The nonprofit was created to mentor children and create resources for underprivileged communities.
RIPLEY, Tenn. — Friday night’s game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks featured special guests: 30 children from Ripley, a Tennessee nonprofit, Safest avenue.
It’s part of Safest Avenue founder Jabarre Jarrett’s effort to show kids the world outside of the rural counties they grew up in.
“We only have a McDonald’s and a Walmart,” Jarrett said. “We don’t have any activity centers for children. »
Jarrett wants to change that for future generations. That’s why he created Safest Avenue, dedicated to mentoring children and create resources for disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.
“By changing the trajectory of thinking, we hope that through this we can open the minds and hearts of our entire community,” Jarrett said.
His mission is to show those growing up like him that the world is much bigger, which led him to contact the Grizzlies to bring the group to the game.
“Sign autographs, take pictures with the players and stuff like that when they’re in the fan tunnel,” Jarrett said, describing the fan experience they signed up for. “Early in the second quarter, they’re going to put Safest Avenue on the big screen.”
The 30 children were chosen by drawing and come from Lauderdale and Dyer counties.
Wheatley Graham, a freshman at Ripley High School, was excited about his first NBA game and the opportunity it represents.
“That’s the reality, but here’s what we know,” he said. “There might be things we don’t even care about.”
Jarrett hopes seeing the game can inspire Ripley residents of all ages.
“Let’s go to the children,” he said. “Let’s do [more] for these children. Let’s give them a life that we didn’t have.
Jarrett launched Safest Avenue in October 2023 and has hosted backpack, nail paint and diaper drives. He said they were still looking for permanent housing and were hoping donations to open their own community center.
