Kendrick Joyce (class of 1989) Currently a fourth year medical student at UT Health Science Center, Kendrick Joyce is a member of the first class of Memphis Challenge students. When the program began at East High School in 1989 as an ongoing opportunity to connect with business leaders in the community, Kendrick readily accepted the Challenge.
Because he had an interest in business, as well as medicine, Kendrick interned at AutoZone through the Memphis Challenge. There he learned how to communicate with people on every level – from a store customer to the head of the organization – and meeting inspirational people whose lessons still resound in his mind over a decade later.
A graduate of Harvard University, Kendrick plans to become an anesthesiologist or work in pain management. He also hopes to stay actively involved with the future of Memphis Challenge. “I see the importance of putting time into the youth of Memphis,” Kendrick says. “It makes a difference.”
Roshun Austin (class of 1989)
Memphis could not find a better spokesperson than Roshun Austin, a member of the first class of Memphis Challenge and currently the HOPE City Manager for Homecomings Financial, a division of GMAC.
“Visitors always say we have a nice city; why don’t we see that?” asks Roshun. “I’ve always loved my hometown. I feel like I can make a difference instead of complaining about what Memphis is not.”
And Roshun is making a difference. After graduating from Middlebury College in Vermont, Roshun joined Teach for America, working in Baton Rouge, LA for two years. In 1995 she returned to Memphis, and became the director of OMDC in 1997, helping to create housing and opportunities in a part of Memphis in need of attention. In her current position at Homecomings Financial, she continues to provide affordable housing opportunities to Memphis residents. She hopes that future Challengers will find their own ways to give back to their community, and keep more of that talent here in Memphis.
Mishone Donelson (class of 1997) Just recently, Mishone left Atlanta, GA, where he managed a team of software developers in order to return to Memphis and help develop the curriculum for the new charter school. As Program Director and math teacher for the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, Mishone hopes to inspire his students to imagine the possibilities.
“There’s a lot of untapped potential in this city,” says Mishone, “and it is really up to all of us to find a way to cultivate that potential.”
Memphis Challenge is a start in this process because it instills in students a sense of knowing they can go anywhere they want and helps build a foundation that they will need after high school. For Mishone, the Memphis Challenge was another way to get involved in the community in a positive way.
Mishone is now continuing his involvement in the city’s well being, and one day plans to implement a summer research program to engage not only Memphis’ youth, but youth from around the country.
Brian Woodard (Class of 2000) Brian Woodard says he represents Memphis wherever he goes, and looks forward to returning to Memphis in the future in order to help develop the city even more. After graduating from Central High School, Brian accepted a Memphis Challenge internship at AutoZone in the legal department. That experience, coupled with his involvement in the Memphis Challenge program, has helped him prepare for his future desire of becoming a professional in the legal field.
“I joined Memphis Challenge in order to gain insight, opportunity, and advantage in my career, education, and life goals,” says Brian, a senior at Howard University in Washington, D.C. “I have gained all this and more, as I have learned skills and gained contacts that will help me achieve all of my present and future goals.”
Ashley Foxx (Class of 2001) Through her Memphis Challenge internship experience with the Center City Commission, Ashley Foxx is happy to be actively involved in the development, promotion and revitalization of Downtown Memphis. This White Station High School graduate wants to be involved with Memphis – that’s one of the reasons she decided to participate in Memphis Challenge.
“Memphis Challenge offered an opportunity to truly connect with my hometown,” Ashley says. “As a member of Memphis Challenge, I am privileged to work with business insiders and experts, network with a pool of top-performing peers and access valuable resources for college and career.”
Ashley attends the University of Pennsylvania, where she is pursuing a double major in Communications and English.
Austin Webster (Class of 2002) “I’ve met new people, made connections, and overall, grown as a person,” says Austin Webster, a Ridgeway High School graduate, of his Memphis Challenge experience so far. His internship at the Ronald McDonald House/Target House has definitely been a part of that growth. As the camp coordinator for C.A.M.P. Wishing Well, Austin says he has gained invaluable experience.
Austin is currently attending the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. His goal after college is to become a product designer.
Lillie Flenorl (2003 Junior MC) As an inaugural member of the new Memphis Challenge initiative, Junior MC, Lillie Flenorl enjoyed the opportunity to learn about resume writing, networking and time management. Lillie attends Hutchison School, and will graduate in 2004.
In 2003, Lillie was named one of Memphis Woman magazine’s Outstanding Young Women of Memphis. She is involved in her community with organizations such as Jack and Jill, NAACP Youth Council and Bridge Builders, as well as her school, where she serves as the editor of the Emblem magazine and is a charter member of the Multicultural Student Association.
Mario Dones (Class of 2003) A relative newcomer to Memphis, Mario Dones has welcomed the city with open arms. Mario is already working for the future of this city as an events coordinator at the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, a new charter school. This Memphis Challenge internship is not only helping to benefit the city, but is also helping Mario gain knowledge of his field of choice – education. The internship has helped him fulfill one of the goals he set when joining the Memphis Challenge – the opportunity to grow as a person.
“I joined Memphis Challenge because I saw it as an opportunity to not only network with the standout students in my city, but to also improve upon myself by taking full advantage of everything the program offers,” says Mario, an Overton High School graduate.
Currently a fourth year medical student at UT Health Science Center, Kendrick Joyce is a member of the first class of Memphis Challenge students. When the program began at East High School in 1989 as an ongoing opportunity to connect with business leaders in the community, Kendrick readily accepted the Challenge.
Memphis could not find a better spokesperson than Roshun Austin, a member of the first class of Memphis Challenge and currently the HOPE City Manager for Homecomings Financial, a division of GMAC. 
Just recently, Mishone left Atlanta, GA, where he managed a team of software developers in order to return to Memphis and help develop the curriculum for the new charter school. As Program Director and math teacher for the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, Mishone hopes to inspire his students to imagine the possibilities. 
Brian Woodard says he represents Memphis wherever he goes, and looks forward to returning to Memphis in the future in order to help develop the city even more. After graduating from Central High School, Brian accepted a Memphis Challenge internship at AutoZone in the legal department. That experience, coupled with his involvement in the Memphis Challenge program, has helped him prepare for his future desire of becoming a professional in the legal field. 
Through her Memphis Challenge internship experience with the Center City Commission, Ashley Foxx is happy to be actively involved in the development, promotion and revitalization of Downtown Memphis. This White Station High School graduate wants to be involved with Memphis – that’s one of the reasons she decided to participate in Memphis Challenge. 
“I’ve met new people, made connections, and overall, grown as a person,” says Austin Webster, a Ridgeway High School graduate, of his Memphis Challenge experience so far. His internship at the Ronald McDonald House/Target House has definitely been a part of that growth. As the camp coordinator for C.A.M.P. Wishing Well, Austin says he has gained invaluable experience. 
As an inaugural member of the new Memphis Challenge initiative, Junior MC, Lillie Flenorl enjoyed the opportunity to learn about resume writing, networking and time management. Lillie attends Hutchison School, and will graduate in 2004. 
A relative newcomer to Memphis, Mario Dones has welcomed the city with open arms. Mario is already working for the future of this city as an events coordinator at the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, a new charter school. This Memphis Challenge internship is not only helping to benefit the city, but is also helping Mario gain knowledge of his field of choice – education. The internship has helped him fulfill one of the goals he set when joining the Memphis Challenge – the opportunity to grow as a person.