Community Investment
For two decades, Peer Power has been at the intersection of education and workforce development, investing more than $25 million into our community's workforce. Our model exemplifies what the Association for the Study of African American Life and History emphasizes about "work being at the very center of much of Black history and culture."
2004
Peer Power founded by Charlie McVean
2008
Peer Power evolves to a model that employs college students as tutors and mentors to high school students.
2012
National Education Startup Challenge Division Winner from The U.S. Department of Education
2015
Launch of The Memphis Model (University of Memphis, MSCS, and Peer Power partnership) and ACT Prep University.
2017
First annual Big River Crossing Race.
2018
Creation of “The Peer Power Institute” at the University of Memphis
2019
UM Connect launches
2021
Peer EmPOWERment Fellowship begins as a partnership with the University of Memphis
2024
In partnership with TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development and several local businesses, Peer Power launches the Earn and Learn workforce experience program
CORDA’S STORY
The Gandhi-King Scholars Program
The Gandhi-King Scholars Program is a bi-weekly educational initiative in Memphis that combines after-school cohort meetings and Saturday group sessions at the University of Memphis. It primarily serves high school students (grades 10-12) across multiple Memphis schools, with a special focus on helping seniors secure college opportunities through scholarships and applications. The program includes college preparation, leadership training, financial aid guidance, college tours, and community service components, all designed to create a clear pathway to higher education for participating students.
Young men served
%
criminal justice avoidance rate
%
Program Completion rate
%
Program Completion rate
