Kelley & Associates handled event promotions and public relations for both the 2016 Groundbreaking and 2017 Grand Opening of Porter-Leath’s Early Childhood Academy, Memphis’ premier institute for early childhood development. In addition to developing and distributing news releases, e-save-the-dates, e-reminders, print invitations, and event programs — we equipped Porter-Leath Head Start students with construction vests, hardhats and toy shovels to demonstrate the Academy’s role in rebuilding early childhood education. We also coordinated a media tour for exclusive interview and photo opportunities. 

Porter-Leath opened its 30,000-square-foot Early Childhood Support Center later in 2017 to house its growing early childhood staff. Kelley & Associates continued the success story of Porter-Leath’s people, programs, and places in local news, earning a PBS Newshour feature in 2018 — which was filmed at the Early Childhood Academy. Together, the local and national narratives created the cornerstone of Porter-Leath’s next capital campaign, which funded three new Early Childhood Academies over three years. Construction for the first location in the Frayser neighborhood was completed in Spring 2021.