Tyler Perry’s House of Payne star, Keisha Knight Pulliam, is partnering with Now and Later to teach at HBCU Clark Atlanta University as part of its #RecognizetheCHEW Class in Session Series which depicts the HBCU experience.
Pulliam and Terrence J are set to teach classes at Clark Atlanta University’s Mass Media Arts department and the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University and hope to inspire the next generation of Black entrepreneurs.
The school will also receive a $10,000 donation towards a scholarship fund for students who chose to participate in the program to learn from HBCU alumni who’ve had successful careers.
In an interview with The Root, Pulliam talked about the inspiration behind her choice to be involved in the campaign and what students should expect from CAU class.
“I’m excited to partner with Now and Later,” she began. “The ‘Chew’ stands for ‘Champion, Hustle, Empower, and Win.’ It’s an awesome opportunity to bring light to historically Black colleges and universities, but also to support them with the $10,000 financial grant toward starting a scholarship.”
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She continued, “Also in bringing in myself and Terrence J. He’s going to Howard University, I’m going to Clark Atlanta University, and the classes that we’re doing will be live-streamed so that everyone will have the opportunity to view them. It’s just important to be there and to share your story, to share your journey, to share all of the different parts. Because so often, we only share the highlight reel. [This gives us] the opportunity to tell students that the successful people aren’t the ones that have been knocked down, but the ones who keep getting up.”
Pulliam will also host a virtual class, which will be a chat session for her students to discuss topics.
“It’s going to be like very much a fireside chat,” she said. “It’s going to be conversational where they also have the opportunity to ask questions. What you can expect is who I am. It’s authenticity. It’s honesty. It’s sharing my unique perspective and doing it from a space of optimism because that’s who I am. […] It’s really about tapping into your joys to find your purpose. And when you find your passion, the money will come.
In partnering with Now and Later for the campaign, Pulliam feels that she’s giving back to the HBCU community and says it’s only the beginning.
