Grizzlies to host Mentoring Night on Monday, Jan. 30 vs. San Antonio Spurs
MEMPHIS, January 27, 2012 – The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation today announced an integrated partnership with Duncan-Williams, Inc., which will make them the title sponsor of Grizzlies TEAM UP, the Foundation’s internationally-recognized youth mentoring initiative. Additionally, through their corporate mentoring effort, Duncan-Williams, Inc. has actively encouraged employees and their families to serve as mentors as part of the partnership.
“This is a significant milestone for the Grizzlies TEAM UP Mentoring initiative, and we’re grateful to have a passionate, committed partner in youth mentoring like Duncan-Williams,” said Jenny Koltnow, Executive Director of the Grizzlies Foundation. “This support will enable us to strengthen and expand outreach and more importantly, place volunteer mentors in the lives of many more kids. With their employee volunteerism and financial investment in mentoring, Duncan-Williams has become a model for the Memphis business community.”
“Duncan-Williams is built on a principle of understanding. Our corporate tag line, “A firm understanding”, guides us in all our endeavors,” explained President Duncan F. Williams. “As corporate and private citizens of Memphis, we understand the role that we play in fostering a better community. In discussing how we could make a significant difference in the community, we realized that working with our city’s youth through mentoring initiatives would make a positive impact today and for years to come. Through the Grizzlies Charitable Foundation we found the ideal vehicle to help us achieve our goals by becoming the presenting sponsor of the Grizzlies TEAM UP Mentoring initiative. This partnership will allow Duncan-Williams to make a significant contribution to mentoring efforts in Memphis as well as provide an outlet for our employees to become mentors in the lives of our youth.”
In celebration of the partnership and President Obama’s proclamation of January as National Mentoring Month, the Grizzlies Foundation will be hosting Grizzlies Mentoring Night when Memphis faces the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 30 at FedExForum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Special in-game features to recognize those who support youth mentoring include:
- 400+ mentors and children will attend the game
- A special, on-court presentation of new Grizzlies Foundation partner Duncan-Williams, Inc.
- An Ashley Furniture HomeStore “Mentor of the Game” will be honored
- 30 Mentors and children will make up the pre-game fan tunnel
- Grizz Girls will wear TEAM UP shirts
- All guest services and concessions will don Grizzlies TEAM UP shirts
The Grizzlies Foundation-Duncan-Williams, Inc. partnership highlights the growth of corporate mentoring in Memphis. In the last 12 months, companies like Duncan-Williams, Inc. have aligned with the Grizzlies Foundation and have actively championed mentoring and engaged large numbers of employees in mentoring young people through an employee engagement program. These companies include: Smith & Nephew Orthopedics, Accredo, Baker Donelson, Pinnacle Airlines and Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. In addition, Ashley Furniture HomeStore is a presenting sponsor for the “Mentor of the Game” recognition during eight games during the 2011-2012 season.
About the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation:
Founded in 2004, the Grizzlies Foundation is committed to placing volunteer mentors in the lives of at-risk kids in Memphis. The Foundation recruits and refers mentors, provides training and technical assistance to mentoring programs and actively raises awareness and builds partnerships throughout the community. Shortlisted for the 2011 “Sports Team of the Year” Award by London-based Beyond Sport and winner of the 2007 Steve Patterson Sports Philanthropy Award Winner for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy, the Grizzlies Foundation has donated $28 million to Memphis-area nonprofit organizations since its inception. To learn more about the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation and how to become part of the Grizzlies TEAM UP youth mentoring initiative, e-mail mentor@grizzlies.com, call (901) 205-TEAM or visit grizzliesteamup.com.
About Duncan-Williams, Inc.
Duncan-Williams, Inc., is a Top 100 Brokerage Firm headquartered in Memphis, Tenn. Founded in 1969, the firm is a full-service brokerage and investment banking firm providing financial solutions to individuals and institutional organizations in 50 states and 11 foreign countries. Duncan-Williams, Inc., is a member of FINRA and SIPC. Duncan-Williams, Inc., has offices in Akron, OH, Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Cleveland, OH, Gainesville, FL, Houston, TX, Jackson, MS, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA and Tampa, FL. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council certifies Duncan-Williams, Inc., as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE). The firm was named to the 2010 and 2011 Inc. 5000, Inc. magazine’s annual ranking of the fastest-growing companies in America.