Why should we care?
SCS’s ability to provide a quality, equitable education is being undercut by high teacher turnover and year-long teaching vacancies, as well as significant maintenance deficiencies within the schools, all of which leads to higher financial, educational, and health costs. A lack of access to wraparound services provided by qualified social workers, psychologists, and nurses inhibits the successful treatment of trauma or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). Abuse, neglect, and trauma significantly increase the likelihood of suspensions, juvenile criminal behavior, and incarceration. With a median age four years below the national average, Memphis’s population can support economic development, but only if we provide children in our community access to opportunities and support.
Equipping people of faith and goodwill to organize communities for systemic change through collective action.
Venita Doggett
Executive Director
Venita Doggett is a proud two-time alumna of the University of Memphis holding a Bachelor of Arts (1998) in Political Science and Master of Public Administration (2001) in Urban Management and Planning.
Venita serves as Executive Director of the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH). In her capacity as ED, she collaborates with 55 partner organizations across Memphis as they seek to provide a collective voice to advocate for issues of justice and equity in the city.
She previously served as the Director of Advocacy for Memphis Education Fund (MEF) where she provided leadership to MEF's advocacy partner portfolio and advised advocacy strategy based on her institutional knowledge of Memphis’ complex political landscape.
In addition to her advocacy work, Venita serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Literacy Mid-South, Vitalant Community Leadership Council, United Housing, Inc., Crosstown High School, and Education Equity Task Force Co-Chair for MICAH Memphis.
She is also an active member at St. Paul Baptist Church where she serves as the secretary for the board of elders, choir member, College Impact Ministry and gives leadership to the Cain Scholarship Fund.
Venita is married to Deadrick Doggett and the mother of daughters Taylor and Naomi and fur- mom to rescue dogs - Winnie and Horton.