Dear friends and community members,

If you've ever met Kenyatta Morris, you know her heart. She’s a devoted mother, a committed leader in ministry, and a fierce advocate for young people in Memphis. For nearly two decades, she has poured herself into this community: mentoring students, supporting families, and faithfully serving others. Most recently, she served in leadership at Memphis Athletic Ministries (MAM) for seven years, helping transform lives through consistent presence and love.

Today, we can show up for Kenyatta like she shows up for all of us every day.

On June 24, Kenyatta was diagnosed with Stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma in her left breast. Her treatment begins with the placement of a chemotherapy port on July 14, followed by chemotherapy in the weeks ahead. This comes on top of her long battle with Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that makes treatment more complex. While her doctors are hopeful about removing all of the cancer, they are also concerned about how chemotherapy may impact her Lupus flare-ups and overall health.

At the same time, Kenyatta is facing significant life changes. What should be a season of celebration has instead brought unexpected hardship. Kenyatta is just one year away from completing her Doctorate in Management and Executive Leadership at Colorado Technical University. However, with MAM closing its operations, her role ended, and her temporary health insurance expired on July 1.

Kenyatta is the sole provider for her family and the proud mother of two wonderful children: her 18-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. Her greatest hope is to remain strong and steady for them during this uncertain season.

Here’s how you can help:

Pray. Pray out loud for Kenyatta’s whole body healing, strength, peace of mind, and protection for her and her children.

Give. Help cover medical bills, housing costs, and basic daily needs.

Cook or contribute meals. Homemade or delivered, every bit helps.

Encourage. If you’ve walked through breast cancer, your wisdom matters. What your experience taught you could guide and comfort Kenyatta.

Support her children. Help keep life as joyful, steady, and supported as possible.

Share. Help spread this message to others who know and love her.

Kenyatta has shown up again and again for this city: for her church, her students, her colleagues, and her community. Let’s surround her with the same support she has given so many — steadfast, prayerful, and generous.