Forging a bridge to leadership
Photo: Bridge Academy graduates and their mentors at the Southaven Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
During the past year the Southaven Chamber Foundation, with the Southaven Chamber of Commerce, has been helping interested youngsters learn about leadership and how to advance in a career.
The Bridge Academy is a six-month professional development program that certifies participants in training for career advancement and promotional activities while working with community mentors.
Between March and August, the group met once a month with business leaders. They were learning leadership development, community engagement, networking, government insight and civic awareness.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the first graduates from the Bridge Academy were recognized during the Chamber’s Quarterly Luncheon.
Learn more about the program at the Southaven Chamber of Commerce website.
Bridge Academy Mentees
- Zariah Bullock-Hamidou
- Matthew Engelke
- Caleb Faulkner
- Morgan Ford
- Kaiya Ivy
- Katelyn Jackson
- Corbin Lynch
- Kelis Malone
- Robert Maddux
- Reniya McClain
- Emily Medina
- Raegan Sago
- Theotis Simmons
- Elise Smith
- Charity Thomas
- Amaiya Williams
Bridge Academy Mentors
- Chris Anderson – Southaven Honda
- Jessiah Burnett – DeSoto Arts Institute
- Aaron Cozart – Wisdom Integrators
- Phyllis Davis – Avid Hotel – Southaven
- Sherri Davis – Select Title & Escrow LLC
- Chad Engelke – United Real Estate Mid-South
- Mellany Evans – Planters Bank
- Hollye Granier – Turn Key Realty Group
- Shawntel Hibbler – Southaven Chamber of Commerce
- Harvey Hill – Northwest Mississippi Community College – DeSoto Campus
- Dan Lehman – Landers Auto Group
- Bailey Melvin – Chick-fil-A Southaven
- Daniel Vega – Nations Lending
- Gina Wigington – Turn Key Realty Group
