37th Annual "A Candle in the Dark" Gala Raises
$6.8 Million for Student
Scholarships
ATLANTA, Feb. 17,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a night of celebration,
inspiration, and philanthropy, Morehouse
College honored John Hope
Bryant, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE,
with the esteemed "Candle Award" at its 37th Annual "A Candle in
the Dark" Gala. This premier event, held at the Hyatt Regency
in downtown Atlanta, recognized
Bryant's outstanding contributions to civic engagement and
entrepreneurship—a legacy he has championed for over three
decades.
The gala, one of the nation's foremost celebrations of African
American excellence, raised an impressive $6.8 million to support student scholarships,
furthering Morehouse College's mission
to develop leaders who will shape the future.
A Visionary Leader in Financial Empowerment
Bryant is
a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and financial literacy
advocate whose impact spans industries and communities
nationwide. As the Founder of The Promise Homes Company, the
largest minority-controlled owner of institutional-quality,
single-family residential rental homes in the U.S., and the driving
force behind Operation HOPE, the nation's largest nonprofit
dedicated to financial literacy and economic inclusion, Bryant has
transformed countless lives. Morehouse
College recognized him for his unwavering commitment to
empowering underserved communities in metro Atlanta and beyond.
Commitment to Education and Social Impact
The
Morehouse College Candle
Award is a prestigious honor bestowed upon individuals who
exemplify professional excellence, leadership, and a profound
commitment to community service—values deeply embedded in
Morehouse's rich legacy. During the gala, Bryant reinforced his
dedication to education by announcing a $100,000 personal commitment to support
Morehouse students from underserved backgrounds pursuing degrees in
finance, business, and entrepreneurship.
"Financial literacy, education, and community engagement are
at the core of Morehouse College's
storied history, making this recognition a profound honor," said
Bryant. "Morehouse is the birthplace of transformative movements
and home to leaders like Dr. Benjamin E.
Mays and Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr. I am proud to continue advancing this mission and
championing financial empowerment for future generations."
Celebrating Excellence and Achievement
Bryant was
honored alongside an illustrious group of trailblazers,
including:
- Otis Moss, III –Senior
Pastor, Poet, Activist, Author, and Filmmaker
- Pharrell Williams –
Award-winning Recording Artist, Philanthropist & Fashion
Designer
- Rashaun L. Williams –
Venture Capitalist, Educator, and Atlanta Falcons Limited
Partner
- Marvin Dunn – Author,
Educator, Historian, Veteran, and Social Activist
- Bryan Rand – Founder
& Chief Executive Officer, Rand & Co Holdings LLC
Since its inception in 1989, "A Candle in the Dark"
Gala has become a cornerstone event for Morehouse College, recognizing African American
achievement and raising vital scholarship funds. The sold-out event
drew more than 800 distinguished guests, including
Morehouse College and HBCU alumni,
business and civic leaders, and philanthropists. To view a replay
of the live stream, click HERE.
About Operation HOPE, Inc.
Since 1992,
Operation HOPE has been a driving force in economic
empowerment, shifting America from civil rights to "Silver
Rights"—a movement to ensure free enterprise and capitalism
work for all. Through its award-winning HOPE Inside model,
which received American Banker's Innovator of the Year
recognition, Operation HOPE has impacted more than 4 million
individuals, directing over $4
billion in economic activity into disenfranchised
communities. With a mission to turn check-cashing customers into
banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers
into entrepreneurs, and minimum-wage workers into financially
independent individuals, Operation HOPE continues to
redefine economic inclusion. The organization recently earned
Fast Company's "World Changing Ideas" Award and has been
recognized with ten consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity
Navigator for fiscal transparency and accountability. For
more information, visit OperationHOPE.org. Join the
HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,
and LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Lalohni Campbell, Operation HOPE
404-593-7145
la@persemediagroup.com
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SOURCE Operation HOPE, Inc.
