Bill Russell at mentoring luncheon and Grizzlies Academy

The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation hosted the TEAM UP Leadership Luncheon on Wednesday, January 30th at the BRIDGES Center.

Bill Russell, NBA Hall of Famer and national mentoring proponent, addressed business leaders from Memphis on how they can advocate for mentoring within their organizations. Joined by local owner Elliot Perry, Russell and Perry spoke to the group about the important role leaders can have in influencing their colleagues to volunteer their time as mentors. “There are no ‘other people’s children,’ ” Russell said, “there is only the next generation of Americans.”

Russell later visited the Grizzlies Academy and Memphis Athletic Ministries where he spoke with youth. Russell then joined Foundation Executive Director Jenny Koltnow in announcing the Foundation’s challenge to sign up 500 new mentors by June, 2008.