Bank of America Names Memphis Urban League as Neighborhood Champion

MEMPHIS (Nov. 21, 2022) – The Memphis Urban League (Memphis, TN) has been named a 2022 Bank of America Neighborhood Champion for their work in the Memphis community, removing economic barriers and advancing economic opportunity. Programs and services that are addressing Memphis’ workforce and economic development will expand, helping more people chart a path toward economic opportunity with help from a multi-year grant from Bank of America.  

 As a Neighborhood Champion, the Memphis Urban League will receive $50,000 in grant support and virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector on topics like human capital management, increasing financial sustainability and storytelling.  

“Nonprofits like the Memphis Urban League are the backbone of our community as they are on the ground working closely with individuals and families to understand the obstacles our community is facing and develop programs and services that will help alleviate or eliminate these barriers,” said Trevia Chatman, president, Bank of America Memphis. “It’s important that we direct not only capital but also the necessary resources and training to help position this nonprofit and their leadership team for long-term success.” 

The Memphis Urban League’s mission is to assist African Americans, the underserved and economically disadvantaged, to expand economic opportunities and secure equality, power and civil rights. The Memphis Urban League provides direct services and features programs focusing on professional development and soft skills training.  

One of their programs, Save Our Sons, is especially meaningful to Memphis Urban League’s President and CEO, Tonja Sesley-Fifer, after the passing of her brother. The Save Our Sons programs primarily targets African American males, ages 18 to 34, in Memphis and Shelby County. The purpose of the program is to advance workforce readiness by providing life skills, workforce training, financial literacy, family building, and health and wellness resources. 

“The Memphis Urban League is grateful for Bank of America’s generosity in helping our organization to provide direct and wrap-around services through a variety of programs to those in need of our services,” said Sesley-Fifer. “We use a hands-on approach to meet people where they are, offering career counseling and trainings, while addressing barriers to employment. This grant from Bank of America supports our mission as we assist underserved and economically disadvantaged communities to expand economic opportunities and to continue our work of empowerment.”   

In Memphis, three nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Champions since 2019, with the bank investing over $460,000 into these local organizations.  

The invitation-only program is highly competitive, and organizations are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Neighborhood Champion honorees.   

The Neighborhood Champions program is an extension of the bank’s signature philanthropic initiative, Neighborhood Builders®, the largest corporate philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership in the country. Through 2021, Bank of America has invested $6.3 million in 126 organizations within 42 communities through the Neighborhood Champions program. 

To read further, please see the original press release here.