About Us

Our team offers support and resources for the community that help everyone feel seen, valued, and supported.

Our Story

Over the past decade, we have seen the impact of serving families and developing leaders in our city. By meeting both tangible and intangible needs, we’re seeing hope renewed and dreams fulfilled.

That’s the genesis of who we are — The Memphis Dream Center.

Since 2009, we have been partnering with businesses, nonprofits and individual donors like you to offer a support system complete with classes, groceries, financial counseling and related services for families in places like North Memphis, Frayser, Raleigh and Binghampton.

Our commitment to you is that every dollar you give will make a difference. Together, through your generosity, we’re feeding families, lifting literacy levels and improving lives throughout Memphis.

Our Mission

Closing the opportunity gap for marginalized families by creating educational equity, food security and family stability

Our VISION

Every Memphis family thriving

Our core values

Integrity. Dignity. Teamwork. Compassion. Excellence. Innovation.

Feeding Families And Lifting Literacy Levels Throughout Memphis

When we set out to make a difference in the community, our founders John and Leslie Siebeling at The Life Church envisioned a place where the spiritual, educational and physical needs of our city would be met in a new way.

They drew inspiration from the work being done at the LA Dream Center in California and today the Memphis Dream Center is an independent nonprofit and founding member of the Dream Center Network — a loose affiliation of like-minded nonprofits across the country.

It’s amazing to see a vision transform into an entire team of staff, volunteers, donors and local partners working together to see hope renewed and dreams fulfilled.

So what makes us unique? Our work isn’t just a cause we care about. Our faith compels us to see hope renewed and dreams fulfilled for families in our community.

Thank you for partnering with us in championing this incredibly gratifying mission.

Meet Our Team

We are here to serve you.

Kelli Carson

Kelli Carson

Executive Director

Courtney Barber

Courtney Barber

Grants and Funding Administrator

Cassandra Johnson

Cassandra Johnson

Family Advocacy Coordinator

Tonya Woodson

Tonya Woodson

Read2Lead program director

Marvin Thomas

Marvin Thomas

New Hope Read2Lead Site Director

Lino Reyes

Lino Reyes

austin peay Read2Lead site director

Barbara Derouen

Barbara Derouen

MDC Accountant

Kevin Auguillard

Kevin Auguillard

feedmemphis coordinator

Our Board of Directors

Jane Lawson

Jane Lawson

Communications Manager, The Life Church

Chairman of the Board

Kelli Carson

Kelli Carson

Executive Director, Memphis Dream Center

President

Phillip Rix

Phillip Rix

President & CEO, Phillip Ashley Chocolates

Treasurer

Joshua Cotten

Joshua Cotten

Senior Program Manager, Amazon

Bobby White

Bobby White

Chief Public Policy Officer, Greater Memphis Chamber

Janna Hughes

Janna Hughes

Corporate Social Responsibility Strategist, Global Citizenship, FedEx

Cece Glenn

Cece Glenn

Senior Consultant, Naha Consulting Group

Interested in Joining Our Team?

Working at the Memphis Dream Center isn’t just a job. It’s a conscious choice to invest your time and energy into making a tangible difference in our city. Sound like you? View our current openings or send us your resume.

Make A Difference

Every time you give, it’s making a tangible difference. Thank you for your act of generosity.