Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Kuykindall.
Cameron, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Scholar in the Middle was founded on July 16, 2023, as The CamKuy Group. Three close friends, Rev. Cameron N. Kuykindall, Nia L. Tuggle, and Nicolas J. Snipes, founded this non-profit to give back to the communities that raised them. Before the group formed, The Weather Geeks of Memphis served the Memphis community in a similar yet different format.
In 2017, Cameron founded The Weather Geeks of Memphis. Through Cam’s passion for weather forecasting, he and Nicolas informed the public of all weather conditions, held weather preparedness events (such as Hurricane Preparedness Week), and began what is now The Holiday Magic Toy Drive in 2020.
In the summer of 2025, the organization decided to take a strategic shift to serve a population of K-12 students that aren’t currently served by Memphis’ 13,000 registered non-profits: students who make C’s in school. Our research proved that many organizations serve students who make A’s/B’s and students who make D’s/F’s. Yet, there are a few organizations that help students who are stuck in the middle, academically. That is why we are committed to moving scholars from middle to mastery. This is the new chapter of our story that we began on January 1, 2026 when we relaunched as Scholar in the Middle.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has not always been smooth. As a volunteer-led organization, our team dedicates evenings, weekends, and college breaks to advancing Scholar in the Middle’s mission. Building a nonprofit from the ground up has also meant relying primarily on the generosity of individual donors who believe in our vision and choose to invest in our students.
Even so, challenges have never defined us but have strengthened us. Every obstacle has been an opportunity to pause, evaluate, and improve. Rather than settling for quick fixes, we have used setbacks to refine our programs, strengthen our systems, and become a more effective organization.
We have also experienced failure, and we believe it is important to acknowledge that openly. Not every fundraiser has met its goals, and not every learning program has succeeded as we intended. Those experiences were disappointing, but they were also some of our greatest teachers. They showed us what needed to change, challenged us to think differently, and ultimately helped shape Scholar in the Middle into a stronger, more resilient organization.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Scholar in the Middle?
Scholar in the Middle is led by 15 young people, mostly college students from colleges and universities in the Southeast region and all products of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. They call themselves the Scholar Squad, a team shaped by the realities they are now working to change. “We can directly relate to students because we are young adult leaders,” Cameron Kuykindall, Co-Executive Director, says. “We understand what they’re dealing with because we were just there.”
Programs include an annual Holiday Magic Toy Drive, Back to School Bash, Senior Scholars, and the I AM the Solution STEM Summer Camp. The team also conducts school engagement and empowerment days through a monthly program called Planting A S.E.E.D. This program places them inside local elementary and middle schools to mentor students, helping them develop positive character traits.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
One of the easiest ways to support Scholar in the Middle is by joining Scholar Nation, our community support network launching in Fall 2026. Scholar Nation brings together parents, scholars, alumni, school staff, and community members who are passionate about helping middle-performing students reach their fullest potential.
Members of Scholar Nation support our mission by volunteering at programs and events, advocating for our work throughout the community, assisting with fundraising efforts, and serving as ambassadors for our organization. Together, they help expand the impact of Scholar in the Middle and ensure more students have access to meaningful learning opportunities.
To become a member, visit scholarinthemiddle.org. If membership is not the right fit for you, you can still make a meaningful impact by donating through our website. Finally, one of the most valuable ways to support us, at no cost, is by following, sharing, and promoting our Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn pages. Every share helps introduce our mission to new families, volunteers, donors, and community partners, allowing us to reach and serve even more scholars.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://scholarinthemiddle.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scholarinthemiddle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557509486677
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scholarinthemiddle/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scholarinthemiddle
