PBWM will Award Grants in April 2013 Grant Applications Available Now Through March 31, 2013

by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Feb 15, 2013 | CMG News

(February 15, 2013 – Memphis, TENN) The Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis (PBWM), an organization with a focus on supporting programs or projects geared towards economic self-sufficiency, is seeking grant applications. The deadline for submission is Sunday, March 31, 2013.

The organization is accepting applications for programs focusing on, but not limited to, career development, education, entrepreneurship, scholarship and health. The application and requirement guidelines can be downloaded from the website at www.pbwmemphis.org.

“In this economy, budgets are being cut left and right,” said Mary McDaniel, chairman, PBWM. “Our organization is determined to provide assistance to a few organizations that we believe are having an impact in the community.”

Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis was founded in January 2005.The organization has nine members which include McDaniel, Debra Evans, Edith Kelly-Green, Carolyn Chism Hardy, Monice Moore Hagler, Deidre Malone, Belinda Watkins and Lashell Vaughn.

Past grant recipients include the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, DeNeuville, Blackhawks, Booker T. Washington High School Girls Basketball team, New Ballet Ensemble, College Bound of Memphis, Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Memphis Cultural Arts Enrichment Center, Amateur Athletic Union and the Watoto De Afrika.

BlueCross to Offer Diversity Scholarships Three $5,000 awards will go to undergraduate students majoring in health care

by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Feb 15, 2013 | CMG News

(February 15, 2013 – Chattanooga, TENN) – The health care industry is changing. That change not only brings increased access to insurance to populations never covered before, but also a greater need for a qualified, diverse workforce to deliver that care.

To address this need for more inclusion in the health care setting, the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Trust, in collaboration with the Memphis chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE), is offering a $5,000 college scholarship to three Tennessee minority students.

According to BlueCross’ Health Institute’s white paper on health care reform and its impacts on minority populations in Tennessee, major findings suggest that African-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians as well as other Pacific Islanders remain underrepresented in medicine relative to their numbers in the U.S. population and populations in specific states, regions and localities.

In addition, the Association of American Medical Colleges reported in a 2010 study that
in Tennessee, out of a total of 411 graduates from medical school, 254 were white (62%), 97 were Black (24%), six were Hispanic (1.4%), two were American Indian or Alaska Native (0.4 %), 42 were Asian (10%), one was other non-Hispanic or Latino race (0. 2%) and nine were self-identified as foreign (2%).

For more information, please contact Mary Danielson, APR at (423) 535-7694.

About BlueCross®

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s mission is to provide its customers and communities with peace of mind through affordable solutions for health and healing, life and living. Founded in 1945, the Chattanooga-based company is focused on reinventing the health plan for its 3 million members in Tennessee and across the country. Through its integrated health management approach, BlueCross provides patient-centric products and services that drive health improvement and positively impact health care quality and value. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Inc. is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association. For more information, visit the company’s website at bcbst.com.

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The Healthy Church Challenge 100-Day Weight Loss Competition Launches Feb. 2

by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Jan 17, 2013 | CMG News

Faith-based Groups from West Tennessee are invited to Participate, Compete for Prizes

BlueCross® BlueShield® of Tennessee is presenting the second annual Healthy Church Challenge 100-day weight loss competition for churches in West Tennessee. The kick-off event begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, at Mississippi Blvd. Family Life Center, 70 North Bellevue. The focus is on weight loss, healthy eating and healthy lifestyles.

Winners of the Challenge will receive prizes that will benefit their churches and health ministries. The grand prize is a $5,000 certificate for fitness equipment and nutritional counseling. There will also be an individual prize awarded to the person who loses the most weight overall.

Memphis and Shelby County rank in the bottom 10 percent of some studies as it relates to health, healthy eating, exercise, healthy living, life-altering disease management and prevention. The 100-day Healthy Church Challenge is designed to address these problems through area faith-based organizations and create a healthier place to live, work and play in Memphis, Shelby County and West Tennessee.

“We’ve all set a New Year’s resolution only to quickly give up. That’s why working with faith-based groups is a great way to create change. It already provides the support and stability you need when things get tough. Why not for healthy lifestyle changes?” said Calvin Anderson, senior vice president and chief of staff at BlueCross. “If your goal is to eat healthy, work off those unwanted pounds and have some fun doing it, The Healthy Church Challenge is for you.”

The 100-day Challenge will also include a range of ongoing activities to keep participants motivated to achieve their health goals:

Alternative Kick-Off Weigh-In  – Monday, Feb. 4 – Friday, Feb. 8

2nd Work-Out Session – Saturday, Feb. 23

3rd Work-Out Session/Weigh-In – Saturday, March 9

4th Work-Out Session – Saturday, March 23

5th Work-Out Session/Weigh-In – Saturday, April 13

6th Work-Out Session – Saturday, April 27

7th Work-Out Session/Mandatory Final Weigh-In – Saturday, May 18

Alternative Final Weigh-In – Monday, May 20-Friday, May 24

Obesity Summit/Awards Presentation –  Saturday, June 1

In addition to the ongoing activities, Yusuf Boyd, founder of Memphis-based BIOMechaniks, a boutique health/wellness studio, athletic performance, and injury prevention/rehabilitation service in Germantown, will work out with participants and provide them with the tools to achieve optimum health.

Also, at the kick-off, a nutritionist from The Regional Medical Center at Memphis will teach participants the basics for healthy eating. And Darrel Petties, a national gospel recording artist and pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Memphis, will provide entertainment.

Additionally, there will be give-a-ways, and vendors will disseminate health care information and products.

Last year, 458 men, women and children from 36 churches participated in the Healthy Church Challenge and lost collectively 2,821 pounds. Church recruitment is underway for the 100-day Challenge this year.

Along with BlueCross, the Challenge is sponsored by The Regional Medical Center at Memphis, Hallelujah 95.7 FM, The New Tri-State Defender, and Biomechaniks.

The Healthy Church Challenge is open to all churches in West Tennessee and limited to 100 participants per church.

For more information, call 901.278.0881 or visit Facebook.com/The Healthy Church Challenge.

 
Download Press Release

City of Memphis Launches New Website on the Memphis Aerotropolis Master Plan

by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Dec 19, 2012 | CMG News

A new website with updates on the Memphis Aerotropolis Master Plan is up and running. The Aerotropolis Master Plan focuses on a 50-square mile study area surrounding the Memphis International Airport called Airport City. The Airport City area encompasses some of the city’s struggling businesses, neighborhoods, and commercial and retail centers. The web address for the new site is www.memphisaeroplan.com.

The website details the steps taken by project consultants to create the Master Plan, which is being developed with input from community leaders and business owners in the study area. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Memphis Division of Planning and Development have partnered through the FY 2010 HUD Community Challenge Grants Program to fund the Master Plan.

“Launching the website will give us a great opportunity to publicize what is going on with the project, because it is imperative that we redevelop Airport City not only to simulate the Memphis economy, but also to create new economic opportunities for the region,” said Chad Bowman, Aerotropolis Project Manager.

The goal is to develop a coordinated Master Plan of action that can provide a comprehensive guide for future development of the Memphis Airport City with recommendations relating to market strategy, land use and urban design. The Master Plan will also identify opportunities to create new housing opportunities, a sustainable number of new businesses and jobs for an improved quality of life for Memphians as well as Mid-Southerners.

The website is complete with data, graphics, photographs, surveys and aerial views of neighborhoods and communities in the study area. For easy navigation, information can be obtained by clicking one of several tabs: Home, Overview, Library, News, Events and Contact. Under Home, for example, you’ll find a video presentation and a question: “What is the Memphis Aerotropolis?” Also you’ll find a series of photographs from six listening tour sites under the Events tab.

“We are still gathering public input,” said Bowman. “So if anyone is interested in learning more about the project or providing input through their group or organization, please feel free to contact me, and I will make myself available.”

Bowman can be reached at 901.636.7160 or by email at chad.bowman@memphistn.gov.

The Aerotropolis Master Plan, once fully implemented, will transform Memphis into a competitive, logistics and distribution and bio life sciences capital of commerce that will benefit the entire Mid-South Region. Please visit the website and buckle your seat belts as we prepare for take-off,Memphis.

SIX MEMPHIS SCHOOLS TO JOIN THE ACHIEVEMENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Dec 14, 2012 | CMG News

Thousands of students, parents to benefit from opportunity

 6 more Memphis area priority schools are joining Tennessee’s statewide Achievement School District (ASD), leaders announced on Friday morning at a press conference at Frayser Achievement Elementary School in the Frayser neighborhood of North Memphis.

 “We’re thrilled to welcome these schools to the ASD,” said ASD superintendent Chris Barbic.  “We’ve seen great things happening in our schools this year, and can’t wait to begin working with our new parents, students, teachers and community members to prove the possible.”

The ASD currently has six schools, and—with Friday’s announcement—will double in number next year.  The ASD is both an operator and an authorizer of schools.  As an operator, it runs schools directly. As an authorizer, it recruits and selects high performing charter schools to join its network.  Friday’s announcement had implications for the ASD on both fronts.

“Find me in Frayser”: The ASD as school operator

The ASD has set deep roots in the Frayser area, running three schools this year: Frayser Elementary, Corning Elementary and Westside Middle School.  With Friday’s announcement, they will operate two additional campuses in the Frayser area:  Georgian Hills and Whitney elementary schools.

DeAndre Brown, Executive Director of Lifeline to Success, has seen a change in Frayser this school year. “The ASD has truly become part of the community, and our kids are learning in ways they never have before.”

Frayser Elementary joined the ASD this fall, beginning its climb to the top 25% of schools in the state.  Like other schools that have joined the ASD, Frayser performed in the bottom 5% of schools in the state.  This group of schools, known as “Priority” schools, is receiving statewide attention.    On average, only 1 out of 10 students in Priority schools read and do math on grade level.  And in Frayser, 11 out of the 14 schools in the Frayser are priority schools—the highest concentration of bottom 5% schools in the state.

“In just a semester here at Frayser, we have seen significant academic gains with our students, and we know they can reach further heights this spring,” said James Dennis, Principal of Frayser Elementary.

New charter operators make their match: The ASD as authorizer

The ASD is positioning other top performing school operators to do the same in other parts of the city.  Orange Mound will now have a new educational partner in Aspire Public Schools, a newcomer to Memphis.  Aspire currently operates some of the best public schools in California.  Beginning in the fall, Aspire will be working to transform Hanley Elementary School.

We are excited about working with families and students in the Orange Mound school community,” said Allison Leslie, Executive Director, Aspire Public Schools – Memphis Region. “Aspire Public Schools provides students with a proven rigorous education, helping to prepare students for success in their future endeavors-in higher education, work, and citizenship. We believe that through personalized learning experiences, students will master basic skills, develop productive life skills, and acquire the thinking skills needed for success in the real world.  With our College for Certain mission in mind, our goal is to prepare students at Hanley Elementary to earn a college degree.”

Along with Aspire, the ASD announced that Gestalt Community Schools, who currently operates the best public middle school in the state at Power Center Academy, will phase in operations at Klondike Elementary, beginning next year with kindergarten and first grade, and adding a grade each year. Gestalt already operates one ASD School.  Gordon Science and Arts Academy serves students zoned to Humes Middle School.  Another local top-performing school operator, KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools will begin transforming Corry Middle and Shannon Elementary next fall.  At Shannon, KIPP will operate grades PreK and kindergarten, adding a grade each year; at Corry, KIPP will operate the 5^th grade, adding a grade each year.

Schools were chosen and matched with operators based on a range of factors, including need (school and feeder pattern performance), potential for impact (school and feeder pattern serve a high number of students), and community input.  There was an extensive community engagement process led by the volunteer Achievement Advisory Council, the ASD, and the ASD’s charter operators.

ABOUT THE OPERATORS

Aspire Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that currently operates 34 high-performing, open-enrollment public charter schools serving 12,000 students in underserved communities across California. Aspire is one of the highest- performing public school systems in California, 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 in 2010 and 2011. Aspire offers a high-quality education in six cities throughout California: Los Angeles, Oakland, Stockton, Sacramento, Modesto and East Palo Alto. For more information about Aspire, please contact Christine Schneider: Christine@larsonpr.org

Capstone Education Group (Cornerstone Prep): Cornerstone Prep provides a quality, college preparatory education to families throughout Memphis. Cornerstone Prep’s approach to education is based on successful strategies modeled by the nation’s best urban schools, including intense focus on the core subjects of math and reading; extra learning time created by an extended academic day and year; standards-based lesson plans, curriculum, and assessments; intentional character and leadership development; and a fast-paced, challenging learning environment. Cornerstone Prep’s mission is to equip all students with the Wisdom and Knowledge necessary to succeed in college and to become leaders in their community. For more information on Capstone, contact Executive Director, Drew Sippel at dsippel@cornerstoneprepmemphis.org

Gestalt Community Schools (GCS) is a system of K-12 college-preparatory charter schools in targeted Tennessee communities. GCS schools provide strong academic outcomes for their scholars through various initiatives, including meaningful community involvement. GCS catalyzes community leadership to help revitalize the neighborhoods in which its schools operate. Instead of debating whether education impacts the community or vice versa, GCS believes that the most effective method to support student achievement is an integration of education and community (a true “gestalt”). GCS currently operates Power Center Academy middle, the highest-performing middle school in the state.  For more information about Gestalt Community Schools, contact Exec. Dir. Derwin Sisnett: dsisnett@gestaltcs.org.

KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools: KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open- enrollment, college-preparatory public schools with a track record of preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and in life. There are currently 109 KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 33,000 students. KIPP came to Memphis in 2002 with the opening of KIPP Memphis Collegiate Middle, which last year was ranked the highest performing charter middle school in the state for student growth. As of July 2012, KMCS will operate four schools- one elementary, two middle, and one high school- serving 800 students. It is the goal of KMCS to operate ten schools by 2016, with the ultimate capacity to serve over 4,500 students across Memphis. For more information about KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools, please contact Executive Director, Jamal
McCall: jmccall@kippmemphis.org.

ASPIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED AS NEW OPERATOR FOR HANLEY ELEMENTARY

by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Dec 14, 2012 | CMG News

Achievement School District taps Aspire to transform failing school in 2013

Aspire Public Schools (Aspire) is proud to announce its appointment as the new operator for Hanley Elementary School as assigned through the Achievement School District (ASD) matching process.  This ends an 8-month planning period where Aspire met with community leaders, parents and educators throughout Memphis to understand school needs and priorities.

We are excited about working with families and students in the Orange Mound school community,” said Allison Leslie, Executive Director, Aspire Public Schools – Memphis Region. “Aspire Public Schools provides students with a proven rigorous education, helping to prepare students for success in their future endeavors—in higher education, work, and citizenship. We believe that through personalized learning experiences, students will master basic skills, develop productive life skills, and acquire the thinking skills needed for success in the real world.  With our College for Certain mission in mind, our goal is to prepare students at Hanley to earn a college degree.”

Aspire was selected by ASD to join its efforts to transform the lowest performing public schools in Memphis.  In May 2012, Aspire began its Memphis community planning in preparation for the fall of 2013 school year.  During this time, Aspire leadership has been meeting with community leaders, parents and teachers regarding its presence in Memphis and its plans on how to transform the failing schools that it is assigned.

“With this announcement, our focus is on continuing to meet with parents and the community leaders and hiring the best teachers and school staff for our students,” said Leslie.

During the transformation process, Aspire will fill 50 new faculty and staff positions.  All current school employees are encouraged to apply on the Aspire website (www.aspirepublicschools.org) and will be guaranteed an opportunity to interview for their current position. Aspire has also been conducting recruiting events in and around the Memphis area for the past 3 months.

“We encourage local educators to contact us about opportunities, including our Teacher Residency Program, open to educators and college seniors to apply.  Aspire is pleased to be working with local colleges such as  Lemoyne-Owen College, University of Memphis, Fisk, Victory University, University of Arkansas – Little Rock, Christian Brothers, Rhodes, and University of Mississippi – Oxford  to promote opportunities.” said Leslie.

About Aspire Public Schools

Aspire Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that currently operates 34 high-performing, open-enrollment free public charter schools serving 12,500 students in underserved communities across California and will open schools in Memphis, TN in fall, 2013. Aspire is one of the highest-performing public school systems in California, delivering a rigorous ‘College for Certain’ education to students in grades K-12.  Visit Aspire Public Schools at www.aspirepublicschools.org or call (901) 205-9443.

ASPIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ANNOUNCED AS NEW OPERATOR FOR HANLEY ELEMENTARY

by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Dec 14, 2012 | CMG News

Achievement School District taps Aspire to transform failing school in 2013

Aspire Public Schools (Aspire) is proud to announce its appointment as the new operator for Hanley Elementary School as assigned through the Achievement School District (ASD) matching process. This ends an 8-month planning period where Aspire met with community leaders, parents and educators throughout Memphis to understand school needs and priorities.

We are excited about working with families and students in the Orange Mound school community,” said Allison Leslie, Executive Director, Aspire Public Schools – Memphis Region. “Aspire Public Schools provides students with a proven rigorous education, helping to prepare students for success in their future endeavors—in higher education, work, and citizenship. We believe that through personalized learning experiences, students will master basic skills, develop productive life skills, and acquire the thinking skills needed for success in the real world. With our College for Certain mission in mind, our goal is to prepare students at Hanley to earn a college degree.”
Aspire was selected by ASD to join its efforts to transform the lowest performing public schools in Memphis. In May 2012, Aspire began its Memphis community planning in preparation for the fall of 2013 school year. During this time, Aspire leadership has been meeting with community leaders, parents and teachers regarding its presence in Memphis and its plans on how to transform the failing schools that it is assigned.

“With this announcement, our focus is on continuing to meet with parents and the community leaders and hiring the best teachers and school staff for our students,” said Leslie.
During the transformation process, Aspire will fill 50 new faculty and staff positions. All current school employees are encouraged to apply on the Aspire website (www.aspirepublicschools.org) and will be guaranteed an opportunity to interview for their current position. Aspire has also been conducting recruiting events in and around the Memphis area for the past 3 months.

“We encourage local educators to contact us about opportunities, including our Teacher Residency Program, open to educators and college seniors to apply. Aspire is pleased to be working with local colleges such as Lemoyne-Owen College, University of Memphis, Fisk, Victory University, University of Arkansas – Little Rock, Christian Brothers, Rhodes, and University of Mississippi – Oxford to promote opportunities.” said Leslie.

About Aspire Public Schools

Aspire Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that currently operates 34 high-performing, open-enrollment free public charter schools serving 12,500 students in underserved communities across California and will open schools in Memphis, TN in fall, 2013. Aspire is one of the highest-performing public school systems in California, delivering a rigorous ‘College for Certain’ education to students in grades K-12. Visit Aspire Public Schools at www.aspirepublicschools.org or call (901) 205-9443.

Media Opportunity: Memphis Aerotropolis Airport City Master Plan

by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Nov 14, 2012 | CMG News

Join Memphis Aerotropolis Airport City Master Planners for a 2-day presentation and open discussion about the areas of development that are most important to the community including: reducing crime and strengthening neighborhoods, the redevelopment of blighted areas, improving transit options, expanded educational opportunities, promoting local shops and businesses or parks, recreation and green spaces.

There was a workshop yesterday at the Memphis Christian Center.  Two additional opportunities to come out and voice opinions will be at the locations below.  All sessions will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. and run until 7:30 p.m.

Interview opportunities will be available, and members of the local government and the Memphis Aerotropolis Airport City Master Plan team will be in attendance.

About the Memphis Aerotropolis Airport City Master Plan:

The Memphis Aerotropolis Airport City area encompasses the 50 square-miles directly around the Memphis International Airport.  The goal is to develop a coordinated Master Plan of action that can provide a comprehensive guide for future development of Airport City with recommendations relating to market strategy, land use and urban design.  The Master Plan will also identify opportunities to create a sustainable number of businesses and jobs for a improved quality of life for Memphians.

City and County Come Together to Support Public Education Through Sales Tax Referendum

by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Oct 6, 2012 | CMG News

  Local elected officials who understand the importance of investing in education are standing together to increase funding for schools in  Shelby County by supporting a half-cent sales tax referendum appearing on the November ballot. The leaders collectively agree that the additional funds are needed to ensure that the schools of Shelby County have the resources they need to offer a world-class education. In a news conference today, leaders shared their commitment to supporting the referendum and working together to benefit all the school children in Shelby County.

 Although the City of Memphis will no longer be mandated by the state to fund education, Mayor A C Wharton Jr. has said that the education of all children is a prerequisite and moral responsibility shared by everyone. He is particularly concerned about making sure that all children in Memphis and Shelby County have access to quality Pre-K.

“All the experts will tell you that Pre-K is critical when it comes to a child developing the skills needed to succeed in school and later in life,” said Mayor Wharton.”That’s the reason we are urging the citizens of Memphis to support this referendum and the Shelby County Unified School Board to allocate a portion of the funding for Pre-K.”

The Shelby County Commission approved asking the voters in Memphis, Millington and unincorporated Shelby County if they would support a half-cent sales tax increase in the form of a referendum. The question will appear as the first referendum on the November 6th ballot.

Shelby County Commission Chairman Mike Ritz believes when the county becomes the single funding source locally  for schools, these funds will desperately be needed to address the shortfall in the budget for the Unified School System resulting from the merger and improving education quality overall through proposed efforts like extending Pre-K to all children.  

“It is Shelby County’s responsibility to fund education, and we are limited in how we can generate funds to support our citizens outside of the sales tax and property tax,” said Ritz. “This half-cent sales tax will provide $30 million dollars to our schools and help with the education of our children. If this does not pass, we will have very few other options to fund education outside of the property tax.”

The Shelby County Unified School Board is in the process of preparing for next year’s transition and needs a fully funded budget. “Today’s announcement gives me hope that if the citizens of Memphis vote to pass this referendum our children will be provided with the essential needs required to obtain the quality education that they deserve,” said Patrice Robinson, Shelby County Unified School Board Member.

Key Points:

• Current sales tax 2.25 increasing to 2.75 (1/2 cent)
• 50% of the sales revenue will go to schools ($30.3 million dollars)
• A $14-$17 return on every dollar invested in early childhood education

Early Voting begins October 17 through November 1, 2012. Election Day is Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

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