For seven juniors and seniors at Delta Streets Academy, a custom-tailored suit could be the start of a promising future.
The Memphis Suit Project, which provided suits to the students, held a formal program Thursday at First Baptist Church.
“We believe deeply that confidence and credibility go side by side,” said Meghan Heimke, the executive director of the Memphis-based organization, in addressing the assembly.
She quoted Deion Sanders, a former professional football and baseball player who played in both the Super Bowl and the World Series: “When you look good, you feel good. When you feel good, you play good. When you play good, they pay good.”
Senior Andre Williams said he was measured for a suit a few weeks ago.
“It feels good. This is the first one I’ve had,” he said, adding that he is now in a better position to get a job after he graduates.
Heimke said the group typically provides 20 suits a month, mainly in the Memphis area. Thursday’s program, organized in large part by Greenwood businessman Allen Wood Jr., was the first held in Mississippi.
The suits provided to the students at Delta Streets are “gently worn” secondhand suits, Heimke said.
“We only accept suits that are of really good quality. What we do is take the suits and measure them, and we inventory them in our storage facility in Memphis,” she said.
“We work with our recipient organizations, like DSA, that identify guys that could use a suit,” Heimke said.
Memphis Suit Project measures the men and goes back to find suits that will work. Then “we’ve got to make it fit him,” she said.
Greenwood clothier Murray Kornfeld did all the measurements on the seven suits.
Additionally, Mike Rozier of Mike Rozier Construction purchased new dress shirts, ties, belts and socks for the students.
Heimke said each recipient must submit a written essay or video about the importance of having the custom-fitted suit.
“That gives them the chance to be reflective about the gift that we are giving and to really think about their future,” she said.
Heimke said the Memphis Suit Project is not just limited to high school students.
“We also have some college students; we have veterans who are returning to the civilian workforce. We also have men who are in underresourced areas or returning to the workforce from incarceration,” she said.
T. Mac Howard, the academy’s executive director, credited Wood with making the whole thing possible.
“It’s awesome. Allen Wood is the instigator, facilitator, whatever the nice word is,” Howard said.
Dominick Brown, a junior, said his new suit “makes me feel great. I feel like I am being The Man. I can take any job I want to.”
Byron Harris, a senior, said his suit could be the start of something bigger than an entry-level job.
“I’m trying to be a carpenter. For a job interview, it will help me get the job. I’m trying to own my own business, so I’ve got to look classy,” he said.
The Memphis Suit Project is a 501 (c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible.
For more information, visit www.memphissuitproject.org/donate or call Heimke at 1-901-461-7175.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
