The Cost of Education pt 2: It’s big but not the biggest
“Probably the biggest investment made in Memphis by the federal government ever.”
Congressman Cohen made this statement during the announcement of the new funding for the I-55 bridge. $393 million is being pledged to cover 40%-45% of the estimated cost to replace the current bridge.
This is a significant win for Memphis, the Delta, and it represents a crucial investment for the United States. However, it is not the largest federal investment in Memphis.
In fact, it’s not even the largest investment this year. Check out my instagram post when I shared about this the other day.
The Actual Biggest Investment
The largest federal investment this year has been in education, totaling over $500 million. Additionally, another $300 million dollars will also be allocated later this year.
This represents a substantial commitment by our national government to our community’s future. Moreover, both the state of Tennessee and Shelby County investing even more.
Fragile Immediate Future
In May of 2024, over $1.4 Billion dollars of education investment walked across the graduation stage in Shelby County. We can not afford to invest so much in our community’s future through education and not maximize the impact.
Each year, thousands of high school graduates leave with big hopes and dreams but lack the resources to achieve their goals within the 5 to 10 years following graduation.
Many of our neighbors are first-generation college students and hundreds are the first in their families to graduate high school. While they are prepared academically for college, navigating higher education remains complex, and their path is often fragile.
Our Solution: Choose901 Alumni
This is why we created Choose901 Alumni. It’s crucial to support emerging young adults in our city, especially those who lack resources. We assist graduates from our six partner schools during those fragile 10 years post-high school, no matter what path they choose.
Every year, we add 450 graduates to the program. That’s roughly $100 million of the annual graduating education investment in Memphis. $100 million that is reinvested back into the community.
We begin by building lasting relationships with students starting in high school. By the time they graduate, they are fully integrated into a supportive network. We provide job placement assistance, career advice, development support, and so much more. We engage them in meaningful conversations about the importance of staying in Memphis to contribute to its growth and improvement.
Our Alumni are the future leaders of our city. Investing in them ensures that they, in turn, can invest back in Memphis.
Act now
If you’re worried about the future of Memphis, it’s time to do something about it. Let’s build a city where our graduates can thrive, making it a better place for everyone. Support Choose901 Alumni to make a lasting impact on our city.
