The Opportunity Project that led to The Collective Blueprint
The leaders of what would become The Collective Blueprint created a detailed analysis of the opportunity gap in Memphis: 15,000 open skilled jobs went unfilled while 45,000 young adults were out of school and out of work. After meeting with more than 20 organizations and 100 young adults, we developed Our Theory of Change.
The Collective Blueprint is born
The Collective was officially sponsored as an initiative under Community LIFT, a community development intermediary in Memphis. The Collective became its own 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and hired a core team this year as well.
Leaders Program Pilot launched
The Collective Blueprint invested in a core group of young adults for the pilot that began the work. This inaugural class of 48 young adults who were all formerly out of work and school achieved a 94% completion rate with 70% earning a certification — well above the national average.
Harvard University profiles The Collective
Inspired by one of Harvard Yard’s gates, “To Serve Better” was a yearlong project exploring the connections between members of the Harvard community and neighborhoods across the United States and its territories. Watch the video here.
The NBA Foundation Partners with The Collective Blueprint
We were awarded an NBA Foundation grant to expand our Coding program. Read the story here.
Blueprint for Change campaign reaches ~100K
Leaders from The Collective Blueprint mobilized young voters and engaged with candidates in the 2023 Memphis Mayoral Election, reaching nearly 100,000 on social media. Learn more here.
CNN cites research from The Collective
CNN's Victor Blackwell interviewed Memphis Mayor Paul Young about gun violence in the city and included data from our research. Watch the interview here.
Health care and Advanced Machinery career tracks added
The Delta Regional Authority and JP Morgan Chase awarded The Collective Blueprint grants to add health care and advanced machinery career pathways for young adults.