Asset Funders Network introduces the Equity Amplifier for Economic Security (EA), a monthly spotlight series highlighting organizations or nonprofits focused on building economic security/asset building in communities of color.
About Memphis AFN
Launched in Spring 2024, the Emerging Memphis AFN Chapter is composed of a diverse set of local and national funders who are committed to the work of equitable wealth building and economic mobility for the residents of Memphis, Shelby County, and the surrounding region. Much of the work in year one has been focused on engaging funders and identifying shared interests and priorities for future learning, exchange, support, and amplification. As the Memphis AFN Chapter identifies the challenges and opportunities that we want to tackle together, we are excited to uplift leaders and organizations in our community that are focused on creative solutions to our region’s toughest problems.
Man Up, nominated by AFN member Hyde Family Foundation, is led by Dr. Patrick Washington, who founded the organization in 2018 to encourage more Black men to become teachers, and provide coaching, support and job placement.
Man Up is a non-profit organization headquartered in Memphis, TN whose mission is to give students in high poverty, urban and rural communities, particularly male students of color, access to high quality male teachers and advancing policies that promote equity in K – 12 schools. Man Up’s purpose is to recruit, train and place a talented pipeline of men of color who can be impactful in any school setting and to work relentlessly to ensure the success of all students.
Through it’s Teacher Fellow program, participants will have an opportunity to obtain licensure, earn a Master’s of Education and become certified in Educational Leadership at no cost. Man Up has grown to include 54 Fellows spread across three cohort classes in 20+ schools across Memphis, Shelby County and Nashville, serving in roles from early childhood to high school educators.
Read more about Man Up below.
About the Equity Amplifier
The EA serves as a space where philanthropy can engage with communities of color and examine how funders are addressing concerns in a manner that is intersectional and inclusive. Each month, AFN members will have the opportunity to access organizations and nonprofits in communities of color that are focused on economic security and asset building, including an informational brochure and a brief interactive virtual video presentation.
As a benefit of AFN membership, funders may nominate local nonprofits focused on building economic security/asset building in communities of color to highlight as part of the EA series. AFN members will also receive the opportunity to participate in a brief interactive virtual video presentation that will be shared with national AFN membership, allowing your organization to showcase innovative models and best practices to help build a more secure future for diverse communities.
How can funders get involved?
For more information or to nominate an organization or nonprofit led by people of color for the AFN EA, visit our website or contact AFN at info@assetfunders.org.
