Chris Hope Receives 2021 John E. Bratcher Pioneer Award

 

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, July 7, 2021 – The Chris Hope Foundation (CHF), a nonprofit organization providing financial and social support services to families of children diagnosed with pediatric cancer and other childhood illnesses, today announced its founder Chris Hope received the 2021 John E. Bratcher Pioneer Award, bestowed by the Teamsters National Black Caucus (TNBC) Memphis Delta Chapter, in recognition of Hope's passionate work to uplift children and families impacted by childhood chronic illness.

 

Hope will be formally honored as the Pioneer Award Winner at this year’s TNBC Educational Scholarship Gala, which provides high school graduates and first-year college students with grants to support their further education, on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis.

 

"Words cannot express my gratitude for receiving this year's Pioneer Award, especially from an organization that does so much to empower working and middle-class families," said Hope. "While service to sick children and their families is in itself a gift that continuously sustains me, I am humbled to be an example for other Memphians, particularly the next generation, as they rise up to meet the challenges of the future."

 

The mission of the TNBC Memphis Delta Chapter is to address the concerns facing Black workers, ranging from increased participation in workplaces and within the community to encouraging political action and legislation, as well as outreach to communities of color. Its annual Scholarship Program seeks to nurture and empower the next generation of leadership by removing financial and other obstacles to educational pursuits, whether through accredited colleges, universities or vocational schools. Hope will appear alongside event planner Cynthia Daniels, founder of Cynthia Daniels & Co., at the Scholarship’s black-tie dinner in August. 

 

"Chris's work helping children and their families following cancer and other childhood illnesses is the very embodiment of Teamster values of grace, dignity and determination," said James E Jones III, President of Teamsters Local 667 and President of Teamsters National Black Caucus Memphis Delta Chapter. "I can think of no more suitable recipient of this year's John E. Bratcher Pioneer Award. The highest honor we can give, this is nonetheless just a small portion of our appreciation for his tireless work to touch and uplift lives at some of their most vulnerable points."

 

Tickets and additional information for the TNBC event are available at www.tnbcmemphisdeltachapter.org/events/2021-tnbc-black-tie-educational-gala. 

 

Founded in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2015, the mission of the Chris Hope Foundation is to touch lives, empower families and fight back against childhood cancer and other life-threatening illness. The foundation’s focus is on providing emotional support, social services and the alleviation of financial burdens associated with complex medical diagnoses. Its initiatives include a final wish program for pediatric patients in hospice or end-of-life care, post-secondary education scholarships and TeamHOPE fundraising campaigns that average more than $100,000 each year for the benefit of ill children and the hospitals that serve them. Learn more at chrishopefoundation.org.