A Message from Sam O’Bryant III
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I want to personally share with you that I will be stepping down as CEO of Literacy Mid-South after an incredibly fulfilling chapter. An exciting opportunity was recently presented to me, one that aligns with my continued commitment to Memphis and the Mid-South. While this is a bittersweet moment, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for what we have accomplished together.
When I joined Literacy Mid-South, I was fortunate to inherit a talented and passionate team, and over the years, we have attracted even more exceptional individuals. Together, we’ve grown the organization and made an impact beyond what I could have imagined. From transforming Literacy Mid-South into a regional literacy intermediary to securing the most significant grants in our history, these accomplishments are a testament to the hard work of our staff, the unwavering belief of our board in big ideas, and the incredible support from our partners and community.
Our success has been made possible thanks to the generosity of funders like the TN Department of Education, Urban Child Institute, International Paper, Accelerate, AutoZone, Episcopal Diocese of West TN, the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, and many individual donors. Their trust and investment in our mission have allowed us to grow fivefold over the past few years, serving more students, distributing more books, and launching programs like Tutor901, which now reaches 4,000 students in 26 schools.
I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished:
Securing $9.8M in funding from the TN Department of Education
Being awarded a $2M grant from Mackenzie Scott’s Yield Giving in 2024
Expanding our staff from 9 full-time employees to 21 full-time and 170 part-time team members
Distributing over 125,000 new and culturally inclusive books (a $1.8M value) each fiscal year and earning recognition through awards and nominations that reflect the impact of our collective efforts
Establishing Tutor901 as a nationally recognized intervention that supports students in reaching grade-level reading proficiency
Providing nearly $200k to nonprofits in the Raleigh area toward targeted literacy supports
Along with community partners, co-leading and co-authoring an Early Literacy Community Partner Plan with Memphis-Shelby County Schools
Serving this incredible organization has been a privilege, and I am confident that Literacy Mid-South’s best days are still ahead. The Board of Directors will soon begin the search for a permanent CEO. In the interim, John Nichols, Chair of the Board, will step in to lead the organization as it continues to provide literacy resources, convene partners, and raise awareness for literacy efforts in our community. I know the organization will continue to thrive under his interim leadership and the ongoing dedication of our talented team. Please be on the lookout for more communications regarding this transition.
Thank you for your support, generosity, and belief in Literacy Mid-South’s mission. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this remarkable organization and our community.
With gratitude,
Sam O'Bryant III
CEO, Literacy Mid-South
