Timeline of the Work

More For Memphis is an incredible opportunity to create a long-term plan for wealth and equitable outcomes in our community with the support of policy and resources to make it a reality. In every phase of work, more and more residents will be involved in the planning and implementation so it is truly representative of our entire community.

 

  • Fall 2019 - March 2020

    In October 2019, Seeding Success was invited to a national roundtable discussion with Blue Meridian Partners (BMP) to gain insight from communities striving to achieve racial equity and improve opportunities for young people and families living in poverty. In early 2020, BMP met with 80+ diverse stakeholders, including nonprofit organizations, students, parents, business leaders, elected officials, and philanthropists, leading to the selection of Memphis for its Place Matters initiative.

 

  • July 2020 – December 2020

    S2 established a Design Committee of individuals representing a range of backgrounds and lived/living experiences to determine the purpose and process for the larger partnership to work together successfully and with equity at the forefront. At the same time, the Kresge Foundation was supporting its Shared Prosperity initiative in Memphis. S2 and Kresge agreed to combine their efforts with Place Matters as their path forward.

 

  • January 2021 – May 2021

    In order to make this effort truly community-driven, Seeding Success established dynamic protocols to engage stakeholders from all across Memphis and Shelby County in the planning process. Relying on the principles of collective impact, the Design Committee was formed to fulfill the initial requirements for future planning and implementation.

 

  • June 2021 – December 2021

    Design Committee members collaborated with additional community members, including residents and youth, in Summer Planning Committees that:

    • Established a structure for phase 2 governance and decision-making

    • Built a community engagement strategy guided by a commitment to race equity

    • Created a local brand for the initiative - “More For Memphis”

    • Determined recommendations to support near-term investments related to COVID relief.

 

  • April 2021 – March 2023

    The work of Phase 2 is led and managed by Anchor Collaboratives, which are groups of 2 or more organizations that convene workgroups for each of the six focus areas identified by the Design Committee:

    • Education & Youth Development

    • Health & Well-Being

    • Economic Development

    • Justice & Safety

    • Community Development

    • Culture

 

  • March 2023 – October 2023

    The community-wide plan will be presented to city and county governments for consideration during Phase 3. Members of the collaboratives and community representatives will begin to implement the plan, and ongoing data reviews and community engagement will help monitor progress and inform any response necessary to changing conditions, new challenges, and future opportunities.