Grits that Give Back: Restauranter & Philanthropist, Ebony Austin, Surprises Howard University Student with a Scholarship on Good Morning America!

October 25, 2023– On Thursday, October 19th, in honor of Homecoming week, renowned restaurateur, serial entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Ebony Austin of Nouveau Bar & Grill, surprised one deserving Howard University Student, Michael Wright, with an amazing gift on Good Morning America! During the segment, Ebony excitedly cued up the Howard University Malcolm x Shabazz marching band and came out in a custom Nouveau branded varsity jacket etched in her slogan; “Grits that Give Back,” styled by celebrity stylist, Troy Clinton. It was during a recent visit at Howard University that Ebony and Michael bonded over their joint love for HBCUs and helping students with food disparities. It was Michael’s heart and love for HBCUs that compelled Ebony to surprise him with a gift basket filled with her Nouveau Creations stone-ground grits line, and a $15,000.00 scholarship!

“Michael reminds me of, not that many years ago, when I was in the yard,” says Ebony Austin. “Meeting him and his passion for the yard and HBCUs — he reminded me of myself, and I love his passion the most,” says Ebony while presenting a stunned Michael with his surprise check. “This is from my Nouveau grits line– Nouveau is my heart and all of the proceeds that we sell from our grits line goes to HBCU students. So when you buy a bag of grits the community helps students like yourself. My goal is to empower our young people, it’s our obligation.”

Ebony’s Nouveau Creations by Nouveau Bar & Grill grits line initiative aims to support HBCU students by contributing 100% of all proceeds to scholarships, making higher education more accessible to aspiring scholars. The line is available in 45 Food Lion stores throughout Georgia, bringing the delectable flavors of Nouveau’s iconic dishes to a wider audience.

Ebony Austin’s journey to success has been nothing short of inspiring. As the owner of three Nouveau Bar & Grill restaurants, a thriving food truck, and an impressive multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio, Ebony stands as a testament to determination and innovation. Her award-winning hospitality ventures are a testament to her expertise and unwavering dedication. Every year, Nouveau Bar & Grill takes pride in shining a light on HBCUs at Ebony’s yearly Stomp the Yard event where she uses proceeds from her Nouveau Grits line to reward students with over 30 scholarships ranging from $500.00-$5,000.00 in addition to giving away comforters, air fryers, and refrigerators; to help students get acclimated with college living. This past Christmas, Ebony also made national headlines as she gifted over 3,100 families at her annual toy drive — with cash, gift cards, gaming systems, electronics and more. She also gave away two homes to families in need and presented $5,000 to HBCU students at the event. 

Having fulfilled her teenage dream of opening her own restaurant in Atlanta, Ebony faced unprecedented challenges when the pandemic hit shortly after opening her first Nouveau Bar & Grill concept in College Park, GA. Despite the odds, she pivoted by adapting her business model, catering to to-go orders, and cultivating a loyal customer base. Through her unyielding dedication, Nouveau Bar & Grill not only weathered the storm but flourished and has become a staple in the Atlanta dining scene.

The restaurant’s signature dish, the Ultimate Cajun Seafood and Grits, quickly gained national acclaim. Combining char grilled shrimp, salmon, and crab meat over stone-ground grits, topped with peppers and union paired with a savory Cajun cream sauce, this culinary masterpiece has captured the hearts and palettes of patrons. This recognition paved the way for the birth of Nouveau Creations, an equally delightful grits line introduced in March 2022, offering 3 flavors: Garlic and Herb, Original, and Jalapeno Cheddar.

The newly established Ebony Austin Foundation, Nouveau Bar & Grill of College Park and Jonesboro, and Nouveau Creations—all contribute to making a lasting difference in the lives of aspiring HBCU scholars.

In addition, earlier last week, Ebony partnered with US Foods to drop off a truck filled with food, vegetables, and necessities for students at Howard University with food disparities.