Duncan Williams to Title Sponsor Memphis Grizzlies Foundation

Duncan-Williams Inc. and NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies have agreed a partnership with the brokerage and investment banking firm being named the title sponsor of the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation’s Grizzlies TEAM UP youth mentoring initiative.

Duncan-Williams is one of several local companies to align with the Grizzlies Foundation in the last 12 months to engage local employees to participate in mentoring programs, but the company has taken it a step further with the title sponsorship.

Other local companies to collaborate with the Grizzlies Foundation include: Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics, Accredo, Pinnacle Airlines Corp., Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC law firm Ashley Furniture HomeStore is presenting sponsor for a “Mentor of the Game” recognition, which will be held during eight games in the 2011-2012 season.

The Grizzlies will also host Mentoring Night during tonight’s home game against the San Antonio Spurs. More than 400 mentors and children will attend, and Duncan-Williams will be honored with an on-court presentation during the game.

“This is a significant milestone for the Grizzlies TEAM UP mentoring initiative, and we’re grateful to have a passionate, committed partner in youth mentoring like Duncan-Williams,” Jenny Koltnow, executive director of the Grizzlies Foundation, said in a statement. “This support will enable us to strengthen and expand outreach and more importantly, place volunteer mentors in the lives of many more kids. With their employee volunteerism and financial investment in mentoring, Duncan-Williams has become a model for the Memphis business community.”

Duncan Williams, president of the Memphis-based brokerage firm, said: “As corporate and private citizens of Memphis, we understand the role that we play in fostering a better community,” Williams said in a statement. “In discussing how we could make a significant difference in the community, we realized that working with our city’s youth through mentoring initiatives would make a positive impact today and for years to come.”