Augusta Native Provides Free Professional Clothing to Augusta University Students

Javonte Coleman teamed up with Augusta University's James M. Hull College of Business. Together, they'll give students free work clothes through Vonte's Career Closet.

The event happens Feb. 25. It runs from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the JSAC Ballroom on campus. Students pay nothing thanks to community donations.

Coleman used to live in Augusta and noticed that buying work attire is expensive for students preparing to graduate. He wanted to fix this problem. So he created a program that hands out donated work attire.

“Almost half our students are on Pell Grants, so our students need professional clothing and not just our students, but if you look across the country, prices are going up. Professional clothing is hard to come by. This is a chance for them to have free clothing,” said Coleman, per WRDW.

Some students avoid networking events or skip interviews because they don't own the right attire. Coleman's program solves that. His closet will stock items that work in different business situations, from casual offices to corporate settings.

Why did Coleman and the business college team up? Students need proper clothes for interviews, internships, and their first real jobs. Lots of graduates can't afford what they need when starting out. This creates a real barrier.

People can start giving now to help students in need of proper clothes for interviews, internships, and their first real jobs. Blazers work great. So do dress pants, button-up shirts, skirts, and anything else appropriate for an office.

Three spots around town are collecting donations right now. You can drop things off at Hull College of Business in Allgood Hall N-112, Veronica's Hair Salon at 2820 Jordan St., or Salon Sano at 1505 Monte Sano Ave.