UofM’s Hooks Institute to Hold an Evening with Donors and Friends May 2

April 25, 2019 - The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis will hold "An Evening with Donors and Friends" benefit May 2 from 6-8 p.m. at the University of Memphis Holiday Inn.

About the Event

The evening will be hosted by civil rights activist Ida B. Wells (1862-1931), portrayed by actress Daneka Norfleet. She will lead guests through the Hooks Institute programs, which include a documentary on her life.

Proceeds from "An Evening with Donors and Friends" help fund the Hooks Institute's research and community engagement programs that seek to ameliorate disparities, media and historical projects focused on the civil rights movement and its legacy, the Hooks Institute Lecture Series and the Hooks African American Male Initiative (HAAMI), which focuses on increasing the retention and graduation rates of African American males attending the University of Memphis.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Bill Hurd and Ensemble. Hurd is a nationally renowned Jazz saxophonist and recording artist.

The presenting sponsors are First Horizon Foundation and Regional One Health.

First Horizon Foundation

"First Horizon Foundation's support will help the Hooks Institute continue its critical work to provide year-round, dynamic programming to teach, study and promote civil rights and social change in Memphis and beyond," said Darin Johnson, board chair of the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute. "Not only does this important work strengthen and empower our communities, it carries on the legacy of service to others as exemplified by the late Dr. Benjamin Hooks, a groundbreaking leader in the civil rights movement."

Regional One Health

"I am excited about Regional One Health's support for the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute because the institute pushes us to take action," said D'Arcy Deveaux, spiritual care liaison at Regional One Health. "Their work changes the way people view the world and redefines perception versus reality, reminding us that no matter how small the act, there will never, ever be a wasted effort. HAAMI's passion for nurturing young men into active, vibrant trendsetters gives them a voice for a lifetime."

Additional Sponsors

The event's title sponsors are A2H – Engineers – Architects – Planners, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and Cigna. Other financial sponsors include Allworld Project Management, LLC; Brown Missionary Baptist Church; Greater Middle Baptist Church; MINACT, Incorporated; Nike, Inc.; and Pinnacle Financial Partners.

For more information, please visit https://www.memphis.edu/benhooks/events/benefit.php.

Contact

Nathaniel Ball | 901.678.3655 | ncball@memphis.edu