ATLANTA — Students at Benjamin E. Mays High School got a big surprise Monday after popular Atlanta restaurant Slutty Vegan announced it is sponsoring its prom.
"I’m paying for the entire prom, so you don’t have to pay for nothing,” announced Pinky Cole-Hayes, the founder of Slutty Vegan, to an auditorium filled of with Mays High School seniors.
“I'm really excited because that takes the burden off,” admitted Mays senior, Jacob Jordan.
Jordon is among the students who will see the benefit. He said prior to the donation, students needed to pay about $250 for a prom ticket, plus their attire, and transportation; expenses that had many students debating if they would even attend the event coming up this Saturday.
“Coming from the inner city of Atlanta, prom time is a great time, but it’s a hard time because you want to have the best night to remember," Jordon described. "But coming up with the funds and not having as much help, really takes prom from being kinda a fun thing to more of an extra bill.”
It's a sentiment echoed by student body president Tamar Echols.
“Everybody can’t afford prom, so because everyone can’t afford prom, it’s kinda, a thing of, 'am I going to go or not?'" Echols explained. "So, when you get the news that a big Black company is sponsoring your school, it just kinda gives you, a thing of relief, that, 'now I can go.'"
Monday, the Slutty Vegan Foundation presented the check for more $10,000. School leaders told 11Alive it will ensure students have a wonderful prom experience -- from prom attire to catering, decorations and a DJ, even souvenirs. The organization will also pay for a few select students to have their makeup done, as well as providing dresses and tuxedos for those in need. The group is also donating hygiene kits and haircuts for male students.
"I want them to be able to walk away from this prom experience knowing how important it is to pay it forward," Cole-Hayes said. "When you elevate, when you realize their wildest dreams, they’ll know to come back to a Mays High School and help out."
"They’ll know to find a community that’s in need of support and support them,” Cole-Hayes added, saying it's the least she can do because many of them helped with her success.
"Their parents have probably stood in my line for hours to eat Slutty Vegan, so why wouldn't I want pay it back?" she asked. "I just want to say 'thank you' to the city of Atlanta for making my wildest dreams come true."
