Chauffeured in a luxury Infiniti SUV back to his comped Tallahassee hotel room – where a king-size bed and fruit and snacks from the $150 welcome basket awaited him – Gregory Gerami was on the brink of making history.
The week had already been full of excitement for the 30-year-old Texas native. He was led on guided personal tours of Florida A&M University’s athletic facilities and other landmarks around campus. Catered meals with the university’s top officials and distinguished alumni. All while private security officers stayed close to ensure his safety. Quite the welcome for his first visit to the university.
The following day was intended to be the highlight. The young business mogul, who grew up in foster care with severe disabilities, would be sharing his inspiring story with the university’s graduating class and presenting the school with $237 million, the largest individual donation ever made to a historically Black college or university.
“And by the way, the money is in the bank,” he’d proclaim, surely catapulting Gerami from relative obscurity to one of the most lauded philanthropists in the country.