Avron Fogelman was born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 1, 1940. He attended Memphis City public schools for 12 years and graduated from Central High School. Mr. Fogelman credits his business successes as well as civic and philanthropic accomplishments to his experiences in the Memphis City School system. After graduating, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree at Tulane University and attended the University of Memphis Law School.
Throughout his career, Mr. Fogelman has been a very visible member of the business community. He is a former owner of the Memphis Chicks and Kansas City Royals. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Fogelman Properties. A section of I-240 has been named the Avron Fogelman Expressway. Mr. Fogelman represents Memphis public school students in the highest civilian capacity as a governor appointed member of the Tennessee State Board of Education.
Mr. Fogelman has served on the Board of Directors of the Memphis and Shelby County Sports Authority, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Shelby County Planning Commission, NAACP Freedom Fund Gala, and the Special Olympics. He has received the Master of Free Enterprise Award, Humanitarian Award, Outstanding Citizen of the Year, and the Big Brothers and Big Sisters’ Man of the Year Award. Additionally, he founded the Avron Fogelman Scholars Program that funds a University of Memphis education for all students who pledge to stay drug and alcohol-free, keep a C+ or better grade point average, and complete two community service activities each year. So far, over 300 Fogelman scholarships have been awarded.
Mr. Fogelman's motto is, "Never consider a person's economic or social position in evaluating his or her ability." Avron Fogelman lives what he learned in Memphis City Schools by giving young people the opportunity to make the most of their abilities.