Educating Our Young Men – Reflections on “Men of Color & Education” Forum

On March 2nd, Teach for America hosted an electrifying event entitled “Men of Color and Education: a Discussion on the Pursuit of Excellence."  Avery Fisher Hall at the Lincoln Center will never be the same.  The audience had come fully prepared to be a part of this dialogue on educating our young African American and Latino men.  From the panelists on stage to the people sitting in the last row, everyone was completely engaged - the energy was just amazing!  Teach for America is to be applauded for all their hard work and for bringing these issues to the fore.

FedEx Team Members Let Loose at Seuss Party

Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss!  On March 2, fifteen FedEx volunteers and approximately 120 Stoner Elementary School children celebrated the famous author’s birthday by reading his books and playing games at a “Seuss on the Loose” carnival, as part of LA’s BEST “Read Across America” initiative. FedEx donated $10,000 to LA’s BEST, one of its local market partners and a nationally known after-school program for at-risk youth in the LA area.

How to Help Hybrid Trucks Go Mainstream

I’m writing this as I return from a recent CALSTART board meeting where I have assumed the role of chairman after five years of service as a board member. CALSTART is North America’s leading consortium dedicated to the growth of a clean transportation technologies industry.  Having the opportunity to offer time and expertise to an organization such as CALSTART is representative of the overall approach at FedEx to reach out into the communities we service.

Confessions of an Educated Man

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” - Frederick Douglas   I admit it - I had it pretty good. Growing up in suburban Dallas, I attended good schools with good teachers and parents who came to PTA meetings. My mom was on the school board, my history teacher drove my bus and my biggest dilemmas were in the daily cafeteria line. Rarely was there a barrier to the education I needed.

FedEx Lifesaving Relief Work Featured in CSR Film Festival – Vote Now!

Some years ago, I participated here in Memphis as an extra in the filming of the movie The Firm, based on the novel by John Grisham. I was an “elevator guy.” I stood by an elevator door for two days while they shot a scene that lasted no more than 30 seconds. It was fascinating to see everything that goes into making an action scene come to life on the screen. I did not win an Oscar for my part. I actually wound up on the cutting room floor – apparently too much competition for the leading male actor!