It's a wonderful revelation that one of the poorest cities in America can be the 2nd most generous city in the country. Amazing! That city would be my hometown, Memphis, TN.
This was a fact that was reported by Huffington Post today. And the maps are on their Website. However, they attributed it to being a Red Bible Belt State. Well, I want to make a valid point of information. The area that was found to be the most generous in Shelby County and 2/3 of Shelby County is Memphis. This County is a Blue County surrounded by the Red Counties. And yet, we are the 2nd most generous. Amazing!
Regardless of the high poverty rate, the crime rate, the citizens have big hearts in Memphis.
I can believe that I want thank each person who supported the fundraiser that will benefit the Midsouth Bank that serves people whose needs are basic and can be heartbreaking.
Next week, we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. I am inspired by our City's Dream Defenders and was happy to honor them last night -- Claire Kolhiem, aspiring actress who played the lead role in the Color Purple. Claire is truly gifted. Myron Mays, a communication geru who is providing events to uplift and inspire a young adult generation, Bryan Carson, who got the political gene from his mother, putting his own signature on it as the Chairman of the Democratic Party. He is working with an intergenerational Executive Committee. Deidre Malone, a businesswoman, and civic leader who treads a trail led by other women for the an opportunity to lead Shelby County Forward!!!!! She is going to break the glass ceiling for the women in this county and become our first elected Mayor who happens to be a woman.
We also applauded the work See E Clark and Elizabeth Hart for stepping up to organize our city's response to Trayvon Martin Stand Your Ground. Young adults who did not wait for the old heads to organize, but called the meeting themselves and we came.
We wanted to see "The Butler" together and raise money for the Food Band and Dr. Phillip R. Bowden Mdpa and his beautiful and smart wife, Richie, did not hesitate to write a check to the Mid South Food Bank and Larry Williams, owner of Classic Soulz, handed me a sizable contribution to make sure we reached our goal. Our friends at the Malco Theaters, who opened their doors, donated resources to make these events happen to help some in our community whose basic needs are not met. We raised $3,650.00 to feed the hungry within two weeks. (Applause)
But, with all that support, it comes down to you. Yes, it's "you"! Every ticket you purchased, every encouraging word you gave, and every act of kindness (ushers), made the difference. Thank you.
Never stop caring about our city, its people, and its future.
When everything was over, Ronald Mitchell Sr., my love, husband and friend, caught me glazing at the stars in the backyard. All I could say was, "Oh Lord, How Great Thy Art!"
That's one reason why Memphis is the 2nd most generous city in the Country. And I gotta BHappy about that!!!
