Blackburn, Hardy and Powell middle schools (JPS) 

Partners: Juanita Sims Doty Foundation,  Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute, International Community Ambassadors Network; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Beta Delta Omega, Rho Lambda Omega, Upsilon Upsilon Omega chapters; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Jackson Alumnae and Madison County alumnae chapters; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Rho Xi Lambda; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Jackson alumni; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Beta Alpha and Epsilon Kappa Kappa; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Mu Sigma Chapter; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Alpha Delta Zeta chapter; The Links, Inc. Jackson and Le-Fleurs Bluff chapters; 100 Black Men of Jackson and Canton; Forward Lookers Federated Club; Jack and Jill of America; National Council of Negro Women; The Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses; and Men in Action

Students impacted: 290
Volunteers: 300
Duration of partnerships: 6 years

The Ambassadors of the Evers Academy for African-American Males (A-TEAAM) Initiative is a character and leadership development mentoring program that inspires young males of color to honor the life and live the legacy of Medgar Evers as they interact with a “village” of role models and mentors. This village provides support and one-on-one guidance to empower young men as they matriculate through middle school. The Juanita Sims Doty Foundation partnered with the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute to implement the A-TEAAM Initiative and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 21 community-based organizations to provide a village in Jackson and Canton for young males participating in the program. 

Activities:

• Orientation and training sessions for mentors
• Sessions focus on character development, leadership training, literacy lessons
• Student narratives published in “I!CAN Imagine: Voices of A-TEAAM Young Authors”
• Culminating/Recognition event held for Ambassadors

 Impacts:

• 79% of ambassadors had positive changes in attitudes and behaviors
• 73% were observed by teachers and mentors to have increased self-esteem
• 64% of students increased school attendance
• 96% showed increased knowledge of cultural awareness