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Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to join more than 1,300 Memphians at Mississippi Blvd. Christian Church for a powerful gathering focused on our youth programs. In just 45 minutes, we showcased how Memphis is rewriting the story for young people. The energy in that room was proof: Memphis believes in its youth.
Most cities stop at summer youth employment. A handful, including Baltimore, Cleveland, Oakland, and Memphis have built year-round programs. But we are creating Memphis’ youth strategy to be a standout because we know that our city’s future depends on it. We are one of the only cities where school-year stipends are funded by local tax dollars, and where youth programs are structured as a continuum from high school into permanent employment.
Our programs are created to give teens more than jobs. It’s about building leaders and the leadership mindset. It is about showing our young people that they have agency. And it is about creating a citywide pipeline of future workers, entrepreneurs, investors, and visionary thinkers who will change the trajectory of Memphis for generations to come.
When our young people thrive, Memphis thrives. And when Memphis thrives, we all rise together.
The Memphis Ambassadors Program (MAP). MAP is not an afterthought or an add-on—it’s a year-round system of accountability and opportunity:
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Access Across the City: Operates after school in 11 community centers across every single-member and super district. And, piloted last year, we are now also operating during school hours in six MSCS high schools, embedding MAP curriculum directly into study hall or work-based learning classes.
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Earn While You Learn: Students ages 14-18 can earn stipends by completing 15 credit hours per month, through weekly 1.5-hour sessions, maintaining grades, bi-monthly parent meetings, and monthly civic projects.
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Service at the Core: Civic projects include blight cleanups, service to the unhoused, and volunteering with local nonprofits, ensuring students learn that leadership means giving back.
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Family Engagement: Parents and guardians play a role too—bi-monthly meetings ensure youth development strengthens entire households.
What’s New for FY25–26
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Performance-Based Stipends: A new sliding scale rewards GPA growth every nine weeks, directly connecting academic success to financial incentives and aligning with one of my top priorities: increasing graduation rates.
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Two Cohorts, Year-Round Continuity: This year, MAP is divided into two cohorts (September–April and January–April). Once MAP ends, students roll directly into MPLOY beginning in July, meaning Memphis youth can now earn and learn every month of the year.
Expansion Strategy: More students, more impact: 250 Ambassadors, 400–600 BOSS participants, 80 in “I Am Included,” and 60 eighth-graders beginning their leadership journey early.
Every hour logged, every GPA point raised, every civic project completed is an investment in a workforce ready on Day One, a generation of entrepreneurs, and a cadre of leaders for Memphis.
Why It Matters for Memphis. My vision for these programs has always been to expand them to more students, in more neighborhoods, with more pathways to success. These aren’t just youth initiatives; they are city-shaping strategies. Every hour logged, every GPA point raised, every civic project completed is an investment in a workforce ready on Day One to drive Memphis’ economy. A generation of entrepreneurs who will reinvest in our neighborhoods, and a cadre of leaders who will guide Memphis with vision, courage, and love for their city.
These students are not just preparing for the future—they are the future. And when we invest in them, we are investing in a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Memphis.
This is how Memphis is rewriting the story: youth employment as a strategy for public safety, for economic mobility, and for long-term community wealth.
When our young people thrive, Memphis thrives. And when Memphis thrives, we all rise together.
I want to thank Director Brian Harris and the entire Office of Youth Services team for their commitment and leadership. Their vision, hard work, and dedication are what make these opportunities real for our students—and their efforts are shaping the future of Memphis.
Good News!
   Do you have good news to share? We would love to share it! Send us a note at goodnews@memphistn.gov
Track Our Progress
The linked reports below provide evidence to support our public safety strategy and our work to ensure municipal fiscal responsibility. These dashboard provides a quick overview, with the ability to dive in deeper to neighborhoods and divisions. Both dashboards updates daily.
 SAFER COMMUNITIES: For more info on how to use the safer communities dashboard, go here. Or for the whole dashboard, go here. FINANCE TRACKER: For more info on how to use the finance tracker dashboard, go here, then follow the prompts to the tracker.
Our Blight Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38106, 38107, 38112, 38114, 38115, 38118, 38122, 38127.
To report concerns related to property violations, potholes, and trash, click the link here or call 311 to speak to a live agent.
In the Know:
901 Day Celebration. The countdown is on—901 Day is almost here! Join us on Monday, September 1, for the biggest celebration in the heart of Memphis. This free, all-ages event will feature some of the city’s hottest artists and DJs, a teen summit, a fashion show, and family & youth engagements. Headliner Project Pat, along with surprise special guests, will close out the evening. See more and share here.
901 Day Guide. 901 Day is all about celebrating our great city and Choose901 put together the ultimate 901 Day Guide. From events and exclusive deals to opportunities to give back, there are countless ways to honor the city we love. Learn more and share here.
A Milestone for the Orange Mound Library. The historic Orange Mound Library has a new landmark—a sculpture by artist Daniel Moore celebrating the community’s rich history and legacy. We invite you to stop by the branch and experience this powerful piece of public art for yourself. See more and share here.
Resident Ideation Sessions. North and South Memphis residents are invited to join the City of Memphis Innovation Team on August 30 for a collaborative discussion on reducing energy burdens and improving home quality at the Ed Rice Community Center from 10am to 11:30am. Food will be provided. Register here.
Unite Memphis Run. It's not too late to register to sign up for the Unite Memphis unity race to walk or run on 901 day, starting at the Civil Rights Museum. Thanks to Jaren Jackson Jr., admission to the Civil Rights Museum is FREE. See more and register here.
901 Day on Beale Street:
901 Day is almost here. A day to celebrate Memphis, our culture, and our people.
Project Pat will be performing live on Beale Street, along with surprise special guests. You don’t want to miss it.
Monday, September 1 | 11AM–7PM | Beale Street
Let’s come together and celebrate our city.
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