Written By: Lashley John
On Friday, June 17th, the Urban League of Greater Atlanta held its annual “Spirit of the League” community awards. Due to the ongoing epidemic, this was the first in-person occurrence of this event in the past two years. The Rev. Joseph M. Ripley Sr., founder and pastor of The Body of Christ Church International, delivered the invocation, and Commissioner Natalie Hall presented Nancy Flake Johnson, CEO of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, with a proclamation naming June 17, 2022, as Atlanta’s Spirit of the League Day.
Photo Credit: Zeriba Media
This year’s honorees for the “Spirit of the League Champion”, were Pinky Cole and partner Derrick Hayes. Pinky is the owner of “Slutty Vegan Restaurant,” which has become so influential in the Atlanta community that the Republicans began referencing it in their talking points during the last presidential election. Derrick Hays is the owner of “Big Dave’s CheeseSteaks”, with both having additional business ventures in the pipeline.
“We don’t seek recognition; we just do the work,” Pinky explained. “For the urban league to see our efforts and be in alignment with what we do in our community, trying to bridge the wealth gap, it is appreciated and timely.” I am happy for both myself and Derrick to work with the Urban League to enact change and improvement in the community. ” Derrick Hays said, “I have been doing this business for a short time, but it feels like I’ve been doing this forever.”
“Building this brand saved my life and it now allows me to help my community while I’m still doing something that I love.” He started his Cheesesteak business in 2014 and named it after his late father, whom he supported as his father fought through lung cancer. Derrick was working at
the Post Office and requested time off to support his father during his father’s cancer journey. His request was refused so he left the job. Derrick explained, “You only have one father, but can easily get another job.” This turned out to be a pivotal movement in Derrick’s life journey, which led to
his creation of a brand that he named in honor of his father. He allowed himself to vision another path and, from small beginnings, created an energetic and growing brand. Derrick says, “Leaving my job was the most powerful thing that I could have done, and I did it, and it worked out well.”
In a talk-back moment at the ceremony, Pinky and Derrick talked about how they met and the beginnings of their relationship. They have one child together with another one on the way. Derrick said that on their first date, they were trying to bail out 100 inmates from jail. He looked at the situation and realized that they both had much in common and saw the needs of their community the same way.
The couple have been involved in other philanthropic events. They have been involved with Prudential Insurance to provide free life insurance for young black men for one year. Pinky’s organization has also been in a first-of-its-kind collaboration deal with Steve Madden in creating a shoe that sold out in forty-eight hours. Pinky says, “This reflects the power of co-operation and the value of cultural capital that we have in Slutty Vegan.”
The organization also gave awards to other individuals who have made tremendous efforts towards towards themselves and others in uplifting the
community.
