by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Feb 24, 2013 | CMG News
Deidre Malone describes the day she resigned from her 10-year tenure as a marketing executive with ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as the day she “walked out on faith.”
With a husband recovering from a major surgery in a household concerned about health care, it wasn’t exactly the perfect timing for Malone to become an entrepreneur. But after turning 40, she knew that if she ever wanted to realize her dream, she’d have to take the risk.
“I remember walking into the CEO’s office at ALSAC and he tried to talk me out of it,” Malone said. “He said, ‘Deidre, if you don’t want to run this division, come work for me.’ I said, ‘No, that’s not it. This was the best opportunity because it taught me how to really deal with some adversity in terms of what it would really be like in my own business.’”
That same day, Malone’s pastor invited her to lunch, unaware of her professional circumstances. He informed her that The National Baptist Convention was coming to town and its ministers wanted to hire Malone.
“He said, ‘I know you have a full-time job, but we really need your assistance with sponsorship and PR,’” Malone said. “He had no idea I had just resigned. That was kind of my sign that it was the right thing to do.”
Malone founded The Carter Malone Group LLC in 2003, a full-service public relations, marketing and advertising firm. It was a year after she was elected to the Shelby County Commission, where she served two four-year terms.
The National Baptist Convention still uses The Carter Malone Group when it stops in Memphis. Other longtime clients The Carter Malone Group has retained in its 10 years in business include Saint Francis Hospital and The Church of God in Christ (COGIC).
“From a business standpoint, I’m very proud of the clients that we’ve been able to keep,” Malone said. “I’m proud that we are sought out to partner with organizations that are outside of our industry for work and that we get a lot of referral business, which speaks to the quality of work that the associates here at the firm provide.”
Many of those clients have taught Malone valuable life lessons. Solidifying COGIC, for instance, taught her that as a small-business owner, she had to know the value that she brought to the table and ask for it.
Malone scored that account after starting The Carter Malone Group as a sole proprietor out of her Midtown home and then transitioning into EmergeMemphis, the city’s new business incubator. Working with Cynthia Norwood of alt.Consulting, Malone learned that reducing rates in order to get clients in the door was the wrong methodology for a fledgling agency.
“She said, ‘If you start out that way, then you’re not really getting the revenue that your firm should receive because they’re not paying for what you’re worth,’” Malone said. “(Meanwhile), the Church of God in Christ had asked for a proposal. I gave them a proposal and I thought, ‘they’re never going to agree to this.’ Bishop G.E. Patterson didn’t blink. He said, ‘Absolutely. Send me a contract.’ From that point on, I’ve never reduced my rates or my associate’s rates. We’re pretty competitive with the larger agencies and I think you should be.”
Malone said oftentimes women know that they’re capable of doing the job and offering a quality service, but seldom do they convey the self-confidence they should.
“Sometimes we’re just so grateful to get the opportunity, whereas our male counterparts are very confident when they’re obtaining that opportunity,” Malone said. “More women have to realize that you have the same education, the same experience, the same organizational and thought process as your male counterparts and you deserve to be there and to ask for what you’re worth.”
Malone also stresses to women, especially those looking to open their own business, to be prepared. That’s why earlier this year, The Carter Malone Group held a series of three free symposiums called, “Controlling How the Cookie Crumbles: Educating and Empowering Entrepreneurs.”
“I want people to have a clear understanding that starting your own business is not going to be the easiest thing at all in the world to do, but it can be the most rewarding thing that you could ever do,” Malone said.
The Carter Malone Group, which employs 10, recently moved from The Cotton Exchange Building Downtown to a 103-year-old house at 1509 Madison Ave. The firm occupies the first level and is looking to lease out the second floor to attorneys, architects or any other interested lessees.
Newer clients to The Carter Malone Group’s portfolio are Rural Metro/Corp., Chicago-based Harris & Harris, Los Angeles-based RTKL Associates Inc., Achievement School District and Aspire Public Schools.
And always looking for more opportunities, Malone may also run as the Democratic candidate for Shelby County mayor. She ran in the 2010 Democratic Primary and has been approached by several supporters since that time asking her to consider campaigning again.
“With my small-business background, my corporate background and with the level of public service that I’ve been able to offer the community for the last 25 years, I would be doing a disservice to myself if I didn’t even consider it,” Malone said. “But right now I’m really torn because I’ve been focusing on my business and I’m really loving that. So I’m just going to be prayerful and we’ll see what happens.”
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Feb 15, 2013 | CMG News
The Memphis Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will host its annual Freedom Fund Gala at the Memphis Cook Convention Center on March 20, 2013 with Susan L. Taylor as the keynote speaker.
Taylor is the Editor Emerita of Essence Magazine and founder of National Cares Mentoring Movement.
At Essence for nearly three decades, Taylor was the driving force behind one of the most celebrated Black-owned businesses in the world serving as its fashion and beauty editor, editor-in-chief and editorial director. For 27 years, she also authored one of the magazine’s most popular columns, “In the Spirit.” She was the first and only African American woman to be recognized by the Magazine Publishers of America and the first to be inducted into the American Society of Magazine Editors Hall of Fame. Taylor was the recipient of the NAACP’s President Award for visionary leadership and has honorary degrees from more than a dozen colleges and universities.
Developed as a call to action, Taylor founded National Cares Mentoring Movement to serve a massive campaign to recruit one million able adults to help secure children who are in peril and losing ground. “Not on our watch!” says Taylor. “Our children are the mothers and fathers of tomorrow, and their future is in our hands.”
Taylor is also the cofounder of Future PAC, the first national political action committee devoted to providing a network of support and sources of funding for progressive African American women seeking federal and state-level political offices. She is the co-chair with Danny Glover of Shared Interest, a capital campaign to raise money to build housing in rural areas of South Africa, and serves on the boards of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
For additional information about then gala, you may contact the Memphis Branch of the NAACP at 901.521.1343.
About the NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
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by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Feb 15, 2013 | CMG News
Aspire Public Schools is proud to announce Memphian Nikita Reed as the organization’s second principal in Memphis at the Hanley Elementary campus. Reed visited Aspire schools in November of 2012 as a member of the Orange Mound community and after her visit she was so impressed by Aspire that she sought to become a part of the organization.
Reed brings 23 years of experience in the Memphis City Schools District as a teacher, library media specialist, assistant principal, and principal. As an administrator, she served families at Hanley Elementary as an assistant principal for three years, and as a principal at Cherokee Elementary for three years.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to return to Hanley Elementary to educate a community; ultimately empowering the City of Memphis and our nation,” said Reed. “I see education as today’s civil rights movement, and is honored to be a school leader for this most important responsibility.”
“We are pleased Nikita will be joining the Aspire school leadership team in Memphis” said Allison Leslie, Aspire Memphis Executive Director. “Nikita’s proven commitment to educational excellence and strong Memphis roots will support our efforts to serve the students and families in the Orange Mound community.”
Not only does Reed serve the Orange Mound community, she proudly serves our country as a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force. She embraces the core values: Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. Her grandfather, Judge Boyd, taught her the importance and willingness to help others; and the rewards that follow.
Reed’s educational background is a prime example of her belief that learning is a continuous effort. She received an Associate of Art Degree in Pre-Nursing from Southwestern Christian College, an Associate Degree from the United States Air Force Community College, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Harding University, an endorsement in Library Science from Union University, and a Masters in Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi.
In addition, she is a member of the Harvard Principal’s Center, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), Leadership Memphis Class of 2013, and Enlisted Association (Military). In her efforts to serve others, she takes pride in professional and volunteer services. She also volunteers and supports the March of Dimes, The Scleroderma Foundation, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), Memphis Grizzlies, and Habitat for Humanity.
For more information, please visit www.apsirepublicschools.org or call (901) 205-9443.
About Aspire Public Schools
Aspire Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that currently operates 34 high-performing, open-enrollment public charter schools serving 12,500 students in underserved communities across California and will open schools in Memphis, TN beginning in fall, 2013. Aspire is one of the nation’s highest-performing public school systems, 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.
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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.
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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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:
Kick-Off – Mandatory Weight-In
Saturday, February 2, 2013
10 AM- 4 PM
Mississippi Blvd. Family Life Center
70 N. Bellevue, 38104
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
by The Carter Malone Group LLC | Dec 21, 2012 | CMG News, Events
The Carter Malone Group LLC, one of the city’s largest female-owned public relations firms, owned by Deidre Malone will be hosting three free symposiums entitled Controlling How the Cookie Crumbles: Educating and Empowering Entrepreneurs starting Saturday, January 12, 2013 at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church at 9:00 a.m.
This symposium is designed to target women and minorities who are interested in starting a business or are new business owners. Information will be shared about the staples any business needs to get off the ground including a strong business plan, industry benchmarking, utilizing resources within the community, marketing and so much more.
Seasoned industry leaders will serve as speakers for this symposium including Gina Neely with Down Home with the Neely’s, Nita Black – MAP Momentum, Alandas Dobbins – Memphis Office of Resource Enterprise, Natasha Donerson – Success Unlimited, Carolyn Hardy with Chism Hardy Enterprises and Pamela Brooks-Martin with Cushion Employer Services. They will share their business success stories. Dates and locations include: Saturday, January 12, 2013 @ Bethlehem MB Church, Saturday, January 26, 2013 @ Bloomfield Baptist Church and Saturday, February 16, 2013 @ Breath of Life Church. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at all events. Program begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon.
“We have to not only promote economic growth within the Memphis community but also show new and upcoming business owners what it takes to be sustainable,” said Deidre Malone, President and CEO of The Carter Malone Group. “This series of symposiums are designed to help individuals learn from industry leaders and have an opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs in the area.”
A $1,500 grant and other benefits will be awarded in March to the best business plan presented by the participants to help get their business started or to help them grow their business. All three events will benefit the Memphis Chapter YWCA Abused Women Services or F.F.U.N – Freedom From Unnecessary Negatives. Participants are asked to bring an item to donate or financial contribution to one of the above organizations and receive free entry.
“We decided to donate to the Memphis Chapter YWCA Abused Women Services and F.F.U.N. because these organizations are important to our community,” said Malone. “The donated items and contributions will go to the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Program and F.F.U.N.’s Stop the Killing initiative. These are both very worthy organizations we want to support through these symposiums.”
There is limited seating for these symposiums so registration is required.
For more info contact, The Carter Malone Group (901) 278-0881 or visit our website at www.cmgpr.com.
About The Carter Malone Group, LLC:
For more information on the event click here for the flyer: Controlling How The Cookie Crumbles Symposium Flyer
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.
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 5th grade, adding a grade each year.
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PRIORITY SCHOOL
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SCHOOL OPERATOR
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STUDENTS SERVED IN 13/14
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| Whitney Elementary |
Achievement School District
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Whole school
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| Georgian Hills Elementary |
Achievement School District
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Whole school
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| Hanley Elementary |
Aspire Public Schools
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Whole school
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| Klondike Elementary |
Gestalt Community Schools
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Kindergarten and first grade
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| Shannon Elementary |
KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools
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Pre-K & Kinder
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| Corry Middle |
KIPP Memphis Collegiate Schools
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5th grade
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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.
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.
