MASSIVE $237M Donation TO FAMU Draws SKEPTICISM, Raises CONCERNS And CONFUSION | Roland Martin
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- čas přidán 7. 05. 2024
- During Florida A&M commencement, the school was presented with a multi-million dollar donation from Gregory Gerami and the Issac Batterson 7th Family Trust,
The check for the more than $237 million donation drew skepticism surrounding Gerami
Florida A&M's Office of Communications released a statement about the donation and addressed the skepticism:
"While Florida A&M University (FAMU) is still extremely excited about Mr. Gregory Gerami's historic announcement yesterday of the Isaac Batterson Family 7th Trust, we are fully aware of the skepticism that sometimes comes with such a large gift.
As expected, some individuals in the public are and will continue researching Mr. Gerami. Please know that FAMU has done its due diligence when it comes to this matter. Additionally, Mr. Gerami has and continues to do his own due diligence on things that have been and are happening at FAMU.
While a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) we signed prevents us from disclosing many details, as was reported on May 4 - Mr. Gerami transferred $237,750,000 worth of stocks into our account last month. Mr. Gerami's $237,750,000 stock transfer was received in the same manner in which we have accepted all other stocks donated to the University through the FAMU Foundation Inc. As with any non-cash gift received, such as cryptocurrency, real estate, and stocks, it will be converted to cash and recorded appropriately.
Again, we greatly appreciate Mr. Gerami's and the Isaac Batterson Family 7th Trust's generosity. Our students will be the true beneficiaries of their most generous contribution."
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Famu is about to be under federal investigation dealing with that guy. Good luck.
I think before disclosing to the public the investigation should have been complete. Why does everything involving good for black communities and organizations get so botched up. This takes away the joy and how great the donations are for the university. This is sad. Take the money and use it in the student’s in the university
It wasn't botched by the people who know, it's the ones who don't know and refuse to simply ask. This just didn't happen. Black People need to learn to receive more than you can imagine
Becasue something is not smelling right about the situation. Consideration ALL the information first, then speak. The board didn't know of the donation, and if its dirty money, what would you say then?
it is mismanagement. It happens with everyone else... it would have been kept quiet and they(others) would have announced it after everything went through. Some people are just loud and wrong.
@@malnorfleet4925its stocks that will be converted to cash.
He probably invested in stock early and reached f.i.r.e (financial independence retire early) by age 30. Most people who invest in stock are not known to the public anyway. The non disclosure was probably for his own safety and security. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy because we don’t be quiet about a lot of things.
I just graduated last week from an HBCU. And it will be a wonderful Donation. Supporting HBCU is so pertinent! Communicatons is questionable at times, period.
It's fake the guy a scammer
If you are really interested, what happened to the 71 mil Biden gave to FAMU. Find out what DeSantis did with the money. Biden gave 71mil to each HBCU, and I believe there are 3 HBCU's in the state of FL. I bet all 3 have not received 71mil combined. He gave 1mil when there was a terrorist threat ... Bethune Cookman received 6mil, what did FAMU get?
@@ronald8071How so?
These comments are so sad because it shows that we are not an educated population. Donations to a public STATE entity cannot be done in complete secrecy.
You can be educated and relatively well informed and not know the ins and outs of public school donation.
@@UndertheNeedle282 then why be loud and wrong with people if they don’t know? If I am unaware I won’t hop into the comments spreading misinformation. I ask questions.
Financial donors and their gifts must be vetted. Does the donor's background and values align with the university? Are there strings attached to how the funds are to be spent that may be discriminatory, or does the donor expect a say in administrative decisions? Where did the money come from? Is it legal, or is it laundered? What are the tax consequences?Accepting donations is more complicated than the check clearing.
This is a great gift I hope it all works out for FAMU and it's students.
Good Simple Response. Unfortunately Most Black People Always find a way to Complain about Something.
Yeah! It’s NOT COMPLAINING! Just doing due diligence! What’s wrong with that?
A great grift...
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth?
Remember how that ended?
Nothing in life is free
Amen
Why wasn’t the Broad advised of this donation? It’s definitely a blessing. Can we look a gift horse in the mouth? And this is a “Black” school and donor…. Oh yes they shall investigate. Red flags flying high. The Broad is definitely going to be on this. That’s a lot of money for a 30 year old. Lots of questions need to be answered. Praying for the best outcome. Our HBU’s need this blessing.🙌🏾
Board💙😂
Do you also hear Roland read that this guy also donated $95 million dollars to Coastal Carolina University, a predominately white school in Conway, SC, and the deal fell through. Most of us don't know the proper procedures that have to be followed to make a large donation to any school or organization. You just don't show up and drop this much money on a school. There has to be procedures followed and that includes knowledge of the donor regardless of who it is.
This is very strange
He mentioned that at 8:40
I'm from South Carolina coastal Carolina is half n half smh
🎯 🎯🎯
No he didn't he took it back
We need to support hbcus!!!
If we do black folk will think it’s suspect🤨 crazy!
You best believe Ron DeSantis will investigate this!
And you know this!!! That's why they need to make sure to cross their T's and dot their I's.
FAMU just had a Zoom meeting with the Administrators, the Board, etc. It does not look good at all for this donation being legitimate… I think many will lose their jobs… There was no due diligence done to vet the donor…
I hope it's on the up & up. This is a most wonderful gift and a blessing!
I have a degree of insider knowledge on this situation (not at FAMU), and unfortunately this donor is more than likely a scammer. He has been attempting to make bogus donations to a number of universities across the country, most notably Coastal Carolina University, all of which have fallen through amidst suspicious circumstances as there are a number of credible reasons to believe he doesn't actually have the money he claims to have. The CCU gift officially fell apart because of alleged bias against the donor on part of university administrators, though the most likely reason is that they came to realize that he didn't actually have the ability to fulfill his pledge. The ensuing scandal resulted in a black eye for the university and a number of people losing their jobs. He has now resurfaced again, this time at FAMU, and it’s likely to end the same way.
Bingo! 💯
@@MAXMAN357 he needs to be held accountable and sent to prison
How is this an embarrassment to FAMU? A black school gets money and it suspicious. Really???
My thoughts exactly. Sounds like a lot of envy or crab in the barrel shit to me🤨
If the university board didn't know about this generous donation, that's a big problem. There are protocols to be adhered to for such a large gift to a university, folks.
💯
Would they have questioned a White donor? 😮
This must be rhetorical. Of course not.
If you watch the video, they say even Bloomberg would be questioned.
No and I bet no one else will be donating.
N@@MikeyLikesIt89 And how would you know? That's just your pathetic negative opinion
@@ma7mgte no they said Bloomberg would not donate this much in one single donation, it would be broken up into consecutive payments
Wow. Keep us posted Roland 📫. I want to know what the investigation 🔎 reveals about this one.
Gerami served time in prison for an assault charge in 2022 and has a $1,500 judgment. He has $237 million for FAMU and can't pay a $1500 judgement?
$237M in stock? Is that a publicly traded company? Who's valued these stocks? It sounds fishy as hell
The non-disclosure shouldn't hide that a donation was given. You can't keep financials secret, even if you keep the donor secret, the amount should still be available to whoever looks at the financials.
Word on the street is, Jed Clampett donated that money.
There are a lot of super rich people who will forever remain anonymous!!!!
The donor Gregory Gerami isn't one of them
It's a massive gift good for this person
Congratulations FAMU!!!
On what?
That is my only question how does the board of Florida A&M not know?And how are they not aware?A non disclosure agreement is one thing,but the president and the board is supposed to be the first to know way before anyone else.And the money was transferred in April.I agree 💯 with Roland Martin on that.Something's not quite right.
This needs to be investigated. I hope Florida A&M wakes up and see this
This is a month old…. It cleared.
@@joiwilliams6845 OK, why they're showing it now? If it cleared, it's a done deal
@@arnoldkingiii6954because it wasn’t a month ago lol. She just talking
@@yejide2 the stock was transferred a month ago and is an account controlled by FAMU.
@@joiwilliams6845girl bye
I’m so confused…what is the problem😅🤣
The stock is not worth $237m. The best valuation of stock interest is based on a public listing (stock market). On the other hand, this is stock of a privately held company, so it doesn't have a determined market price for which it can be bought/sold/traded. So how did they arrive at that valuation? For a company in farming space, a huge chunk of that valuation would be based on real property assets (land) that would be so massive, that local people could not possible be hearing about the company for the first time. My guess is big man donated stock interest to the school seeking publicity, the school will (maybe) do some research to determine true valuation and we'll find that this was more gimmick than reality. The stock would have to be sold or divested to become a "real thing" (cash) that can be disbursed for capital expenses or tuition aid. Otherwise, it will just sit in their books as an unsubstantiated asset.
An unknown person comes out of nowhere and gifts $237m without board knowledge. Absolutely it should be thoroughly reviewed including the source, regardless of whether the money has gone through. This should not be controversial, as it is atypical. If the review shows no bad faith or other concerns, then it is a win and students get to have a better education courtesy of this black family. And if not, the school avoids embarrassment and an additional negative headline about HBCUs .
And the amount is in stocks for a private company; one that’s not publicly traded so he’s placing value on his stock without any backing… reminds me a bit if Trump’s “Truth Social”.
When Roland Martin said that "heads are going to roll".Heads are definitely going to roll for sure lmaooooooo.
So he tried to give donations to two other universities and the deal fell through. hmmm.
When a donation this large is secured, best practice is that you get out in front of issues you know the media and the public is likely to raise. Not to mention your external stakeholders. You also make sure that all your internal stakeholders are informed so that you present a united front. This smells fishy as hell.
Exactly.
Be skeptical of everyone.
Who investiates the millions of dollars in donations to Harvard,Emory, Stanford, Princeton, etc?
If the money is real then the investigation will render the point moot. Most people donating millions have millions to donate.
I see why there’s an NDA. I wouldn’t want people in my business. I would prefer to remain anonymous.
I don't know that much about this kind of stuff but I'm happy for the school overall.
Can't even give Black folks money without us going nuts.
Help me understand the issue... Mr. Gerami, if you ever feel compelled to donate again, please holla at ya boy😀
The institution has to know the origin of the money because if it is from the proceeds of criminal activity, that could spell major trouble for the school. They HAVE to know .
A SHAME.
It does seem weird to always question anything nice
All money ain't good money. If this money is ill-gotten it could hurt the university. They have a reputation to uphold and it could be a legal issue if this isn't legit. It's important that this is done right! Something is off here!
Caucasion schools receive donations to universities and no one makes a stink.🤨
Why can't we be happy!!!
Just take notes & pay attention
Nope he tried to make a donation to Coastal Carolina a white university and withdrew his offer because he was offended about questions they asked.
They're expected to have throw-away money. Blacks are not.
Cause he fake
@@deacon8754cause he didn't have the money
proper protocol should have been followed by the college president to discuss the donation with trustees. You also want to make sure that the money donated isn't from someone fraudulent, etc. You always want to have your I's dotted and T's crossed.
Where there’s smoke there’s 🔥. Good luck FAMU……🤷🏾♀️😊😊
I hope this man is on the up and up.
"HALLELUJAH!"🙏🏽
This is Beautiful
Beautiful
Say thank you and dedictate a research facility!
FMU did something good and was rewarded for it.
With what?
I hope that BIG check clears 😂
Stock transfer was made a month age.
@@haywoodmorganjr1326 the question is what companies are the stock of and can it be sold at the value that they are giving it?
I can’t believe people still think this is legit or even possibly legit.
@@ronm9453 its legit the stock trade is comfirmed. I was joking about the BIG poster check clearing the bank
@@haywoodmorganjr1326it's fake
Wonderful!!!
I feel like Mr. Gerami, alleged donor, has some mental health issues and loves to play it up for the media attention. I do not believe this gift will be received.
I guess the question will be what the liquidated amount be.
Maybe he is the great grandson or grandson of someone that went to FAMU and the family wants to stay private. I hope the donation is real because this will help many stusents at FAMU.
He may be a fan.
Didn’t they say he is alumni?
@@superdadAlls No..he never attended FAMU
Man take the blessing and go
There is no "blessing" in this situation.
It's fake fool
If winning the lottery allowed me to do such, I would. I love that someone could do such.
FAMU Board of Trustees Chair Kristin Harper was aware of this gift before May 4th.
She needs to resign along with President Robinson, Vice President Friday-Stroud and all other FAMU officials involved in this debacle.
Can we wait until we get more information before we start asking for jobs?
We got it already!
Such a blessing ❤
What I’m wondering is why didn’t the board of trustees not know about it..
Because the President and 5 others that signed the NDA didn’t tell the Board..
Roland: I agree! The Universiity has to becareful it is not money laundering. The person, Jerami, needs to come forward and explain!
A relative is planning to attend this college; no scholarship was offered. It was stated that the students would benefit. There was nothing in their literature that stated how students benefit prior to this gift.
Thanks for the information... it needs to be addressed as well!
FAMU gives out scholarship. I can tell you that it’s very competitive. I have students who got into LSU and some other prominent schools but denied by FAMU. With over 22,000 students applying and a 32% acceptance rate, it’s very competitive. Florida state schools are competitive. Your family member can possible get scholarships later if he/she maintains a competitive gpa.
@@nasaint2982 Thanks.
Not supporting this donation. My daughter went to NCAT if I made any donation it would be to NCAT or Thurgood Marshall to be spread out across HBCUs
What is commendable about Roland Martin is that he's going to get to the bottom of BS, you can bet your last money!!
From David A.Wood: As long as the donated money to the HBCU in question (FAMU) is purely of legitimate origin and has no figurative and undue strings attached to the HBCU for it to unjustly abide by, just what happens to be the problem at the end of the day? If the donation is actually deemed to be a legitimate one after the required investigation by FAMU in regards to the source of the large donation is duly completed, then FAMU should be able to first accept and then ultimately use the donation for what it's worth. Nuff Said and Peace Out from Kettering, Ohio, everybody. ☮️🇺🇲😃✌️👍
If Robert Smith gave a quarter of a billion dollars to Morehouse or any other HBCU and the board did not know anything about it, it would still be an issue. Maybe Gregory Gerami is legit (I seriously doubt it) but if he is, the board should have been in on it.
The difference is, is that Robert Smith was the COMMENCEMENT DAY SPEAKER and was very WELL KNOWN and RESPECTED. He was VETTED and approved by the board before commencement. Now, neither the President nor the trustee board had any idea that he would be awarding that gift to the Morehouse graduates that day. They knew ALL about him, but not the gift$$.
Understanding. UNITY 🎉🎉🎉, CHECK RE-CHECK,
People are saying the donor wanted to remain anonymous and that’s why there’s a NDA. He was the speaker at FAMU’s graduation! How is that wanting to remain anonymous?!
Gerami reached out to University of Texas at Austin during April 2019, just a month after he first contacted CCU, to try to make a large donation, according to emails acquired through a public records request. Gerami told UT-Austin’s senior director of gift and estate planning, Doug Duke, that the money would be coming from a land investment deal in Kentucky. CCU’s timeline also mentions that the donation would be coming from a third-party land lease deal in which a company is leasing land from Gerami to harvest hemp for CBD products.
Gerami’s description of the land deal didn’t quell the UT-Austin director’s concerns about his ability to fund a large gift, and he quickly ended the potential relationship, records show. “As I mentioned during our phone conversation a couple of weeks ago, additional information/personal visit with your financial advisors will not change the University’s interest level in a gift,” Duke wrote in a May 2019 email to Gerami."
There is much more.
FAMU said mind your business we good over here. Check cleared.
It's alot of 9-10 figure black people you've never heard of. Keeping a low profile helps to get to that level. The money was in stock and probably non-US currency before that so that helped.
Stocks are not the same as cash in hand. What is it about this transaction that has prevented FAMU from cashing stocks received per University policy? Why the NDA at all -something not typical at all in higher education fundraising especially at public institutions?
@@TheVuduYuDu They have received the stock and it's in their possession. The problem is nobody knows who he is. People need to know or want to know the wealthy. People thinks everyone should flaunt it and let the world know how much money they have. From experience having money in other forms the U.S. HAS NO IDEA how much you're worth. Do you really think Bezos is the wealthiest in the world? I think those middle east guys will argue that point, but why? I've personally dealt with Black men with that kind of money and nobody knows who they are. Between precious metals, stocks, and different currencies the smart ones know how to spread it.
Very few after excluding professional athletes and entertainers.
@@timothymosley2124 My brother it will surprise you how many of us it is. Like really surprise you. You realize everyone doesn't report total wealth or keep it in this country. Forbes list is for people who want to be known. Great example if you are into diamond or gold mining and have your own resources to transport, who really knows how much you have? What you claim and have are different things. Stock can be purchased several ways by the same person. I'm telling this from experience and dealing with these actual people. I've seen the portfolios.
FAMU got scammed
Every time something positive happens to us, “others” get jealous!
Nothing about this debate is positive. It is a scam, a fraud, and the most embarrassing episode in FAMU's 137 year history.
The reputational damage caused by this fiasco will take years to repair.
FACTZZZ
Gerami served time in prison for an assault charge in 2022 and has a $1,500 judgment. He has $237 million for FAMU and can't pay a $1500 judgement?
I heard a live stream early this morning, and someone who invested in his company sent text messages, the NDA, along with his company's future projections, and it's clearly a scam. LOL. I just think whoever he got in contact with at FAMU knew this and decided they wanted to do it anyway. They have to be careful because I hope they looked into whether whatever he's been doing is still legal.
I smell a scandal!🤔
Thank you Gregory Gerami and the Issac Batterson 7th Family Trust!
“Curiouser and curiouser.” - Alice, in Alice In Wonderland
Wow I pray it laget that would be a blessing if not I'm so sorry for the bull.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ That is great!
What are people afraid of with this issue? Do they fear that there's fraud?
There is no money.
Going to prison for participating in money laundering
@@tennesseestephani1353 This isn't a case of money laundering because *there is no money*
Isn't his family owners of a commercial agri-business?
Hey I’ve been pour all my life if they don’t want it I could definitely use it I’ve been fighting cancer for 14 years to artificial hips cervical disc Among other things if they don’t want it I can surely use it God bless him for doing it
Yall a trip. If you receive that money as a donation you gonna ask any question? Lol. Take the money and run. Black people got money too just so you know. The truth is some HBCu's don't manage their money appropriately and that is a problem. I hear students from hbcu tell me horror stories of not even having electricity in their classroom or having to go home early etc. They need to do a better job
That's just it. FAMU received "stock" not necessarily money. And the fact that the stock has not be sold and converted to cash is of definite concern. What type of stock is it that it has not been converted to cash per university policy.
The University can’t be this Financially illiterate. Before entering into any agreement you have to preform Financial due diligence. Just the Fact that this man issued his own In-House Stock at a In-house Valuation. But I can see this Donor trying to get a massive Grift Tax Credit. The Donation is making any Financial sense. The entire University Board should be held responsible and accountable.
This is all smells scam and we are living in an era where people are scamming like aint no tomorrow
Did the gift go to a foundation and not directly to the school?
Well damn.
Even in a beautiful story like this some people still find the will to be so cruel. Congrats FAMU and salutations Mr. Gregory Gerami
There is nothing beautiful about this story.
In 2019, The University of Texas at Austin refused to entertain a gift from Gerami after conducting proper due diligence vetting of him.
FAMU failed to do so and now the very foundation of its institutional legitimacy is in jeopardy.
Lol he a scammer there is no money
Question When the Fanbase app was originally announced on Roland Martin and we invested in the app is our investment still in place?
Thanks for your reply!
Thomasina Lawrence
A stock transfer is not money and why no full disclosure?
Awesome information, however. Please define fel through elaborate. I love your channel z
And they call this the land of the free
Why are they giving FAMU this money? That's the most important question.
the way I feel Trump an the Supreme court set the new standard so let it ride.
We will see! 🤣
Time will tell...that the dude is a doggone scammer and FAMU should've told his behind to kick rocks like UT-Austin did. The episode of American Greed on this guy is going to be insane.
Was there the same skepticism when Harvard, Princeton, ect received Donations?
Oh wow really people?!
It's a "Dead Cat on the Line"!🤔🤨😳🤦🏽♀️🙄
STHUp and Take the MONEY ! --
Oh Lawd I hope this is real
This is a publicity stunt!
A BACK DOOR deal that has GONE WRONG !
I'm just now finding out about this guy. Shockingly enough, ion see him as coming off as a bad person.... However, with that being said... He have good intentions just a bad way of going about it
Who gave FAMU this money??!
One thing is for sure is the donor is getting his name known.
I know one thing....they better have clean noses before someone decides to go thru there with a fine toothed comb and take everybody to federal prison. What detergent does everyone use for laundering...I mean laundry ?
Too late!
Next time, anybody with money to donate, donate to me. You won't get any push back nor publicity from me.
Who, what, and where is Gregory Gerami? Why is he not speaking up? How did this announcement get approved for announcement? Who allowed it to be announced? Follow the money/benefit trail. Is it real?