TBF Is Taking Back The Future For Students 

TBF Is Taking Back The Future For Students 

 “I am very grateful because I was able to continue the educational needs for my children.”

– Angelica Parker

Memphis, TN —With the cancellation of summer programs due to COVID-19 concerns, Tarik Black Foundation (TBF) has decided to partner with Urban Strategies during this time to ensure students have home technology for continuing classwork.
TBF is purchasing and donating laptops for Shelby County School students. Urban Strategies is delivering them and ensuring students’ homes have Wifi. This project is part of the foundation’s Taking Back the Future initiative. “We want to help minimize the digital divide,” said Judith Moore, President of TBF, “It’s important now and even when the pandemic is over that students have technology at home if we expect them to succeed.”

 

 

TBF wants youth to leave the annual multicultural celebration with appreciation for cultural differences and increased global awareness

TBF wants youth to leave the annual multicultural celebration with appreciation for cultural differences and increased global awareness

Tarik Black’s annual multicultural celebration fosters an atmosphere of understanding and appreciation for diversity and different cultural traditions. An idea that started with plans to just show an international basketball game has morphed into an opportunity to teach so much more. “Preparing youth for the future includes teaching them to live, work and thrive in a global society,” says Tarik Black who hosts this event virtually for Tel Aviv each year. The free event for youth features a streamed Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game in which Tarik is the starting center. “Offering youth the chance to see a professional Euroleague basketball game was the initial point of this party,” said Tarik. However, the concept grew as TBF organizers realized it would also be a good way to bring the youth of different backgrounds together to learn about a variety of cultural traditions. The event features a multi-ethnic menu, traditional games, and activities indicative of various cultures.

“Since it’s been such a success these first two years, we are coming up with ways to better embrace the communities represented in the planning of the event. Our idea is to launch a planning committee to help us assure we are honoring each tradition appropriately. We also want to continue adding traditions so that Memphis youth get to mingle with and make friends across neighborhoods and across zip codes,” said Judith Moore, The event targets youth but adults are welcomed. TBF expects adult celebration-goers to purchase items in the event pop up shop and participate in the silent auction to benefit TBF’s programs. Adults get to play the games, taste the unique dishes, and get involved with the overall festivities too.

Look for announcements about the 2020 multicultural event. Youth groups interested in attending may inquire at info@tarikblackfoundation.org. TBF invites businesses to partner with us in hosting this event by being a corporate sponsor. For details, please send inquiries to judith@tarikblackfoundation.org.

TBF’s 2nd annual multicultural celebration gives youth a taste of cultural traditions

TBF’s 2nd annual multicultural celebration gives youth a taste of cultural traditions

The TBF’s 2nd annual multicultural and game watch event was a kick-off to the holidays for 200 youth and their parents. Tarik Black’s From Tel Aviv to Memphis: A Multicultural Celebration and Viewing Party took place at Bridges Center in Memphis. It was a time to make new friends, try new foods and learn about Jewish, Kwanza, and Hispanic traditional celebrations. Youth from various churches, community centers, and other groups played dreidel, learned the principles of Kwanza and ended the evening by breaking piñatas. Attendees got to watch Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv Basketball team play Istanbul in a Euroleague game that streamed during the festivities. Via video from Tel Aviv, Tarik Black who is the starting center for the Maccabi team, welcomed celebration-goers and launched an evening of music, cultural games, food, and excitement.

A special thanks to 2019 sponsors: Bridges Center, Carter Malone Group, City Food Tours. Grandeur Cleaning, Park + Cherry, Massage On the Go and The Westin Hotel.

Tarik Black’s From Tel Aviv to Memphis: A Multicultural Celebration

Tarik Black’s From Tel Aviv to Memphis: A Multicultural Celebration

Tarik Black Foundation is hosting a FREE multicultural celebration. Tarik Black’s From Tel Aviv to Memphis: A Multicultural Celebration will include watching a Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv basketball game. During each quarter, party-goers will experience fun Hanukkah, Mexican, and Kwanzaa traditional foods and games. The event takes place on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 3:30 pm at Bridges Center, 477 N. Fifth St. Memphis, TN.

“This is the second year TBF has hosted this event. Last year, we celebrated Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. We’ve added Mexican traditions and foods to the party for our 2019 celebration. We want a diverse crowd of young people to join us for this cultural exchange event,” said Judith Moore, TBF president.

Former NBA player, now Euroleague/Israeli League player, Black plays the starting center position for the team. Maccabi Fox, the 2018 -2019 season Israeli League Championship team includes several U. S. players in addition to Black who party-goers will get to watch during the viewing party. 

Providing unique opportunities to learn life skills is part of TBF’s mission. The foundation considers experiencing the traditions of cultures different from your own and seeing the world outside of your own community an important part of being well prepared, well informed, and well rounded.

“The young people in our community are real familiar with the NBA but not many are as familiar with overseas professional basketball. Much of the game is similar but there are a few differences. A big difference is listening to it being commentated in a language other than English and fans chanting more than cheering,” said Moore. 

Former TBF youth campers and interns are especially invited to attend. Other youth are welcome too. Admission is first come first served until we reach capacity. Please register to attend by clicking here.

The Tarik Black Foundation proudly congratulates Tim Green, Jr

The Tarik Black Foundation proudly congratulates Tim Green, Jr

The Tarik Black Foundation proudly congratulates Tim Green, Jr., our Director of Boys’ Programs on being named one of this year’s 40 Under 40. The honor acknowledges Tim as among the Forty Most Influential Urban Elite Professionals Under Forty in Memphis.

Top 40 Under 40 Urban Elite Professionals Awardee #7 is Tim Green, Jr. Tim is the Executive Director and Founder of The Dividend, Co-founder of Memphis Restorative Justice Coalition, Founder of Tim Green Presents: Brunch and Convos and he is the Memphis Impact Leader for Profound Gentlemen. Through all his jobs and endeavors, he works to mentor boys and male educators of color.

Tim is a native Memphian and considers it his life’s work to give back to the community that shaped his life. After graduating from Whitehaven High School in 2003, He received his BA in Political Science from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and a M.Ed. from Bethel University. Tim has over 16 years of experience in youth development from being a classroom teacher to working for some of the mid-south’s most prestigious schools and nonprofits.

He is also the Vice Board Chair of Blues City Cultural Center, an Ignite Memphis Volume 10 speaker, founding cohort member of the national organization, Leaders of Color Initiative, Memphis Grizzlies Scholars mentor, Embark Fall 2015, and member of Leadership Memphis Executive Program 2017. #40UrbanElite