Tarik Black Foundation receives National Basketball Players Association Foundation Grant

Tarik Black Foundation receives National Basketball Players Association Foundation Grant

Matching player grant will support Taking Back The Future programs   

The National Basketball Players Association Foundation (NBPA) has given Tarik Black Foundation a player matching grant to support TBF’s Taking Back The Future summer camp and afterschool programs.  

Since 2017, Tarik Black Foundation (TBF) has received three NBPA Foundation grants. This continued support has provided funding for camps, internships and events.  

Black’s national and international access to knowledge-based resources has allowed TBF programs to give young people exposure [literally] to the world. NBPA Foundation funding will help TBF expand its reach so that it can offer more innovative programs that elevate understanding of life concepts. Taking Back The Future curriculum is anchored by four practical concepts: healthy habits, wealth creation, global diversity and technology impact.  

“We believe centering education around our anchor concepts provides young people a solid foundation for building their future – a future threatened by COVID-19,” explains Judith Moore, TBF president. “The most vulnerable have been people with pre-existing health issues. People with substantive financial resources have weathered the storm with the least life disruptions. Technology has kept us resilient and moving ahead despite the world shutting down.” Moore says that heighten awareness due to the pandemic makes enhancing education in these areas critically important. 

Recognizing how empowering a grasp on their anchor concepts can be for young people, TBF works to cultivate dynamic partnerships that ensure impactful and engaging programs. “Our financial partners provide the resources we need for offering robust learning experiences. We are grateful that NBPA continues to be a partner,” says Moore. To learn more visit tarikblackfoundation.org. 

                                                                      

TBF featured at Sports Tech Summit in Tel Aviv

TBF featured at Sports Tech Summit in Tel Aviv

International exposure gives access to future program possibilities

TBF was proud to be a sponsor of the 2019 International Sports Tech Nation Summit in Tel Aviv, Israel this past fall. As part of TBF’s strategic plan for rebranding, we are partnering with global technology brands, especially those in sports. Through developing international and U. S. partnerships, we look to offer youth in our programs unique opportunities to learn about technology and sports. Tim Green, TBF director of boys’ programs was a featured speaker at the summit where he spoke to nearly 400 international delegates attending this global summit about our plans for the future. Thanks to TBF founder and CEO, Tarik Black who is the starting center for Maccabi Fox Tel Aviv, for forging this opportunity.

Taking Back the Future provides technology for studying at home

Taking Back the Future provides technology for studying at home

When COVID-19 brought schools to an abrupt closing in March, thousands of Shelby County Schools students found themselves at home without access to the technology for continuing classwork. As part of Tarik Black Foundation’s launch into Taking Back the Future, we partnered with Urban Strategies to help in filling this crucial need.  

Thanks to generous donors contributing to our Laptop for Students drive, we provided 14 students with digital devices. Urban Strategies delivered this technology and ensured each had access to WiFi. “Access to technology is one of the anchors of our rebrand mission,” said Judith Moore, TBF president. “We were glad that we could make a contribution to this effort.”

Taking Back the Future is about collaborations and partnership to provide programs that give youth access to information and exposure to new ideas. Four anchors drive our mission:

Wealth Creation, Health Awareness, Global Collaborations and Technology Impact.

Our Vision: A world where youth are well informed, well-rounded and well prepared for the future.                                                     

###

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 named 2019 Best Community Partner by MPLOY

TBF named 2019 Best Community Partner by MPLOY

The City of Memphis MPLOY Program named the Tarik Black Foundation Best Community Partner for 2019. The award was presented during MPLOY’s closing summer event at the Cannon Center.  

This summer, the Tarik Black Foundation provided summer employment for 50 interns who were hired by MPLOY and assigned to the foundation. This was the largest number of interns assigned to any MPLOY business partner. There were 25 young men and 27 young ladies hired to participate as interns (two former Summer GLAM interns returned as junior counselors).

This was the second year for the Tarik Black Foundation and MPLOY business partnership. “We are honored to have been selected for the Best Community Partner Award. More importantly, we are pleased to have had 50 young people attend either SPORTS CAREERS or Summer GLAM,” said Judith Moore, TBF President. “We had a wonderful group of interns coming from MPLOY. We look forward to continuing this partnership. “

MPLOY provides summer employment for thousands of youth each year. The program is managed by the City of Memphis Office of Youth Services.