The Power in Education: All Eyes on Memphis
Educational Challenges and Community Impact in Memphis, TN
I am a proud graduate of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. My K-12 public school education paved the way for me to attend Birmingham-Southern College, a small liberal arts institution in Alabama. From there, I became the only Black woman graduate in my Harvard Master of Divinity class. Education has been a transformative force in my life. As a first-generation college student, I deeply understand the value of expanded opportunities and increased access to social capital.
Being a social witness and caring deeply about people have been monumental to my personal and professional journey. When you know more, you should act accordingly. It is essential to stay informed about who is running for public office, educational curriculums, and policies that shape our lives.
How things are communicated—and to whom—matters greatly. Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board leaders were reminded of this on December 17, 2024, when they called an impromptu meeting to vote on the termination of the recently hired Superintendent. The board cited allegations of professional misconduct against Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins as grounds for immediate termination. Both the public and Dr. Feagins were given only 48 hours’ notice of this special meeting. The responses were dynamic and profound.
“The public acts out when being mistreated”- public comment
As the founder of a consultancy focused on social impact, I feel a deep responsibility to share about being headquartered in Memphis, TN. Memphis is integral to my story and the inspiration behind Lilac Impact Services. As the largest majority-Black city in the United States, Memphis embodies a unique blend of triumphs and challenges. There is a delicate balance between acknowledging the realities we face while extending grace to the complexities of people and the history that has shaped this city.
While attending divinity school, I studied my ancestry through the lens of African American Religious and Cultural Studies. My master's thesis explored Memphis’s Black history as a cultural and innovative hub that organizes and delivers results. Unfortunately, news coverage about Memphis often skews overwhelmingly negative, focusing on violence and hardships. Storytelling is a form of social impact. Narratives shape how people perceive communities and can inspire action—or inaction—rooted in fear, discomfort, or misunderstanding.
At Lilac Impact Services, our values include womanism, relational organizing, equity, social impact, and transparency. In full transparency, I am not an avid school board meeting observer. However, the gravity and secrecy surrounding the special December meeting caught my attention. I watched this entire meeting in awe as school board members navigated swift, exclusive decision-making. It was a stark reminder of the importance of staying engaged with key aspects of our communities, including safety, education, housing, wellness, culture, and the economy.
The special school board meeting drew a crowd so large that the line to enter wrapped around the building. The packed room was filled with educators, parents, residents, youth, and council members—each committed to bearing witness and sharing their perspectives.
I have been blessed with dedicated Memphian teachers who encouraged me to absorb knowledge like a sponge and explore everything that sparked my curiosity. That same passion and love for youth were evident during this critical meeting.
Over 50 individuals spoke during the public comment session, each given just one minute to address the board and all opposed the resolution (source). A recurring theme among the speakers was disappointment over the lack of transparency and the misuse of authority in making such a significant decision without broader community input.
Dr. Feagins was selected as the new Superintendent in February 2024 and officially stepped into the role in April 2024. Her appointment follows the tumultuous termination of the previous Superintendent, who was found guilty of abusing his power and violating policies. The former Superintendent's misconduct included inappropriate relationships with employees he once supervised (source).
Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) spent $480,000 to terminate the former Superintendent’s contract (source). The current Superintendent, Dr. Feagins, earns an annual salary of $325,000, and terminating her contract just eight months into her tenure would require a payout of $487,000 (source).
In two years, the school board could potentially spend nearly $1,000,000 on removing leadership. Imagine what $1,000,000 could do if directly invested in supporting students and educators instead.
The resolution to terminate Dr. Feagins' contract alleged several violations:
Accepting an approximate donation of $45,000 without board approval.
Misleading the board by failing to provide evidence supporting her claim that over $1,000,000 in overtime payments were made for unworked hours.
Providing inaccurate information to the board and public regarding a federal grant and a missed deadline (source).
Board member Michelle McKissack was the first of the four opposing members to speak out against the termination. She, along with board members Amber Huett-Garcia, Tamarques Porter, and Keith Williams, opposed the immediate removal of the Superintendent. McKissack stated as board members “we must listen to the community”, and she shared her concerns about the process. She revealed that she was informed of the special meeting only three minutes before the public announcement and received the resolution moments before the meeting began.
McKissack, a seasoned board member and former chair, pointed out that it is normal for newly elected leaders to need time to work cohesively and suggested that abrupt leadership changes should not be made without voters’ input. She also noted that the current body of board members had yet to complete their mandated state training, which was postponed from its original date.
Board member McKissack statements were significant for the public record. They highlighted concerns over a lack of transparency and rushed decision-making by the newly elected school board. The five council members who voted for the immediate termination faced criticism for their "deafening silence" in defending their decision.
Residents, educators, and families present at the meeting were visibly frustrated and intentionally disruptive, with many vocally opposing the resolution. They also pointed out discrepancies between the accusations in the resolution and the statements made by those in favor of termination.
McKissack and other opposing board members noted that they hold regular weekly check-ins with Dr. Feagins to discuss concerns and collaboratively address issues. During her speaking portion, Dr. Feagins highlighted her ongoing efforts to communicate with the board, families, and schools through scheduled meetings and other mediums, adding that two board members have refused to meet with her.
Some board members and members of the public advocated for the Superintendent to have an opportunity to address the accusations before the vote. The Parliamentarian played a significant role in ensuring clear communication and outlining the options available under the by-laws, performing their duties with precision and enthusiasm. However, even if technicalities like the 48-hour meeting notice followed protocol, leadership neglected a key responsibility: ensuring community inclusion in decision-making and keeping stakeholders well-informed.
Dr. Feagins refuted each claim during the meeting, improvising her responses as this was her first time hearing the resolution. She requested an opportunity to respond to the board’s documented allegations in writing but still addressed each accusation with poise and clarity in real-time. Her composure and confident rebuttals made it clear that this was not her first experience navigating leadership challenges. In fact, Dr. Feagins noted she “knew what she signed up for.” She also stated that her “desire to be transparent has been weaponized,” yet she remained “unapologetic for wanting more for the 901.”
The initial vote resulted in a 5-4 decision to terminate the Superintendent’s contract. However, a second vote, which passed 5-4, postponed the termination decision until January. This delay allows Dr. Feagins time to formally respond to the accusations. Additionally, it lends a sense of fairness to the process, moving away from what many viewed as an ambush, especially given the extensive public efforts made to conduct a national search for the Superintendent.
Online public commentary has been a mix of anger and comedic relief. Even in challenging times, finding humor and joy can be a survival mechanism—something I explored in my master’s thesis.
Many commenters compared the MSCS school board meeting to scenes from Lean on Me, the 1989 film starring Memphis-born Morgan Freeman. In the movie, Principal Joe Clark implements drastic cultural and systemic changes within a school, leading to public meetings filled with outraged parents and educators. The December 17th meeting felt like life imitating art.
Since taking office, Dr. Feagins has implemented bold changes reminiscent of Lean on Me. Over the summer, the Superintendent toured schools and community centers in every district, creating opportunities for staff and the public to engage with her directly and ask questions. She also eliminated approximately 1,100 positions before the start of the 2024–2025 school year. As the first external hire to lead Tennessee’s largest school district since the district merger a decade ago, Dr. Feagins' leadership has already left a significant mark (source).
Lilac’s Approach
Having a role in a young person’s educational journey is a great responsibility. I have had the privilege to supervise and work with youth ranging from daycare-aged children to college students. My experience spans various environments, including afterschool programs, co-ops, summer workshops, camps, juvenile detention centers, and student-led organizations. To ensure quality education and meaningful engagement, systems must be in place to guide how goals will be met and the requirements to achieve them.
Processes exist for a reason. If Lilac Impact Services had been involved, our first step would have been to hold at least one or two internal meetings to discuss the desire to terminate the Superintendent. The resolution should have been co-created with input from all board members, or at the very least, all members should have been invited to attend the drafting meeting. A risk assessment should have been conducted to evaluate the potential consequences of such a significant decision. I wonder if any of the board members in favor of termination initially considered the far-reaching impacts of their actions. Based on subsequent interviews, some council members appeared to regret not involving their constituents in the process. To many, it felt as though the community was being informed of a decision rather than included in it—despite the extensive communal process that led to the Superintendent’s appointment.
This comes only months after a general election where school board members, House and Senate representatives, amendments, and the President were on the ballot. Transparency and communication should have been priorities. The Superintendent deserved to be informed privately before the general public learned about the special meeting. Additionally, both the Superintendent and all school board members should have received the resolution document well in advance of the meeting. For a matter of this significance, the general public should have been notified far beyond the minimum requirements outlined in the by-laws.
There should have been town hall meetings or even virtual office hours scheduled immediately after the special meeting to address community concerns. The postponed vote would not have been necessary if school board leaders in favor of termination had adhered to proper protocols. Lilac would have conducted a team meeting soon after the special meeting to align and strategize. Presenting a united front—even in times of disagreement—is more achievable when teams assess and discuss issues collectively.
As we look ahead to the January 14th meeting and the impending vote on Dr. Feagins’ termination, one can only hope for a more empathetic tone toward the public. Furthermore, Dr. Feagins should be allowed to address the board and community first, before any comments are made by school board members.
The purpose of educational leadership and passionate community involvement is to ensure quality education for youth. Currently, students in the same school district, city, and state experience varying levels of support and resources. No group of students should matter more than another; every student deserves intentional, selfless leaders. Students need empathetic advocates who genuinely care and work tirelessly to achieve equity across the district.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Positive Developments Spotlight
The morning after the spirited December 17th school board meeting, Dr. Feagins was back in action, standing alongside Memphis’s own GloRilla—a multi-Grammy-nominated artist—at Melrose High School. Glo generously donated $25,000 to a school she once attended to fund a media center in the school’s library.
This is social impact in action: providing tangible resources to spaces that, through lived experience, are known to benefit from additional support. Representation plays a crucial role as well. At a historic school located in one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in the nation, students have the opportunity to see themselves reflected in roles such as educators, a superintendent, and a famous artist who remains deeply connected to her Memphis roots. Witnessing a diverse range of possibilities from people who look like you helps overcome fears and reinforces a sense of limitless potential.
Inspiring future generations and preserving key aspects of history motivated me to help establish and join the Orange Mound Friends of the Library Board. You can read more about my Orange Mound roots and involvement with the historic Melrose High School building here. My mother and several family members are proud Melrose Golden Wildcats alumni. I graduated from White Station High School—a school that consistently exemplifies academic excellence, diversity among its students and organizations, and a wide array of extracurricular activities (source).
More promising news for MSCS Students
Shelby County commissioners recently approved $34 million for the construction of a new high school in the Frayser area. A current neighborhood school, Trezevant High, built in the 1960s, lacks the modern classroom amenities needed to adequately support students.
According to The Tri-State Defender, the new Frayser high school will include three STEM classrooms, performance areas for vocal and band groups, a broadcast production space, a graphic design classroom, an open learning area with natural lighting, athletic facilities, a community market, and even a laundry space (source).
To stay informed, you can view MSCS school board meetings here.
For updates from the Memphis City Council, visit here.
Lilac Impact Services 2024 Highlights
Thank you for growing with Lilac Impact Services this year! In 2024, we officially launched as an LLC and took major steps forward. We have expanded our village, learned invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship, and are deeply grateful for all the experiences that have shaped us.
Some 2024 highlights include:
Official public launch in March
Featured interviews with Memphis Voyage and Canvas Rebel
Semi-finalist in the SCORE 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition
Guest speaker for a 5th-grade commencement and workshop session
Participant in the New Voices Foundation PACE Cohort
Memberships with the Greater Memphis Chamber and Memphis Black Chamber of Commerce
Launch of Under A Lilac Tree newsletter
Securing exciting opportunities to be announced in 2025!
Follow us on social media to never miss updates.
Are you ready to amplify your mission-driven work with streamlined operations and impactful community-building strategies? Let’s connect!
Happy Holidays, and here’s to a prosperous and safe 2025 for us all!
With love,
Kayla J. Smith-Hardy
Founder- Lilac Impact Services, LLC