Why should we care?
SCS’s ability to provide a quality, equitable education is being undercut by high teacher turnover and year-long teaching vacancies, as well as significant maintenance deficiencies within the schools, all of which leads to higher financial, educational, and health costs. A lack of access to wraparound services provided by qualified social workers, psychologists, and nurses inhibits the successful treatment of trauma or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). Abuse, neglect, and trauma significantly increase the likelihood of suspensions, juvenile criminal behavior, and incarceration. With a median age four years below the national average, Memphis’s population can support economic development, but only if we provide children in our community access to opportunities and support.
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Equipping people of faith and goodwill to organize communities for systemic change through collective action.
Community Listening Session: Shaping The Rustin Institute
Sat, Nov 01
|National Civil Rights Museum
Join the National Civil Rights Museum for a Community Listening Session to help shape the vision and values of the new Rustin Institute, a hub for education, interfaith dialogue, and justice-centered organizing inspired by Bayard Rustin’s legacy.
Time & Location
Nov 01, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
National Civil Rights Museum, 450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103, USA
About the event
In 2026, the National Civil Rights Museum will launch the Bayard Rustin Institute—a new initiative honoring the life and legacy of this visionary activist and strategist, best known as an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. Following in Rustin’s footsteps, the Institute aims to support the vital work of Memphis’s organizing and advocacy community. You are the experts in this work, and we’re eager to hear your thoughts and insights as we design an Institute that best supports a thriving and robust organizing landscape.
Join the National Civil Rights Museum for a Community Listening Session to help shape the vision and values of the new Rustin Institute, a hub for education, interfaith dialogue, and justice-centered organizing inspired by Bayard Rustin’s legacy.
Together, we’ll explore:
What Memphis needs from a Rustin Institute
How the Institute can serve local communities
The…
Upcoming Events
Multiple DatesThu, Apr 16Idlewild Presbyterian ChurchBetter Transit for a Better Memphis, led by daily riders and other community champions, organizes and advocates for fully funded, accessible, and equitable public transit.
Sat, Apr 18Overton Park: Rainbow Lake PavilionJoin the Shelby County Voter Alliance (SCVA) for our very first election cycle kickoff event “FREE THE VOTE: Rally of Electoral Resistance.” This will be a community and family day at one of Memphis’s most beloved urban parks. Bring the entire family and enjoy an afternoon!
Multiple DatesSun, Apr 19Location will be sent by email.Attend either date! Refreshments provided.
Multiple DatesTue, Apr 21Join VirtuallyOrganize Tennessee is recruiting and training Poll Observers for the upcoming election on May 5th Poll Observers monitor the election process, report voting issues, and ensure everyone gets the chance to vote!
Upcoming Events
- Multiple DatesThu, Apr 16Idlewild Presbyterian ChurchBetter Transit for a Better Memphis, led by daily riders and other community champions, organizes and advocates for fully funded, accessible, and equitable public transit.
- Sat, Apr 18Overton Park: Rainbow Lake PavilionJoin the Shelby County Voter Alliance (SCVA) for our very first election cycle kickoff event “FREE THE VOTE: Rally of Electoral Resistance.” This will be a community and family day at one of Memphis’s most beloved urban parks. Bring the entire family and enjoy an afternoon!
- Multiple DatesSun, Apr 19Location will be sent by email.Attend either date! Refreshments provided.
- Multiple DatesTue, Apr 21Join VirtuallyOrganize Tennessee is recruiting and training Poll Observers for the upcoming election on May 5th Poll Observers monitor the election process, report voting issues, and ensure everyone gets the chance to vote!