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WE NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK FOR THE WORK AHEAD!

We just stopped the state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools—but the real work of advocating for change, fully funding solutions, and fixing our schools continues. Make a commitment to keep up the fight by filling out your advocacy plan today!

OUR TOP PRIORITIES

educational Success

To help all students–regardless of their background–do well in school, we focus on early literacy, student mental health, high school success, and breaking the school-to-prison pipeline. Our education-centered coalitions and issue areas are the Youth Education Success (YES) Fund, Momentum Memphis Education Task Forces, the Memphis Freshman Success Network, and the Early Literacy Consortium. Learn more.

Social Progress

Through electoral work, policy advocacy, and community investment, we strive to reach true social progress in our community. We focus on criminal justice reform and breaking the cycle of mass incarceration, while investing in community supports and basic needs (such as housing, education, transit, etc.). Aside from the coalitions we facilitate, we offer capacity and strategic support to the Youth Justice Action Council.  

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

You have the power to change our conditions through elections and community organizing. We promote voter education and participation, and leverage our candidate endorsements to increase civic engagement across Memphis and Shelby County. Our civic engagement coalitions are the Shelby County Voter Alliance, the Stand TN endorsement committee, and the Stand TN Power Fellowship. Read more.


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Partner Coalitions

Justice & Safety Alliance

In 2021, we convened this coalition to build power in the communities of color most affected by policing and criminal justice inequities. JSA takes a public health, community-centered approach to justice and safety focused on prevention, care, and healing. JSA advocates for investments essential services that provide genuine safety – housing, education, employment, healthcare access, and more. Learn more here!

Momentum Memphis

In 2018, Stand launched Momentum Memphis as an effort to better coordinate and advocate for an education agenda in collaboration with other organizations engaged in similar work. Our task forces work on breaking the school-to-prison pipeline, developing community-centered processes for school board decisions, and advocating for student success and wellbeing. Join a task force!

Moral Budget Coalition

We convened the Moral Budget Coalition in 2021 to advocate for City and County budgets that reflect our values and break cycles of poverty. We advocate for meaningful investments in education, affordable housing, youth development, public transportation, infrastructure, and healthcare (including mental health). Join the fight for a moral budget for Memphis and Shelby County today!


Blog

We Won the Battle, but the Freedom Struggle Continues
Just a couple of weeks ago, we ended a blog post honoring Dr. King, writing: Dr. King’s vision calls on us to keep fighting, and we do so with unwavering faith that “the moral arc of the universe” still bends …
Honoring Dr. King: Education is Still a Battleground in the Freedom Struggle
Today as we pause to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King, we’re reflecting on his statement from a 1964 speech: “the field of education has been a battleground in the freedom struggle.” We're especially feeling the truth of …
The Movement Lives in Memphis
This King Day, we’re full of deep gratitude for everyone who joined us at the 2025 Memphis Power Summit – the Movement lives in Memphis! The event was a powerful reminder that, even in the face of challenges, we can …

Share your Stand Story!

You are the driving force of our organization. Without your dedication, we wouldn’t be able to fight for better education outcomes for kids. That’s why we want to tell your story.