Evan Jones, a 23-year-old junior at Hampton University, aspires to become a serial entrepreneur with ventures ranging from a combined fine-dining restaurant and barbershop in Atlanta to a nonprofit focused on expanding trade school opportunities for prison inmates. His journey is supported by the newly established Tyrod Taylor Strive Academy, a program designed to help students like Jones develop practical business skills and launch their ideas. Located in downtown Hampton at the Harbour Centre on Eaton Street, the academy is part of Hampton University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and is backed by NFL quarterback and Hampton High School alumnus Tyrod Taylor.
This initiative strives to provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and networking opportunities for students seeking to innovate and build lasting enterprises through targeted instruction and access to essential resources.
Immersive Learning and Mentorship Opportunities Offered
The Strive Academy combines makerspaces, panel discussions, and mentorship programs to help students transform their business concepts into viable ventures. Jones highlighted the importance of learning about fundamental business aspects such as financing and credit.
“It’s so much networking and learning about business — things like accessing money and how credit works,”
said Jones, an entrepreneurship major.
“Every event has informed or inspired me in some way.”
Tyrod Taylor serves as the academy’s first entrepreneur-in-residence, a partnership that Hampton University aims to maintain long term. Taylor emphasizes the goal of fostering bold ambition and valuable real-world experience among students.
“My goal is to create opportunities for students to dream boldly, gain real world experience and build ventures that leave a lasting impact,”
Taylor said.
Wide Range of Industry-Focused Certificate Programs Available
The program offers certificate courses in fast-growing fields such as culinary arts, technology, beauty, fashion, and entertainment, which students can complete alongside their primary academic degrees. Taylor also played a key role in launching Pirate Valet, a student-run van transportation service that operates on and around the HU campus.
The Strive Academy hosts a speaker series featuring successful Hampton University alumni and industry leaders, including representatives from globally recognized companies like luxury group LVMH and financial giant JPMorgan Chase. Recent events have highlighted Women’s History Month with alumnae panels and engaged students with a fashion entrepreneurship panel featuring Taylor and Dex Robinson, a New York stylist and co-founder of the luxury streetwear label Diallo.
“We’re creating a space where innovation feels attainable, and we’re opening more doors for our students,”
said Glenda Evans, executive director of the Workforce Development Enterprise and chair of the entrepreneurial studies department at Hampton University.
“They get the resources and perspectives to feel they, too, can make it.”
Tyrod Taylor’s Commitment and Career Influence
Since earning his degree from Virginia Tech in 2010, Tyrod Taylor has played for seven NFL teams and was the primary backup quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens when they secured the Super Bowl title in 2013. Most recently, he played for the New York Jets. Despite his accomplishments and challenges, Taylor remains humble and dedicated to giving back to his community.
“He’s achieved so much and overcome many hurdles, but he’s still very humble and wants to give back,”
Evans said. “He’s a great role model.”
Advanced Degree and Cutting-Edge Facilities Support Innovation
Hampton University has also introduced an accelerated Master of Science program in entrepreneurship and innovation through its School of Business, enabling students to complete both undergraduate and graduate degrees within four years. Events and opportunities provided by Strive Academy are integrated into this curriculum to maximize student engagement.
The makerspaces offered through the academy are accessible to both students and community members, featuring advanced equipment like 3D printers, immersive artificial intelligence tools, podcast and music production studios, photography facilities, and a fashion center equipped with sewing and embroidery machines, as well as mannequins for accurate sizing.
Student Experiences and Forward Momentum
As an intern focused on promoting the Strive Academy and Pirate Valet to his peers, Jones is taking advantage of these extensive resources while preparing business plans for his future entrepreneurial pursuits.
“I’m loving all the resources here,”
Jones said.
“I think more and more students are going to use them.”
The Tyrod Taylor Strive Academy stands as a potent catalyst within Hampton University’s ecosystem, equipping students and community members with the tools, networks, and inspiration to pursue meaningful innovation. By bridging education, mentorship, and practical experience, the program is poised to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs who will contribute to local and broader economic development.
