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Southwest Foundation takes center stage at cityCURRENT Signature Breakfast

(l-r) Owner of Behind the Scenes Dusky Norsworthy, President Tracy D. Hall, Southwest Director of Community Programs & Engagement Suzanne Gibson, Southwest Foundation Board Chair Ann Langston and Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Daphne Thomas network at the cityCURRENT Signature Breakfast featuring Mick Ebeling and the Foundation as the Spotlight Charity.

(l-r) Owner of Behind the Scenes Dusky Norsworthy, President Tracy D. Hall, Southwest Director of Community Programs & Engagement Suzanne Gibson, Southwest Foundation Board Chair Ann Langston and Executive Director of Communications and Marketing Daphne Thomas network at the cityCURRENT Signature Breakfast featuring Mick Ebeling and the Foundation as the Spotlight Charity.

The Southwest Tennessee Community College Foundation was in the spotlight as the featured charity last month during the cityCURRENT Signature Breakfast where more than 400 leaders from all sectors of the business community gathered to hear how Mick Ebeling, founder of Not Impossible Labs, has built a business powered by compassion and the fearless pursuit of the absurd. Ebeling shared how he and his small group of business partners helped a paralyzed artist paint again, a jazz pianist suffering from Parkinson’s play again and a young boy in Africa who lost his arms during conflict in his war-torn country of Sudan feed himself again with a $100 prosthetic arm they made using a 3-D printer and spare parts. (See Mick’s amazing presentation here. Password is CTY.)

There was barely a dry eye in the house and the room was electric with hope and belief in the power of helping others. The crowd also watched a moving video about the Foundation and how it helps Southwest students overcome financial challenges and emergencies to persist to completion of their degree or certificate and how this fuels their success. The video featured three Southwest students who expressed their gratitude for the Foundation’s assistance. Southwest Student Ambassador and MOST member Amir Coleman and Engineering Technology Student Mary McCord braved the early morning rain, arriving at the breakfast before sunup to show their appreciation and support for the Foundation. Guests also received the Foundation’s newly released case for support brochure that provides an overview of the Foundation’s fundraising goals for the coming year and how the organization helps students with book, tuition and emergency scholarships.

“This was a fantastic opportunity for the business community to learn about the Foundation’s phenomenal work and how it is fueling upward social mobility for Southwest students who arrive with goals in mind, dreams in their heart and the grit to see it through. They just need a little help and the Foundation is there,” President Tracy D. Hall said. “It was a wonderful platform to tell our story and I think great things will come from it.”  Foundation Board Chair Anne Langston agrees.  “The breakfast was a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the impact and the needs of Southwest. I hope our call for support will open many new doors for the Foundation to seek additional support,” Langston said.

cityCURRENT is a privately-funded community engagement organization that touts its ability to #PowertheGOOD through digital media outreach using powerfully positive content and hosting hundreds of free networking events each year. Southwest is among its more than 100 partner companies that support philanthropic initiatives to enrich, engage, and impact the community.  The Signature Breakfast series is its monthly networking event that features a dynamic speaker and a featured charity.

Visit www.southwest.tn.edu/foundation to make a secure online donation to help students buy textbooks and overcome life’s minor crises that could have major consequences with the help of the Foundation.

Southwest VP for Financial and Administrative Services Mike Neal (send from left) and Foundation Board Trustee Albert Glenn (far right) network with breakfast attendees.

Southwest VP for Financial and Administrative Services Mike Neal (send from left) and Foundation Board Trustee Albert Glenn (far right) network with breakfast attendees.

Southwest Student Ambassador Amir Coleman visits with Mick Ebeling.

Southwest Student Ambassador Amir Coleman visits with Mick Ebeling.

Dr. Hall visits with Southwest student Mary McCord who starred in the Foundation video.

Dr. Hall visits with Southwest student Mary McCord who starred in the Foundation video.

Southwest Student Ambassador Amir Coleman visits with Mick Ebeling.

Dr. Hall and Mick Ebeling