ATLANTA, GA– February 26, 2025 – Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and financial literacy, today announced a partnership with SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors. This partnership, designed to support small businesses, underscores a shared commitment to empower small businesses and underrepresented entrepreneurs nationwide.

SCORE, which consists of over 10,000 volunteers, provides aspiring and current entrepreneurs with free expert mentorship, resources, and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. For 60 years, SCORE has supported American small businesses in launching, growing and thriving.

Through this partnership, Operation HOPE and SCORE will offer business mentorship to small businesses participating in Operation HOPE’s 1 Million Black Business Initiative, as well as to Operation HOPE clients recovering from natural disasters.

The 1 Million Black Business Initiative (1MBB) is one of Operation HOPE’s flagship programs and has been at the forefront of growing Black entrepreneurship in America. 1MBB provides Black businesses with resources, mentorship, training, and access to capital. Since its launch in 2020, nearly 400,000 new Black businesses have been created and engaged through the program.

“This partnership with SCORE reflects our constant evolution in ensuring we are making local, regional, and national connections to empower, support, and grow small businesses nationwide,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE. “By working with an organization like SCORE, which understands the commitment to service in reaching our goals through initiatives like 1MBB and disaster relief programs, we can provide necessary resources and drive economic success for entrepreneurs nationwide.” 
The partnership includes SCORE’s support for Operation HOPE small business clients loan and grant documentation preparation. The two organizations will also collaborate on administering educational sessions, 1:1 coaching, and access to resources for small businesses.
Leveraging Operation HOPE’s extensive network and continued success in their programs , along with SCORE’s expertise in business mentorship and development, the partnership will equip entrepreneurs and small businesses with high-quality resources and teams committed to  help them thrive.

For more information, visit operationhope.org and www.score.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA (February 17, 2025) – In a night of celebration, inspiration, and philanthropy, Morehouse College honored John Hope Bryant, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, with the esteemed “Candle Award” at its 37th Annual “A Candle in the Dark” Gala. This premier event, held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta, recognized Bryant’s outstanding contributions to civic engagement and entrepreneurship—a legacy he has championed for over three decades.

The gala, one of the nation’s foremost celebrations of African American excellence, raised an impressive $6.8 million to support student scholarships, furthering Morehouse College’s mission to develop leaders who will shape the future.

Bryant is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and financial literacy advocate whose impact spans industries and communities nationwide. As the Founder of The Promise Homes Company, the largest minority-controlled owner of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental homes in the U.S., and the driving force behind Operation HOPE, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to financial literacy and economic inclusion, Bryant has transformed countless lives. Morehouse College recognized him for his unwavering commitment to empowering underserved communities in metro Atlanta and beyond.

The Morehouse College Candle Award is a prestigious honor bestowed upon individuals who exemplify professional excellence, leadership, and a profound commitment to community service—values deeply embedded in Morehouse’s rich legacy. During the gala, Bryant reinforced his dedication to education by announcing a $100,000 personal commitment to support Morehouse students from underserved backgrounds pursuing degrees in finance, business, and entrepreneurship.

“Financial literacy, education, and community engagement are at the core of Morehouse College’s storied history, making this recognition a profound honor,” said Bryant. “Morehouse is the birthplace of transformative movements and home to leaders like Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am proud to continue advancing this mission and championing financial empowerment for future generations.”

Bryant was honored alongside an illustrious group of trailblazers, including:

Since its inception in 1989, “A Candle in the Dark” Gala has become a cornerstone event for Morehouse College, recognizing African American achievement and raising vital scholarship funds. The sold-out event drew more than 800 distinguished guests, including Morehouse College and HBCU alumni, business and civic leaders, and philanthropists. To view a replay of the live stream, click HERE.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been a driving force in economic empowerment, shifting America from civil rights to “Silver Rights”—a movement to ensure free enterprise and capitalism work for all. Through its award-winning HOPE Inside model, which received American Banker’s Innovator of the Year recognition, Operation HOPE has impacted more than 4 million individuals, directing over $4 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities. With a mission to turn check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into entrepreneurs, and minimum-wage workers into financially independent individuals, Operation HOPE continues to redefine economic inclusion. The organization recently earned Fast Company’s “World Changing Ideas” Award and has been recognized with ten consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator for fiscal transparency and accountability. For more information, visit OperationHOPE.org. Join the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Lalohni Campbell, Operation HOPE
404-593-7145
[email protected]

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