JACKSON MADISON COUNTY 

AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

JUANITA JONES TO BE GUEST SPEAKER FOR

CLOSING AWARDS CEREMONY


$500 ESSAY CONTEST

FOR CURRENT AND PAST "FOLLOW ME

INTO BUSINESS" PARTICIPANTS!


WIN A $500 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP IN THE LYONDELLBASELL ESSAY CONTEST.  DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS AUGUST 20,  2021.


DOWNLOAD CONTEST GUIDELINES HERE.


Click here to donate to Follow Me Into Business® program.

Follow Me Into Business Activities:

  • Membership meetings
  • Workshops
  • Shadowing
  • Mentoring
  • Internships
  • Guest Speakers
  • Summer Jobs for students, ages 16-18
  • Corporate Tours


Since the program began, the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber has served nearly 600 students.  Currently, the program is only available to students residing in Jackson, TN.  For more information, call 731-424-2030.

Photo above: Madison County Deputy Mayor Tony White welcomes Follow Me participants into the county building here businesses are opened, marriage licenses secured and court judges rule.

Photo above:  Follow Me into Business participants prepare to tour Madison County Court House.

The Follow Me into Business® Essay Contest Open from July 12, 2021 through August 20, 2021.


During June and July,  the African American Chamber  provides two-hour workshops and training on Thursdays and/or Fridays.  This includes1-hour shadowing and mentoring opportunities for ages 12-15 and paid employment for 16-18 year olds in July.  In the past, a 4-week computer class has been offered during June.  Transportation for the City Tour is generally provided by Lane College. Program coordinator is Mary Weddle.


For ages 16-18, The Chamber also provided 12 paid summer jobs,  funded by the City of Jackson, during the month of July.  Job sites in 2018 included  Family Healthcare of Jackson, Food Rite, It's Printed, Lane College Athletic Department, Nell Huntspon Flower Box, RIFA, The Harris Agency, and Walgreens-South Highland.

BancorpSouth President Doug Roth hosted a luncheon for Follow Me teen workers, parents and leaders of the Jackson Madison County  African American Chamber on July 21, 2015 at the main branch located at 301 E. Main St.  This was the second year the bank has hosted the event.

Members of 2015 Follow Me Into Business Summer Jobs Program toured Jackson Energy Authority (JEA) on July 24, 2015

City Tour

Follow me into business


Participants in the Follow Me Into Business® Summer Jobs Program for ages 12-18 learned that hearing about old and new places in their hometown can be lots of fun.  So far,  the City Tour has taken youngsters to Jackson City Hall, Madison County Court House, The NED, Casey Jones Museum, Jackson Energy Authority in Jackson  and to the West TN Heritage Center(see photo above) in Brownsville.  At the Casey Jones museum, they had a rousing good time learning about the real Casey Jones, his fireman Sid and the man who wrote the famous Legend of Casey Jones. Then a scavenger hunt gave them the opportunity to collaborate and to learn more of the information available. Special thanks to Lane College and a great driver for transportation.

​​​​​​​​Founder and executive director of the Keep My Hood Good Community Campaign, Juanita Jones will be the guest speaker for the closing awards ceremony of the Follow Me Into Business Summer Jobs Program.  The event is Friday, July 26th, 6pm at the Lane College CyberCafe, 545 Lane Avenue in Jackson, TN.


During July 2019, Follow Me Into Business participants, ages 12 to 14, have been involved in job shadowing on Thursdays and training sessions on Fridays.

Meanwhile, 15 to 18 year olds are on the job in areas related to their future careers.  Many thanks to job sites that include Agape Family Health Care Clinic, AJ's Elated Creations, Casey Jones Museum,  Family Healthcare of Jackson, Food-Rite, Futurlistic Barber & Beauty Shop, Nell Huntspon Flower Box, Wee Too Day Care and the office of the Jackson Madison County African American Chamber of Commerce (JMCAACC).


Speakers at training sessions held in June incorporated how STEM is used at their places of employment. On June 21, Jason Bates of Toyota Bodine Aluminum told about its operation and how young people can prepare for jobs by taking industrial technology classes at area colleges like Jackson State Community College.


2019

​​On June 28th, singer/musician Andy K. Avery told about his life and explained how music uses math as well as science.  Also appearing on June 28th was WBBJ reporter/anchor Brittany Kyles who explain how she landed her first reporting job along with tips for code-switching from the language they use while with their friends to that used while working outside of their homes and neighborhoods. She also invited participants to visit her at the WBBJ studio for a Saturday tour. 


Other speakers are Sherita Graham of BancorpSouth, Tina Mercer and Patrick Talley. Program Advisor is Mary Weddle.


​


​