by Brian Malone | May 20, 2021 | CMG News, News
MEMPHIS, TENN. (May 20, 2021) – Starting on Wednesday, May 26, all airlines at Memphis International Airport will conduct baggage operations in the B baggage lobby. American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines will all move baggage service offices to the B area on that date. All other airlines already utilize the B baggage area. The move is taking place ahead of the anticipated opening of the modernized B Concourse later this year, which is now targeted for this fall.
United’s baggage service office will be located next to the Delta Air Lines baggage office, while both American Airlines and United Airlines will have offices near carousel 4. For passengers, the changes will result in all inbound baggage being claimed in the B baggage lobby. Airlines, rather than the airport, handle all aspects of baggage operations.
Other highlights of the consolidation:
- Carousels in the B area are newer and larger and are less prone to jamming.
- Signage will now direct all arriving passengers to the B baggage area.
- The A concourse exit lane will be closed.
- The C concourse exit lane will be closed unless the C security checkpoint is open.
- While baggage operations will not be conducted in the A and C areas, the areas will be available as backup if needed. The curbs outside A and C baggage will also remain open for passenger pickup.
- With the expected increase in vehicle traffic outside the B baggage area, passengers are encouraged to utilize the cell phone waiting lot before picking up passengers. The cell phone lot features a real-time flight information display. To avoid traffic congestion, the baggage level curbside lane will be available for immediate active pickup only. Vehicles will no longer be able to park outside the baggage area and wait on arriving passengers.
Other MEM Updates:
- Federal mask mandate still in effect until September 13: Federal law requires passengers over the age of 2 (with limited exceptions) to wear a mask when traveling through U.S. airports, including MEM. More information about this and other COVID-19 related operations can be found at www.flymemphis.com/covid-19.
- Passenger growth: Last week (Sunday-Saturday) was the busiest week at MEM since the first week of March 2020, with nearly 43,000 screened at the security checkpoint. While that number is down by more than 24% compared to the same time period in 2019, MEM continues to recover at a faster rate than the national average (the average US airport was down by 34.5% last week compared to 2019).
by Brian Malone | Jan 15, 2021 | CMG News
(New York, New York – January 15, 2021) A leading cause of death of African-American boys and men in the United States is police violence. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences research states that African-American men are 2.5 times more likely to die by police killing than white men by police officers’ hands. The Pulitzer Center’s Law and Justice Group awarded a grant to the playwright and legal journalist Gloria J. Browne-Marshall for her play “Shot-Caught A Soul.”
The 30-minute One-Act Play features 16-year old Kareem Johnson, an African-American teenager who lives in the suburbs, and Police Officer Michael O’Donald, who is white. Kareem dies from a single gunshot by the hands of O’Donald. The play shares each person’s perspective of what occurred that night. The play features Kareem’s Aunt Janice and a Police Union Representative giving the play views through others’ lens.
Here is the link to view the play Shot: https://vimeo.com/496755244 . The play is free for the public to view.
Browne-Marshall is a playwright, writer, criminal justice professor, and civil rights, attorney. “Thank you to the Pulitzer Center for supporting this play that raises important questions about the police-involved civilian killing of people of color,” said Browne-Marshall. “Through my play Shot, viewers can see and feel the conflict, and I hope it serves as a call to action for much needed police reform initiatives.”
“Gloria Browne-Marshall combines her skills as a journalist, educator and playwright to create a compelling drama and powerful, in-the-moment teaching tool,” said Tom Hundley, Senior Editor, Pulitzer on Crisis Reporting. “The Pulitzer Center hopes that Shot will become a starting point for a long overdue conversation about race and law enforcement in the United States.”
This virtual staged reading of “SHOT: Caught of Soul” was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center. The organization raises awareness of underreported global issues through direct support for quality journalism across media platforms and unique education and public outreach programs.
About Playwright Gloria J. Browne-Marshall
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is a civil rights attorney, playwright, professor of Constitutional Law, and founding member of the Gender Studies faculty at John Jay College (CUNY). She is the author of “She Took Justice – The Black Woman, Law and Power,” “The Voting Rights War” and “Race, Law, and American Society: 1607 to Present,” “The U.S. Constitution: An African-American Context,” “The African-American Woman: 400 Years of Perseverance,” “The Constitution: Major Cases and Conflicts” 4ed which is forthcoming, and “The Report on the Status of Black Women and Girls ®.
Browne-Marshall is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Society of Professional Journalists, the Deadline Club, the New York Press Club, and the National Press Club.
Follow Gloria Browne-Marshall on social media on Facebook Attorney Gloria Browne-Marshall, Twitter @GBrowneMarshall, and Instagram Browne-Marshall.
by Brian Malone | May 1, 2020 | CMG News
Today we salute the Women’s Foundation
for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) for coordinating a 38126 COVID-19 Response Project
event providing 500 families residing in the 38126 zip code with food and other
direct resources. Since 2015, this community has been a major focus of the
Women’s Foundation Vision 2020 Strategic Plan to reduce poverty and improve the
overall economic wellbeing of families living in South City.
Based on the assessments conducted by
grantee partners, they identified a great need for basic essentials, “Many of
the economic gains made by residents in 38126 in the last few years through the
WFGM Vision 2020 Strategic Plan has been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic,”
said Ruby Bright, President, and CEO, WFGM. “This 38126 COVID-19 Response
Project is a way to help the families in 38126 to stay positive and let them
know that we are standing with them and supporting them.”
The
WFGM team and volunteers distributed food to 500 families, 1,000 household
products and personal hygiene packages, and 200 bottles of hand sanitizers.
“We
were fortunate also to receive a generous donation of 2,000 face masks from
AutoZone for families that were distributed with the hygiene kits,” said
Shante K. Avant, Vice President, WFGM. The residents also received packets of
information on the COVID-19 virus, testing locations, financial literacy,
domestic violence, health and wellness, and employment opportunities.
WFGM partnerships made this project a
success. FedEx donated hygiene kits along with Heart to Heart International and
International Medical Corps to help Memphis families as part of its FedEx Cares
50 by 50 initiative. The company’s goal is to positively impact 50 million
people by the company’s 50th anniversary in 2023. “In times of
crisis, we mobilize our network quickly to help the communities where we live
and work, and we are proud to be able to do that in our headquarter city,” said
Adrian Pomi, director of Global Citizenship, FedEx. “At FedEx, keeping the world
connected, in good times and during periods of great need, is who we are and
what we do every day.”
“International
Paper recognizes that our corrugated boxes are essential for our community
organizations, which are casting a wide safety net for those most in need
during this pandemic,” said Dynisha Woods, global citizenship coordinator,
Community Engagement, International Paper. “We are pleased to mobilize our
products to address this community need, and we are proud to support the
Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis.”
Other partners include the Mid-South
Food Bank, Heart to Heart International, Shelby County Schools, Bare Needs
Diaper Bank, Urban Strategies, International Medical Corps, RISE Foundation, SCORE
South City, Emmanuel Center, and First Baptist, Lauderdale.
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S FOUNDATION FOR A GREATER MEMPHIS For 25 years, the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis has been uniting women and helping break the cycle of poverty through philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration. The mission of the WFGM is to encourage philanthropy and foster leadership among women and support programs that engage women and children to reach their full potential.
by Brian Malone | Apr 1, 2020 | CMG News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — BlueCross
BlueShield of Tennessee warns members that scammers are taking advantage of the
novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and to be alert of potential scam
activity.
Reported
scams include unsolicited phone calls that could be an attempt to fraudulently
gain personal information. BlueCross is urging members and customers not to
give personal information to these callers.
“We
want to advise all of our members to be wary of phone calls or emails asking
for their health plan and personal information for coronavirus testing kits and
vaccinations,” said Julie Boerger, vice president and chief compliance officer.
“BlueCross will not call you to schedule testing or vaccinations for the
coronavirus – and if you receive a call, it’s a scam.”
According
to a Fraud Alert issued by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Inspector General, there has been an increase in reports of fraudulent schemes related to
the coronavirus. Examples of possible scams include:
- Phone calls asking members for their subscriber ID/bank account information for free testing and/or services to cure or prevent coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Door-to-door solicitation for coronavirus testing and prescribing products to cure or prevent COVID-19
- Bogus advertisements for vaccinations or medications to treat COVID-19
- Phishing emails from impersonators of the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to solicit personal information
- Advertisements offering health products such as teas, supplements or oils that are ineffective against COVID-19
As of
March 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not authorized any
test that is available to purchase for COVID-19 testing at home.
BlueCross
has shared this alert on our
COVID-19 resource website, bcbstupdates.com. Anyone receiving a suspicious
call should report it to the BlueCross Fraud Unit at 1-888-343-4221.
Members may visit cdc.gov or tn.gov/health for the most up-to-date information on COVID-19.
About
BlueCross®
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is a
taxpaying, not-for-profit health plan serving more than 3.5 million members in
Tennessee and around the country. The Chattanooga-based company was founded in
1945 and is celebrating its 75th anniversary of bringing peace of mind to its
members and local communities. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an
independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more
information, visit the company’s news center at bcbstnews.com.
by Brian Malone | Mar 25, 2020 | CMG News
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation is donating $3.25 million to multiple
food banks across the state.
The financial
gift will help Tennessee food banks meet the needs of the communities affected
by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Food banks can often purchase supplies
at a much lower cost than individuals can, stretching to provide as many as
four meals for each dollar they receive in cash donations.
“Every
day, families count on local food banks for help — and that’s especially true
now,” said JD Hickey, M.D., chairman of the BlueCross Foundation. “Tennesseans
can get through these challenging times by coming together, and we’re expanding
our support for food banks statewide as another way to bring peace of mind to
our neighbors.”
The BlueCross
Foundation will distribute food relief funds to the following organizations:
- $750,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank
(Nashville)
- $750,000 to Mid-South Food Bank (Memphis)
- $500,000 to Chattanooga Area Food Bank
- $500,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of East
Tennessee (Knoxville)
- $500,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of
Northeast Tennessee (Tri-Cities)
- $250,000
to Regional Inter-Faith Association (Jackson)
The
state of Tennessee declared a state of emergency to facilitate the treatment
and containment of COVID-19, a global pandemic, on March 12. And due to the
coronavirus outbreak, the demand for food assistance is expected to increase
with school closures and time away from work.
Community
members who want to help can find and donate to their local food bank by
visiting www.FeedingAmerica.org.
As the
philanthropic arm of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, which has offices in
Chattanooga, Nashville, Memphis, Jackson, Knoxville and Johnson City, the
BlueCross Foundation also provided financial and volunteer support for Middle
Tennessee relief efforts after a devastating tornado swept through the region
earlier this month.
For
more on how BlueCross is responding to COVID-19, visit BCBSTupdates.com.
About BlueCross®
BlueCross
BlueShield of Tennessee is a taxpaying, not-for-profit health plan serving more
than 3.5 million members in Tennessee and around the country. The
Chattanooga-based company was founded in 1945 and is celebrating its 75th
anniversary of bringing peace of mind to its members and local communities.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the
BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company’s
news center at bcbstnews.com.
About BlueCross BlueShield of
Tennessee Foundation, Inc.
The
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation, Inc., was established in December
2003 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized to promote the
philanthropic mission of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. The foundation
provides funding for the BlueCross Healthy Place program, which creates active,
healthy spaces across Tennessee.
by Brian Malone | Feb 11, 2020 | CMG News
River City Capital Investment (RCC), an affiliate of Community Lift, was awarded $225,000 from the U. S. Department of Treasury as a part of their community development financial institution (CDFI) Fund.
“This is flexible, no-cost capital
that RCC can use to increase the volume of its products and services,”
said Babacar Thiaw, Lending Executive in Residence at River City
Capital. “This is great not only for us as an organization, but also
for the city of Memphis. We go beyond traditional lending, and this
is an opportunity for us to help people in underserved communities.”
The award is intended to expand
economic opportunities via CDFIs in economically distressed and underserved
areas. RCC plans to use the funds to help businesses in Whitehaven
along with other communities in the city. As such, they have been
working with organizations like the Greater Whitehaven Economic Redevelopment
Corporation (GWERC) to identify businesses that may benefit from their
services.
“Economic opportunities like RCC
helps GWERC to remain true to our commitment of helping the Whitehaven
community to reach its full potential through the revitalization and
redevelopment of businesses and the promotion of economic development in the
area,” said Trey McKnight, Executive Director, GWERC.
For more information about River City Capital Investments,
visit www.RiverCityCapital.org.
About River City Capital Investment:
River City Capital Investment Corp., an affiliate of Community
LIFT, is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)
certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Our mission is to increase
economic development in underserved neighborhoods by attracting and leveraging
investment capital for community revitalization.
###
by Brian Malone | Feb 11, 2020 | CMG News
The Best in
Black Awards (BIBA) are
back for the 8th year. The local business community is sponsoring
this great event. Some of the businesses include the Downtown Memphis Commission,
AARP, Oteka Technologies, Complete Computers Services, Sims Financial Group, The
Wharton Law Firm, Regional One Health, Methodist Healthcare, Crumpy’s, A1 Printing,
Spotlight Productions, and Pete Mitchell Insurance.
The awards have become an anticipated
event among black-owned businesses in the Mid-South. BIBA is a vehicle for
hundreds of individuals and businesses to receive recognition for their hard
work while advertising their products, services, and talents before thousands.
The mission of the Best in Black Awards is
four-fold:1) To celebrate African-American owned and operated businesses and
professionals in the Mid-South;2) To identify those businesses most supported
by the African American community;3) To serve as a marketing and recognition
platform and; 4) Encourage aspiring business leaders.
The
2020 BIBA theme is “Stepping Up.” The
public is invited to join us Thursday, February 6, 2020, at the Central Station Hotel, located at
545 S Main St. The V.I.P. Reception will
begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by the awards show at 7:00 p.m. Radio Personality
Stan Bell will serve as the Master of Ceremony for the event.
Tickets are still
available for $45.00, includes admission into the V.I.P. Reception, and can be
purchased at the event.
About Best
Media Properties
Best
Media Properties is the parent company of The New Tri-State Defender, which is
one of the longest continuously, published African-American newspapers in the
South. Under the leadership of its Board of Directors, it has evolved into a
progressive multi-media business with a distribution that includes print
newspaper, digital publications, website/social media pages and events. TSD’s
mission is to inform, inspire and elevate the quality of life of its growing
audience while serving as the primary vehicle for reaching African Americans in
the Greater Memphis market. The New Tri-State Defender multi-media platform reaches
85,000 people weekly. Visit us at www.tsdmemphis.com .
###
by Brian Malone | Dec 6, 2019 | CMG News
Six Shelby County Schools and more than 250 families will benefit from this partnership.
The Tennessee Valley Authority made a contribution to Mid-South Food Bank to create six Healthy School Pantries in local schools. More than 22% of children in Shelby County live in food-insecure households. The $100,000 contribution will assist in feeding more than 250 families. Students and their families will receive 50 pounds of nutritious food, the equivalent of 42 meals.
“This
is such a meaningful partnership for TVA,” said Mark Creech, TVA Memphis executive
director. “We are helping families who need nutritious meals, and our TVA
associates can rollup their sleeves and help create the food boxes that the
students and families will receive.”
This
contribution from TVA also includes the purchase of a minivan necessary for food
bank personnel to deliver the food for distribution to the school pantries and
emergency supplies.
“The
Mid-South Food Bank is thrilled to have TVA as a partner, and the volunteers
are a needed bonus,” said Cathy Pope, Mid-South Food Bank, president &
CEO. “This donation will help feed so many families that need healthy
food. We truly appreciate this new partnership.”
Like
Mid-South Food Bank, TVA is committed to service. It is TVA’s mission to make
life better for the people in Memphis – and for the people it serves across the
region.
The
six schools receiving the new food pantries are: Northaven Elementary, Ross
Elementary, A. B. Hill Elementary, Kipp Memphis Academy, Kirby Middle School
and Wooddale Middle School.
Attending
today’s announcement were TVA Board of Directors John Ryder, Ron Walter, and
representatives from each school receiving a TVA Healthy School Pantry.
About Tennessee Valley
Authority
The
Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that
provides electricity for business customers and local power companies serving
nearly 10 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no
taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of
electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its
electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for
the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and
local governments with economic development and job creation.
About Mid-South Food
Bank
Mid-South
Food Bank serves a 31-county area in west Tennessee, north Mississippi and east
Arkansas by providing food through a network of partner agencies and
programs. Last fiscal year, the Food
Bank distributed more than 16.7 million pounds of food.
by Brian Malone | Apr 29, 2019 | CMG News
More than 35 grant partners will benefit from this award cycle.
The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) will announce its 3rd year investment of $1.2 million into zip code 38126 at a news conference on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. More than 30 new grantee partners will be announced at this news event.
The investment is part of
WFGM’s Vision 2020 Strategic Plan to reduce poverty by five percent in zip code
38126, the poorest area in the City of Memphis. The plan focuses on case
management, employment training, early childhood education, youth development,
and financial literacy to achieve the five percent reduction. Since launching
Vision 2020 in 2015, the Women’s Foundation has directly touched the lives of
more than 10,000 people in the area including but not limited to:
- $4.7 Million invested in 38126
- 1,084 people placed in jobs
- 76 individuals started a business or
micro-enterprise
- 49% increase in average household income
In April 2016, WFGM awarded
its year one investment of over $1 million to 22 grantee organizations to
support programs provided in 38126. In April 2017, WFGM awarded 1.2 million to 27
grantee partner organizations.
The 2019 grantee
partners and investment areas are:
Case Management &Wraparound Services
Catholic
Charities of West Tennessee
Family
Safety Center
Hope
House Day Care
Knowledge
Quest
Metropolitan Interfaith Association
Neighborhood
Christian Center, Inc.
Urban Strategies Inc.
Adult Education, Training, &
Entrepreneurship
Advance
Memphis
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis
DeNeuville
Learning Center
Dress for
Success
HopeWorks, Inc.
Karat Place, Inc.
Memphis Urban League
Shelby
County Chapter of the Links, Inc.
Southwest TN Community College Foundation
YWCA of Greater Memphis
Early Childhood Development
Early
Success Coalition
Families
Matter
Kindred Place (former Exchange Club)
Porter-Leath
Southern
Avenue Charter School of Academic Excellence
Youth Development & Employment
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South
Booker T. Washington Middle & High School
Emmanuel Center, Inc.
Girls Scouts Heart of the South
Girls Incorporated of Memphis
Memphis Inner City Rugby
Mid-south
Peace and Justice Center
Mustard Seed, Inc.
New Ballet Ensemble and School
STREETS Ministries
U of M, Herff College of Engineering
Vance Avenue Youth Development Center
Financial Education & Asset Building
RISE
Foundation, Inc
South
City a Community of Opportunity Revitalization Empowerment (SCORE CDC)
Information about each
of the grantee partner programs and the investments in those programs will be
available at the news conference. There will also be opportunities to interview
grantee partners.
Immediately following
the news conference is an opportunity to interview the 2019 Annual Tribute
Luncheon keynote speaker Women’s National Basketball Players Association
Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson. The Tribute Luncheon is the WFGM’s
signature fundraising event. It is Thursday, April 25 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15
p.m. at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. The presenting sponsor is FedEx.
ABOUT THE WOMEN’s
FOUNDATION FOR A GREATER MEMPHIS
For
more than 20 years, The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis (WFGM) has been
uniting women and helping break the cycle of poverty through philanthropy,
leadership and collaboration. The mission of the WFGM is to encourage
philanthropy and foster leadership among women and support programs that engage
women and children to reach their full potential. #WomenEmpowerWomen #wfgm
by Brian Malone | Mar 31, 2019 | CMG News
Women leading the Leadership Roundtable Committees
Announced
Good negotiator, creative marketer, executive leader, and all around fixer is how the leader of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) is described. Terri Carmichael Jackson is the Executive Director for the WNBPA and is the 2019 keynote speaker for Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis Annual Tribute Luncheon. The luncheon this year is April 25, 2019 at the Memphis Convention Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. FedEx is the presenting sponsor of this event.
“Terri is dynamic, engaging and a
powerhouse who has a track record of supporting young women and women’s issues,”
said Ruby Bright, WFGM Executive Director. “She embodies this year’s Tribute
Luncheon theme – Empowered Women, Empower Women.”
In her role at the WNBPA, Jackson
oversees board relations, executive leadership, financial governance and
stakeholder outreach. She is an attorney and married to former National
Basketball Association (NBA) player Jaren Jackson and mother of Memphis
Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson, Jr.
The volunteer corporate leaders working
with WFGM to develop these annual fundraisers are dedicated to the Vision 2020
strategic plan to reduce poverty by five percent over five years in the 38126
zip code.
“I’m proud to serve with these
incredible women on the Leadership Roundtable for the Women’s Foundation for a Greater
Memphis” said Brie Carere, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and
Communications Officer, FedEx Corporation and Corporate Sponsorship Chair. “The
success of these two events provides critical support for the families living
in the 38126 — one of the poorest zip codes in the city. –
At FedEx, we are focused on connecting
people with possibilities, and supporting the Foundation’s Vision 2020 is an
example of how we can move the poverty needle and connect people with a
brighter future right here in Memphis.”
The WFGM Leadership Roundtable Committee
Co-Chairs also includes: Dr. Marcia Bowden-Marche’, Owner/Founder, Bowden
Internal Medicine and Denise Carpenter,
Vice President & Managing Director
of Development/NW Region, Hilton Worldwide are co-chairs for the Legends Award
Reception; Teresa Dickerson, Public Affairs Manager,
The Kroger Co., Delta Division is the
Marketing and Public Relations Chair; and Toni Boland-Evans, Manager, Global
Community, Nike, Inc., serves as the Logistics Chair for both events.
The
Legends Award Reception is scheduled for Thursday, April 11, 2019 at The
Columns at One Commerce Square from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The award recipients
will be announced in two weeks. The presenting sponsor is Baptist Memorial
Healthcare.
Sponsorships and tickets are still
available for the Tribute Luncheon and Legends Reception. Tickets can be
purchased at www.wfgm.org.
About
WFGM
For more than 20 years, The Women’s
Foundation for a Greater Memphis has been uniting women and helping break the
cycle through our philanthropy, leadership and collaboration. Our mission is to
encourage philanthropy, foster leadership among women and support programs that
enable women and children to reach their full potential.
