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Committed to the Advancement
of System Impacted Men

Our mission is to unlock the potential of males facing systematic and economic barriers. We envision a society where every male, regardless of background, has equitable access to opportunities.

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Who We Are

Sgt. Christopher A. Pugh, II was tragically killed on April 27, 2019. He was a vibrant 23-year-old with a promising future. Sgt. Pugh was stationed at Ft. Sill, OK at the time he was killed. He was hanging out at an establishment outside the Army base which was operated by active duty and retired Army personnel with his battle buddies. According to the police report, there was a shooting which started inside the establishment and ended outside. Sgt. Pugh was the ONLY fatality. The news reported that he was trying to STOP the fight. Further details show him walking away from the situation after trying to bring resolution and was fatally shot in the back. Our desire is to allow his bravery and courageous spirit to live on through impacting the lives of all men and his legacy lives on through the meaning of his name “Bearing Christ”! No suspects were apprehended, and his death is still an unsolved mystery.

As a tribute to the life of Sgt. Pugh, it is our prayer that The Christopher A. Pugh Center for Men will bless EVERY ethnic group of men in the City of Memphis and the surrounding areas, creating a purpose and cultivating the lives of men.

Christopher A. Pugh II Center for Men (CPC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering males (youth and adults) through innovative technology-focused workforce development and career preparation support services. The CPC provides services in both correctional and community settings. While the core program designs remain the same from location to location, service details, resources and the types of individuals served (youth and adults) are custom for the best outcome.

What We Offer... Our Programs

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Transition to Unlocked Purpose

Transition to Unlocked Purpose works with teens and young adult's males with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with backgrounds that are indigent and marginalized. Transition to Unlocked Purpose aims to impact student achievement, economic efficiency at the age level of 14-21, dropout rates, participation in extracurricular activities and break the cycle of generational violence and wrong thinking. Transition to Unlock Purpose works to empower ages 14 to 21 to give our youth the success they deserve and to be a part of their community that includes addressing and promoting the protection of all students from violence, exposure to weapons and threats, theft, bullying and harassment, the sale or use of illegal substances on school grounds, and other emergencies.


Transition to Unlocked Purpose program is to build a power base village among those we serve so that we can effectively work for change and see the purpose to be a productive citizen. We engage by supporting and teaching our teens and young adults in a program with additional wraparound service through our CPC Center. Through our transformational programs we build community with each other, offer the opportunity to develop a sense of leadership, a positive identity and organize and mobilize each other on issues that affect their lives of those not allowing their negative outcomes to be the final narrative but teaching them to write the narrative to become outstanding men in their communities and homes.

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Christopher's Closet

This program helps dress underprivileged and under-serve men with business attire and casual clothing for success. Christopher's Closet aims to provide interview-appropriate clothing to men entering or reentering the workforce. We also partner with Dress for Success for career readiness and life skills to prepare each participant with the tools for their new chapter.

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POWER Financial Literacy Program Provision.Offering.Wealth.Empowerment.Resources

CPC is committed to creating resources through our POWER Financial Literacy Program. We strive to
inform our participants to make qualified financial decisions that improve their lives, the lives of their
family and community. This program covers banking relationships, credit repair and financial coaching.

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Becoming Him Mentorship Program

Becoming Him mentorship speaks to fatherhood, manhood and how to become the young man and man designed for the family and community. This program starts at the age of 14 where we walk and do life together. Supportive relationships, including mentoring relationships, foster positive development and can provide significant psychological protection in the face of adverse life circumstances.

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Kings Who Cook Program

Our cooking class immerses young men and men so that they can become a king in the kitchen. We have trained chefs that come in and showcase culinary creativity and discovery. We have a unique monthly theme to open the taste bud both culturally and new perspectives, each class is a new experience incorporating skills that build over time for the student to master complex food preparation and presentation.

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TCI Technical Control Institute Program

CPC along with Technical Control Institute (TCI) offers students the opportunity to develop the skills needed to become Certified HVAC/Commercial Refrigeration Technicians. This collaboration offers students state of the arts virtual reality training by way of an Oculus Headset, as well as, hands-on training.  Our future Technicians will be able to gain diagnose, repair equipment and gain the skills needed to become Certified Technician. 

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Film/Production Program 

The Christopher A. Pugh, II Center along with WKNO Ch 10, Memphis Beatz, The M.O.B. Podcast, and Heal the Hood Foundation will offer a unique way to express ideas, encourage collaboration, and provide insights into diverse perspectives in film and production. Participants will have the opportunity to work on multiple productions ranging from podcasting, newscasting to production engineering and using social media platforms to understand and utilize digital content with top industry leaders.

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Intro to Software Development

Christopher A. Pugh along with CodeCrew is dedicated to mentoring and educating individuals in AI and computer science. This is a hands-on class designed to train individuals to be entry-level software developers within a six-month course. The minimum education requirement is at least a high school diploma or GED, and students must be 18 years old or older. Students work in a small classroom setting and use real-world technologies to learn the fundamentals of coding, app development, leadership, and life skills needed for a successful career and job market competitiveness.

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Class Offerings

Tuesday 6:00p - 8:00p *required course*

Need Assessment: Mentorship/Life Skills/Therapy (8 weeks)

This is the FIRST STOP after orientation. This 8-week plan helps us tailor the program to address REAL needs,

ensuring it is relevant, effective and meets the desired outcomes. This program focuses on balancing social and

emotional wellness. There will be a Pre-Assessment and Post Assessment administered.

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Monday & Wednesday | 5:30p - 7:00p

HVAC (6 Months)

Saturday | 10:00p - 12:00p

Culinary (12 weeks)

Saturday | 12:30p - 2:00p

Financial Literacy (12 weeks)

Tuesday & Wednesday | 5:00p - 8:00p

Film/Production (12 weeks)

Thursday | 5:00p - 6:30p (virtually)

Basic Computer Skills (12 weeks)

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Ongoing Classes:

These ongoing classes during the NEED Assessment will assist in

providing a supportive environment to process emotions, gain insight,

and develop coping strategies. We collaboratively aim to alleviate

symptoms, promote healing, and enhance overall well-being.

 

Cognitive Behavior/Therapy Support (Ongoing)

 

Fathers First Support (Ongoing)

 

Christopher's Closet (Ongoing)

 

Extra Curriculum Activities (Ongoing)

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Ready for a Class?

Please click below to register for one of our classes.

What We Believe

Men are essential to a healthy and vibrant society. Men who are positively engaged in the lives of their children help the entire family unit. We believe that our youth can and will grow into socially and emotionally healthy adults who can thrive and lead productive lives. The Christopher A. Pugh Center, II Center for Men believe in transformational programs and partnering with other organizations within the State of Tennessee and surrounding counties through education, technology and mentoring opportunities to remind all men they MATTER!

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Meet The Founder

J. Machelle Pugh, Founder & CEO

J. Machelle Pugh is the CEO/owner of Milestone of TN and Transition Workforce, Inc. As an entrepreneur, she is no stranger to hard work. Having spent many years as an advocate for people with disabilities, her goal for both business modules is providing comprehensive, specialized, and individualized training for disadvantaged job seekers in securing integrated, competitive employment. Services are provided in both TN and MS. She thrives on helping others by cultivating projects that increase personal growth and community development.


In October of 2021, the Christopher A. Pugh II Center (CPC) was birthed through the pain of losing her only son.  The Christopher A. Pugh, II Center for Men (CPC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering males (youth and adults) through innovative technology-focused workforce development and career preparation support services. CPC provides computer information technology training, career readiness instruction and support, wraparound case management, individualized job-based mentoring and job placement services for men who are at risk. The CPC is committed to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty, mental health, and incarceration; forging new pathways to economic opportunities for those who have traditionally been denied access.


Each business plays a vital role in increasing awareness, influencing change and re-empowering people in the community while bringing hope, skills, and opportunity to the people she serves. Being a firebrand, she has withstood turbulence and understands when you are flying high don’t get distracted by the storms instead focus on the PURPOSE!

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Meet the CPC Board

Click Here to read about our Board.

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