FOREVER Funds Grant Strengthens HAAMI

(Feb. 12, 2025) For a decade, the Hooks Academic Achievement and Mentoring Initiative (HAAMI) has worked to increase retention, graduation rates, and career success for African American male students at the University of Memphis. Many are the first in their families to attend college, navigating unfamiliar territory with determination but without a roadmap. HAAMI provides mentorship, academic support, and leadership development to turn uncertainty into success.

To ensure HAAMI continues making an impact, the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis awarded a Nonprofit Capacity Building grant from the FOREVER Funds, supporting an external evaluation to measure its effectiveness. Since its founding in 2015, HAAMI has relied entirely on donors and grants to fund direct program expenses. While the program has always tracked internal data, an independent assessment was key to demonstrating its impact and securing future support.

“We have always kept statistics internally, but it was very important for us to have an objective report on the quality, impact, and outcomes of the program,” said Daphene R. McFerren, Executive Director of the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, which houses HAAMI. “This ensures we can share meaningful results with external stakeholders and expand our support.”

HAAMI supports students across all academic levels, from those struggling in coursework to those excelling on the Dean’s List. The program focuses on three key areas: academic achievement, personal development, and career readiness. Students receive monthly enrichment sessions, tutoring, study resources, and faculty engagement to help them succeed. Mentorship provides guidance for adjusting to college life. Career development connects students with internships, leadership training, and professional networks.

“Many of our students are first-generation college students,” said Rorie Trammel, Associate Director of the Hooks Institute. “They may be the first person in their family or even their entire neighborhood to go to college. Our role is to provide guidance and connections that help them succeed.”

Beyond academics, HAAMI introduces students to cultural and professional experiences, from museum visits to networking events with Memphis leaders. Many attend their first professional play or meet a mentor through HAAMI’s signature annual networking event.

The grant-funded evaluation, to be completed by June 2025, will help quantify HAAMI’s impact on retention and graduation rates and reinforce the importance of continued investment.

“HAAMI is not just about getting students to graduation. It is about preparing them for success beyond college,” Trammel said. “The external assessment validates the effectiveness of our work and helps us advocate for more funding, staffing, and long-term sustainability.”

Despite its success, HAAMI faces a major challenge: capacity. The program serves more students each year but remains understaffed. Additional funding would allow HAAMI to expand programming and create a structured mentoring initiative, pairing students with professionals in their chosen fields.

“We see a huge need for structured mentoring, particularly at the college level,” Trammel said. “While most mentoring programs focus on K-12 students, college students also need guidance. We would love to pilot a full-fledged mentoring initiative if we had the resources.”

HAAMI’s impact is clear, but its future depends on the community. Here is how you can help:
•    Mentor a student. Your time and guidance can change a young man’s future.
•    Open doors. Offer an internship or networking opportunity.
•    Spread the word. Share HAAMI’s work on social media.
•    Invest in success. Financial contributions help expand programming and staffing. 

“This program is a direct investment in the future of Memphis,” McFerren said. “Supporting African American male students is not just about individual success. It is about strengthening the entire community.”

With support from the Community Foundation’s FOREVER Funds, HAAMI is taking steps to secure its future. Together, we can help more students thrive.