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A few years ago, at a Memphis-area graduation for adult learners who were earning their high school diplomas, one of the graduating students, a 30-something woman who had worked retail for over a decade before deciding to go back to school, gave a speech about the obstacles she overcame to earn that diploma. While speaking, her voice began to crack with emotion as she recounted the challenges of balancing work, family, and high school as an adult. Noticing her emotional state, a member of the audience called out, “Don’t cry, you made it! You did it!”
After hearing the story, I was struck by the power of the entire scene - the graduate's emotions and the audience member’s enthusiastic encouragement of an adult learner who had gone back to school to accomplish a foundational goal.
According to Tennessee Department of Education data, MSCS had a graduation rate of 81.5% in the 2022-23 academic year, a slight increase from the previous year. Black or African American students graduated at an 83.7% rate, and white students graduated at a 79.7% rate. While I am encouraged that the numbers are climbing, it still means that 16+% of our students aren’t finishing high school. And I believe we need to do more to encourage all of our students to stay the course.
Earning a high school diploma was expected in my family. At the time of my graduation, I probably didn’t give the importance of it enough weight. But that one step unlocked the future of where I am now. It allowed me to make choices - I chose college, but it could have been the path to the military or trade school. For the woman in my earlier story, earning her high school diploma unlocked the ability to be promoted and the greater earning potential that came with promotion.
Graduation season is a time for celebration. It is a time to honor the work of making it through to that first big finish line, and I want us to remember that it isn’t just a time to celebrate the honor students. For struggling students, graduation can be even more of a milestone. It takes serious dedication to stay the course when schoolwork isn’t your thing. It often means ignoring peer pressure to slack off, give up, or go another direction.
I want to praise all of our graduating students equally. I recognize and respect the challenges met, regardless of your final GPA or your age. You made it. You did it. Keep going!
 Congratulations Graduates! Memphis 2024 Watch video message here.
We are also celebrating Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, and I would like to give a heartfelt shoutout to all who are serving and have served our country. You are all heroes, and on behalf of our entire city, we salute you!
Because of the Memorial Day observance, Memphis residents’ trash will not be collected on Monday. See collection schedule here.
Weekly Crime Trend
The report below provides our weekly update on Part 1 Crimes. It updates daily and shows a continuous rolling 7-day total compared to the prior 7-day total. The date range for each 7-day period is shown below the table. The charts on the right show the calendar week trend, comparing 2023 to 2024. Click here for our Safer Community Dashboard.
Our Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38104, 38111, 38115, 38116, 38118, 38119, 38120, 38122, 38133!
Social Shout-outs and Community Events:
🙌Please join us for the One Memphis Townhall Tour featuring Mayor Paul Young 🙌Learn more here. 
Join Mayor Paul Young and Memphis Parks for the Riverview Community Center ribbon cutting on Wednesday, May 29, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Come explore the updated community center!  1891 Kansas Street
City of Memphis #memphisparks #playyourpark #bestingreen #memphistn
Weekly round-up
 Weekly Round-Up
This week, Mayor Paul Young has been busy connecting with the community and fostering collaboration across Memphis:
 Kirby Pines Visit.
 New Memphis -A Conversation with Elected Officials.
 U of M Radio on WYXR.
 Community Block Party with Commissioner Charlie A. Caswell.
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