From the Yard to the World: Philanthropist Ebony Austin's Latest Charitable Cause Keeps HBCU Grads In Mind
Written By: Danielle Canada
When philanthropist and restaurateur Ebony Austin decided to embark on an entrepreneurship journey, it was her experiences at Langston University that profoundly shaped her path. Langston was not just an academic institution for Ebony, but a place where she first encountered the power of community and Black excellence. “I wanted to go to a school where students looked like me," she recalled to OffTheYard adding that she was inspired by the vibrant culture and unity that defined her HBCU experience.
At Langston, Ebony found herself surrounded by peers who were not just classmates but a support system. "We all stuck together and shared meal plans," she fondly remembered. The camaraderie and the spirit of mutual support among the students were pivotal during those years. This environment of shared success and resilience was where Ebony's entrepreneurial spirit began to flourish. She started small, selling chocolate chip cookies in her dorm, embodying the hustle and determination that would later define her business ventures.
“It showed me if I stuck to anything that I really believed in, and I really, really worked hard for it, that the reward was definitely on the other side,” said Ebony.
Ebony's time at Langston also taught her the value of persistence and the importance of giving back, lessons that have become cornerstones of her career. The financial struggles she faced as a student are a driving force behind her commitment to funding scholarships for HBCU students through her stone-ground grits line, “Grits That Give Back”, with 100% of the proceeds dedicated to this cause. This personal connection to the challenges HBCU students face fuels her dedication to ensuring others have the financial support they need to succeed. "I was once those students that were crying because I couldn't figure out how I was going to come up with the money to finish school," she shared about the grits line available in 180 Publix stores. “Once I finished school and started corporate America, I would do stuff as small as gift baskets for the kids that were going to college in my church. I started off on a small scale and then I would go back to my high school and give gift baskets with $200 and sheets and comforters. I’ve been giving back to students at HBCUs for over 20 years, just not at this scale. And so my grits line allowed me to be able to give all of the proceeds to students and be in a position that we never have to tell a student, 'No.' And we’ve been really blessed to never have to do so.”
Langston University didn’t just provide Ebony with an education; it molded her into the resilient and community-focused leader she is today. The experiences and lessons from her HBCU days continue to influence her entrepreneurial journey, from owning a real estate company to making the Inc. Magazine’s 5000 list with her businesses; Nouveau Bar & Grill, Nouveau Noir, Nouveau Creations, and Stir House Atlanta. Ebony's advice to current Langston students is simple yet profound: "Just do it. Whatever it is that I want to do in life, I put the work behind it and I do it. And I do it consistently."
Today, as she embarks on new ventures like her first commercial real estate project and a community for first-time home buyers in Dallas, Ebony remains committed to creating opportunities for others, especially those who share her HBCU roots. "All things great come from HBCUs," she affirms, and her life is a testament to that belief.