WILLIS-KNIGHTON HEALTH AND ROY GRIGGS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, INC. ANNOUNCE $150,000 PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL WORKFORCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 28, 2026
CONTACT: Stephanie K. Rogers
Executive Strategist & Grant Consultant for
Roy Griggs School of Business, Inc., Nonprofit Organization
318-207-2711
info@griggsbiz.org

WILLIS-KNIGHTON HEALTH AND ROY GRIGGS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, INC. ANNOUNCE $150,000 PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL WORKFORCE

SHREVEPORT, LA — Willis-Knighton Health, a recognized leader in health and wellness throughout Northwest Louisiana, has partnered with Roy Griggs School of Business (RGSB), Inc., a nonprofit organization, to announce a $150,000 investment focused on strengthening the regional workforce pipeline and expanding access to business education opportunities for students through the Roy Griggs School of Business at Southern University at Shreveport (SUSLA).

The Willis Knighton investment will support two strategic priorities designed to strengthen workforce readiness, economic mobility, and long-term community sustainability; Scholarships and strategic Organizational Capacity building.

In a statement, Willis Knighton President & CEO Jaf Fielder, noted, “While identifying frontline clinical healthcare talent remains our top priority, a critical component of our reputation for delivering quality care is built upon the professionals who sustain our business operations, financial integrity, and compliance. Willis-Knighton has a long history of investing in talent development and improving community health. That means consistently reinvesting in regional priorities and partnerships such as this, which closely align with our mission and commitment to the communities we serve.”

$125,000 of the investment will support business scholarships. Of that amount, $100,000 will establish the Willis-Knighton Endowed Scholarship, a perpetual fund designed to expand access to business degree attainment for future generations of students. An additional $25,000 will support non-endowed scholarship awards and provide annual assistance for student needs during the first three years prior to endowment maturity. A portion of the investment will also be used to strengthen organizational infrastructure needed to advance the nonprofit organization’s mission, expand outreach efforts, and sustain measurable community impact. A portion of the investment is matched by Mr. & Mrs. Roy Griggs annually.

The Willis-Knighton investment will profoundly impact the region by removing financial barriers for students pursuing degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, and Finance, while also supporting workforce certifications, upward mobility, and youth career exploration opportunities.

Roy Griggs, President & CEO of RGSB, Inc., expressed gratitude for the partnership and its long-term impact on students and the community. “We are deeply grateful to Mr. Jaf Fielder and Willis-Knighton Health for this transformative investment in our students and community. Our shared vision for strengthening public and private partnerships will help remove financial barriers for students, especially our most vulnerable. They will be able to obtain the credentials and training needed to secure meaningful careers and thrive.”

Dr. Aubra J. Gantt, Chancellor of Southern University at Shreveport also expressed gratitude. “As we embark on this significant partnership with Willis-Knighton Health and Roy Griggs School of Business, Inc., they are not just investing in education; they are investing in the future of our community. This $150,000 commitment reflects our shared vision of empowering the next generation of leaders and strengthening the regional workforce. Together, we can create pathways to success for students in the SUSLA’s Roy Griggs School of Business, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.” The Roy Griggs School of Business at Southern University at Shreveport currently serves approximately 140 business majors annually pursuing associate degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, and Finance. Delivered by highly credentialed instructors with a proven track record of student success, the program combines academic instruction with applied workforce preparation through four strategic focus areas: Academic Degrees and Industry-Based Certifications, Entrepreneurship Seminars and Workshops, Guest Lecture Series, and Research and Internship Opportunities.

About RGSB, Inc.
The RGSB, Inc. nonprofit organization was established in 2024 by retired McDonald’s franchise owner, businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Roy Griggs. The mission of the organization is to enhance lives by providing access to business education degree attainment, training certifications, and career exploration. In 2021, the Southern University System Board of Supervisors honored Griggs by renaming the Southern University at Shreveport Business Department in recognition of his longstanding support for the university and his substantial contributions to the regional workforce as the largest McDonald’s owner/operator in Northwest Louisiana.

For additional information about the grant, contact Stephanie Rogers, Grant Consultant & Executive Strategist for RGSB, Inc., at info@griggsbiz.org or call 318-207-2711. Learn more about RGSB, Inc. at www.griggsbiz.org.