by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Aug 7, 2012 | CMG News
Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore Sr. and members of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC) will convene the 51st Progressive National Baptist Convention Annual Session at the Memphis Cook Convention Center Aug. 5-10, 2012. More than 4,000 delegates from around the world are expected to attend. The theme is “Securing Our Future: Prayer – A People of Progress.”
Some of the speakers include Baltimore, Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., Dr. J. Alfred Smith Sr., Dr. Charles Goodman, Dr. Gina M. Stewart, Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, Rev. Philip Pointer, Dr. A. McKinley Royal, Dr. Tony Evans, Dr. Gary Simpson, Dr. Charles Booth and Dr. David A. Bullock.
The Progressive National Baptist Convention was formed 50 years ago in Cincinnati, Ohio, as a “Christian Movement” to “redeem the Baptist initiative and restore a democratic thrust.” The mission then was to “transform the traditional African American Baptist Convention as well as society” through religious, social and political activism.
“We are embarking on the second half of our journey toward the century mark and look forward to a progressive experience in Memphis, Tenn.,” said Baltimore, president of the PNBC. “We will gather for a meaningful worship experience and pay tribute as well to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the National Civil Rights Museum.”
There is a correlation between Dr. King and the PNBC, Baltimore said. “Dr. King was a human rights icon who was rejected by a prestigious black Baptist body, but embraced by the Progressive National Baptist Convention and extolled for his leadership and message of love, peace and justice. That’s why Memphis is a special place to gather.”
Since its formation, PNBC has grown as a transformative body of Baptist churches with a focus on Fellowship, Progress, Service and Peace. Several departments were formed under the PNBC. Five of them will celebrate their 50th anniversary during the week: Women, Men, Congress of Christian Education, Ushers and Moderators.
The Progressive National Baptist Convention
The PNBC will also debut its newly created Music Ministry led by nationally recognized recording artist Min. Isaiah D. Thomas. Thomas will lead the Convention in praise and worship, said Baltimore, who recently appointed the songwriter, producer and vocalist as the PNBC’s musical director.
About the Progressive National Baptist Convention
The Progressive National Baptist Convention is a Baptist church family of 2.5 million African-American members organized into five regions: the Southern Region, the Southwest Region, the Eastern Region, the Midwest Region and the International Region. Its headquarters are located at 601 – 50th Street, N.E. in Washington, DC.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Jul 25, 2012 | CMG News
12-year veteran of Aspire tapped to enter the Memphis Market
In June 2012, the Achievement School District announced that Aspire Public Schools will manage select schools in the Memphis market beginning in August 2013. The person leading the effort to build the program is Allison Leslie, the executive director of Aspire Public Schools Memphis region. She will develop and manage the program in Tennessee. Leslie has been a part of the Aspire team for 12-years serving as lead teacher, principal, instructional coach and director.
“I selected Allison to lead our expansion to Memphis because we needed someone who could take the core components of our current successful model, and tailor it to the needs of the Memphis community,” said James Willcox, CEO of Aspire Public Schools. “Alli has the experience required to effectively build the Memphis program and ensure each of our students has access to a high quality public education that prepares them for college.”
As an Aspire principal, the school’s English Language Arts scores grew from 38% proficient and advance to 56% and Math grew from 67% to 80% under Leslie’s leadership.
She also started the Aspire Teacher Residency Program in 2008, where teachers are trained for a year in Aspire classrooms while earning a master’s degree and then teach in their own Aspire classrooms the following year. Leslie has also taught in Houston, Texas through Teach for America.
“I look forward to opening Aspire Public Schools in Memphis in August of next year,” said Leslie. “I am currently building a team of professionals to work with me to learn as much as we can about the needs of the families and children in Memphis. We will also spend the majority of our time this year building relationships and sharing with the community what makes Aspire unique.”
Leslie is a native of San Francisco. She graduated from the University of California San Diego with degrees in Spanish, Literature and Writing. She earned her teaching credential at the University of St. Thomas and her California teaching credential through Cal State Teach Program. Leslie completed her Masters in Administration and earned her California administration credential at University of California Berkeley as a fellow in the Principal Leadership Institute.
About Aspire Public Schools
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 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. An unrelenting focus on college preparedness led to 100 percent of graduating Aspire seniors being accepted to four year colleges or universities in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Aspire offers a high-quality education in six cities throughout California: Los Angeles, Oakland, Stockton, Sacramento, Modesto and East Palo Alto. Visit Aspire Public Schools at www.aspirepublicschools.org.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Jul 13, 2012 | CMG News
The Saint Francis Sleep Center has received a 5-year re-accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). The Sleep Center is located on the 7th floor of the Barry wing of Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis. This AASM re-accreditation recognizes Saint Francis as continuing to provide high quality care for patients with sleep issues. “We are proud to announce the re-accreditation of our Sleep Center,” said David Archer, CEO and President. “Everyone in our Sleep Center works hard to provide the best care possible. They are dedicated to making each patient’s experience exceptional in every way.”
The AASM is committed to ensuring that those in the field of sleep medicine provide excellent healthcare and enhance the awareness of sleep as an important element for health, public safety, and quality of life. “By successfully completing the accreditation process and upholding the Standards for Accreditation,” said Nancy Collop, MD, president, AASM, “Saint Francis has shown that they share our dedication to the advancement of the field of sleep medicine.”
For more information about the Sleep Center, call (901) 765-2751 or visit www.saintfrancishosp.com.
About Saint Francis Hospital
Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis is a beautiful 519-bed full service hospital located at 5959 Park Avenue in Memphis, Tenn. The hospital has been recognized for excellence of care by: United Healthcare, CIGNA Healthcare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and the American Society of Bariatric Surgery. The hospital provides a broad-spectrum of quality medical services, including an Ambulatory Surgery Center, Behavioral Health Services, Sleep Center, TotalCare Outpatient Imaging Center, and Women’s Center.
In addition, the hospital serves as an academic training site for University of Tennessee Surgical, Family Practice, and Psychiatric Residents. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. To learn more about Saint Francis Hospital, visit www.saintfrancishosp.com.
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by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Jul 13, 2012 | CMG News
Voter Empowerment Begins with Awareness about Positions on August 2nd Ballot
The Memphis Branch NAACP will host a Candidates Forum on Sunday, July 15, 2012 at Mt. Olive CME Cathedral on 538 Linden at Lauderdale at 4:00 p.m. Candidates will make a brief presentation and be available for questions from the audience.
This meeting is open to NAACP members and all interested citizens. “It is important that we are informed about the candidates who have presented themselves for service,” says Dr. Warner Dickerson, President of the Memphis Branch NAACP. “Our goal is to provide voter empowerment through voter registration, voter education, get-out-the-vote activities and election monitoring. This is just one of the events that we are hosting to achieve our objectives.”
The NAACP is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse candidates. All citizens are encouraged to attend.
Early voting begins July 13-28, 2012 and Election Day is August 2, 2012. Positions on the August 2nd Ballot are as followed: Assessor of Property, County Commission – District 1, Position 3, District Attorney General, General Sessions Court Clerk, Shelby County Board of Education – District 1 through District 7, State Senate- District 30 and District 32, State Representative- District 83 through District 99, U.S. Congress – District 9.
For more information please contact the Memphis Branch NAACP at 901-521-1343 or visit the official website www.naacpmemphis.com.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Jun 18, 2012 | CMG News
The Healthy Church Challenge 100-day weight loss competition was an idea that manifested 100 days later in the form of smiling faces on Sunday, June 17. The challenge put regional churches in a weight loss competition. The team with the largest percentage of weight lost won prizes to purchase exercise equipment for its congregation.
The winners were announced at the 19th Annual Juneteenth Freedom & Heritage Festival in historic Douglass Park by a representative from BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, sponsor of the Healthy Church Challenge.
Barbara Jackson was shocked and ecstatic after she was called to the stage to receive a first-place $500 gift certificate for losing the most weight during the Healthy Church Challenge 100-day weight loss competition.
Jackson, a member of One Way Church of God in Christ, lost 32.2 pounds, followed by second place winner Anita Banks of St. Andrew A.M.E. Church, who lost 29 pounds. Marcus Maxwell Ross, a member of Mt. Sinai M.B. Church, lost a total of 27.6 pounds. (All participants who attended each monthly weigh-in received an additional 2 lb. credit at the final weigh-in on June 9.)
“Winning was a milestone for me. I knew I wasn’t in this Challenge by myself,” said Jackson, still feeling euphoric several days later. “It was competitive, but I was wholeheartedly committed, committed to the endeavor like everybody else in the competition.”
Brenda Thornton said she’s still “pumped” after learning that her church, Fullview M.B. Church in Bartlett, Tenn., won first place, which included a $5,000 gift certificate to the Sports Authority and nutritional counseling from Baptist Memorial Health Care. She also said she was “shocked, excited, overwhelmed and happy for the whole group.”
“Winning is a good motivator,” said Thornton, who stayed the course until the competition ended. “I had told a church member that this was a 100-day run, but it’s going to be a lifetime run for me.”
The second place winner, The Healing Cathedral Christian Church, received a $2,500 gift certificate to the Sports Authority as well, followed by third-place winner St. Andrew A.M.E. Church, which received a $1,500 gift certificate.
Hundreds of Mid-Southerners from 36 churches participated in the weight loss competition and many of them participated in The Obesity Summit as well at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis, which preceded the Healthy Church Challenge announcement of winners.
Internationally renowned fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner keynoted the Summit along with Rosalind Kurita, policy advisor to the Tennessee Department of Health. More than 275 people interested in losing weight and preventing the onset of obesity listened intently as Joyner and Kurita encouraged participants to eat healthy and exercise. Joyner followed her talk with a five minute light workout with participants as they stood at their table.
The Healthy Church Challenge was sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, along with Baptist Memorial Health Care, News Channel 3, Hallelujah 95.7 FM, Tri-State Defender, and the Juneteenth Freedom and Heritage Festival.
For updates and photos of The Obesity Summit and winners of the Healthy Church Challenge, visit Facebook.com/The Healthy Church Challenge.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Jun 5, 2012 | CMG News
First Expansion Outside of California for the State’s Highest-Performing Large, High-Poverty Public School System
Today, Aspire Public Schools was approved by Tennessee’s Achievement School District (ASD) to open and operate charter schools in Memphis beginning in August 2013, marking the first time California’s largest charter management organization is expanding outside the state. Currently, Aspire is one of the largest charter organizations in the nation and the highest-performing large public school system serving low-income students in California. Aspire presently operates 34 schools in six cities, serving 12,000 students
“We’re humbled by the confidence that the Achievement School District has placed in our organization. We look forward to earning the trust of the community and partnering with families to prepare their students for college success,” said Aspire’s Chief Executive Officer James Willcox. “At Aspire, we understand that there is no greater responsibility or honor than to partner with families to help achieve their dreams for their students. We are committed to making sure that our schools meet the unique needs of Memphis students and their families and look forward to all that we can accomplish together.”
Aspire is expanding in order to serve more students with a high-quality, public education as Memphis is home to 80 percent of the lowest-performing 85 schools in TN. Like Memphis City Schools, Aspire is focused on its own Teacher Effectiveness Initiative and has partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to design and implement innovative teacher effectiveness strategies with the goal of ensuring that each student has access to a highly effective teacher and teachers are supported to reach their full potential as educators.
Recent research from Mathematica Policy Research and the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) at the University of Washington Bothell found that Aspire accelerates student achievement faster than comparable schools and that Aspire is among the top-performing charter organizations in the country. For the last three years, 100 percent of graduating Aspire seniors wereaccepted to four year colleges or universities.
“We are thrilled that Aspire is joining parents, advocates, education organizations and local elected officials that are collectively working to ensure that all of our students have access to a high-quality public education,” said Kenya Bradshaw, Tennessee’s executive director of Stand For Children. “With nationally-recognized, proven school operators coming to Tennessee, our state will become a model for what is possible for all public schools for years to come.”
This year, in what is believed to be the first time in the country for any charter management organization, Aspire will graduate students who have attended its schools for the entirety of their K-12 education. Eight students who enrolled in Aspire’sfirst school, Aspire University Public School (now Aspire Vincent Shalvey Academy), located in Stockton, CA, as Kindergartners in 1998, will graduate from Aspire Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy (alsolocatedin Stockton)on June 8, 2012.
“Congratulations to Aspire and the families of Memphis on Aspire’s charter approval,” said Todd Ziebarth, vice president of state advocacy and support for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. “As the charter movement marks its 20th anniversary this year, it is of special significance that Aspire, the country’s first-ever charter organization and the first to graduate students who attended their schools from Kindergarten to 12th grade, is expanding outside of California for the first time.”
Aspire has been previously recognized by the United States Department of Education and the well-regarded management consulting firm McKinsey & Company for its high-quality schools and unique academic approach. The United States Department of Education recently awarded a $3 million Investing in Innovation (i3) grant to Aspire in order to further develop technology systems to support teachers. This follows Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s announcement of a $6 million grant to Aspire to expand their high-performing network of public charter schools. In 2010, Aspire was named one of the world’s 20 most improved school systems by McKinsey & Company and was just one of three school systems in the United States to earn this recognition.
About Aspire Public Schools
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, 2011 and 2012. Aspire offers a high-quality education in six cities throughout California: Los Angeles, Oakland, Stockton, Sacramento, Modesto and East Palo Alto. Visit Aspire Public Schools at www.aspirepublicschools.org.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | May 30, 2012 | CMG News
New BlueCross Health Institute White Paper reveals reform will increase coverage, but won’t improve access to care, outcomes
Despite reform, minorities in Tennessee will continue to have less access to health care services and poorer health outcomes in general than other Tennesseans, according to the latest study by the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health InstituteSM.
The study entitled Health Care Reform: the Impact on Minority Populations in Tennessee looks at the barriers to care for minorities that will persist despite the expanded coverage and services that health care reform promotes.
“What we’ve found through this study is that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will most likely have a favorable outcome on access to insurance coverage,” said the study’s lead author, Dr. Steven Coulter, president of the institute. “However, it will not necessarily translate to actual access to medical care for several reasons.”
One of the purposes of the PPACA is to reduce or eliminate the disparity in coverage by race that currently exists. However, as the research finds, minority populations in Tennessee tend to be concentrated in geographic areas where health care facilities are already operating at capacity. This increased demand for care will lead to longer wait times at those doctors’ offices accepting new patients. In particular, access to care in the west and east regions will be of greatest concern.
Favorable and unfavorable areas for minority care in Tennessee can be tracked by county, or down to ZIP-code level, through the new Health Care Access Index developed by the Health Institute. To see a short video about the study, click here.
This is the third report issued by the institute, a division of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, designed to provide decision makers a fact-based, intellectual framework for public discussions on health care policy matters. The report is available on the Tennessee Health Institute section of the BlueCross website.
Future research topics and presentations of the Tennessee Health Institute will focus on health care reimbursement variations, risk adjustment, and best-practice answers regarding the health status of Tennesseans.
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 www.bcbst.com.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | May 24, 2012 | CMG News
The hair care industry is a lucrative business with consumers who care about the health of their hair and their hairstyles. In the African-American community more individuals are returning to chemical free options for their hair, such as loose natural styling and hair locking services. A local hairstylist is hosting the 1st Annual Naturals in the City Hair and Wellness Expo in Memphis, TN in July of this year.
Takeisha Berry-Brooks is the owner of A Natural Affair Beauty Lounge and founder of Metamorphosis Natural Hair Care Systems™ and is the host of the expo. The 1st Annual Naturals in the City Hair and Wellness Expo for professionals and consumers who want to learn more about natural hair care techniques, natural hair care products and holistic ways of healthy living are invited to attend this event on Saturday, July 28, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event will be held at Esplanade Memphis, 901 Cordova Station, in Cordova, TN, off of Germantown Parkway and Macon Road.
“I want to make sure that not only men and women are empowered, but educated in the choice that they’re making to go natural,” said Berry-Brooks, a natural hairstylist for 12 years. While most women are transitioning from relaxed to natural hair, some are clueless in versatile styling options and correct products choices for their hair type, she said.
“When I decided to pursue natural hair care, I had a lot of goals for myself,” said Berry-Brooks, whose full-service, natural hair care salon specializes in transitioning women from relaxed hairstyles to more of a natural, chemical-free look. “I knew putting on an expo in Memphis would be different and out of the box.”
According to industry trends, more than 250,000 businesses in the United States are classified as beauty salons. Berry-Brooks says the Expo is an opportunity for business owners in the tri-state area to sell themselves and push their brand.
The Expo will include entertainment, natural hair seminars, wellness seminars and vendors marketing their products and services. Consumers also will be introduced to natural skin care products, henna tattoos and healthy food options.
A crowd of 500 or more people from as far as Nashville, Jackson, Miss., Little Rock, and Jackson, Tenn., are expected to attend, Berry-Brooks said. Special guests, naturalists and wellness entrepreneurs are among those scheduled to appear.
For more information on the Expo visit the website at www.naturalsinthecity.com or contact Takeisha Berry-Brooks at 901-320-6300 or email info@naturalsinthecity.com.
About Takeisha Berry-Brooks
Takeisha Berry-Brooks is no stranger to the hair care industry. After receiving her cosmetology license from the Hair Design School in 1999, she soon turned her focus to natural hair care after encountering many of her clients with damaged hair from chemical treatments and bonding weave misuse. In 2000, she attended the World of Natural Hair Health and Beauty Show and also received a certification as a consultant and stylist for Sisterlooks™, a natural hair management system that allows women with tightly textured hair to take advantage of a wide range of hairstyles without having to alter the natural texture of their hair. Industry professionals that Berry-Brooks trained under include Lisa Akbari, Fatou Jangum, Taliah Wajid and Dr. Joanne Cornwell.
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | May 1, 2012 | CMG News
A law firm that has been in the Mid-South for over three decades is launching a new advertising campaign this week. The Walter Bailey Law Firm begins a new branding campaign that features TV, radio, social media, print ads and a new website. The “Want Justice?” campaign builds on a legal legacy and brand that Attorney Bailey and his family have built over the years.
The firm founded by Attorney Walter Bailey has focused over the years on wrongful death, medical malpractice, job injuries and vehicle accident law suits.
“We have done well over the years with limited advertising, but recently decided to launch a new campaign to let consumers know that The Walter Bailey Law Firm is a local firm that wants to help them seek justice in their case,” said Walter Bailey. “I am known as someone who will fight for my clients and we are going to build on that brand through this new advertising campaign.”
Bailey has recovered millions for his clients and has presented a historic landmark case, Tennessee vs. Garner, before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Walter Bailey Law Firm is located at 100 N. Main, Suite 3002, Memphis, TN 38103. The website is www.thewalterbaileylawmemphistn.com and Facebook: Walter Bailey.
![Black Women Philanthropists Provide Funds for Local Groups]()
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | May 1, 2012 | CMG News
The Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis, founded in 2005 by nine African-American women, presents Sister Lakshmie Napagoda (center) with a $5,000 check for her charitable group, DeNeuville Learning Center, at an awards luncheon on April 20. Two other groups were awarded funds as well. Presenting Napagoda with the check were Carolyn Hardy, Belinda Watkins, Edith Kelly Green, the honoree, Mary McDaniel, Nelda Burroughs and Deidre Malone. (Photo by Wiley Henry / The Carter Malone Group)
Three community groups requesting funds from the Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis (PBWM) were awarded grants during an awards luncheon on April 20 at Bleu Restaurant & Lounge in the Westin Hotel in Downtown Memphis.
DeNeuville Learning Center (House of the Good Shepherd of Memphis), an organization that guides women from all backgrounds and cultures in learning the skills needed to make positive choices for themselves and their families, received $5,000. Sister Lakshmie Napagoda, who founded DeNeuville in 1998, accepted the award.
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Memphis Chapter was awarded $2,500. The organization of progressive African-American women advocates and promotes other women of color in the areas of health, education, and economic empowerment. Bettye L. Boone, the coalition’s president, accepted the award.
Morris Brown accepted the award of $2,175 for his group, the Memphis Blackhawks Aviation Association. The nonprofit targets underprivileged, urban and inner-city youth that are in desperate need of clear direction and positive role models in their lives.
The Blackhawks also exposes young men and women to all aspects of the aviation industry, said Brown, the group’s president.
The PBWM was founded in 2005 by nine professional and civic-minded African-American women with a vested interest in philanthropy. Their charitable contributions have always centered on children, education, and self-sufficiency.
The members are Debra E. Evans of ViaSys Technology, Inc.; Nelda Burroughs of First Choice Sales & Marketing Group; Attorney Monice Hagler of The Law Office of Monice Moore Hagler; Carolyn Hardy of Chism Hardy Enterprises; Edith Kelly-Green of The KGR Group; Deidre Malone of The Carter Malone Group; Mary McDaniel, State Alcoholic and Beverage Commission; LaShell Vaughn of MLGW; and Belinda Watkins of FedEx Corp.
