurial standouts.
