Today we’d like to introduce you to Latasha Harris
Hi Latasha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hire Local is a training program started by Memphis Medical District’s vision to increase community wealth in the neighborhoods bordering major healthcare institutions and colleges in Memphis. Hire Local bridges the gap between healthcare employers and local talent. By connecting job seekers to careers with family-sustaining wages and clear advancement, Hire Local is transforming lives and strengthening the local economy, one opportunity at a time. We have helped hundreds of Memphians launch their careers and move closer to their dreams.
We couldn’t do this work without our amazing anchor institutions, local colleges and healthcare centers, who lead innovation, research, education and care for our region. One of their pressing needs is a stronger workforce. Healthcare across the nation is an industry with many lucrative, in-demand jobs and not enough talent to fill the positions. When we reviewed healthcare training in our city, we noticed that youth were largely missing from the talent supply chain. We created the Career Launch Academy as an opportunity to expose and upskill 11th and 12th graders to careers that can help them 1) fill critical job roles and 2)build the life they want for themselves.
4 tenants drive the program design: 1)training or exploration of in-demand fields, 2) jobs that pay at least $15 an hour, and offer benefits, 3)career growth progression, 4) employer commitment to interview youth program graduates interested in employment.
The Career Launch Academy is a summer program where all participants are paid $15 an hour while training and their tuition is FREE. 11th graders complete a 5-week Healthcare Discovery program while graduating seniors join a CNA certification program. This year seniors can also opt into a pre-EMT program where they will learn about that career while working as Emergency Vehicle Drivers. To date, MMDC has upskilled over 120 Memphis youth. Last year alone, 73 students from 22 Charter or MSCS schools embarked on a journey of Career Exploration. 96% graduated last year, and 99% reported they would recommend our programs to their friends.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We weren’t sure that there was an appetite among youth and young adults for this type of programming. We piloted the Academy with just 8 students in 2022. By 2023, we had close to 100 students show interest and we accepted 43 students. Last year, we had over 300 sign up and we served 73. Our students have shown us that young people ARE interested in hands-on training and career-building work. Now that this myth has been busted, the next challenge to address is financing. Our programs are tuition-free to avoid creating a financial barrier for students in underserved areas. We are grateful to our training and employer partners who work hard to create space and opportunity for students, it’s not cheap. This year, we will host our first, Adopt-A-Student fundraiser to help us scale the program to equip more high school students with skills, certifications, and professional experiences. By”adopting” a student through financial contribution, donors help cover the cost of training, stipends, and field experiences, removing financial barriers and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. This initiative invests in the future workforce, empowers young talent, and strengthens our community. MMDC will host a fundraising event July 18, 2025 from 9-11 am to showcase our students and graduates who are excelling in their studies and to garner support for the 2026 Career Launch Academy.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Memphis Medical District Collaborative ?
The Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC) is a nonprofit organization that works alongside major healthcare institutions and colleges to drive economic growth, create career opportunities, and build a more vibrant, prosperous, and equitable community. MMDC was a finalist for the 2024 Memphis Business Journal’s Best Places to Work and had over 40 media/news mentions last year. Through our workforce programs, small business support, and neighborhood revitalization, MMDC transforms ideas into action, making Memphis a model for inclusive urban development.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
We offer a variety of networking opportunities throughout the year. Here are some of the biggest opportunities to network that we offer:
Mind Your Business series (small business focus): March-June 2025
Mind Your Development series (real-estate focus): March-May 2025
Taste of District (small business focus): Oct 7, 2025
Adopt A Student Fundraiser (youth focus): July 18, 2025
Women Inspiring The Narrative (WIN) event (women leader focused): March 3, 2026
This summer, we will also launch our mentoring program for Hire Local students, connecting them with industry professionals for guidance and career development. To stay on the pulse of what’s happening, we recommend people subscribe to our newsletter.
Pricing:
- Future Healthcare Hero – $4,000 Fully sponsors one student’s CNA training, covering tuition, supplies, and certification fees.
- Pathway Partner – $1,500 Covers the full cost of a student’s Pre-EMT training, preparing them for emergency medical careers.
- Career Catalyst – $800 Funds one student’s Discovery experience, providing career exposure, mentorship, and foundational training.
- Community Champion – $500 Provides partial support for tuition, supplies, or exam fees for a student on their career journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hirelocal901.com
- Instagram: @hirelocal901
- Facebook: @hirelocal901
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/memphis-medical-district-collaborative/
- Other: https://www.memphismedicaldistrict.org/
