Memphis Hope Summit
Posted December 14, 2025
The Memphis Hope Summit was a one-day event designed for churches, organizations, leaders, and teams from all parts of our community to learn, collaborate, and take practical steps toward building a Hope Centered City. Over 450 people attended and left feeling inspired to start the work needed to create change in Memphis and Shelby County.
I was excited to be asked to emcee the event alongside Dr. Reginald Boyce, the Special Assistant to the Memphis Mayor.
During the morning session, Dr. Chan Hellman and Dr. Angela Pharris shared with the audience the Science of Hope and its importance for Memphis, along with the science of how lives can be transformed. Our government leaders included City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young and Ms. Dorcas Young Griffin, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Shelby County Government, who represented Mayor Lee Harris and Shelby County.
The lunch highlight was hearing from Oklahoma’s First Lady, Mrs. Sarah Stitt, the wife of Governor Kevin Stitt. Mrs. Stitt openly shared her early life with us, inspiring us to understand why Oklahoma has embraced The Science of Hope in its government.
The afternoon session focused on working with teams and peers to transform hope into action, turning ideas into concrete steps for our organization and the Memphis community.
The HOPE SUMMIT provided us with a framework for action to change the narrative in Memphis and Shelby County.
HOPE WINS – MEMPHIS WINS.
Stay tuned for more about how HOPE will continue to play a critical role in the future of Families Matter, our nonprofit partners and our community as a whole.