Did you guess Andre' Lee and Derrick Hayes from the photos below? 

If you did, you were right!  Pictured below are Mr. Andre’ Lee (top) and Mr. Derrick Hayes.  Andre’ and Derrick were classmates in Dr. Rena Ellzy’s class and soon became business partners.  The day Derrick approached Andre’ about a project for UNLV, Derrick had made a presentation in class spoofing James Brown.  Andre said he “thought Derrick was crazy”, in the funniest way of course.  That impression probably intrigued Andre' just enough to enter a business deal with Derrick.  It proved to be profitable and set the two of them on the road to a promotions and marketing company. 

The company Hayes & Lee Creative Relations launched a number of business deals some of which are still beneficial to Tennessee State University today.  Most significantly for the College of Business, Hayes and Lee birthed the idea of the College of Business annual giving campaign and “wall of recognition”, known today as the Wall of Excellence. 

For the complete story originating from a phone interview with Mr. Andre’ Lee, click here on Full Story