$14M project seeks to become new economic hub for Memphis neighborhood

By Cole Schnell – Reporter, Memphis Business Journal

June 25, 2024

Memphis Merit Academy Charter School (MMA) recently celebrated a ribbon-cutting for its new campus, transforming a former Kroger into a K–8 charter school.

The project represents an investment of more than $14 million in Parkway Village, a predominantly Black neighborhood in Southeast Memphis that experienced disinvestment following white flight in the 1990s.

“This is more than a new facility for a growing school,” said founder and head of school Lakenna Booker, a Parkway Village native. “It is a source of hope in a neighborhood where things are often bleak.”

Since opening in fall 2019 with 100 kindergarten students, MMA has grown significantly. The school expects to enroll 475 students in kindergarten through sixth grade this fall and employ 53 staff members.

Plans are in place to add seventh and eighth grades over the next two years, bringing total enrollment to about 540 students.

“Our goal is to provide a high-quality educational option that is accessible to local families, fostering a sense of pride and investment in the community,” Booker said.

MMA purchased the former American Way Kroger and surrounding retail spaces in March 2023 for $922,000, according to property records, and began renovations later that spring.

Booker said the project is expected to have a broader economic impact on the area.

“We anticipate that the new school will have a positive impact on surrounding neighborhoods through the redevelopment of the shopping center,” she said.

Current tenants in the center include a clothing store, daycare, event venue, financial planner, braiding shop, and nail salon. Booker said there are plans to expand offerings, including potentially adding medical services to better serve families in the area.

The school was designed by archimania and built by Grinder, Taber & Grinder.

One of the most anticipated features is the playground, an outdoor space enclosed within the building.

“It ensures both safety and security by being centrally located, allowing students to play in a protected environment,” Booker said.

Security was also enhanced during construction with the addition of an AI-based system designed to detect intruders.

“This upgrade provides our students and staff with state-of-the-art resources and secure facilities, enhancing both safety and the overall learning environment,” Booker said.

While students are out for the summer, the facility will be used for staff training and professional development.