Deidre Malone Brings Home the Minority Marketing and Communications Firm of the Year Award

 

Deidre Malone, president/CEO of The Carter Malone Group, LLC., is
joined by U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves   
(left) and Under Secretary for Minority Business Development Donald
Cravins Jr. after winning The Minority Marketing and Communications
Firm of the Year award. (Courtesy photo)

MEMPHIS, TN – In 2003, Deidre Malone stepped out of her comfort zone as a successful marketing executive and with one client launched The Carter Malone Group, LLC, or CMG, a communications and public relations firm. 

The combination of hard work and client satisfaction over the years has earned the firm several honors and awards including a recent national award: The Minority Marketing and Communications Firm of the Year. 

CMG was nominated for the national award by the Mid-South Minority Business Council (MMBC) Continuum, an economic accelerator for stage II Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises that partners with municipalities, agencies, corporations, and various levels of government.

“I was excited that we were nominated with firms across the country, specifically minority firms: African American, Hispanic, and Asian. It was a true honor for us,” said Malone, president/CEO of CMG. “And then to find out that we won, we just couldn’t believe it.”

Malone accepted the prestigious award on Sept. 21 at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf during the National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference, Sept. 18-24.

“When I told my husband Patrick that I was going to leave my good corporate-paying job to start The Carter Malone Group, he said, ‘Honey, do what you do.’ And I’ve been doing it now for almost 20 years,” said Malone during her acceptance speech. 

Hosted by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), “the MED Week Awards are the highest level of national recognition that a U.S. minority-owned firm can receive from the Department of Commerce.”

“We are proud to have one of our MBDA Business Center clients acknowledged amongst the elite firms being recognized nationally for the quality work that they provide on a local, regional and national scale,” said Jozelle Booker, operator of the Tennessee MBDA Business Center and president/CEO of The MMBC Continuum.

The MMBC Continuum operates the only MBDA Business Center in the state of Tennessee under the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“I’m excited for the firm, but I’m excited for MMBCC as well,” Malone said. “This is their first national award. I’m really excited for Jozelle (Booker) and her team and just excited to be a part of that history.”

Malone is in good company with other minority “firms of the year”: Tecma, Minority Export Firm of the Year; Piping Technology & Products, Inc., Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year; Onyx Enterprises, Inc., Minority Construction Firm of the Year; LilliiRNB, Minority Emerging Technology and Industries Firm of the Year; Curacubby, Minority E-Commerce Firm of the Year; GC Green Consulting, Minority Veteran Owned Firm of the Year; and H.J. Russell & Company, Robert J. Brown Minority Business Enterprise of the Year. 

Also, Champions of Minority Business Development honors went to Erica Y. Miles of Wells Fargo, Access to Capital; Ralph Sagaille with The Walt Disney Company, Distinguished Supplier Diversity; John F. Robinson with NMBC, Inc., Ronald H. Brown Leadership Award; Tom Espinoza with Raza Development Fund, Access to Capital; Jason Trimiew with Meta, Advocate of the Year; and Robert F. Smith with Vista Equity Partners, Abe Venable Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Since its founding, CMG has served 342 clients, according to the firm’s website, and provides services like branding, community engagement, government relations, video production, creative services, social media development and media training.

CMG also has been tapped and received at least 40 awards. The Minority Marketing and Communications Firm of the Year award is CMG’s crowning achievement to date.

“We’re doing all right,” Malone said.

Cyclists Pedal to Promote Prostate Cancer Awareness

Survivors first began their trek through the Black community
in 2018 when the bike ride for prostate, pedals and prayer began.
(Courtesy photos)

MEMPHIS, TN –Sylvester Fulton was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2016. “Like anybody else, you’d be surprised, confused, or shocked,” he said. “I was feeling good. I had no side-affects, or nothing.” 

He opted for treatment at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Newnan, Ga. Two treatments of brachytherapy (internal radiation) – three weeks apart – and he’s cancer free. 

After his second treatment, Fulton looked for organizations that advocate for men, such as a support group. He wanted to get involved; he was discouraged. So, he started his own. 

Sylvester Fulton

“I wanted to do something that I like to do and do it in the Black community – and that is ride bikes,” he said.

In 2018, Fulton started cycling to create awareness and to promote early detection. Survivors donned their gear and joined him for the inaugural bike ride through the Black community. 

Committed cyclists return each year in September in recognition of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and ride for their lives and to save the lives of other men who may be grappling with the disease. 

“It’s the leading cause of death for Black men,” Fulton said.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, starting at 7 a.m., cyclists will start at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2070 Chelsea Ave., for a 20-mile bike ride and return to the church after the tour is completed. 

Cyclists choosing the 5-mile bike ride will start at 8 a.m. at the church and end there. Fulton is expecting at least 50 cyclists to join him for another fun bike ride for “prostate, pedals and prayer.”

A blood test called a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) screening will be provided at the end of the bike ride. The test determines the level of PSA in the blood – if it’s elevated or not.

Brochures and pamphlets promoting prevention through early detection and various treatment options will be distributed at the church. Vaccinations for covid will be administered as well.

It would have been a different story altogether if Fulton’s prostate cancer had not been detected early. Now he’s encouraging men to get screened to avoid an unfavorable diagnosis.

“Men don’t take care of themselves like women do,” said Fulton, Bellevue Middle School’s new family engagement specialist. “If cancer gets outside the prostate and [travels] into the lymph nodes, you have a whole different situation.”

He credits his wife, Angela, and daughter, Camille, for supporting him after his diagnosis and throughout the treatment process.

Today, at the age of 63, Fulton is laser-focused on his health and the welfare of other men who may not know the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer – and treatment options after a diagnosis.

Consider the following statistics from the American Cancer Society: 

• African-American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer – up to 50 percent higher than the average American man.

• Prostate cancer can be cured if detected early

• 1 in 6 American men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetimes

• Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men

• Men 40+ should speak with their healthcare provider about both PSA and DRE prostate health exams

Fulton is adamant about getting his point across that prostate cancer is a serious and potentially deadly disease. 

“There is a stigma about cancer,” he said, adding: “I will tell anyone, just don’t panic.”

For more information about the “prostate, pedals and prayer” bike ride, contact Sylvester Fulton at 901-219-3616 or email him at prostatepedalsprayer@gmail.com.