It could just as well have been a carnival or fair in North Memphis’ Hyde Park community.
There were children everywhere, running over the grounds, jumping in the bouncy house, screaming down the water slide, and adults congregating in big-block-party fashion. And, backpacks, hundreds and hundreds of backpacks given out to all the children.
By name, it was the 3rd Annual Partners in Unity Back-To-School Giveaway and this year’s event (July 31) was a highly-anticipated affair.
Last year’s plans were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, making this year’s event gathering so meaningful.
“Partners in Unity is made up of nine business owners and organizations from right here in Hyde Park,” said Marvin Colman, Partners in Unity president.
“We’ve been pooling our resources together since 2018 to make this event happen. …There is no big corporate sponsor. This is our business community coming together every year to make it happen.”
Hyde Park roughly stretches along Chelsea Ave. between University and Hollywood.
Although Hyde Park is in the 38108 ZIP code, one of the most economically disadvantaged communities in the city, its back-to-school annual event draws parents and children from all over the city.
“These are not just people from Hyde Park,” said Sarah Carpenter, founder of Memphis Lift, an organization of parents who advocate for improvement in Shelby County Schools. “They are from all over the city – Frayser, Raleigh, Whitehaven – just from everywhere. And we welcome them because we do not discriminate when it comes to children.”
Memphis Lift is a partner in Coleman’s organization.
The back-to-school event was held at the corner of Chelsea Avenue and Tunica Street, on two acres owned by Coleman. The spot, Coleman said, is the future location of a vocational school to “teach children skills they can perform with their hands.”
Coleman has led the business community in sponsoring family events, such as petting zoos and giveaways for the children.
“God gets all the glory for everything we have been able to do,” said Coleman. “We realize that without His help, we would not be able to accomplish these things.”
Coleman owns a successful used car business, Chelsea Auto Mart. His brother, Alfred Washington, employs 500 workers at his Top Notch Security business. Washington also is vice-president of Partners in Unity.
“We’re trying to make a difference in our community,” said Washington. “We’re trying to show that there is Black pride and Black love here.
“Even though we could not have this event last year, we gave out 2,700 boxes of food and produce last year at Thanksgiving. We passed out more than 250 turkeys.
“At Christmas, we passed out over 300 winter coats and toys, also. This is important because we do all of this ourselves. There are no sponsors from outside. We are a community of caring people.”
The fact that the area is riddled with crime and poverty is pervasive in Hyde Park makes the back-to-school and other community events all the more important, said Carpenter.
“Although residents in Hyde Park are some of the most impoverished in this city, we are still a community with family values and morals,” Carpenter said.
“We care, and we want better for our children. They are the important ones, and this is all for them. That will always be the motivation – the well-being of our children.”
