Hooks Institute Receives $15,000 in Grants to Support African American Male Initiative
April 25, 2018 - The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis received a $10,000 grant from Baptist Memorial Health Care and a $5,000 grant from the SunTrust Foundation to support the Hooks African American Male Initiative (HAAMI).
The Baptist Memorial Health Care grant will provide support for the HAAMI program mentorship component as well as book stipends for participating students as they work toward the goal of graduation.
The SunTrust Foundation grant will provide general operating support for the HAAMI program as well as personal finance education, which will benefit students during their course of study and beyond graduation.
"We are incredibly grateful to both Baptist Memorial Health Care and the SunTrust Foundation for their generous support of the Hooks Institute and our HAAMI program," said Daphene R. McFerren, Hooks Institute executive director. "This funding will allow us to build upon the great success of the program and include more students in the 2018-2019 academic year."
About HAAMI
In 2015, the Hooks Institute launched HAAMI to increase the retention and graduation
rates of African American male students at the University of Memphis. Current data
shows that for first-time, full-time students who graduated within a four-year period,
African American males have an average graduation rate of 11.7 percent. The Hooks
Institute's efforts to increase retention and graduation rates through HAAMI are intended
to help create prosperity for African American males, which in turn helps to collectively
benefit the lives of all Memphians and create positive social change for the Mid-South
and the nation.
About Baptist Memorial Health Care
One of the country's largest not-for-profit health care systems, Baptist Memorial Health Care offers a full continuum of care to communities throughout the Mid-South. The Baptist system, which consistently ranks among the top integrated health care networks in the nation, comprises 21 affiliate hospitals in West Tennessee, Mississippi and East Arkansas; more than 5,000 affiliated physicians; Baptist Medical Group, a multispecialty physician group with more than 750 providers; home, hospice and psychiatric care; minor medical centers and clinics; a network of surgery, rehabilitation and other outpatient centers; and an education system highlighted by the Baptist College of Health Sciences. The Baptist system employs more than 18,000 people, and in fiscal year 2015 contributed $313 million in community benefit to areas it serves. According to the Sparks Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Memphis, Baptist Memorial Health Care's annual economic impact is estimated at more than $2.6 billion. For more information, visit www.baptistonline.org.
About the SunTrust Foundation
The SunTrust Foundation is dedicated to SunTrust Bank's purpose of Lighting the Way to Financial Well-Being by engaging organizations to advance financial confidence. Grants and activities focus primarily on financial empowerment, but also include education, health and human services, civic improvement and cultural growth. The SunTrust Foundation supports American Red Cross disaster relief efforts and contributes as a United Way Global Corporate Leader. Established in 2008, the SunTrust Foundation has proudly provided grants totaling more than $128 million throughout the United States.
About the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change
The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute implements its mission of teaching, studying and promoting
civil rights and social change through research, education and direct intervention
programs. For 20 years, we have addressed disparities related to education, diversity
and inclusion, economic mobility and civic engagement. To learn more about current
initiatives, visit memphis.edu/benhooks.
CONTACT
Nathaniel C. Ball l 901.678.3655 l ncball@memphis.ed