As part of ERIMAX’s continuing support for the community, its wholly-owned subsidiary, ERIMAX MEDICAL has donated 100,000 high-quality, medical-grade facemasks to the Atlanta University Center Consortium, Inc.’s member institutions—Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine and Spelman College. The masks will also be available to the AUC Robert Woodruff Library.
Eric Franklin, CEO of ERIMAX, Inc. and author of “Peanut Butter Principles,” said he saw an urgent need to protect the health of young students as they attempt to return to in-person learning for the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.
“As a graduate of Hampton University in Virginia, another historically Black college or university (HBCU), I recall the financial challenges I faced in ‘normal’ times, and I wanted to ease the stress of remaining safe in this ever-evolving environment of deadly variants, vaccine hesitancy, and rising COVID rates throughout the country,” Franklin said. “I chose to start in Atlanta because that is where I live and the HBCU experience was unique and impactful in my life. I am proud that ERIMAX can offer this assistance to incoming and continuing students.”
“We are excited and grateful for the donation from ERIMAX,” said AUCC Executive Director Michael Hodge. “The updated guidance from CDC for indoor masking—regardless of vaccination status—will stretch our resources as we strive to stay safe during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. With this donation, we are able to help students, staff and faculty remain safe during these trying times.”
Franklin said he hopes others step up to help keep AUCC students, staff and faculty safe during the pandemic.
“As a successful entrepreneur, educated and shaped through my HBCU experiences, I challenge other minority business owners to leverage their spheres of influence in support of HBCUs in fulfilling the promise of educating minority and diverse communities.
“While I am encouraged by recent notable philanthropic gifts by famous mega-donors, our institutions also need the support of successful business-people who have matriculated through these quality colleges and universities.”
Although vaccinations are required to return to campus, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that masks still be worn indoors—regardless of vaccination status—especially when social/physical distancing is not possible. “People who are vaccinated have a lower risk of getting sick themselves, but we can cut down on the risk of transmitting the virus and the development of new variants by wearing a mask,” Franklin explained.
