Jackson State University’s College of Public Service received a $25,000 donation from Elim’s Art Concepts during a presentation Tuesday at the Jackson Medical Mall Campus of JSU, where the local custom-framing business is located.
Owner Harold Hart, a JSU alum and finance major, said, “Jackson State helped to empower me to achieve certain goals when I started doing business here. So, it is fitting that I reciprocate.”
Hart said his donation is targeted to helping people become entrepreneurs by providing direction to graduates seeking to start their careers.
Dr. Ricardo Brown, JSU’s dean of Public Service, hailed Hart for his contribution.
“This is important because Mr. Hart’s company is located in the medical mall. His giving is based on the business relationship he and JSU established over the past years. Faculty, staff, students and administrators all utilize his services. By donating scholarship money to the College of Public Service, he understands the importance of our mission and what we do to educate our students who are now in a much better position to serve our community because of gifts such as these,” Brown said.
As a custom-framing shop, Elim’s has operated for nine years. Harold started the business as a sophomore at JSU. At the time, he was an art distributor. He said he combined his finance and art skills to grow the company.
“Elim’s Art Concepts has a unique, supportive clientele, with Jackson State being one of our central customers,” said Hart, a Yazoo City said. “In addition, we have a huge network of people stretching all the way to Canada.”
Hart said he will continue to give back and encourages others to work hard to achieve their goals.