Donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have grown in size and consistency this decade. Florida A&M (FAMU) might have more than doubled the record $100 million donated by Mackenzie Scott to Spelman College, An HBCU for women dedicated to excellence in the liberal arts and sciences back in January by unveiling a check for $237,750,000 during the 2024 graduation commencement ceremony.
A video recorded at the graduation ceremony shows FAMU president Larry Robinson behind the podium as the check is revealed. The song “For the Love of Money” by the O’Jay’s plays in the background as the crowd erupts in applause as the size of the donation is realized by the crowd.
While we don’t have all the specifics on the donation as of the publication of this article. Gregory Gerami, the founder of Batterson Farms Corp, CEO of the Issac Batterson 7th Family Trust and speaker at the graduation was said to be the donor and Florida A&M has already deposited the money.
We will update this article as we receive more information on what could be the largest donation in HBCU history. Below is the bio of Gregory Gerami from the commencement pamphlet.
GREGORY GERAMI – Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Batterson Farms Corporation
Gregory Gerami is the founder of Batterson Farms Corp and a champion of sustainable agriculture and biodegradable hemp products in Texas. He overcame early adversity to become a prominent figure in the industrial hemp industry and a pioneer in producing and selling high-quality hemp seeds.
Gerami was born in 1993 with opiate addiction and other health complications. When he was two and a half years old, he was adopted by his foster mother, whose love and support helped him to overcome his physical challenges.
With his determination and guidance from mentors like former Arlington (Texas) Mayor Robert Nance Cluck Jr. and a Merrill Lynch banker, Gerami honed his sense of civic duty and financial skills. He transformed a small lawn care business into a prosperous property management venture, then delved into investment consulting, recognizing opportunities in Southern farming.
Gerami’s vision for the future of farming led to plans for the largest African American commercial hydroponic warehouse in West Texas. With a focus on cultivating industrial hemp for various applications, including pediatric cancer therapeutics research, his commitment to sustainable agriculture and community welfare is evident.
In 2021, he formed Batterson Farms Corp., a San Antonio, Texas-based hydroponic farming and hemp plastic company that aims to produce bioplastics and fresh, organic products year-round, grown locally by Batterson and local farmers.
Gerami’s journey showcases resilience, innovation, and service, making history as the youngest Afian American industrial hemp producer in Texas and the largest African American commercial hydroponic warehouse farmer in the state.
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
