The Comeback: An evening of education stories with Chalkbeat and New Memphis

A new school year is starting following what was meant to be a comeback year for America’s schools — a return to classrooms and rebuilding of communities after months of remote or hybrid learning, disconnection, and uncertainty.

And for many schools, it was, at least for a while. Schools fully reopened. Vaccines were available for teens and would soon be for children over 5. Districts mapped out how to spend an unprecedented amount of COVID relief money.

But the buildings that swung wide their doors to students in the fall of 2021 were changed schools — as were the students and educators that fill them.

Join New Memphis, Chalkbeat Tennessee, and Spillit for an evening of stories from students and educators that speak to the theme, “The Comeback.” New Memphis will also announce its new class of Educators of Excellence. Special thanks to our editorial partner for this event, The Daily Memphian.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and light refreshments and drinks will be provided. This event is free to attend, but RSVP so we know you are coming. We hope you come celebrate the start of a new school year with us by listening to these powerful stories.

Speaking Line-up

• Omolola Ajayi, seventh grade teacher at Wooddale Middle School
• Shreya Ganesh, senior at White Station High School and Bank of America student leader
• Athumuni (Arthur) Niyokwizigigwa, sophomore at Central High School and student leader with the Refugee Empowerment Program
• Curley Harris, dean of students at Promise Academy Spring Hill
• Natalie Nixon, senior at Houston High School and student leader with BRIDGES
• Josh Czupryk, director of academic operations at University Schools

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization committed to covering one of Tennessee’s most important stories: the effort to improve schools for all children, especially those who have historically lacked access to a quality education.

New Memphis is a local nonprofit that serves the community by creating connections, activating around civic issues, and fostering leadership development. Check out their site for information on how to get involved.

New Memphis reserves the right, to use, in any capacity, any photography/video taken at any event sponsored or produced by New Memphis without the express written permission of those included. By registering for this event, you agree to allow New Memphis to share your contact information with sponsoring partners for marketing purposes.

Spillit is true, unscripted stories told in front of a live audience. Find out more about their events and shows here.