Memphis, TN – May 14, 2010 – In an effort to increase the number of college graduates in the Memphis Metro area by one percentage point, today Leadership Memphis announced the 100 Things in 100 Days campaign. The community-engaging, short-term campaign will officially launch August 11, 2010 and end November 18, 2010. As part of the 100 Things in 100 Days project, Leadership Memphis is reaching out to the community asking individuals to help develop a list of 100 fresh ideas on various things that can be done within 100 days to increase the number of college graduates.
“While this short 100-day time frame poses a fun and interesting challenge for the community, this initiative is not to be taken lightly,” said David Williams, president and CEO of Leadership Memphis. “More college graduates will increase the attractiveness of our workforce for employers resulting in more jobs, serve as an antidote for poverty and improve the overall quality of life in the metro area.”
More than 100 people attended the Memphis Talent Dividend working launch event at Baptist College of Health Sciences on May 14, including Congressman Steve Cohen, Carol Coletta, president and CEO of CEOs for Cities, representatives from 14 colleges and universities, and 23 youth development organizations.
“With 58 percent of a city’s success attributed to the percentage of its adult population with a college degree, the Memphis Talent Dividend initiative is critical to the future of the city,” said Coletta.
Some pre-commitments were made during the May 14 meeting to start the list of 100 Things in 100 Days:
· Kathy Buckman Gibson and Buckman are launching a week-long internal promotion for employees encouraging them to take advantage of the organization’s tuition reimbursement benefit.
· Tomeka Hart and The Memphis Urban League are initiating a program to take 100 teenagers on college tours and help them take college entrance exams.
· Douglas Scarboro and the City of Memphis are going to identify workers on the city payroll who have some college education to make them aware of the city’s tuition reimbursement program.
· The University of Phoenix is awarding six scholarships for the fall term through the Boys and Girls Club of Memphis.
· The Memphis Public Library and Information Center is hosting two college fairs for non-traditional and traditional students.
· The Naval Reserve Command in Millington is partnering with the FedEx Institute to create a MY STEM program for 250 high school students this summer.
· The University of Memphis has committed to launch the I'm Going to College – a program that provides 6th graders an opportunity to spend time on a college campus.
· Comcast Cable will award 41 scholarships to local high school students.
To participate in or offer an idea for the 100 Things in 100 Days project, contact Leadership Memphis at 901.278.0016 or info@leadershipmemphis.org.
Memphis Talent Dividend – College Attainment Initiative
The Memphis Talent Dividend – College Attainment Initiative includes stakeholders in the eight-county Memphis Metro area working together to increase the number of college graduates by one percentage point – from 23.7% to 24.7% – over the next five years – resulting in a $1 billion annual talent dividend for the region.
About Leadership Memphis
Leadership Memphis’ mission is to build a great Memphis by building great leaders. Since 1979, Leadership Memphis has continually developed new ways to connect and create more effective community leaders. Leadership Memphis has made an imprint on the city by graduating more than 2,000 people from its Executive, FastTrack and Grassroots programs. As Memphis moves forward, there is an increased urgency for Leadership Memphis to connect leaders to leaders, leaders to information, and leaders to community. Leadership Memphis advances diversity, increases innovation and promotes civic engagement. For more information about Leadership Memphis, visit www.leadershipmemphis.org.
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