THE CHALLENGE

According to a report released in 2015 by the University of Memphis School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy, Memphis ranks at the top of MSAs (Metropolitan Statistical Areas) with populations greater than 1,000,000 in poverty for children under 18. An unfortunate distinction that is showing no decrease even as the number of children living in poverty across the country decreases. Poverty negatively effects children’s academic achievement, socioemotional development and health. All of these are contributing factors to high crime rates, lack of job readiness and despair. How to transform lives so that we alter this trajectory is the challenge.

TARIK’s VISION TO SERVE

Tarik Black decided long before he ever signed his first NBA contract that if he was blessed with the resources to give back to his hometown of Memphis, he would. After hearing a moving acceptance speech by former NBA player, now successful businessman Magic Johnson when he was in Memphis for the National Civil Rights Museum’s Freedom Award, Tarik understood the powerful influence and impact an NBA player can have on advancing positive change in communities.

Fast forward about 10 years later. Tarik now finds himself in a position to follow in the footsteps of professional athletes who dedicate their personal lives to making a difference in their hometowns, the cities in which they now call home and across the globe.

MORE ABOUT TARIK