The Memphis Grizzlies have joined the Memphis Says NO MORE domestic violence and sexual assault campaign, the localized version of the national NO MORE campaign.
The partnership was celebrated on April 1 in FedEx Forum when the Grizzlies played the Toronto Raptors. The NO MORE Corps, a cadre of campaign supporters organized by campaign coordinator Deborah Clubb, gave away 250 t-shirts, posters featuring our Grizzlies players and staff, and cards with a list of resources available and instructions for victims on how to seek help.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell were interviewed at courtside before the game. Mayor Strickland said, "As Mayor of this great city, I am excited to have our Memphis Grizzlies join the Memphis Says NO MORE campaign against domestic violence and sexual assault.
In Memphis, we are taking advantage of the momentum the national campaign has already generated in terms of igniting conversations about domestic and sexual violence. We must increase awareness of the devastating impact and drive engagement of every segment of the community. This is an issue we all must participate in because it touches every demographic. No one is immune."
Mayor Mark Luttrell, Mayor Jim Strickland, and the Memphis Grizzlies
Vice President of Community Engagement Diane Terrell joined the Memphis Says NO MORE Corps at the April 1 Grizzlies game: Cantrece Hayslett, Denesse Torpoco, Erika James, Katie Gentzler, Luttrell, Deborah Clubb, Catherine Clubb-Brown, Ryan Turner, Strickland, Terrell, and Maria Fuhrman.
Mayor Luttrell appreciates the work the campaign does to guide citizens to the Family Safety Center for help. He said the Grizzlies' "participation helps us take awareness to another level. It's a great step forward in our efforts to, over time, decrease the high rates of violence in our
city. Through this campaign we expect to see an increase, initially, in the number of domestic violence and sexual assault reports by making local survivors aware of available resources and options. And over time, decrease occurrences of domestic violence and sexual assault in our community."
The campaign was launched by the Memphis Sexual Assault Kit Task Force and the Memphis Area Women's Council to localize the national NO MORE awareness movement.
Memphis Says NO MORE aims to let victims/survivors know help is available and how to get it, to raise awareness for domestic violence and sexual assault, to change attitudes and behavior and to end "bystanding". The campaign includes multi-media messages, online resources, Public Service Announcements and special outreach and organizing to engage men and youth.
The addition of the Grizzlies is part of the second phase of the Memphis Says NO MORE campaign, which was launched last June on the FedExForum Plaza. Players Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph are the latest faces of the Memphis Says NO MORE campaign. Grizzlies players are joined in support of the campaign by General Manager Chris Wallace and then-Head Coach Dave Joerger.
"Our support of the NO MORE campaign comes from genuine concern about the high level of violence in our city," said Memphis Grizzlies Vice President of Community Engagement Diane Terrell. "We want to draw attention to the fact that we all have a role to play in talking more openly about the lasting effects of domestic violence and sexual assault and the impact it has on individuals and the Memphis community."
The NO MORE Corps is distributing the new posters and information cards to businesses, coffee shops, restaurants, clubs, workplaces, agencies, campuses, clinics, churches and festivals across Shelby County. Call 901-378-3866 to arrange your supply.
"We have thousands of these materials, thanks to frugal use of our donated funds," Deborah said. "We want to hear from anyone who can get these messages and materials to those who should see them - which is everyone in our community! We truly want to hear from everyone who can display or distribute these items."
Memphis Says NO MORE 30-second PSAs played on WMC-TV and the campaign website was expanded with new images and information as part of Phase Two.
Grizzlies players and their messages also are showing on big screens in the baggage area of the Memphis International Airport.
The Grizzlies join other local well-known figures supporting the Memphis Says NO MORE campaign such as: Congressman Steve Cohen; former Mayor AC Wharton, Jr.; WMC-TV Anchor Kontji Anthony and Beverly Robertson, former director of the National Civil Rights Museum.
Community Partners help s
pread Memphis Says NO MORE message
No group needs the anti-violence messages of the NO MORE campaign more than our youth and young adults. The highest number of reported incidents of intimate partner violence and sexual assault are among those ages 18-24, and reports of "dating violence" among teens continue to increase.
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women was eager to include Memphis Says NO MORE materials in workshops and events for teens and their parents this spring. Coalition president Bettye Boone is featured in posters and PSAs that are part of the local campaign and in a narrative about her own experience with violence that plays on the MSNM website.
She said the teens "loved the pictures of the Grizzlies." She also made sure posters, info cards and wristbands with the website address were available for visitors at the Africa in April festival.
Bettye Boone (center, front row) shared Memphis Says NO MORE materials with participants in the 12th Annual Young Women of Excellence Conference.
Women of Achievement reception
celebrated eight who make change
More than 200 gathered on March 13 to celebrate National Women's History Month and honor eight women from the Memphis area for community leadership and change-making. The Women of Achievement coalition hosted the 32nd annual awards at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis.
The music of Lil Armstrong and Alberta Hunter, the Heritage honorees, played during the reception. Prior honorees Summer Owens and Africa Gonzalez-McCloy hosted the awards presentation.
Presenters were 1997 Heroism honoree Sheila White Parrish, retired Justice Janice Holder, boxer Teagan "Tiny Turbo" Reed, past WA president Pam Routh, Dr. Zandria Robinson of Rhodes College, Bridges USA teen leaders Becca Folkes-Lallo and Eritrea Temesghen and Nora Tucker, manager of the Blues Hall of Fame.
Women of Achievement for 2016 are:
Heritage, for a woman whose achievements still enrich our lives: jazz musician and bandleader Lil Hardin Armstrong (1898-1971) and blues singer and songwriter Alberta Hunter (1895-1984)
Courage, for a woman who, facing active opposition, backed an unpopular cause in which she deeply believed: Ashley Coffield, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region
Determination, for a woman who solved a glaring problem despite widespread inertia, apathy or ignorance around her: Claudia Haltom, founder and CEO of A Step Ahead Foundation
Steadfastness, for a woman with a lifetime of achievement: philanthropist and civic volunteer Dorothy Kirsch
Initiative, for a woman who seized the opportunity to use her talents and created her own future:
Bennie Nelson West, founder and executive director of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance
Vision, for a woman whose sensitivity to women's needs led her to tremendous achievements for women: Linda Sessoms, president and founder Sisters-in-Motion Memphis
Heroism, for a woman whose heroic spirit was tested and shown as a model to all in Shelby County and beyond: Leah Walton, transgender activist from Oxford, MS
The 2016 Women of Achievement honorees were (back row) Ashley Coffield, Courage; Bennie Nelson West, Initiative; Claudia Haltom, Determination; Dorothy Kirsch, Steadfastness; Leah Walton, Heroism; Linda Sessoms,Vision. Presenters included Nora Tucker, Sheila White Parrish, Janice Holder, Teagan Reed, Pam Routh, Zandria Robinson, and Eritrea Temesghen.
