For Bryan Rand, Morehouse College is more than a school—it’s the foundation that shaped his trajectory. At Morehouse’s 37th annual A Candle in the Dark Gala, Rand, Founder & CEO of Rand & Co Holdings, LLC, announced a $1 million donation to his alma mater—an investment in the future of Black excellence. But for Rand, this isn’t just about cutting a check. It’s about setting a precedent. “I hope this gift serves as a call to action,” he told EBONY. “We talk a lot about Black excellence, but excellence isn’t just about what you achieve for yourself—it’s about what you build for others.”
Rand was honored at the gala with the Bennie Lifetime Achievement Award, joining a prestigious group of trailblazers, including Pharrell Williams and venture capitalist Rashaun Williams. But the moment wasn’t about accolades—it was about impact. “Morehouse took a chance on me as a young kid from Indianapolis, providing me with a scholarship that changed the trajectory of my life,” he reflected. “Now, standing where I am, I feel a deep responsibility to give back in a way that is as transformative as the opportunity I was given.”
His donation will establish the Rand Family Excellence in Action Scholarship, designed to attract top talent to Morehouse while providing students with financial freedom to pursue ambitious goals. “I want Morehouse to be the college of choice for exceptional young men,” he said. “And I want those students to have the resources to make bold moves—whether that’s studying abroad, starting a business or launching a community initiative.”
Rand sees his donation as just the beginning. “Long-term, I’d like to expand our support not only at Morehouse but across other HBCUs. I believe in creating ecosystems where our best talent is nurtured, our stories are celebrated, and our communities are strengthened. This is about building pipelines of opportunity and ensuring that our institutions remain well-resourced and world-class.”
That philosophy extends beyond philanthropy and into how Rand has built his own empire. His approach to business has been centered on ownership and long-term vision. “I don’t just invest in businesses—I build them. I focus on ownership, creating value and making decisions that prioritize sustainable growth over quick wins. I’m not looking for exits—I’m looking to create lasting impact.”
The mindset of legacy-building also fuels his perspective on generational wealth. “I hear the term generational wealth thrown around a lot, and I think people often equate it to just having money or owning assets. But to me, real generational wealth is much deeper than that—it’s about values and knowledge. You could leave someone millions of dollars, but if they don’t have the right mindset, discipline, and understanding of how to steward that wealth, it’ll be gone in no time.”
For Rand, wealth isn’t just something to be inherited—it must be understood, respected, and expanded upon. “I don’t want my kids to just inherit wealth—I want them to have the chance to earn and build on what I’ve started.”
Looking ahead, Rand has no plans of slowing down. “In business, my goal is to scale Rand & Co Holdings to the next level—to transform a $400 million portfolio into a multi-billion-dollar empire. I want to continue to build businesses, create jobs, and generate real wealth—not just for me but for my community.”
And just as he’s building businesses, he’s also building pathways for the next generation.” I want to expand my work with Morehouse and other HBCUs, focusing on creating pipelines of opportunity for students. I’m also looking to mentor more young Black entrepreneurs, sharing my experiences and helping them navigate the challenges of building something real.”
With his $1 million gift, Rand isn’t just making a donation—he’s issuing a challenge. To Morehouse Men. To Black entrepreneurs. To those with the means to uplift the institutions that shaped them. His message is clear: the future of Black excellence isn’t just something to aspire to—it’s something to invest in.
EBONY: Your $1 million gift to Morehouse is a powerful statement of Black philanthropy. What inspired you to make this historic commitment, and why now?
Bryan Rand: I’ve always believed that Morehouse is more than a college—it’s a launchpad for excellence. Morehouse took a chance on me as a young kid from Indianapolis, providing me with a scholarship that changed the trajectory of my life. Now, standing where I am, I feel a deep responsibility to give back in a way that is as transformative as the opportunity I was given.
The timing felt right because Morehouse is in a moment of growth and potential, and I wanted to be a part of that momentum. I also wanted to set an example, showing that we—as Black business leaders—can and should be at the forefront of supporting our institutions. This gift isn’t just about the present; it’s about creating opportunities for generations to come.
You mentioned that this is just the beginning of your investment in Morehouse. What are your long-term goals for supporting HBCUs and Black education?
This gift is the first step in a much bigger vision. The Rand Family Excellence in Action Scholarship is designed to attract the country’s best and brightest young men to Morehouse and give them the resources to pursue amazing opportunities while they are here. I want Morehouse to be the college of choice for exceptional talent, and I want those students to have the financial freedom and support to make bold moves—whether that’s studying abroad, starting a business or launching a community initiative.
Long-term, I’d like to expand our support not only at Morehouse but across other HBCUs. I believe in creating ecosystems where our best talent is nurtured, our stories are celebrated, and our communities are strengthened. This is about building pipelines of opportunity and ensuring that our institutions remain well-resourced and world-class.
How do you hope your donation influences other alumni and business leaders to invest in HBCUs?
I hope this gift serves as a call to action. I want other alumni and business leaders to see this and think, “I can do that too.” Whether it’s a financial gift, mentorship or opening doors to new opportunities, we all have something to give.
We talk a lot about Black excellence, but excellence isn’t just about what you achieve for yourself—it’s about what you build for others. My hope is that this donation is a spark that lights a larger fire, inspiring others to think about how they can contribute to the sustainability and growth of HBCUs.
You oversee a $400 million portfolio spanning multiple industries. What were the key moves that helped you scale your businesses to this level?
For me, the key has always been long-term thinking. I don’t just invest in businesses—I build them. I focus on ownership, creating value and making decisions that prioritize sustainable growth over quick wins. I’m not looking for exits—I’m looking to create lasting impact.
I also surround myself with great talent and invest deeply in leadership. My approach is hands-on, and I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and get into the details. Ultimately, I believe in playing the long game, making disciplined choices, and always keeping my eye on the larger vision.
What’s the best business or financial lesson you’ve learned that has shaped your approach to investing and building companies?
The best lesson I’ve learned is that discipline creates freedom. The more disciplined I am with my investments, my time and my relationships, the more freedom I create for myself and my businesses. I’ve also learned that cash flow is king. It’s not just about top-line revenue—it’s about the health of the business and making sure you’re not just growing but growing profitably.
Finally, I’ve learned to play the long game. Success that comes quickly often leaves just as fast. I’d rather take a steady, disciplined approach and build something that lasts for generations.
If you could give one piece of advice to a young Morehouse student today looking to follow in your footsteps, what would it be?
My advice would be to stay curious and stay disciplined. Always be a student—whether you’re in the classroom or the boardroom. Learn from everyone and everything. And at the same time, be disciplined with your time and your energy. Say yes to things that align with your goals and have the strength to say no to distractions.
I’d also say, don’t let fear dictate your choices. The biggest opportunities often come wrapped in a little bit of fear. Embrace it, push through it, and always bet on yourself.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Bryan Rand—both in business and in your efforts to empower the next generation of Black leaders?
In business, my goal is to scale Rand & Co Holdings to the next level—to transform a $400 million portfolio into a multi-billion-dollar empire. I want to continue to build businesses, create jobs and generate real wealth—not just for me but for my community.
On the philanthropic side, I want to expand my work with Morehouse and other HBCUs, focusing on creating pipelines of opportunity for students. I’m also looking to mentor more young Black entrepreneurs, sharing my experiences and helping them navigate the challenges of building something real.
Ultimately, I want to be a leader who not only builds great companies, but also paves the way for others. I’m not just here to win—I’m here to make sure the next generation wins too.
