A well known Memphis attorney is not only fighting brain cancer, he says he is fighting for Memphis.
Ricky Wilkins started the Mempower initiative.
It’s a movement to move Memphis forward by empowering the black community.
Wilkins was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer last January., While sitting in that hospital bed he says he had a lot of time to think
“I view us all if you will on a proverbial Titanic,” said Ricky Wilkins, lawyer, “If we don’t work together as a community the plug and stop the water from coming in, everybody goes down.”
Wilkins is referring to Memphis. The crime problem, poverty, economic injustices and racial disparities that affect the majority African American community. Wilkins says for Memphis to reach its full potential all sections of the Memphis community must be given the same opportunities.
“This is not just about black and white it’s about wrong and right,” said Wilkins.
For the past several months Wilkins has been making the rounds speaking to churches, civic groups anyone who will listen. Wilkins is hoping to get everyone on the same page to move Memphis forward.
“What we are doing now is not working if we can agree on that first and foremost then that gives us a foundation to have a further discussion about what happens next.
The only way we are going to solve some of these problems are to have tough Ernest candid conversations,” said Wilkins.
Wilkins is on a mission,” It’s just an evolution of who I am as a person as a man as a professional as a child born here who cares deeply about this community.”
Wilkins says, the bottom line, “I maintain that the same kid that is waiting to car jack or mug you or I could be a kid that could find a cure for this cancer that I have if he or she receives the right guidance the right motivation.
Wilkins says he will continue holding meetings. by the end of October, he hopes to unveil an action plan to community leaders.
