ICYMI: Blackburn Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Preventing Juvenile Crime in Memphis

ICYMI: Blackburn Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Preventing Juvenile Crime in Memphis
August 12, 2025
NASHVILLE, Tenn.
– U.S. Senator
Marsha Blackburn
(R-Tenn.) hosted a roundtable discussion with elected officials and community leaders in Memphis to discuss how after-school programs help prevent juvenile crime and invest in the next generation of Memphians. Earlier this year, Senator Blackburn introduced the bipartisan
AFTER SCHOOL Act
, which would establish a grant program administered through the U.S. Department of Justice to provide funding for school districts and non-profits to increase access to after-school programs that are proven to reduce juvenile crime and recidivism.
“As Tennessee students go back to school, cities like Memphis are in need of critical resources to strengthen after-school programs that are proven to combat juvenile crime. My AFTER SCHOOL Act would invest in the next generation of Memphians by establishing a grant program for school districts and non-profits to establish, maintain, and strengthen after-school programs. During the roundtable, we discussed how additional resources can help prevent juvenile crime by promoting higher academic achievement, and I am grateful to each of the participants for joining this important conversation.”
Click
here
to download photos from Senator Blackburn’s roundtable discussion.
Senator Blackburn was joined in this discussion by U.S. Representative
David Kustoff
(R-Tenn.), Tennessee State Senator
Brent Taylor
, Tennessee State Representative
John Gillespie
, Memphis Police Department Assistant Chief of Police
Martin Kula
, Shelby County Commissioner
Brandon Morrison
, Shelby County Commissioner
Charlie Caswell
, Youth Villages CEO
Charmaine Kromer
, Boys & Girls Club of Memphis CEO
Michael Garriga
, YMCA CEO
Brian McLaughlin
, YMCA Memphis Executive Vice President
Cleo Griffin
, Shelby County Schools Needs Assessment Committee Vice Chair
Cato Johnson
, Memphis Allies Initiative Executive Director
Susan Deason
, Youth Villages Managing Director of Operations
Carl Davis
, Tennessee Charter Schools Center Senior Vice President of Advocacy
Carra Powell
, Memphis Tomorrow President
Blair Taylor
, Pure Academy Board Member
Kemp Conrad
, Pure Academy Headmaster
Melvin Cole
, Love Worth Finding Ministries President
Cary Vaughn
, Boys & Girls Club CEO
Gwen Woods
, and Youth Villages Executive Director
Stephanie Pugh
.
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https://www.blackburn.senate.gov/2025/8/icymi-blackburn-hosts-roundtable-discussion-on-preventing-juvenile-crime-in-memphis