Each Historically Black College & University will soon have a Papa John’s … thanks to Shaquille O’Neal & Miles College’s President Bobbie Knight, who announced a new joint business venture — to bring a Papa John’s to every HBCU campus, yc.news has learned.
“Miles College is honored to partner with Shaquille and welcome him to our historic and beautiful campus. Shaquille is a skilled investor, savvy entrepreneur, and marketing and branding genius” Miles College President Bobbie Knight told us. “This partnership tells the world that this is Miles College’s day, and this is Miles College’s time; to show America that (HBCUs) Historically Black Colleges & Universities can join Icons like Shaquille and launch business ventures on our campuses like a Papa John’s” President Knight continued.
The basketball legend — who is also an investor, restauranteur, and franchise owner — will join Miles College’s president on Oct. 26 on the Campus of Miles College Student Activity Center.
“Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have paved the way for African Americans and people of other races to deservedly receive a quality education. HBCUs have been pivotal in the development of young minds; influential in highlighting the history and culture of African Americans and effectively provided a means for academic success. It is in these great halls of these wonderful institutions that students saw their potential magnified and exemplified” NBA Hall of Famer, business leader, educator and philanthropist Dr. Shaquille O’Neal told us. “Martin Luther King, Jr. said, ‘If you want to move people, it has to be toward a vision that’s positive for them, that taps important values, that gets them something they desire and it has to be presented in a compelling way, so that they feel inspired to follow.’ Today, I ask you to catch the same vision that the noble founders of HBCUs held in carving out a venue to education, independence, and success. Join me and President Bobbie Knight of the great Miles College, as we move toward a business initiative that will open avenues of opportunities for our HBCUs. Today is our day! This is our time!” Dr. O’Neal added.
Miles College, founded in 1898, is a premier liberal arts institution located in metropolitan Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The noble founders of the institution saw educated leadership as the paramount need in the black community. Miles, which is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and accredited by Commission on Colleges for the awarding of Baccalaureate Degrees, is the only four-year institution in historic Birmingham, Alabama designated as a member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Miles College is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) higher learning institution. The College is one of only 39 HBCUs to have the designation of a United Negro College Fund (UNCF) institution.