By Martie Bowser
2 Chainzâs latest partnership is helping HBCU students looking to bring some flavor to the world of STEM.
Last month, PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation announced they would invest $350,000 in financial support and provide additional resources to historically Black colleges and universities, particularly for students pursuing careers in culinary innovation, food science and technology. 2 Chainz is partnering with PepsiCo to spread the word about their new âTaste of Tomorrowâ scholarship.
As a graduate of Alabama State University, 2 Chainz knows how essential HBCUs are to producing and nurturing professionals of color in industries where they are usually minorities.
âRepresentation is everything. Seeing someone who looks like you doing something incredible opens up your mind to whatâs possible. âTaste of Tomorrowâ is crucial because itâs not just talking about change; itâs making it happen. Itâs about showing students the possibilities and opportunities â and helping cultivate them into leaders,â the rapper told Blavity in a recent interview.
According to the initiativeâs press release, only 9% of the STEM workforce is represented by Black professionals, and âTaste of Tomorrowâ is looking to address that disparity. 2 Chainzâs interest in supporting HBCUs and the âTaste of Tomorrowâ initiative is both personal and professional; in addition to graduating from and meeting his wife at an HBCU, 2 Chainz has an impressive investment and partnership portfolio that is based in the restaurant and culinary industry.
âMy experience in the food industry taught me the power of innovation. Whether creating new flavors at Esco or launching a campaign with Krystal, Iâve always believed in pushing boundaries. That same mindset drives my passion for âTaste of Tomorrow.â Itâs about more than food â itâs about combining creativity with science to drive the industry forward. ⊠I want these students to see they can bring their unique flavor to STEM and create something truly theirs,â he said.
STEM also has its place in the music industry, which 2 Chainz has made his domain for almost three decades. In 2019, he upped his stakes in the tech world of music by becoming the creative curator and business adviser for Atlantaâs A3C Music Festival. For the âItâs a Vibeâ rapper, backing initiatives such as âTaste of Tomorrowâ provides a full-circle opportunity to take innovation and culture to the ânext level.â
âA3C has always been about innovation and culture. and Partnering with movements like âTaste of Tomorrowâ and A3C, weâre taking the innovation to the next level. Itâs about merging creativity with technology and showing how our culture can influence and shape these fields. Weâre laying the groundwork for a future where these students are not just participants but leaders in the tech space,â he said.