More For Memphis announces implementation partners

Now that the More For Memphis plan has been reviewed, revised, and ultimately completed, it is time to roll out the implementation partners that will carry out the on-the-ground work described in each of the designated strategy areas of the plan.

The selected partners are part of well-established organizations with proven track records of success in their specific focus areas, and many are already in place, delivering services and resources to students and families.

Now, all of these entities will be aligned to the same goals and share data across sectors, making it easier for people to access what they need without cumbersome, duplicated processes. 

“We want to remove barriers by building a network of support that puts the needs of children and families at the center and helps those partners do their work better,” said Jamilica Burke, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Seeding Success. “Implementation partners will develop and maintain the relationships that bring residents into that new system of support.”

One implementation partner is Literacy Mid-South which plans to work alongside other youth-focused agencies to ensure that students have a solid educational foundation that puts them on a trajectory to complete school and later move on to worthwhile opportunities. 

“Of course, we’re focused explicitly on students’ ability to read at grade level as an indicator of future success,” said Literacy Mid-South Executive Director, Sam O’Bryant. “We’ll be working to expand early literacy tutoring programs for K-3 students as part of the More for Memphis plan.” 

Literacy Mid-South has served as the sole provider of during-the-day, high-dosage tutoring for Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS). This work is funded by and 100% aligned with the Tennessee Department of Education standards. 
Courtesy photoLiteracy Mid-South is one of the implementation partners for the More For Memphis plan.
“This is something we have provided, at no cost to Memphis-Shelby County Schools since September of 2022,” said O’Bryant. “Our total investment, so far, in high-dosage tutoring for MSCS and charter schools has totaled more than $10 million.”

To date, Literacy Mid-South has supported 4,500 students in increasing their reading proficiency and their work has taken place across 26 MSCS and charter elementary schools. 

“Through More for Memphis, we are excited at the opportunity to expand our numbers, evaluate our successes, and build a body of research that helps sustain the effort,” he said. “One thing that excites me is how we will distribute thousands of brand-new books to students and families.”

In addition to the $10 million in tutoring support they have provided to public education partners, Literacy Mid-South has distributed more than 160,000 new books in their most recent fiscal year. The value of these books is estimated to be more than $2.8 million. 

Another implementation partner is Startco, a venture architect company that works with startups, corporations, governments, universities, and other organizations looking to build data and technology solutions, new business models, and civic innovations. 

“The first year is iterative as there are opportunities,” said President of Startco Andre Fowlkes. “We are looking at economic development, innovation and entrepreneurship and how we make it sustainable. We need to be thinking about size and scope.” 

According to Fowlkes, everything is intertwined and businesses need to be transparent and collaborative. 

“We need to be thinking about helping 100,000 people compared to 1,000 people,” he said. “We need all sectors to raise the bar with a more cohesive and innovative approach. We have to start thinking about net-positive results, outcomes that can change the game.”