Choose901 Alumni’s Block Party Recap
On June 26, Choose901 Alumni hosted a block party at Crosstown Concourse for the class of 2025 in partnership with several wonderful organizations, including Nexair, Memphis Medical District Collaboration, the Memphis Fire Department, Overton Park Shell, and many more! Alumni were able to network with local professionals and learn about different post-secondary pathways that might interest them.
Our fresh-faced alums also got to participate in a raffle with the chance to win some self care supplies straight from Bluff City Soap, college gear, and even an ipad! All thanks to our generous donors who provided gifts for the alum as they move into their next steps in life. In total, we had 8 door prize winners, and 12 raffle winners!
Sisters in Different Stages
We were lucky enough to interview some of our attendees and get a little insight into the minds of our city’s young visionaries. Students joined the celebration from our partner schools, such as New Hope Christian Academy, Collegiate School of Memphis, Crosstown High, Soulsville Charter School, and more.
Sisters Nailah, a recent St. Agnes grad and New Hope alumni, and Laylah Woods, fresh out of New Hope, were eager to discuss their future plans and visions for alumni impact. Nailah is planning to attend Rhodes College while her younger sister moves up to high school.
How do you see Alumni like yourself contributing to the city’s future?
“Networking, and making sure you can mentor students who are also coming up. Because I know this is an experience that if you’re there to help people, it makes it so much better when you come back to help other people. It’s like you’re still contributing and helping your community,” says Laylah.
Giving advice to current students, Nailah recommends going for “quality over quantity” when approaching grades. “Don’t just get an A to get an A. Make sure you actually understand what you’re doing. There’s no teachers out in the real world.”
Soulsville Visionaries
Recent Soulsville graduates Sanadia Marion and Ervin Davis have their futures mapped out. Ervin is entering trade school to learn welding and Sanadia will be beginning her freshman year at the University of Memphis.
How do you see Alumni like yourself contributing to the city’s future?
“To be a native of Memphis is important because nobody knows Memphis better than natural Memphians, especially if you’re born and raised. So I think the alumni of Choose901 can definitely help maintain the future, because we are Memphis,” Sanadia says.
“Anything that gives back to my community, I will always support and try to do because I love where I grew up and love where I came from,” says Ervin, who was also the iPad winner in the raffle.
To current students, Ervin and Sanadia emphasize dedication and goal making. “Keep moving forward and keep trying,” says Ervin.
Want to learn more about the Choose901 Alumni program?
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