On October 21, early childhood providers, educators, libraries, community organizations, and literacy advocates gathered at Memphis Teacher Residency to begin the Read901 Priority Team Sprint: a five-meeting process to turn Shelby County’s early literacy priorities into shared strategies and investment recommendations.
The Early Literacy Consortium’s opening question was straightforward: What would meaningful success look like for children and families three years from now?
Participants explored that question in small groups, bringing their experience and ideas to the table. Their discussions began shaping a vision for stronger literacy opportunities across the 901.
Building on the work already happening
The conversations reflected both the breadth of early literacy work in Shelby County and the opportunities to connect it more effectively.
Birth–5 early literacy: Helping caregivers find and use literacy resources while strengthening connections among early childhood providers, healthcare partners, and community organizations.
Place-based literacy: Creating more opportunities for reading and learning in everyday spaces, from libraries and community centers to local businesses and homes.
Volunteer and tutoring systems: Connecting existing programs, supporting tutors and volunteers, and understanding the experiences of the people they serve.
Learning differences: Improving pathways to early identification and appropriate support so learners and their families experience belonging and success.
Shared systems, advocacy, and policy: Aligning information, relationships, and advocacy to sustain effective literacy work across the county.
These are starting points that partners will refine together. As the sprint continues, teams will determine what it would take to expand effective approaches.
The goal is to build on Shelby County’s strengths and help direct support toward strategies developed by and for this community.
More voices will make the work stronger
A central part of the meeting was identifying who else needs to help shape the work. Participants named opportunities to involve more families and caregivers, multilingual communities, healthcare professionals, neighborhood organizations, businesses, and school partners.
You do not need to have attended the kickoff to contribute. Whether your organization provides literacy services, connects with families, hosts community activities, supports volunteers, or brings another perspective, your experience can help strengthen the plan.
The next convening is November 4, when participants will begin mapping the current system: what is already happening, who is already connected, and where additional support is needed.
Interested in joining a Priority Team or exploring a Read901 partnership? Contact Johnny Blount at jblount@literacymidsouth.org to learn how you can participate.
Together, we can make more literacy opportunities for children and families across Shelby County.
