Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning Classes

Starting & Maintaining a Business

(In-person)

Led by Successful Living Economic & Community Development Corporation, this series tackles not only starting a business but maintaining it. Discussions include the challenges entrepreneurs face, how to acquire funding, growing the business and maintaining budgets.

Instructor: Efrem Keith Simmons has been performing business development and management consulting for over 32 years. He works as a Senior Business Consultant with The Consulting Group Inc and as a Senior Trainer with the non-profit, Successful Living Economic & Community Development Corporation (SLECDC).

Where: Crenshaw Branch Library (Meeting room)
Dates: October 28, November 4, 11, 18
Times: Saturdays, 2:00pm–3:00pm
Ages: 18 and over

Website Design

(In-person)

In this series you will learn the tools needed to design your own webpage. This includes claiming a domain name, gathering your content, designing your elements and more.

Instructor: Briana Brooks is the owner of B. Lashon Enterprises which consist of three different businesses. She began her entrepreneurship journey in 2016. Bri Bliss Designs was her first business, and it has grown to over 500 plus clients both domestic and international.

Where: Whitehaven Branch Library, 4120 Millbranch Rd, 38116 (Meeting Room) Dates: October 25, November 1, 8, 15 (Last Class in Conference Room)
Times: Wednesdays, 12pm–1pm
Ages: 18 and over

Graphic Design

(in-person)

Prepare yourself for an introductory course into the world of Graphic Design! In this course, you will learn about the essential building blocks that make designs truly great, such as balance, rhythm, pattern, emphasis, contrast, unity, and movement. Additionally, you will dive into the art of typography, exploring different font styles to make your designs stand out. You will get hands-on experience creating eye-catching posters with awesome layouts, colors, and messages. Don’t worry about finding resources, as there are plenty of free design tools and assets to boost your creativity. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore the endless possibilities of design and let your imagination run wild!

Instructor: Lucero Soto is a graphic designer specializing in design and social media. She is a graduate of Memphis College of Art.

Where: Randolph Library, 3752 Given Ave, 38122 (Meeting)
Dates: November 4, 11, 18, 25
Times: Saturdays, 10am–11am
Ages: 18 and over

Africa in Focus

(in-person)

Africa in Focus was designed to teach members in our community about the history and culture of various communities in Africa. Virtual guest speakers, cross-cultural collaborations, and live demonstrations are features of the program. We will focus on the Ashanti people and the noted Kente fabric, the history and traditions of Senegal, Nigeria and inexpensive ways to travel the continent.

Instructor: Tanisha Dudley-Williams is a teacher with Memphis Shelby County Schools. She has been in the education field for 25-years. In addition to having bachelor and masters degrees she received her Teaching Africa Teacher Certificate through Boston University African Studies Center in 2022. In 2019 she spent time in Senegal as Fulbright Teachers for Global Classroom Fellow. She was also a participant in the 2022 Fulbright-Hays group project abroad which provided her an opportunity to spend time in Ghana.

Register online at memphislibrary.org

Where: Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar, 38111 (Room L56) Dates: Starts October 21 Classes: October 28 November 4, 11
Times: Saturdays, 10am–11am
Ages: 18 and over

Digital Photography & Videography

(In-person)

Learn photography basics consisting of film, digital photography, lighting, and film print.

Instructor: Alandras Massey, Jr. is a multi-media specialist with more than 25-years of experience in mass communication and journalism. He is the founder and owner of AMJ Production.

Where: Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
When: October 6, 13, 20, 27
Times: Fridays, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Ages: 18 and over

All Things Natural Hair 411

(In-person)

A creative, informative, and fun series on the different aspects of styling loose and locked natural hair. Classes to include the 8 techniques for creating natural hair styles, live demos, models, product information, special guest stylists, Q & A, give-a-ways and more!

Instructor: Pearl “Hair Deva” Walker has been a licensed cosmetologist for over 30 years and has been specializing in natural hair styling for 23 years. Walker was the first stylist in the history of the state of Tennessee to serve on the state cosmetology board with a specialty in natural hair styling.

Where: Whitehaven Branch Library, 4120 Millbranch, 38116 (Meeting Room)  
Dates: November 8, 15 
Times: Wednesdays, 5:30pm-7:30pm  
Ages: 18 and over 

A Better You – How to Overcome Setbacks, Downsizing and Starting-Over

(in-person)

Led by Successful Living Economic & Community Development Corporation, This course is designed to help adults deal with challenging life situations such as late-life career transitions, layoffs, marriage failures, and midlife crisis. This course will help the participants learn coping skills and techniques to positively deal with these life situations.

Instructor: Efrem Keith Simmons has two advanced degrees from the University of Memphis including a Master of Professional Studies in Training and Development. He has also experienced divorce, downsizing, and multiple other setbacks. To resolve his personal issues, Efrem studied the human experience as a life coach and Certified DISC Profile Analyst to understand how individuals could become a better person, better understand themselves, and effectively acquire the skills to overcome their present life situation. As a Professional Trainer for over 13 years, he has designed and presented trainings for SCORE, the TN Small Business Development Center – Memphis, Pinnacle Bank, and Shelby County Government – Vehicle Services.

Register online at memphislibrary.org

Where: Frayser Branch Library, 3712 Argonne St, 38127 (Meeting room)
Dates: October 9, 16, 23, 30
Times: Mondays, 12pm–1:pm
Ages: 18 and over

SELF HELP/IMPROVEMENT How to Communicate Effectively

(in-person)

Led by Successful Living Economic & Community Development Corporation, this course is designed to help adults deal with communication challenges that may result in divorce, lack/loss of personal relationships, and career advancement/enhancement. This course will also help those dealing with anger and self-esteem issues. The ability to effectively communicate is an important life and soft skill needed for one to be understood and feel meaningful.

Instructor: Efrem Keith Simmons has two advanced degrees from the University of Memphis including a Master of Professional Studies in Training and Development. While working for The State of TN-Department of Revenue, he was one of the first group of individuals to complete the Statewide Learning and Development Council’s Management and Leadership Pyramid that had 4 levels and 26 modules. The learning pyramid dealt extensively with effective communication and its application in the work environment. He also qualified to be a Certified Agency Trainer in the State of TN. Register online at memphislibrary.org

Where: Frayser Branch Library, 3712 Argonne St, 38127 (Meeting room)
Dates: October 6, 13, 20, 27
Times: Fridays, 2pm–3:pm
Ages: 18 and over

English Language Learner (ELL)

(In-person)

Classes are designed to teach adults how to pronounce and write some basic English words and phrases.

Instructor: Patricia Posada is a native Spanish speaker who wants to help out the community and teach early English learners how to pronounce and write a few words and phrases. Patricia has over 10 years of experience translating.

Where: Cordova Branch Library, 8457 Trinity Rd, 38018 (Conference Room) Dates: October 9, 16, 23, November 6
Times: Mondays, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Ages: 18 and over

Survival French for the Vacationer  

(In-person)

This class is geared towards learning the bare bones of French for your next trip to France! In this course, you’ll learn the basics such as manners, how to ask for directions, basic emergency vocabulary, and how to order food.

Instructor: Rebecca Stovall. All through high school Rebecca took advanced placement French classes, then continued to major in French and Japanese at the University of Memphis. In her time there she also studied abroad for half a year in Lille, France. She is a proficient speaker, reader, and writer in French.

Where: Officer Geoffrey Redd, 5094 Poplar Avenue, 38117 (Meeting Room) When: October 5,12,19, 26
Times: Thursdays, 4pm-5pm
Ages: 18 and over

Spanish for Travelers

(In-person)

Classes will go over some introductory Spanish terms and keywords for people who plan to travel to a Spanish-speaking country. Lessons will go over vocabulary, speaking, and some writing skills.

Instructor: Patricia Posada is a native Spanish speaker. She has translated medical and educational information for others in various capacities.

Where: Cordova Branch Library, 8457 Trinity Rd Poplar, 38018 (Conference Room)
When: October 9, 16, 23, November 6
Times: Mondays, 6pm-7pm
Ages: 18 and over

American Sign Language

(In-person)

Classes will take on the natural, visual, non-spoken language with its own distinct grammatical structure. Shape, movements, and location of the hands, facial expressions and body will be utilized for communicating.

Instructor: Wanda Gray started her sign language journey in 2014 when a customer who was deaf came into her office. Wanda was frustrated with not being able to communicate with the customer, so she made the decision to teach herself the language. She told the customer, “When you come back into the office, I will be speaking your language.” He came back in April and the rest is history.

Where: Whitehaven Branch Library, 4120 Millbranch, 38116 (Meeting Room) When: October 3, 10, 17, 24
Times: Tuesday, 6pm-7pm
Ages: 18 and over

American Sign Language

(in-person)

If you missed Wanda’s American Sign Language series in October, you have another opportunity in November. This session has 2 one-hour-30 minute classes. Classes will take on the natural, visual, non-spoken language with its own distinct grammatical structure. Shape, movements, and location of the hands, facial expressions and body will be utilized for communicating.

Where: Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar, 38111 (Meeting Room C)
When: November 21, 28
Times: Tuesday, 6pm-8pm
Ages: 18 and over

Do It Yourself Small Claim Court Filing

(Virtual)

Class will share with individuals who cannot afford an attorney through the process of filing a small claim in Shelby County General Sessions Court on their own behalf (pro se). It will cover the court’s rules, decorum, filing procedures, service of process, presenting a case, and enforcement of judgement.

Instructor: Julian R. Griffin is a paralegal professional with more than 20-years’ experience in executing detailed tasked in fast-paced and deadline driven environments. He has diversified experience in employment, social security, personal injury, and worker’ compensation law.

Where: Virtual
When: October 7, 14, 21, 28
Times: Saturdays, 1pm-2pm
Ages: 18 and over

Craft Making with Vinyl & Sublimation

(In-person)

Class will show how to make products through use of sublimation printing, epoxy tumbling, silhouette cameo and much more.

Instructor: Marlena Oliver-Coleman is the founder and owner of Lena’s Creative Innovations. Marlena has been printing for six years and loves what she does, creating for others and bringing their vision to life. She owns several different printing machines and software.

Where: Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar, 38111 (1st floor L56) When: October 11, 18, 25, November 1
Times: Wednesdays, 6:00 pm-7:00pm
Ages: 18 and over

From the Page to the Stage

(In-person)

This class/workshop will focus on dramatic writing culminating to presenting works on stage including poetry, short stories, and prose in a dramatic form.

Instructor: Levi Frazier, Jr. of Blues City Cultural Center has been writing, producing, and directing for more than 50 years. He has had plays produced all over the country and in Europe. He won the Ostrander Award for Best Play (When it Rains) and won a Chattanooga Theatre Center playwriting contest. Frazier performed A Tribute to Richard Wright in Paris France.

Where: Cherokee, 3300 Sharpe Ave, 38111 (Meeting Room)
When: 11, 18, 25
Times: Wednesdays, 4:30pm– 5:30pm
Ages: 18 and over

Children’s Book Publishing 

(In-person)

Take the mystery out of publishing a children’s book and learn the how to of getting your work out to the public. This series includes illustration, costs, and marketing.

Instructor: T’Arrah Marjé After years of media work (television production and photography), she recently decided to pursue publishing and writing children’s books. Since inner-city Memphis has a low literacy rate, T’Arrah wanted to contribute something to her community that could help. Her books are targeted to communities of color with content they can relate to and be inspired to keep reading and go after what they want in life.

Where: Raleigh Branch Library, 3452 Austin Peay Highway, 38128 (2nd Floor Demonstration Room)
Dates: November 4, 11, 18, 25
Times: Saturdays, 2:00pm-3:00pm
Ages: 18 and over

Making a Career Out of Writing Books

(In-person)

Led by Memphis author Douglas Pratt, this 4-part series will discuss how to turn your passion for writing into an ongoing career. You will learn how to network, get published and take advantage of writing opportunities.

Instructor: Douglas Pratt was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He has been writing since the third grade. During high school, Douglas dabbled in short stories and poems. Douglas graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Journalism.

Where: Cordova Branch Library, 8457 Trinity Rd, Cordova, TN 38018 (Conference Room)
Dates: October 4,11, 18, 25
Times: Wednesday, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Ages: 18 and over