In 1989, Joseph R. Hyde piloted the Memphis Challenge (MC) at East High School with 20 students. Thirty years later, the MC college prep program serves high school students from public, charter and independent schools across Shelby County, TN. Memphis Challenge has impacted more than 1,200 youth in its junior and senior programs. It attracts the attention of admissions counselors at top-tier colleges and universities. In 2014, MC expanded its college prep program with the inclusion of 9/10 Movement. The goal is to develop 9th and 10 grade students who maximize their potential to compete globally. The mission of the Memphis Challenge is to inspire and develop future Memphis leaders. The MC purpose is to serve as a pipeline to top-tier colleges and universities, provide internship opportunities for collegiates who return to Memphis during the summer to combat brain drain and foster future Memphis leaders. Today we boast an alumni network of some of the most brilliant minds imaginable of which over 50% make Memphis home.