Awards
Honored for Inspiring Community Transformation
Memphis Merit Academy is proud to share that we received 3rd Place for the Tommy Pacello Award from the Urban Land Institute Memphis!
This recognition places us among Memphis’ most impactful projects — including The Memphis Lift, led by Sarah Carpenter, and the Northside Project, led by Roshun Austin. We are humbled to stand alongside these visionary leaders who are shaping the future of our city.
Founder, Lakenna Booker, tireless leadership continues to guide our school in realizing our mission: to honor families through facilities that inspire learning, strengthen community, and build legacy.
Our permanent home is more than a school building — it is a hub of hope, empowerment, and opportunity for the Parkway Village community. This recognition is a reminder that when vision meets purpose, transformation follows.
Transforming Community Through Innovative Design
We are honored to have Memphis Merit Academy recognized by Architizer’s A+Awards in the category of Architecture +Adaptive Reuse - Special Mention.
Memphis Merit Academy, a local charter school, transformed a blighted grocery store in an abandoned shopping center to accommodate a growing student body and better meet the diverse needs of students, their families, and the surrounding community. The site, purchased by the school from an absentee landowner, fulfilled the school’s vision to revitalize the deteriorating property at the heart of its community.
Memphis Merit Academy has become a catalyst for growth and a hub for community resiliency, elevating the educational experience for each child.
The Architizer A+Awards is the largest awards program focused on promoting and celebrating the year’s best architecture from around the world. Its mission is to nurture the appreciation of meaningful design and champion its potential for a positive impact on everyday life. Of the thousands of projects submitted, less than 5% globally were chosen as a Special Mention honoree. We are humbled by the recognition and deeply appreciate the Memphis Merit leadership team for choosing us as their design partner.
