The Setup and payoff

In film, there’s a powerful storytelling principle: setup and payoff.

You plant something early—a moment, a detail, a gesture—and later, that thing comes back around to be a really pivotal plot point.

To me, the Choose901 Alumni Block Party that we had a couple weeks ago was exactly that.

Why the Choose901 Alumni Block Party is Important.

When we envisioned this event, our hope was clear: to tangibly show our graduating seniors that their city stands behind them. It's the entire reason Choose901 Alumni exists. We're here to rally behind these graduates,  with you all, and help them enter into their next phase of life with as many tools and as much support as possible. We are activating your care for others and helping you help them. 

That's why events like the Block Party are so important. It gave recent grads the opportunity to interact with the Alumni team who will be there to support for them for the next ten years of their life. It gave them the chance to meet and network with local organizations, making connections that could influence their futures and advance their career goals. And it also gave them the ability to win some seriously awesome college gear to prep them up for their first year of college. 

The Setup.

And that's where you came in. We remembered what it was like first going off to college and how expensive it can be. Every scholarship, every graduation check, and every single gift made a world of difference. So we created an Amazon Wish List, enabling members of the Memphis community to give back. 

And you really did. 

The Payoff.

It’s true that seeing the grateful faces of the alumni at the party, after they received their gifts, was amazing. Your gifts—from highlighters and shower slippers to iPads and keyboards—were deeply appreciated.

But the payoff I'm most excited about is what this means for these alumni down the road. Your generosity sets them up to pay it forward, making Memphis the kind of place we want to live. Because that’s the real story here—not just the excitement of one summer party, but the ripple effect that continues for years to come.

We’ve planted something together. And we’ll keep showing up to water it.

Want to Help Us Continue That Momentum?

The Block Party may be over, but our commitment to these students is just getting started. The Choose901 Alumni campaign walks alongside grads for the next ten years of their lives—and your support keeps that work going.

Here’s how you can jump in now:

🌱 Become a monthly Give901 donor at $25-50/month to sustain long-term support

🎓 Make a one-time gift of $250 to help fund alumni events, mentorships, or care packages

📣 Or simply share the story—let your friends and coworkers know how they can invest in the future of Memphis

Together, we’re creating a city where students feel seen, celebrated, and supported—not just at graduation, but every step of the way.

Let’s keep this story going.