(July 29, 2009 - Memphis, TN) The 100 Black Men of Memphis in conjunction with State Representative Joe Towns, Jr. will sponsor the 1st Annual Operation Back Pack, Back-to-School event on Saturday August 8, 2009, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Hickory Hill Community Center. The group will be dispersing school supplies and related materials to underprivileged and low income families and celebrating the start of a new school year. The professional non-profit organization for notable African-American men, in concert with Representative Towns who is also a member of the group, is seeking to provide support for so many families that have been struggling during the course of the harsh economic recession. "So many families are finding it hard to meet basic needs and I felt that it was important that we provide some relief and support to those families and particularly our kids as they begin a new school year," stated Representative Towns.
In addition to the 100 Black Men, the event will be supported by the Coalition of 100 Black Women, Corey Maclin of Memphis Professional Wrestling, FedEx employees, Methodist Healthcare Systems, and a number of other public officials, businesses and civic organizations including the Shelby County Legislative Delegation.
"We have been able to bring about a collaborative effort to support families as another school year begins. We all understand the financial pressures that many families are facing, but more importantly recognize the importance of ensuring our youth are ready and relieved of pressure as they focus on learning" states Bernal E. Smith, II, President and Chairman of the 100 Black Men. "We appreciate the leadership of Representative Towns and the cooperative spirit of all those involved to make this event happen." The event will be the first of more to come for the organization. "Part of our role as an organization is to provide community leadership while we work for positive community change," stated Smith. Additionally, they are supporting other back to school efforts such as that of Stop the Killing founder Stevie Moore and GANGs, Inc founder "Uncle" Joe Hunter, which will take place in other parts of the city.
It is not too late to volunteer or make a contribution or donation to support this effort. For more information on the event and the 100 Black Men of Memphis, Inc, call (901) 650-0850 or visit www.100blackmenofmemphis.org You can also contact Representative Joe Towns at 901-334-7621 for more information.
The 100 Black Men of Memphis, Inc. is the sponsor and operator of the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences, the first charter school to begin operating in the State of Tennessee. The 100 is committed to the intellectual development of youth and the economic empowerment of the African-American community based upon the following precepts: respect for family, spirituality, justice and integrity. The mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities they serve while enhancing educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.
