Memphis Allies Stories
Carl Davis receives HBCU Empowerment Award
Memphis Allies’ Carl Davis receives HBCU Empowerment Award
By his own admission, proud Craigmont High School graduate Carl Davis went to Tennessee State University because he had friends going there. But once Davis reached the Nashville campus, he was introduced to a motto that remains a driving force in his life:
“Think, work and serve.”
I appreciate this honor. I don’t take it lightly.
– Carl Davis
Managing director of operations, Memphis Allies
As managing director of operations for Memphis Allies, Carl lives out the credo daily. Yet, the 2007 TSU graduate still finds time to volunteer as a youth basketball coach, something he has done for much of his adult life. He received an HBCU Empowerment Award for his commitment to the community at a recent Memphis Grizzlies game.
“The work we do at Memphis Allies, intervening in gun violence and giving people from traumatized neighborhoods real opportunities to live worthwhile lives, is everything to me,” Davis said. “But it also is not enough for me because I know the impact a coach’s voice can have, and so I want to be that voice, too.”
It has been almost 20 years since he left TSU, where he majored in mass communications. But in some ways, he says it feels like he never left. As a TSU alumnus, Davis has “family” across the country.
“I appreciate this honor,” he said. “I don’t take it lightly.”
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