Slutty Vegan CEO Pinky Cole gets engaged to Derrick Hayes at Essence Fest

It was an eventful weekend for many in Louisiana as they took to the streets of New Orleans for Essence Fest – but it was even more eventful for Pinky Cole and Derrick Hayes.

The Slutty Vegan CEO got the surprise of a lifetime when her longtime partner, Derrick Hayes (CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks), got down on one knee to pop the question. So, here’s how it all went down; Cole and Hayes were sitting on a panel stage in front of an unsuspecting audience during an Essence Fest session. While in their matching outfits, Hayes called out to a friend, saying “AJ, where are you?” referring to entertainment host, A.J. Calloway. Calloway made his way to the stage with a little blue box, causing some in the audience to let out a cheer, in anticipation of what they assumed was about to happen.

The audience’s assumptions were right, as Hayes stood up in front of Cole and professed his love. “I just want to show you that these last two years, you changed my life. You did a lot. You’ve been having my back a long time, more than anybody in this world. So, I want to make this real.” The “awes” and every “go Derrick!” began to ring out from the crowd all before Cole could say yes – but she eventually did, her exact words being “of course, I do.”

Cole shared the exciting moment on her Instagram page.

We even got to see a more extended version of the proposal via the Essence Twitter page.

This is a very exciting time for the newly engaged pair, as they are also expecting a bundle of joy this month – Cole shared the fact that her bun in the oven and the child she and Hayes already share together, will have the same birthday, exactly 12 months apart.