by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Jan 6, 2025 | CMG News, News
We’re looking for a creative and dedicated individual to join our team.
The Carter Malone Group is looking for a full-time graphic designer to assist clients build their brands across physical and digital platforms, connecting people to products and services that enrich their lives.
The successful candidate would be part of a design team that works with local and national brands on a diverse range of projects—from websites and visual identities to physical print pieces.
Who You Are:
• Enjoy working in a team environment.
• Positive attitude and genuine desire to understand and serve our clients.
• Great at establishing, developing and communicating your ideas.
• Highly creative and versatile—able to produce effective design solutions for diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to work well in a fast-paced environment and can handle multiple projects.
Knowledge & Skills:
• Excellent working knowledge of graphic design fundamentals and communications.
• Extensive experience in Adobe XD, InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
• Critical thinking mindset and keen attention to detail.
• Degree or diploma in graphic design or similar program.
• Basic understanding of HTML, CSS and web development considered an asset.
• Experience in animation, videography and photography considered an asset.
We have a relaxed and positive atmosphere, a bright and open office environment, continually invest in training opportunities and technology, and provide healthcare & benefits package.
Please email your resume and portfolio stating why you would be a great teammate to: Brittany Malone, Vice President of Business Operations, at bsmalone@cmgpr.com by January 17, 2025
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $20.00-$25.00 per hour
Schedule:
• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
Experience:
• Graphic design: 3 years (required)
Application deadline: start date: 1/6/2025
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Oct 16, 2024 | CMG News, News
(MONTGOMERY, AL – October 3, 2024) The Successful Living Center will host their Caring & Sharing Workshop on Friday, October 18, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Beulah Baptist Church at 3703 Rosa L. Parks Ave., Montgomery, AL 36105. Registration is required and is available via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caring-sharing-workshop-hosted-by-the-successful-living-center-tickets-1008421023427
The speakers for the workshop include:
• Probate Court Judge JC Love III will discuss conservatorship, guardianship and wills and trust
• Dr. Kwandra Andrews Brinson will discuss focusing on a healthy mind and healthy life
• Isaac Pena will discuss turning hopelessness into hope
• Corporal LyTonya Haywood will share resources and support for those in need
“This is our 3rd Caring & Sharing workshop and we are excited to hear from these great speakers during this event,” said Veronica McKenzie, executive director of the Successful Living Center. “This event is for caregivers and family members who want to learn more about resources that are available for individuals who have dementias.”
The Successful Living Center is an adult day care center that provides services to elderly adults with early to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Their goal is to provide flexible daycare and respite services that allow families to sustain employment or manage other responsibilities more freely.
The structured adult daycare provides a viable alternative to full-time assisted living or nursing home care.
For more information or if you would like to interview someone about the event, contact Deidre Malone, The Carter Malone Group, LLC, at 901.278.0881 or dmalone@cmgpr.com.
About Successful Living Center
Successful Living Center’s staff is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the families that they serve. They provide quality daycare services that include daily activities like arts and crafts, physical exercise, caregiver dementia-care resource and memory enhancement. To learn more about Successful Living Center, visit www.successfullivingcenter.org.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Sep 5, 2024 | CMG News, News
(Memphis, Tenn. – September 3, 2024) Polished Consulting LLC is thrilled to announce the appointment of Roquita Coleman-Williams as our new President & Managing Partner. With a rich career spanning 27 years, Coleman-Williams brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of transforming challenges into strategic opportunities, fostering inclusive work environments, and spearheading innovative growth initiatives.
Coleman-Williams joins Polished Consulting LLC following her most recent role as Vice President of Sales and Operations at Coyote Logistics, a division of UPS. There, she successfully led complex operations and sales initiatives, driving significant profitability and operational efficiency. Her leadership was instrumental in navigating Coyote Logistics through periods of substantial change, ensuring sustainable growth and a strengthened market position. Before her tenure at Coyote Logistics, Coleman-Williams held multiple strategic growth roles with CN Rail and UPS Capital. At CN Rail, she was pivotal in executing growth strategies that expanded the company’s market reach and enhanced its operational capabilities. At UPS Capital, Coleman-Williams’ leadership in sales and operations contributed to a substantial increase in market penetration and customer satisfaction.
Coleman-Williams’ extensive experience as a business leader in complex operations has seen her navigate multinational organizations through periods of significant change, driving profitability and sustainable growth. Her leadership philosophy, centered on P&L management, commercial expansion, and the transformative power of inclusive leadership, aligns perfectly with Polished Consulting’s mission and values.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Roquita Coleman-Williams to the Polished Consulting team,” said Sherica Hymes CEO and Founder of Polished Consulting LLC. “Her strategic vision, coupled with her ability to inspire high-performance teams and turn underperforming operations into profitable ventures, makes her the perfect fit for our organization. Roquita’s leadership will be invaluable as we continue to scale Polished Consulting to new heights.”
Commenting on her new role, Coleman-Williams said, “I am honored to join Polished Consulting LLC and look forward to helping companies drive business growth through their most important asset—their people. I believe that by fostering inclusive leadership and creating environments where every individual can thrive, we can unlock extraordinary business potential. I am excited to bring my experience to Polished Consulting and to work with a team that shares my commitment to excellence and innovation.” Coleman-Williams excels in making critical, strategic decisions at the speed of change, leveraging advanced technology and business intelligence to drive innovation and create industry-shifting solutions. Her approach involves solving immediate challenges, anticipating future trends, and preparing the organization to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving market landscape.
Beyond her corporate achievements, Coleman-Williams is deeply invested in promoting social responsibility and economic equity. She serves on various corporate, municipal, and non-profit boards, leveraging her expertise to make meaningful contributions to the communities she serves. A highlight of her board service includes strategic planning and redevelopment initiatives with Tennessee’s largest metropolitan transit agency, where her efforts were instrumental in the historical redevelopment of Central Station.
Coleman-Williams’ appointment as President & Managing Partner marks an exciting new chapter for Polished Consulting LLC. Her strategic vision, inclusive leadership, and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly drive the firm to new levels of success.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Jun 5, 2024 | CMG News, News
(HOUSTON, Texas – June 5, 2024) Tarris Marie worked for 15 years in corporate America before she was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a genetic condition that caused her to become legally blind. Not long after her diagnosis, she lost her job. Over 40, recently disabled and out of work, she turned her senses toward her passion for writing.
“After becoming legally blind and jobless, I was at the lowest place of my life,” said Marie. “While I was depressed and lying on my bathroom floor, God said to me, ‘Get up and write a book.’ On Juneteenth 2020, I started writing and haven’t stopped since.”
Having written four books so far, Marie crafts strong but flawed female characters as a means for self-healing and inspiring others.
In September 2023, Marie released her debut novel Blaque Pearle, which tells the story of an aspiring actress from Compton named Pearle Monalise Brown who resorts to her beauty and acting skills to swindle money and expensive jewels. She meets a handsome gentleman named Blaque, and together they become passionately entangled in a whirlwind romance as they try to outsmart their enemies.
“Blaque Pearle is a riveting page-turner, fueled by complex characters, erotic energy, and high-stakes action. I couldn’t put it down,” said Tanisha C. Ford, author of Dressed in Dreams: A Black Girl’s Love Letter to the Power of Fashion. “Tarris Marie is a fresh voice on the literary scene who is reimagining the urban crime and suspense genres. I’m excited to see what she writes next. She’s definitely one to watch.”
In January 2025, Marie will release her second novel, Empress Creed. Marie’s new book follows two outlaw lovers from opposite sides of the war who face off. Their second chance at happily ever after comes at a cost only one crime king and one queen pin are willing to pay.
Marie hopes to take readers on captivating adventures in Blaque Pearle and Empress Creed, and she hopes her real-life triumphant testimony encourages others to follow their dreams.
“Whether it is through writing or acting, I use my characters and storytelling as a means for self-healing and to be an inspiration to others,” said Marie. “I hope that my story and books inspire other women to overcome their adversities and pursue their passions.”
Blaque Pearle is available in paperback, Kindle and Audible on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Empress Creed, which will be released January 21, 2025, is now available for pre-order on Amazon and Target’s website.
To learn more about Tarris Marie and her projects, visit www.tarrismarie.com.
About Tarris Marie:
Tarris Marie is proudly a Midwestern girl of the ’90s, born and raised in Gary, Indiana. After 15 years in corporate America, Tarris lost her central vision and eventually her six-figure career in a battle with Stargardt disease, a genetic condition that caused her legal blindness. In addition to being a novelist, Tarris is a screenwriter and actress who uses slivers of her life-experienced pie to create vivid characters and roller coaster journeys to inspire and entertain others. Tarris received a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and business administration from Indiana University, where she also became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Marie currently resides in the great city of starships known as Houston, Texas, with her husband and two children. For more information, visit www.tarrismarie.com, or connect with the author on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @tarrismarie.
For more information or if you would like to interview Tarris Marie, contact Jennifer Sharp, The Carter Malone Group, LLC, at 901.278.0881 or jsharp@cmgpr.com.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Apr 22, 2024 | CMG News, News
The Carter Malone Group is looking for a part-time public affairs professional. This position is for 25 hours a week and will assist with government relations and community outreach projects for a major CMG client. Those interested in being considered for this position, please email resumes to Brittany Malone at Bsmalone@cmgpr.com.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Apr 5, 2024 | CMG News, News
(MEMPHIS, Tenn. – April 5, 2024) The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is currently recruiting sheriff patrol officers to join their team.
Applicants must be 21 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to pass the agility and written test. Applicants must also meet other criteria regarding the hiring process including a background check and psychological evaluation.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office offers a wide range of benefits, including competitive pay with increases, health benefits, retirement and college incentives. Recruits will also receive training from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
“We’re looking for applicants who are ready to take on the challenge of serving their community and starting a career in law enforcement,” said Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner. “It takes all of us to crack down on crime. Working with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office can be a challenging, purposeful and rewarding experience.”
Thanks to approval by our Shelby County Commissioners, we have waived the residency requirement so anyone inside and outside of Shelby County can apply.
The duties and responsibilities of sheriff patrol officers include, but are limited to:
• Executing and returning process orders of the courts of record,
• Aiding and attending the courts as assigned,
• Taking charge of custody of prisoners in the Shelby County jail and
• Making initial investigations in response to dispatched calls.
Interested applicants can apply at www.scsocareers.com.
About the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office:
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency and the pre-trial custodial keeper of those charged with crimes. Led by Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr., the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office’s mission is to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Shelby County, Tennessee; to preserve the peace; to maintain a safe and secure jail; and to prevent crime and disorder while constantly guarding personal liberties as prescribed by law. To learn more about the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, visit www.shelby-sheriff.org.
For more information or if you would like to interview someone from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, contact Jennifer Sharp, The Carter Malone Group, LLC, at 901.278.0881 or jsharp@cmgpr.com.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Feb 22, 2024 | CMG News, News
(MEMPHIS, Tenn. – February 22, 2024) Vintage901® will host its 8th Annual Wine, Food and Music Spring Festival Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21.
The festival consists of two events:
- The Grand Tasting: Saturday, April 20, 6–9 p.m. at The Medicine Factory, 85 W. Virginia Ave.
- The Sparkling Brunch: Sunday, April 21, noon–2 p.m. at the FedEx Event Center, 415 Great View Dr. East, Suite 103, in Shelby Farms.
The Grand Tasting, Vintage901’s flagship event, will feature an array of wine vendors from numerous Old World and New World wine producers and a series of classes curated for guests to learn about wine and food pairings. Guests will also have an opportunity to talk directly with wine and food professionals. Chef demonstrations and Memphis music will be part of this event.
Sommelier Laurie Forster will host a VIP reception during The Grand Tasting for VIP guests. She is the author of the award-winning book The Sipping Point: A Crash Course in Wine. VIP guests will also receive a signature cocktail and wines, swag bags with a wineyard and a pairings tutorial.
The Sparkling Brunch, a relaxing, laid-back event for the weekend, will feature wines paired with delectable culinary dishes. Sommelier Laurie Forster will serve as the host.
“We’re excited to work with wine expert Laurie Forster and our sponsors and partners to provide a unique food and wine experience for our guests,” said Stephanie Ferreira, founder and CEO of Vintage901. “We look forward to bringing our community another wine and food event that combines education, culture and fun with a purpose.”
Early bird tickets are available until March 15. Proceeds will go to the Vintage901 Wine + Food Scholarship to support students seeking careers in the culinary arts, oenology and viticulture.
Tickets for the Vintage901 8th Annual Wine, Food and Music Spring Festival can be purchased at www.vintage901.org/events.
About Vintage901:
Vintage901 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes access to the culinary arts through education, enrichment and engagement with their community. Vintage901 hosts thoughtfully curated events that blend classic and modern culinary experiences and appeal to the connoisseur and the curious. Its largest event is a two-day Vintage901 Wine, Food and Music Spring Festival. To learn more, visit www.vintage901.org.
For more information or if you would like to interview someone from Vintage901, contact Jennifer Sharp, The Carter Malone Group, LLC, at 901.278.0881 or jsharp@cmgpr.com.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Feb 7, 2024 | CMG News, News
(HOUSTON, Texas – February 7, 2024) After losing her central vision and her six-figure career, Tarris Marie decided to make a pivot in her career and hone in on her passions as an author, screenwriter, actress and model.
Born in Gary, Indiana, Marie worked for 15 years in corporate America before she was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a genetic condition that caused her to become legally blind. Not long after her diagnosis, she lost her job.
“After becoming legally blind and jobless, I was at the lowest place of my life,” said Marie. “While I was depressed and lying on my bathroom floor, God said to me, ‘Get up and write a book.’ On Juneteenth 2020, I started writing and haven’t stopped since.”
Having written four books so far, Marie crafts strong but flawed female characters as a means for self-healing and inspiring others. Marie’s debut novel Blaque Pearle tells the story of an aspiring actress from Compton named Pearle Monalise Brown who resorts to her beauty and acting skills to swindle money and expensive jewels. She meets a handsome gentleman named Blaque, and together they become passionately entangled in a whirlwind romance as they try to outsmart their enemies.
“Blaque Pearle is a riveting page-turner, fueled by complex characters, erotic energy, and high-stakes action. I couldn’t put it down,” said Tanisha C. Ford, author of Dressed in Dreams: A Black Girl’s Love Letter to the Power of Fashion. “Tarris Marie is a fresh voice on the literary scene who is reimagining the urban crime and suspense genres. I’m excited to see what she writes next. She’s definitely one to watch.”
Marie hopes to take readers on a captivating adventure in Blaque Pearle, and she hopes her real-life triumphant testimony encourages others to follow their dreams.
“Whether it is through writing or acting, I use my characters and storytelling as a means for self-healing and to be an inspiration to others,” said Marie. “I hope that my story and books inspire other women to overcome their adversities and pursue their passions.”
Blaque Pearle is available in paperback, Kindle and Audible on Amazon and wherever books are sold.
To learn more about Tarris Marie and Blaque Pearle, visit www.tarrismarie.com.
About Tarris Marie:
Tarris Marie is proudly a Midwestern girl of the ’90s, born and raised in Gary, Indiana. After 15 years in corporate America, Tarris lost her central vision and eventually her six-figure career in a battle with Stargardt disease, a genetic condition that caused her legal blindness. In addition to being a novelist, Tarris is a screenwriter and actress who uses slivers of her life-experienced pie to create vivid characters and roller coaster journeys to inspire and entertain others. Tarris received a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and business administration from Indiana University, where she also became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Marie currently resides in the great city of starships known as Houston, Texas, with her husband and two children. For more information, visit www.tarrismarie.com, or connect with the author on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @tarrismarie.
For more information or if you would like to interview Tarris Marie, contact Jennifer Sharp, The Carter Malone Group, LLC, at 901.278.0881 or jsharp@cmgpr.com.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Feb 1, 2024 | CMG News, News
(Memphis, TN – January 31, 2024) The latest countywide poll conducted by Public Opinion Strategies for the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission shows that voters continue to express a high degree of respect for police officers (93%). Voters would like a stronger police presence in their neighborhoods (75%), and overwhelmingly endorse hiring more police officers (84%).
However, the job rating for local police officers has declined significantly since the last Crime Commission poll in 2021. Countywide, 51% of respondents gave local police an excellent or good rating while 47% gave them a fair/poor rating. In Memphis, just 41% of respondents gave police an excellent/good rating while 69% of the rest of the county give local police an excellent/good rating.
The poll, conducted January 9–11, 2024, included 400 registered voters, with 253 from Memphis. The racial breakdown was 60% African-American, 31% white, and 8% other in the city of Memphis. Countywide, the racial breakdown was 47% white, 47% African-American, and 6% other. The gender breakdown was about the same (58% female and 42% male countywide, and 60% female and 40% male for Memphis). Age ranges included 44% between 18–44, 32% between 45–64 and 24% 65 plus.
Among all demographic groups in Memphis and Shelby County, crime ranks as the highest priority (57%). When asked what specific crime issue was the most important to focus on, gun violence ranked first (38%.), and juvenile crime ranked second (22%).
Perception of the criminal justice system as too lenient was high among every subgroup. For the adult criminal justice system, 64% of white respondents and 50% of African-American respondents felt the system was too lenient. For juveniles, 64% of African-Americans and 62% of white respondents felt the system was too lenient.
In a near consensus across all subgroups, an overwhelming 87% of respondents support changing state law to require that serious juvenile offenders receive supervision, treatment, and rehabilitation beyond the current 19th birthday limit.
Only 30% of respondents believe crime victims receive a lot of (4%) or some (26%) support and assistance from the criminal justice system while 65% feel victims receive a little (25%) or not much support at all (40%).
Every public safety proposal tested produced a near consensus level of support among both Memphis and countywide voters. Five of the six proposals received an 87% or higher level of support. These included: focusing more resources and efforts on holding serious violent offenders accountable (97%); providing more resources to offenders who have been incarcerated when they return to the community (96%); and focusing more resources and efforts on holding those who steal vehicles or break into them accountable (95%).
“Through the Safe Community Action Plan, legislative proposals, and other means, the Crime Commission is working to advocate steps that can prevent and reduce crime,” said Bill Gibbons, Crime Commission president. “This poll shows that respondents still support our police officers and want an increase in the number of officers. At the same time, their job performance has slipped since our last survey. I think most people realize law enforcement could do a better job with more resources and smart use of those resources. It’s also clear that respondents want reforms to the criminal justice system to make those who commit crimes more accountable.”
“The Crime Commission’s survey gives us a barometer of what Memphians and Shelby Countians are thinking regarding crime and the criminal justice system,” said Deidre Malone, president/CEO, The Carter Malone Group, LLC, who served as a consultant on the polling project. “The outlook on crime varies some based-on race and geography, but the trend lines are similar across the subgroups surveyed.”
Bill Gibbons and Deidre Malone are both available for follow up interviews by members of the media.
The entire 40-page report on the survey is on the Crime Commission website at
https://memphiscrime.org/public-safety-poll-results/
Public Opinion Strategies is a national research firm headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Founded in 1991, it has conducted more than 11 million interviews with voters and consumers in all 50 states and more than two dozen foreign countries. It has a track record of accurate polling in the Memphis and Shelby County community and has conducted two previous polls for the Crime Commission.
The Carter Malone Group is a public relations firm headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The firm was founded in 2003 and worked with Public Opinion Strategies and the Crime Commission on the poll development and reporting.
About the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission
The Memphis Shelby Crime Commission is an independent, non-profit 501© (3) agency that organizes the work of the Safe Community Action Plan and its partners. It is funded through the generous contributions of many private sector donors. Ben Adams, chairman emeritus of Baker Donelson Law Firm, serves as board chairman. Bill Gibbons serves as Commission president.
About the Safe Community Action Plan
Launched in 2007, development of the Safe Community Action Plan is spearheaded by the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission. It is a community-based crime prevention and reduction initiative. The current plan is for the five-year period 2022-2026. Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner chairs the Safe Community Action Plan implementation.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Jan 31, 2024 | CMG News, News
(MEMPHIS, Tenn. – January 31, 2024) After an overturned conviction in December 2023, all charges have been dismissed against Tennessee Innocence Project (TIP) client Artis Whitehead. Whitehead is the sixth state-wide exoneration and the first Memphis exoneration for TIP.
“We are grateful that the Shelby County District Attorney’s office reviewed the facts of this case and elected to dismiss the charges giving Mr. Whitehead a second chance,” said Tennessee Innocence Project Executive Director and Lead Counsel Jessica Van Dyke. “TIP has been working on this case for the last four years because we believed in Mr. Whitehead’s innocence, and we appreciate the DA’s Office’s diligent investigation and attention to detail. They got to the bottom of this case and ensured that justice was served appropriately for Mr. Whitehead and his family.”
Mr. Whitehead was arrested on January 31, 2003. His exoneration comes 21 years from the exact day he was arrested in 2003. He served almost 21 years after being wrongfully convicted for a 2002 robbery at B.B. King’s Blues Club on Beale Street.
In November 2003, a Shelby County jury convicted Whitehead of five counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of especially aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of attempted robbery. The trial court sentenced Whitehead to consecutive sentences totaling 249 years.
In a recent hearing, Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Fitzgerald issued a 93-page written order vacating Whitehead’s conviction. The judge found that Whitehead was entitled to relief on multiple legal grounds. He was released from prison in December 2023.
A GoFundMe campaign has been started for Mr. Whitehead to purchase a used vehicle and support his re-entry: https://gofund.me/87218131
To learn more about the Tennessee Innocence Project and Artis Whitehead, visit www.tninnocence.org.
About the Tennessee Innocence Project:
Launched in February 2019 as the first full-time innocence organization in the state, the Tennessee Innocence Project (TIP) is a non-profit law firm working to free wrongfully convicted Tennesseans. To date, more than 3,200 people have lost more than 25,000 years due to wrongful convictions across the United States. TIP has three primary focus areas: 1) investigating and litigating wrongful conviction cases for those in Tennessee prisons to obtain exonerations, 2) training law students and attorneys about how to litigate these cases and how to prevent future wrongful convictions, and 3) bringing about changes that lead to the discovery of wrongful convictions and remedies to the wrongfully convicted. To learn more, visit www.tninnocence.org.
For more information or if you would like to interview someone from the Tennessee Innocence Project, contact Jennifer Sharp, The Carter Malone Group LLC, at 901.278.0881 or jsharp@cmgpr.com.
