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.
.png)
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, Jan 15Idlewild 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, Jan 17Various locationsDuring this MLK Weekend of Action we will hold Labor in the Pulpit & MLK Day Parade! Please check out https://centenarymemphis.com/2025/12/06/mlk-weekend-2026-at-centenary/ for more information!
Sat, Jan 17Centenary UMCAt this workshop, we will invite participants into a collective understanding of the political moment, identify points of unity and shared direction amongst our organizations, and chart a course of mass movement to put workers over billionaires.
Tue, Jan 20Location is TBD📢Want to stand up for immigrant rights in a tangible way? Advocates for Immigrant Rights is hosting Immigration Court Observation Training!
Sun, Jan 25Wesley Foundation/University of Memphis2026 will be a major year for our actions calendar, so we need all leaders to attend the January Leadership Council Retreat to map out plans for the year. We'll be meeting at Wesley Foundation from 2-6 pm on January 25th.
Thu, Jan 29Mt. Vernon Baptist Church WestwoodJoin a community of learners as we take a historical look at Black & Latino communities coming together to fight for each other's liberation. How can we as a community be intentional about carrying the baton forward?
Sat, Feb 07Orange Mound Community CenterThis event is about lifting up the voices of Memphis transit riders and taking action for better, more accessible public transportation. We’ll have space to share stories, talk directly about transit challenges, and take real action together.
Sun, Mar 01Scarrett Bennett CenterGamaliel Network's National Leadership Training will only be offered ONE time in 2026!
Upcoming Events
- Multiple DatesThu, Jan 15Idlewild 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, Jan 17Various locationsDuring this MLK Weekend of Action we will hold Labor in the Pulpit & MLK Day Parade! Please check out https://centenarymemphis.com/2025/12/06/mlk-weekend-2026-at-centenary/ for more information!
- Sat, Jan 17Centenary UMCAt this workshop, we will invite participants into a collective understanding of the political moment, identify points of unity and shared direction amongst our organizations, and chart a course of mass movement to put workers over billionaires.
- Tue, Jan 20Location is TBD📢Want to stand up for immigrant rights in a tangible way? Advocates for Immigrant Rights is hosting Immigration Court Observation Training!
- Sun, Jan 25Wesley Foundation/University of Memphis2026 will be a major year for our actions calendar, so we need all leaders to attend the January Leadership Council Retreat to map out plans for the year. We'll be meeting at Wesley Foundation from 2-6 pm on January 25th.
- Thu, Jan 29Mt. Vernon Baptist Church WestwoodJoin a community of learners as we take a historical look at Black & Latino communities coming together to fight for each other's liberation. How can we as a community be intentional about carrying the baton forward?
- Sat, Feb 07Orange Mound Community CenterThis event is about lifting up the voices of Memphis transit riders and taking action for better, more accessible public transportation. We’ll have space to share stories, talk directly about transit challenges, and take real action together.
- Sun, Mar 01Scarrett Bennett CenterGamaliel Network's National Leadership Training will only be offered ONE time in 2026!