The ALPHA MEMPHIS EDUCATION FOUNDATION (AMEF) is an 501c(3) organization that promotes, encourages, and empowers our youth to fulfill their dreams. The organization strives to enhance public awareness, create partnerships and secure new funding to support its programs. AMEF was founded in the summer of 2002 in an effort to provide opportunities for at-risk youth and economically disenfranchised citizens.
Mission and Vision
Empowerment through educational outreach and social uplift.
The foundation will carry out its mission by supporting innovative ways to enhance educational opportunities in our community and seek to provide for the positive development of youth and empowering of their families and communities by serving as positive role models.
AMEF Goals and Objectives
1. Advancing educational achievement and promoting educational opportunities among historically recognized socially and/ or economically disadvantaged youth and other groups.
2. Conducting educational seminars, community-based workshops, and disseminating instructional materials aimed at encouraging youth to pursue studies in various academic disciplines, especially those where they are under-represented.
3. Providing scholarships and other educational support.
4. Sponsoring and supporting programs designed to promote self-improvement, self-reliance, leadership development, personal responsibility, entrepreneurship, and economic awareness.
5. Establishing and maintaining a community education/outreach facility.
Programs
Youth Leadership Development Institute
The Leadership Development Institute (LDI) aims to develop a 21st century generation of leaders. This mission starts with young people, particularly those who demonstrate the potential to comprehend and apply the fundamental principles needed by leaders as well as whom, by virtue of their age and education, are often looked upon as role models. Thus, the Institute, which is implemented in five regions, seeks to equip high school students, primarily sophomores to seniors, with vital leadership skills. To this end, our members who organize and facilitate the regional LDIs, working along with other professionals/experts, instruct the participants in parliamentary procedures, conflict resolution, models of leadership, public speaking, community and civic engagement, and educational enhancement skills.
Goto High School, Goto College
The "Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College" program concentrates on the importance of completing secondary and collegiate education as a road to advancement. Statistics prove the value of this extra impetus in making the difference in the success of young African-American men, given that school completion is the single best predictor of future economic success. Through the Go-to-High-School, Go-to-College educational initiative, young men receive information and learn strategies that facilitate success.
A Voteless People is a Hopeless People
"A Voteless People is a Hopeless People" (aka VPHP) was initiated because African-Americans had the right to vote but were prevented from voting because of poll taxes, threats of reprisal, and lack of education about the voting process. Voter education and registration have remained a dominant focus of this outreach activity for over 65 years. The program focuses on political awareness and empowerment, delivered most frequently through town meetings and candidate forums.
Annual Noteworthy Events/Fundraisers
MLK Scholarship Gala - January
Golf Tournament - June