Initiative Includes $100,000 Investment to support a safer, healthier and more hopeful Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept 22, 2025 – From September 23-25, 2025, Memphis and Shelby County will welcome Cities United’s Leading the Way Tour, a national initiative to accelerate and invest in community-driven public safety strategies rooted in community, healing, and opportunity.
The three-day event will bring together young leaders, local officials, and community partners to showcase innovative approaches to violence reduction and public safety. Through workshops, discussions, and collaborative planning, participants will empower community voices and chart a shared vision to build a comprehensive public safety ecosystem in Memphis.
“The Leading the Way Tour is about highlighting the powerful work already happening in jurisdictions and investing in the people doing the life saving work every day,” said Anthony Smith, Executive Director, Cities United. “We’re honored to continue our support for Memphis and Shelby County as they work to create safe, healthy, and hopeful communities through intergovernmental support, rooted in community and The Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement. We look forward to partnering with the leadership in this first of its kind collaborative office as they partner with those in the community.”
“In Memphis, public safety starts with people: we’re investing in youth, supporting grassroots organizations, and building partnerships that bring healing and opportunity. Cities United’s Leading the Way Tour and its $100,000 investment will help us strengthen our local ecosystem and align our Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement with data-driven, community-centered work,” said Mayor Paul Young. “Together with Shelby County and our community partners, we are building a safer, stronger, and more hopeful Memphis.”
“Shelby County Government is proud to partner with Cities United and the City of Memphis on this important work. Public safety is more than enforcement—it’s also about prevention and opportunity. Especially in times like these, this investment will help us support grassroots organizations, engage young leaders, and provide the resources our neighborhoods need,” said Mayor Lee Harris, Shelby County.
“Public safety truly is a community endeavor, one that both Mayor Young and Mayor Harris have championed as a shared responsibility across government, neighborhoods, and families. The Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement, has translated that vision into an operational framework that turns data into action and community insight into results,” said Valerie Matthews & Tamika Williams Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement. “Cities United’s investment will help us amplify community innovation, evidence-based interventions, and culturally responsive supports so that neighborhoods have the resources and resilience to thrive. Together, we’ll deliver measurable safety outcomes and lasting opportunities across Memphis and Shelby County.”
Investing in Local Public Safety Ecosystem
As part of the tour, Cities United will invest over $100,000 directly into Memphis including:
- $7,500 in stipends for a Young Leader Collaborative of 15 participants (ages 18–24) who can lead change in their communities.
- $60,000 in local investment, including $40,000 in grants to support community-based organizations advancing public safety and healing, and $20,000 in local coordination support to strengthen infrastructure and implementation for LTW Tour; $10,000 of that investment is allocated directly to a designated local partner to manage on-the-ground logistics, and intentionally engage local businesses and vendors (such as catering, transportation, branded materials, media coordination, and venue support) to ensure economic impact flows back into the community.
- Up to $10,000 in travel support for local ecosystem partner attendance to the 12th Annual Cities United Convening in Louisville, KY on October 28-31, 2025.
- $50,000 in-kind coaching and capacity-building for local leaders, organizations, and city stakeholders.
Agenda Highlights
The Memphis stop on the Leading the Way Tour will feature a three-day immersive experience that includes:
- Local Officials Engagement and Support:
Cities United and local partners will convene a series of targeted conversations and briefings with elected and appointed officials to deepen their understanding of comprehensive public safety ecosystems that are community-led, data-informed, and grounded in healing, prevention, and opportunity. These sessions will explore how local leaders can align policy, resources, and institutional practices to support long-term, sustainable violence reduction. Officials will also hear about successful strategies from peer cities and identify actionable steps to champion community-led public safety efforts in the city and county.
- Young Leader Collaborative Session:
Cities United young leader representative(s) will co-facilitate a 4-hour workshop with approximately 15 youth leaders (ages 18–24) from Shelby County. This session is designed to build young leaders, equip young people with tools to become ambassadors, and center their perspectives in shaping solutions.
- Roadmap Development Workshops:
Cities United will lead a hands-on coaching session, known as the Roadmap Bootcamp, designed to help local leaders and community stakeholders assess their positioning via our Public Safety Redefined frameworks. Together, participants will identify strengths, challenges, and next steps toward building a more coordinated, comprehensive public safety ecosystem.
- Community Dinner:
The Leading the Way Community Dinner is a 2-hour networking and engagement experience that brings together young people, grassroots leaders, public officials, and system partners to participate in table-talk discussions focused on community-driven safety solutions and opportunities for collective impact.
The Leading the Way Tour is a celebration of local leadership, a deep dive into comprehensive public safety strategies, and a catalyst for building stronger, more equitable ecosystems of care, connectivity, and true public safety. The Memphis/ Shelby County stop is the 9th stop on the 20 city Leading The Wa Tour. Previous Leading the Way Tour stops have included: Allegheny County, PA; Lexington, KY, and Travis County, TX.
About Cities United
Cities United supports a national network of mayors and other local leaders who are committed to building comprehensive public safety ecosystems designed to reduce community violence and its impact on young Black men and boys, and their families, while also creating new pathways for them to thrive. Through partnerships, policy support, and storytelling, Cities United helps cities build sustainable, community-led strategies for safety and well-being. Learn more: CitiesUnited.org