The Collective Blueprint

Background: Memphis has the highest rate of young people who are out of school and chronically unemployed in the country-often referred to as opportunity youth. These young adults, who are overwhelmingly African American and from low-income backgrounds, face significant structural barriers to economic mobility. Today, Memphis ranks among the lowest U.S. cities for social mobility, and only 1% of opportunity youth will earn an Associate Degree by age 28. The mission of The Collective Blueprint is to increase socioeconomic mobility for young adults by building pathways to thriving careers. We are building on our past success and launching and managing a citywide workforce initiative that brings together multiple organizations, employers, and funders around shared goals, coordinated execution, and measurable outcomes. This citywide workforce initiative is focused on increasing economic mobility, expanding access to living-wage jobs, and better coordinating the systems that support...

About Us The Greater Memphis area has more than 45,000 young adults, aged 16-24, who are out of school and out of work. Nearly half of these young adults are in poverty, and only 1% will be on the path to a living wage by the time they are 28. The young adult population represents the next generation of community, business, and political leaders. It is imperative that they are equipped with the skills and support that they need today in order to guide Memphis forward tomorrow. The Collective Blueprint advances a community framework that reflects the personal and economic aspirations of the city's young populace. The Collective Blueprint was started in 2016 and is the only local organization that is specifically tailored to the needs of young adults. We provide relationships, resources, and a network of support to help young adults discover and develop their unique talents in order to advance their personal and professional objectives. Our Vision is that all young adults have the...