The Cradle-to-Career Pledge
We cannot keep doing the same things year after year and expecting Memphis and Shelby County to start thriving. It takes bold leaders upholding bold promises to put Shelby Countians on a path to economic mobility.
That is why we call on all candidates who are running for County Mayor, as well as the 13 County Commission districts, to follow Commissioner Mickell Lowery’s example and take the Cradle to Career pledge.
The Cadillac of Early Childhood Systems
While we have some effective components and First 8 Memphis, an incredible system organization for Pre-K, we do not yet have a scaled, sustainable well-oiled machine in Shelby County. This is a problem.
If I wanted to sell you a Cadillac that had a beautiful leather interior but was missing its wheels, you probably wouldn’t buy it. The car would not reliably get you to your destination. Our local early childhood system is like this Cadillac–some good parts and some parts still need to be installed.
Shelby County’s New Year’s Resolutions
If you’re anything like us, you’re struggling to stick to your New Year’s resolutions, and it’s hardly been a week. That’s because it’s way easier to carry on the status quo than to make important, difficult changes to your life. Memphis is the same way—our local governments, education systems, nonprofits, and budgets can easily fall into the same playbook year-in and year-out.
Just like our personal resolutions, we won’t achieve our community resolutions without a plan. While we still face low educational outcomes, entrenched poverty, and a myriad of other challenges, a set of shared resolutions and commitments across our efforts can begin to change how we support our children and families in 2026.
Good data drives systems change.
Pre-K is a long-term investment. Children benefit from Pre-K across a lifetime. Pre-K enrollment has demonstrated positive effects onthird-grade reading, high school graduation, postsecondary success, and adult earnings. These benefits are why we were able to help secure investment from the Memphis and Shelby County governments in local Pre-K.
But to make the case for Pre-K, we need long-term data. Seeding Success and First 8 Memphis have taken on the task of data analysis to help schools, non-profits, and other institutions improve the lives and learning of students.
Data is vital infrastructure. Learn more in this week’s policy update.
All the Money in Shelby County
The Tennessee comptroller rejected Shelby County’s budget for the first time due to what he claimed were unmet requirements. This means Shelby County cannot access bonds or take on debt in fiscal year 2026, but major projects, like new schools and the Regional One rebuild, should stay on track.
In this update, we show you what public funding we have locally and where it comes from. We also highlight what Memphis and Shelby County officials can focus on in budgeting for the upcoming fiscal year to support children and families.