by Brian Malone | Feb 2, 2016 | Events
Students looking for help with post-secondary education costs can get a head-start on filing out the essential FAFSA form at workshops across Shelby County the weekend of February 6th and 7th. The FAFSA Memphis Weekend is where organizations and churches are hosting workshops for students to complete their FAFSA forms.
One local leader, Pastor Geno Gibson of Olivet Baptist Church, is doing his part to make sure graduating seniors and non-traditional students fill-out their FAFSA forms. “I ask my fellow clergy men and women to host a workshop and help your members and residents in your community obtain financial assistance for college,” said Gibson. At Olivet they have the Seeds of Destiny Scholarship, ACT Preparation, FAFSA Assistance and College and Career Readiness Programs.
Some locations where workshops will be held include:
Whitehaven Branch Library Feb. 5th & 6th 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
East Shelby Library Feb. 6th 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Benjamin Hooks Library February 6th 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Frayser Library February 6th 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Last year more than 7,000 high school seniors completed the FAFSA. Memphis Talent Dividend and their partners are trying to make sure that eligible students and adults interested in secondary education have an option to receive free federal funds.
For more information about the FAFSA Weekend and how you can get involved, contact Alton Cryer, program coordinator for Memphis Talent Dividend at 901.278.0016 or acryer@leadershipmemphis.org. Visit the website at www.FAFSAMemphis.com . The Memphis Talent Dividend is a part of Leadership Memphis.
by Brian Malone | Jan 24, 2016 | Events
Carver High School seniors and parents were on hand this afternoon attending the kick-off for the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) Memphis 2016-2017 Awareness Campaign. This program is organized in Memphis and Shelby County by the Memphis Talent Dividend. The focus of this campaign is to build awareness of financial aid opportunities for graduating high school seniors and non-traditional students.
This event is one of several scheduled during the next couple of months. “Last year, Memphis Talent Dividend was able to assist more than 7,000 students with their application process,” said Renee McCreight, Director of Memphis Talent Dividend. “Our goal is to increase that number through a series of scheduled events and through partner organizations hosting FAFSA workshops.”
Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell spoke on the importance of this campaign. “The future of this community lies in the investment we put in our youth,” said Mayor Luttrell. “It is essential that we support every effort in helping students continue their education after high school, as well as adults seeking to complete their degree. Not only will our individual citizens benefit from college degrees, but families will be impacted for generations to come.”
The weekend of February 6th is FAFSA Memphis Goal Weekend where churches and organizations across the county will work with students to complete their forms. If an organization is interested in participating they can contact Alton Cryer, Program Coordinator for the Memphis Talent Dividend at 901.278.0016 or acryer@leadershipmemhis.org. Free workshops will be held through June 30th of this year.
The FAFSA MEMPHIS campaign is presented by the Memphis Talent Dividend and its partners and supported by a grant from the Kresge Foundation.
Leadership Memphis
Leadership Memphis is a non-profit, community leadership development organization. Its mission is to prepare and mobilize leaders to work together for the good of the whole community. Founded in 1977 as The Memphis Institute of Public Responsibility, the organization has trained and graduated more than 2,500 leaders from its signature programs: Executive, FastTrack, Criminal/Juvenile Justice, and Grassroots. Its Action Initiatives are Memphis Talent Dividend/Graduate Memphis, and SUCCESS High Schools.
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by Deidre Malone | Oct 19, 2015 | Events
The group of charter schools is opening the doors for the community to learn more about their schools and mission.
Aspire Public Schools are offering fresh opportunities for some of Memphis’ most populated communities to engage with the exciting charter school. In October, Aspire Hanley Schools are opening their doors to invite the community into the schools to learn more about their mission and commitment to the communities their schools are located in.
Aspire Hanley Open House
Thursday, October 22nd – 10am and 6pm
Aspire Hanley School – 680 Hanley Street, Memphis, TN 38114
Orange Mound residents will get a chance to tour the Aspire Hanley school and learn about its curriculum and vision of “College for Certain.”
CONTACT: Jonnie Hatten – 901.361.9647
About Aspire
Aspire Public Schools operates 38 high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools serving 15,000 students in underserved communities across California and Memphis, Tenn. Founded in 1998, Aspire is one of the nation’s largest open-enrollment public charter school systems serving predominantly low-income students, delivering a rigorous College for Certain education to students in grades K-12. An unrelenting focus on college preparedness led to 100 percent of graduating Aspire seniors being accepted to four-year colleges or universities over the last six years. Currently in its 17th academic year, Aspire is one of the nation’s first charter school systems. Visit Aspire Public Schools at www.aspirepublicschools.org.
by Brian Malone | Sep 8, 2015 | Events
Importance of voting given from different ages and perspectives
Poets from age 14-35 shared their perspective at the 2015 National Civil Rights Museum Drop the Mic Poetry Slam. This year’s theme, My Vote, My Freedom couldn’t have come at a better time. This is the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. There were 25 contestants that participated in the second year of this event that was held on Saturday, August 22 at the museum.
“This event truly showed the different perspectives we share for the importance of voting,” said, Terri Freeman, president, National Civil Rights Museum.” The museum views this event as another way to advance our cause of educating the world on how critical it is for citizens to vote.”
The winners in each category are the following:
| |
14-17 Age Group |
18-25 Age Group |
26-35 Age Group |
| 1st Place |
Charity Johnson |
Larry Cashmere |
Lasanta Teil |
| 2nd Place |
Sesheta Tafari |
Isaiah Walker |
Jason Hall |
The grand prize winner in each category received $1,000 and a museum family membership and the runner up in each category received $750 and a museum family membership. The judges this year were poet and promoter Darius (Phatmak) Clayton, poet and motivational speaker Aisha Raison, and the mayor of Neo-Soulsville, Tonya Dyson. Please continue to check www.civilrightsmuseum.org for upcoming events and information on next year’s slam.
by Brian Malone | Aug 21, 2015 | Events
National Civil Rights Museum’s Drop the Mic Poetry Slam
Finalists Confront Social Issues and Voting
Event is part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act
The National Civil Rights Museum (NCRM) is inviting the public to witness impressive young poets and spoken word artists at the NCRM Drop the Mic Poetry Slam event is this Saturday, August 22, at 5 p.m. in the Hooks Hyde Room at the National Civil Rights Museum. The theme of the each original piece is “My Vote, My Freedom” in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
“I was very impressed with the caliber of spoken word artists that submitted their original work to the Poetry Slam this year,” said Faith Morris, the Museum’s Director of Marketing, Governmental and Community Affairs. “We had poets to submit from Milwaukee and Atlanta. This is only year two, and the buzz about the Poetry Slam is growing.”
The semi-finalists are in the following age categories: 14-17, 18-25 and 26-35. Each category will have a first place winner who takes home $1,000, and the second place winner will receive $750. All winners will receive family museum membership that includes free admission for a year plus other benefits.
All contestants will have two minutes to perform their original pieces judged by highly respected artists in the open mic, spoken word community: neo-soul vocalist and open mic event host Tonya Dyson; Memphis spoken wordsmith Darius “Phatmak” Clayton; and poet, writer and radio personality Aisha Raison. There will also be performances by the a cappella group Artistik Approach and spoken word artist Ryan Carson.
For more information, visit http://civilrightsmuseum.org/dropthemic/. #MyVoteMyFreedom, #NCRMDropTheMic, #NCRMuseum
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About The National Civil Rights Museum
The NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM, located at the historic Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, is the only Museum of its kind in the country that gives a comprehensive overview of the American Civil Rights Movement from 1619 to the present. The Museum is intended to bring the movement to life, place the events in a historical perspective and provide a focus of national remembrance. Since the Museum opened in 1991, close to 5 million visitors from around the world have come, including more than 60,000 students annually. Recognized as a center for civil rights and social change, the Museum is steadfast in its mission to share the culture and lessons from the Movement and explore how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom globally.
Through interactive exhibits, historic collections, storytelling, dynamic speakers and events, the museum offers visitors a chance to walk through history and learn more about a tumultuous and inspiring period of change. Then, invites you to Join the Movement, take a stand and share your voice on issues that impact our society.
An internationally acclaimed cultural institution, the Museum was recognized as USA Today’s Top 10 Best American Iconic Attractions; Top 10 Best Historical Spots in the U.S. by TLC’s Family Travel; Must See by the Age of 15 by Budget Travel and Kids; Top 10, American Treasures by USA Today; and Best Memphis Attraction by The Commercial Appeal.
by Brian Malone | Jul 15, 2015 | Events
National Civil Rights Museum Invites Young Poets
to Participate In the Drop The Mic Poetry Slam
Submission Deadline is August 10, 2015
The National Civil Rights Museum (NCRM) is looking for young poets to share their creativity in a poetry slam with an emphasis on voting. “My Vote, My Freedom is the theme for the NCRM Drop the Mic Poetry Slam on August 22, 2015. Mid-South poets in the age groups of 14 – 17, 18 – 25 and 26 – 35 can compete for two top prizes per age group.
“The Drop the Mic Poetry Slam was a huge success last year,” said Faith Morris, Museum Director of Marketing, Governmental and Community Affairs. “Providing the community with a platform to artistically express themselves about an important issue in our society is the goal of the poetry slam. We encourage participants to take a stand, have a voice, exercise their voting rights and bring others with them on this journey. This poetry slam honors the legacy of the many people who fought (and died) fighting for our rights.”
August 6, 2015 is the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. NCRM is challenging poets to share their perspective on voting and freedom as the focus of their video entries.
Submissions must be original works addressing the topic “My Vote, My Freedom.” Each entrant must submit a YouTube or Vimeo video link in their online registration. Videos should be no longer than 2 minutes. Only one entry per person will be considered. All videos must be received by August 10, 2015, 5:00pm CDT.
For more information and to enter visit http://civilrightsmuseum.org/dropthemic/.
#MyVoteMyFreedom, #NCRMDropTheMic, #NCRMuseum
About The National Civil Rights Museum
The NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM, located at the historic Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, is the only Museum of its kind in the country that gives a comprehensive overview of the American Civil Rights Movement from 1619 to the present. The Museum is intended to bring the movement to life, place the events in a historical perspective and provide a focus of national remembrance. Since the Museum opened in 1991, close to 5 million visitors from around the world have come, including more than 60,000 students annually. Recognized as a center for civil rights and social change, the Museum is steadfast in its mission to share the culture and lessons from the Movement and explore how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom globally.
Through interactive exhibits, historic collections, storytelling, dynamic speakers and events, the museum offers visitors a chance to walk through history and learn more about a tumultuous and inspiring period of change. Then, invites you to Join the Movement, take a stand and share your voice on issues that impact our society.
An internationally acclaimed cultural institution, the Museum was recognized as USA Today’s Top 10 Best American Iconic Attractions; Top 10 Best Historical Spots in the U.S. by TLC’s Family Travel; Must See by the Age of 15 by Budget Travel and Kids; Top 10, American Treasures by USA Today; and Best Memphis Attraction by The Commercial Appeal.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Mar 23, 2015 | Events
The Tennessee Public Relations Alliance, formed in late 2011, has added a new member: Q Strategies of Chattanooga. “This places the alliance in each of the state’s major media markets and formalizes the partnership we have enjoyed for years with one of the Chattanooga area’s most knowledgeable and effective strategists, Tom Griscom,” said Mark McNeely, senior partner of McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations of Nashville. Other charter members of the alliance are The Carter Malone Group of Memphis and Moxley Carmichael Public Relations of Knoxville. The Hispanic Marketing Group of Nashville joined the alliance in 2013. “We are fortunate to count Tom and his firm, Q Strategies, as part of the alliance. This only adds to our already stellar team of communications professionals with unmatched knowledge of their individual markets,” McNeely said. “MP&F has worked with Tom and his firm for years on several clients, and in each case, he has been a valuable asset to our team.” Those assignments have included assistance in the grand opening of Amazon’s Chattanooga distribution facility and the successful push to allow the sale of wine in grocery stores last year. The statewide alliance was formed to provide blanket geographic coverage for products and issues in Tennessee. Since its inception, the alliance has worked with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee on communications efforts related to the Affordable Care Act as well as several other statewide organizations and issues. “Our goal in launching Q Strategies was to create a different kind of communications firm – one focused on relationships, strategic thought and measurable client success,” said partner and chief strategist Tom Griscom. “It is an honor for our firm to be included with like-minded communications professionals in the Tennessee Public Relations Alliance.” Q Strategies is a full-service strategic communications and marketing firm located in downtown Chattanooga. The Q Strategies team has significant experience in solving complex issues around communications, branding, market research and proactive message development. Local, regional and national clients served range from government to manufacturing to startups. McNeely Pigott & Fox is an award-winning, full-service public relations firm in Nashville, Tenn. Founded in 1987, MP&F has nearly 30 years of experience with creating campaigns, engaging audiences and communicating messages. In 2013, mp&f/d was founded as the digital arm of the company to allow MP&F to provide total communications and marketing services in an ever-changing landscape for a diversified client mix at the local, regional and national levels. MP&F is one of the largest independent public relations firms in the Southeast. The Carter Malone Group LLC is a full-service public relations, marketing and advertising firm, located in Memphis, Tenn. CMG provides creative, dynamic and credible integrated marketing communication strategies that enhance clients’ business objectives. CMG is a minority-owned firm with a diverse client list. Moxley Carmichael is a full-service public relations company based in Knoxville, Tenn. The firm’s client list includes leading companies and organizations in East Tennessee and beyond, including Pilot Flying J travel centers, Covenant Health, U.S. Cellular and Summit Medical Group. It serves clients on a local, regional and national basis. Hispanic Marketing Group was founded in 2002 and is the leading full-service bilingual and bicultural marketing and communications agency in Middle Tennessee, specializing in relating appropriate and compelling messages to the U.S. consumer markets in their own culture and language. The firm is certified as a Minority Business Enterprise and serves consumer, corporate, nonprofit and other clients in North America and Latin American countries. Each of the independently owned agencies has continued to maintain existing clients and pursue clients needing help from a single agency; but the alliance has presented previously unavailable opportunities for businesses and organizations seeking help from a cohesive, statewide communications team with strengths in all local markets.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Jan 20, 2015 | Events
The Coalition for a Healthy Tennessee this week began radio ads and direct mail across the state to support passage of Insure Tennessee, the conservative, market-based health care reform plan proposed by Governor Bill Haslam.
The media launch is an addition to the vibrant statewide grassroots campaign underway that involves thousands of business, health care and civic organizations across Tennessee who are making contact with legislators. The Coalition’s media presence includes www.insuretennesseenow.com, @InsureTNNow and facebook.com/insuretennesseenow.
“It is vital for people to know that what Governor Haslam is proposing is conservative, free-market health care reform and not more of the same Medicaid from Washington, D.C. Insure Tennessee is distinctly not traditional Medicaid expansion,” said coalition spokesman Charlie Howorth, executive director of the Tennessee Business Roundtable. “By departing from the Washington model, Governor Haslam has found a way to provide coverage for working Tennesseans caught in the coverage gap and to stabilize rural hospitals that are currently at risk of closure. We can achieve this with no new taxes and no cost impact to the state.”
The Coalition’s radio spots began airing today in markets across Tennessee. The entire radio script reads as follows:
“Time and time again, Tennesseans have rejected the Obama agenda and his Obamacare plan that moves health care decisions out of our state and into the hands of DC bureaucrats.
“That ‘s why Governor Haslam has introduced the Insure Tennessee Plan to cover hundreds of thousands of hard-working Tennesseans. It’s a conservative, market-based approach that will result in no new taxes, no new state government spending, and stability for our state’s rural hospitals.
“No new taxes and no new state government spending to make sure more of our fellow hard-working Tennesseans have health care… That’s the conservative way, that’s the Tennessee way.
“Call 1-800-449-8366 to tell your legislator to stand with Governor Haslam and Insure Tennessee Now or go to Insure Tennessee Now Dot Com for more information on Insure Tennessee. Paid for by The Coalition for a Healthy Tennessee.”
The Coalition’s first direct mail piece, attached here,emphasizes that Insure Tennessee is “a Common Sense, Conservative Solution for True Health Care Reform in Tennessee.”
The Coalition has more than 100 members, including many large member organizations, including chambers of commerce and other health care, business and civic organizations committed to gaining approval of Insure Tennessee. The group last month launched a website – www.InsureTennesseeNow.com – and is conducting grassroots advocacy in all 95 counties. The group is led by the Tennessee Business Roundtable.
Public health care forums featuring Insure Tennessee will held in Chattanooga, Jan. 22; Jackson, Jan. 30; and Tri-Cities, Feb. 6. Forums have been conducted in Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville.
The campaign, including paid media, is entirely funded by private supporters of Insure Tennessee through the Coalition for a Healthy Tennessee.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Dec 12, 2014 | Events
Bestselling Novelist Hopes to Expand from Books to Screen
(November 16, 2014 – Los Angeles) Bestselling Interracial Romance Author Latrivia Nelson recently signed a one-year contract with esteemed talent agent, Tracy Christian, Partner at TCA JEDROOT, based out of Los Angeles, California. The indie author, based out of Memphis, TN, has written 20 novels, including 8 bestsellers from the popular Medlov Crime Family Series, Lonely Heart Series and Agosto Series.
“I’m truly excited about the possibilities, which could be endless,” said Nelson. “When I received the call from Ms. Christian, I was both honored and impressed with her presentation of TCA JED ROOT and the synergy that we could create. Their track record in this industry is phenomenal and Tracy truly is an inspiration. I was happy to sign the contract, and I’m looking forward to working with her team to take my books from print to the small or big screen.”
Nelson was the first in the sub-genre of interracial romance to write about organized crime syndicates as a central focus of her storylines. Centered on the Russian mafia, she created a series of books that have been sold worldwide in over 124 countries and has a base of over 50,000 fans. Since her books launched in 2010, the genre has exploded with interracial romantic suspense novels about Russian, Italian and other fictitious international bad boys, but she has maintained her position as not only a pioneer but a genre leader.
“When I started my company over two and half years ago, I knew the thing that would set us apart in the industry is that we only represent clients that we are passionate about and have a plan for,” said Tracy Christian. “Latrivia Nelson definitely falls into that category. We are looking forward to helping shape her career in the industry.”
TCA Jed Root specializes in actors and producers of television series such as the Love and Hip Hop franchise (Vh1) and Kandi Factory (Bravo) The company’s clients include personalities on The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo), What Not to Wear (TLC), and actors such as Tommy Flanagan, Busta Rhymes, Jamie Hector, Paz de la Huerta, and many more.
For more information on Latrivia Nelson visit her website at www.latrivianelson.info or contact Tracy Christian at Tracy@TCAJedRoot.com.
The Carter Malone Group is the public relations agency of record for Latrivia Nelson and RiverHouse Publishing, LLC.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Nov 16, 2014 | Events
Bestselling Novelist Hopes to Expand from Books to Screen
INTERRACIAL ROMANCE AUTHOR LATRIVIA NELSON SIGNS CONTRACT WITH TCA JEDROO
(November 16, 2014 – Los Angeles) Bestselling Interracial Romance Author Latrivia Nelson recently signed a one-year contract with esteemed talent agent, Tracy Christian, Partner at TCA JEDROOT, based out of Los Angeles, California. The indie author, based out of Memphis, TN, has written 20 novels, including 8 bestsellers from the popular Medlov Crime Family Series, Lonely Heart Series and Agosto Series.
“I’m truly excited about the possibilities, which could be endless,” said Nelson. “When I received the call from Ms. Christian, I was both honored and impressed with her presentation of TCA JED ROOT and the synergy that we could create. Their track record in this industry is phenomenal and Tracy truly is an inspiration. I was happy to sign the contract, and I’m looking forward to working with her team to take my books from print to the small or big screen.”
Nelson was the first in the sub-genre of interracial romance to write about organized crime syndicates as a central focus of her storylines. Centered on the Russian mafia, she created a series of books that have been sold worldwide in over 124 countries and has a base of over 50,000 fans. Since her books launched in 2010, the genre has exploded with interracial romantic suspense novels about Russian, Italian and other fictitious international bad boys, but she has maintained her position as not only a pioneer but a genre leader.
“When I started my company over two and half years ago, I knew the thing that would set us apart in the industry is that we only represent clients that we are passionate about and have a plan for,” said Tracy Christian. “Latrivia Nelson definitely falls into that category. We are looking forward to helping shape her career in the industry.”
TCA Jed Root specializes in actors and producers of television series such as the Love and Hip Hop franchise (Vh1) and Kandi Factory (Bravo) The company’s clients include personalities on The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo), What Not to Wear (TLC), and actors such as Tommy Flanagan, Busta Rhymes, Jamie Hector, Paz de la Huerta, and many more.
For more information on Latrivia Nelson visit her website at www.latrivianelson.info or contact Tracy Christian at Tracy@TCAJedRoot.com.
The Carter Malone Group is the public relations agency of record for Latrivia Nelson and RiverHouse Publishing, LLC.
