The Winston-Salem State University Foundation is receiving a $50,000 matching gift from North Carolina-based Family Fare Convenience Stores. The contribution will support the educational programs offered through WSSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship and will be matched with institutional funding for a total impact of $100,000.

“We are extremely grateful to Family Fare Convenience Stores and its franchisees for their generous contribution to WSSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship,” said Notis Pagiavlas, senior associate dean of the College of Arts Sciences, Business and Education and founding director of CFE. “The gift will allow us to continue to enhance the programs we offer WSSU students with critical financial resources to support student research and engagement with the community via high impact practice learning methods.”

Dr. Lee Barnes, president of North Carolina-based Family Fare Convenience Stores, announced the gift in December. This gift is the result of an agreement among Family Fare franchisees from the Piedmont Triad, and is part of Family Fare’s Shared Purpose Initiative.

Pagiavlas said the funds will support a number of CFE programs, including:

• An annual business plan competition that provides an avenue for WSSU students to sharpen their skills and continue their studies with the option of creating their own venture.
• Programs through the S.G. Atkins Enterprise Center business incubator where WSSU graduate and undergraduate students partner with associates to strengthen their existing operations.
• Guest speakers from major corporations.
• Teens Engaged in Aspiring Mentorships – an Uplifting Partnerships (TEAM-UP), an award-winning program designed to inspire leadership, entrepreneurship creation, career options and life skills for youth in foster care. TEAM-UP will mark its 10^thanniversary this summer.
• A program that pairs WSSU Master of Business Administration (MBA) students with community organizations to develop business plans.

The following Triad franchises are supporting the gift:

Triad locations:

• The Jeff Mercer, Don Pitcher, Family Fair Franchisees (Winston-Salem and Greensboro)

Winston-Salem locations:

• Steve Owens, Peters Creek Parkway
• Sarah Davis, Jonestown Road
• Teresa Colon, North Point Boulevard
• Lolah Salamah, Reynolda Road
• Katie Parker, Hospital West First Street
• Dilip Rai, Parkway
• Sumit Shretha, Robinhood Road
• Steve Owens-Brewer Family Fare

Guilford County locations:

• Joseph Ayitiah-Wendover
• Diana Proctor, West Market Street
• Eric Sarfo, Guilford College
• Brandon Shuler, Lawndale
• Bismark Gborsi, Sedgefield
• Papis Hamoud, Patterson Street

Founded in 2006, the Center for Entrepreneurship supports the region through the creation and dissemination of entrepreneurial knowledge through education, research and community outreach programs. The center, housed at the S.G. Atkins Enterprise Center, is structurally part of the College of Arts, Sciences, Business and Education.

Family Fare Convenience Stores, a franchise-retailer in business since 1936, is headquartered in Durham and has 89 locations throughout North Carolina.

About the WSSU Foundation
Founded in 1970, the Winston-Salem State University Foundation Inc. is private, non-profit organization that focuses on the long-term needs of the university and enhances the efficiency of its fundraising efforts. For more information, please visit the WSSU Foundation website.