June 2019 “I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life,” Maya Angelou Greetings, This year we launched our 2019 theme “Empowered Women, Empower Women” during the Annual Tribute Luncheon, our signature fundraising event. In April, we presented our Vision 2020 achievements, three-year investments and community partnerships. We highlighted programs that contributed to measurable impact made in Zip Code 38126. Our dynamic and empowered keynote speaker, Terri Carmichael Jackson, delivered a powerful speech elevating women and girls' leadership. Our mission and vision is focused on helping women and children reach their full potential. For the past 24 years, we have created opportunities to invest in women, families and communities. In 2018, WFGM became one of eight members of the National Young Women’s Initiative Collaborative and in 2019 we have increased our investment in programs supporting youth development, especially for young girls. We are committed to advancing girls’ leadership by investing in programs that provide pathways to education, financial empowerment, entrepreneurship and more. In partnership with our grantees, young women and girls are learning leadership skills, the power of philanthropy and the importance of being a strong voice and advocate for their community. We dedicate this newsletter to the empowerment of young girls paving the way to be Empowered Women, Empowering Women for a brighter future for all. Take a moment to hear their voices, learn about their accomplishments and their dreams for the future. My Best, Ruby Bright Executive Director/CAO, WFGM
PHILANTHRO PY PHILANTHROPY ANNUAL TRIBUTE LUNCHEON AND SYMPOSIUM A SUCCESS
At our SOLD OUT 2019 Annual Tribute Luncheon and Symposium, attendees enjoyed a powerful message from keynote speaker Terri Carmichael Jackson, Executive Director the Women’s National Basketball Players Association. Jackson and family set the tone of giving for the afternoon as she explained how investing in women will strengthen families, communities and Memphis. Leading by example, she ended her discourse with a $20,000 pledge to WFGM. Read more about it in The Commercial Appeal.
In 2015 we announced our Vision 2020 Strategic Plan is to reduce poverty by five percent in zip code 38126, one of the poorest areas of the city of Memphis. Zip code 38126 is also part of South City.
FOUR LEGENDS, COUNTLESS LIVES IMPACTED Thank you to everyone who attended the 2019 Legends Award Reception honoring Catalyst Award winners Rev. Cheryl J. Beard and Claudia Haltom, Innovation Award winner Meri Armour, and Philanthropy and Leadership Award winner Dr. Indurani “Indu” Tejwani. Their collective impact totals over 100 years of experience in medicine, ministry, philanthropy, leadership and collaboration as well as more than $440 million invested into the City of Memphis.
WFGM is in the third year of Vision 2020, and has invested $4.7 million of a nearly $10 million commitment to 38126 in case management, employment training, early childhood education, youth development, and financial literacy. We appreciate you all and cannot thank you enough for helping us touch thousands of lives in zip code 38126 so far. Make a gift at wfgm.org to help us continue our work.
L E A D E R S H PIHPI L A N T H R O P Y
PHILANTHROPY YWI AND YWAC CONTINUES TO FOSTER LEADERSHIP SKILLS
WFGM's YWI-Memphis seeks to increase equal access to opportunity, economic security, safety, and leadership for and with young women of color in grades 9-12. The Young Women’s Advisory Council (YWAC) is the leadership development component of YWI-Memphis. The Council addresses the needs of young women and girls of color in Memphis by asking for their input. Girls Inc. of Memphis is the lead community partner for YWAC. On May 3, YWAC hosted the inaugural Empowering Youth Voices Policy Summit with 60 attendees, all young women in high school and college. Participants had an opportunity to share their ideas with 15 elected officials and community advocates to ensure their voices were heard and their concerns are central to future policies and legislation. YWAC Members Teri and Lauren attended the National YWAC Convening on May 9 in Atlanta, GA to discuss a national framework to support the eight Women’s Foundations leading the Young Women’s Initiative. They also participated in the “In Solidarity We Rise Conference” hosted by the National Crittenton Foundation on May 10-11.
CONGRATULATIONS!
WFGM Board Member Roquita Coleman-Williams, is being honored during the 2019 Champions Elite Memphians and Business Showcase on Sunday, June 30. This event was created to recognize and honor the outstanding accomplishments of trailblazing Memphians who have succeeded in business, leadership, education and community impact as well as demonstrated meaningful progress in the Memphis community.
WFGM Board Member Gale Jones-Carson received the Leadership Impact Award during the Dress for Success Suit and Sip Soiree on June 27. The award honors women who enable other women to realize their full leadership potential. They have also made a positive impact on the community through their profession and a positive impact on other women in their profession.
We are proud of all of WFGM Board Members and Trustees, Legends Award Honorees, Legends Award Artists and donors who were honored as Leadership Memphis Change Makers! The 40 Change Makers represent a diverse group of leaders who have demonstrated a passion for driving positive change in Memphis Business, Healthcare, Arts/Education, and Nonprofit/Community Involvement.View a full list at leadershipmemphis.org.
GRANTS & PROGRAMS ANNOUNCING OUR 2019-2020 GRANTEE PARTNERS
We were pleased to announce our third-year investment of $1.2 million into zip code 38126 at a news conference on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. More than 30 new grantee partners were announced at this news event. View a list of our new grantee partners at wfgm.org.
SOCIAL MEDIA SHOUT OUTS! #CHANGING THE GAME WITH MEMPHIS INNER CITY RUGBY
CONTINUING EDUCATION
“Thank you to Shelby County Schools Chairwoman and Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis Deputy Director, Shante Avant, for speaking at our Young Women’s Leadership workshop today. Your service and leadership inspires all of us at MICR. Thank you for taking the time and #ChangingTheGame with our studentathletes!”—Memphis Inner City Rugby
“Mayor Jim Strickland stopped by our booth at the Urban Strategies, Inc. Strong Families Initiative on June 15 where Southwest Ambassador Suzanne Gibson (pictured in middle) and Workforce Solutions staff Glenda Collins, Amy Shead, and Martha Springfield attended the event in support of families in the 38126 zip code. Through a grant from the Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis, Southwest offers 11- week courses in Dialysis Technician and Medical Administrative Assistant to underemployed or unemployed women in this zip code. Graduates have the potential to earn an annual salary of $30,000. For more information, call 901-333-4207. –Southwest Tennessee Community College
GRANTS & PROGRAMS VISION 2020, YEAR-3 IMPACT We appreciate you all and cannot thank you enough for helping us touch thousands of lives in zip code 38126 so far. Thank you to our generous community partners for their dedicated support which allows WFGM to be a leading organization, leveraging regional and national resources to create change in the Memphis community.
CALENDAR WFGM ANNUAL MEETING
2019 POWER OF THE PURSE AUCTION
October 10, 2019 | 6 - 9 p.m. Save the Date for a night of fun, food and philanthropy! Children’s Museum of Memphis 2525 Central Ave. | Memphis, TN 38104 Presenting Sponsor: Bank of America August 14, 2019 | 8-10 a.m. Holiday Inn-University of Memphis | Ballroom 3700 Central Avenue | Memphis, TN 38111 RSVP to Terry Hamilton at terryhamilton@wfgm.org or 901-578-9346. You may also RSVP online at annualmeetingwfgm.eventbrite.com.
September 2019 Each year more than 100 volunteers gather to help prepare and distribute school supplies and community resource packets to students in 38126. For sponsorship and volunteer opportunities email Shante K. Avant, Deputy Director of WFGM at shanteavant@wfgm.org.
GIVING TUESDAY December 3, 2019 Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Join us as a volunteer with Vision 2020. We have several areas of focus within this strategic plan, including, Early Childhood Education, Job Readiness and Financial Literacy. For more information contact Patria Johnson, Grants and Programs Manager, at patriajohnson@wfgm.org.
Women's Foundation for a Greater Memphis One Commerce Square, 40 S. Main Street, Suite 2280 Memphis, TN 38103 • 901-578-9346