Story #110: Sara Lockridge-Steckel, Franklin I-O Alum and Founder of The Collective Blueprint
Nene Igietseme (left), Michael Pope (center), and Sarah Lockridge-Steckel (right).
Photo from 2008, where the directors of the Franklin I-O Summer Program, Nene Igietseme ’09 and Sarah Lockridge-Steckel ’09, and the founder of the Franklin After School Program, Michael Pope ’82, met for a rich discussion on neighborhood-based programming.
Sarah Lockridge-Steckel ‘09 is a nonprofit leader and social entrepreneur dedicated to empowering youth. As the Co-Founder and CEO of The Collective Blueprint, based in Memphis, Tennessee, she is at the forefront of efforts to address the systemic barriers that prevent young adults from achieving economic self-sufficiency. The Collective Blueprint focuses on creating pathways to in-demand careers by offering school-readiness training, coaching, internships, and employment support. Under Sarah's leadership, the organization has already made significant strides, impacting hundreds of young adults in its pilot program, with two-thirds of participants earning certifications in high-demand fields such as IT, healthcare, and skilled trades. The program has an incredible success rate, with 75% of graduates securing employment! Furthermore, the organization has attracted over $5 million in funding, demonstrating both local and national support for its mission to fix broken systems and mobilize young adults for social and political change. Sarah's commitment to social mobility is not just about providing individual opportunities, but also about reimagining educational and career pathways to create a more inclusive future for all youth in Memphis.
Sarah’s journey with social service was clear in her work with PBHA, where she immersed herself in programs that directly engaged with local youth and underserved communities. She volunteered with the Head Start Readers program, helping young children develop their reading skills, and in the summer of 2007, she co-directed the Franklin I-O Summer Program, which provided educational enrichment to children ages 6-12. As Co-Director, Sarah was responsible for overseeing curriculum development, organizing field trips, and managing day-to-day operations, an experience that deepened her commitment to addressing inequities in lower-income communities. These formative experiences at PBHA solidified Sarah’s passion for community engagement and social change, laying the groundwork for her later work with The Collective Blueprint, and PBHA is so proud of all of her strides.
Read more about The Collective Blueprint here.
