LeMoyne-Owen College is investing in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For 162 years, Lemoyne-Owen College has stood strong at 807 Walker in the Soulsville area, the fifth-oldest HBCU and the only historically Black college in Memphis.

Dr. Christopher Davis is the newly named president of Lemoyne-Owen College. He calls it a tremendous honor, vowing a new era of growth, transformation and communication.

Davis wants to untap the potential of so many youth in Memphis by providing quality education and getting them to reinvest in the city.

“We are training young people to stick and stay in Memphis to grow this community,” he said.

Studies suggest HBCUs provide a stable and nurturing environment. They’re designed to give students opportunities they might not have had elsewhere because of financial or educational hardship.

Despite the success HBCUs provide for Black students, they’re historically underfunded.

“When we look at the demographic that we serve, which are typically first-generation students. When you look at Pell Grant scholarship dollars and look at the cost of attending LeMoyne Owen, typically there’s around a $7,000 gap,” Davis said.

That’s why the college is calling on the community for support, to help fund more scholarships and help with retention and recruitment efforts.

“We’ve got some talented young people in Memphis who really need an opportunity to soar to excel,” Davis said.

Andre Phillips enrolled at Lemoyne-MoyOwen College his sophomore year and is proud to be a part of the LOC community. He quickly excelled, playing basketball while studying biology..

“You can come get your degree with a community of people that look just like you and have your best interests,” Phillips said.

A recent study suggests that historically black colleges and universities are more successful in graduating African American students than non-HBCUs. They provide a nurturing and stable environment for many students who come from low-income households or are first generation college students.

Phillips is hoping the community shows up and shows support, because investing in the school invests in people like him.

“We get overlooked a lot because we are a small HBCU, people don’t know our name outside of Memphis or even in Memphis. There’s a lot of untapped potential,” he said.

Davis says enrollment is trending up and many students are homegrown. That’s why he says supporting the college supports the city.

“We belong to the city. So we’re calling on the city to support their HBCU,” he said.

This year, 807 Day Celebration kicks off on Sunday, August 4 with Worship on Walker, followed by Magic Monday, an alumni mixer. The event will culminate with our annual telethon on August 7 airing on LOC social media platforms.

The College is asking the community to invest in the magic of LOC by giving in various increments of 807, including $8.07, $80.70, etc. Donations will go towards unrestricted funds for student scholarships and support services, including campus infrastructure and retention strategies.

This year’s giving goal is $200,000.

• Supporters can give in the following ways: Online at www.loc.edu | Text: MAGIC to 345345 | Phone: 1-833-807-GIVE (4483) Phone lines are open on Wednesday, August 7, 8:07 a.m. – 8:07 pm.
• For more information on 807 Day of Giving donation options, visit loc.edu/807day .

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