Written By JR Robinson

From Courtrooms to Classrooms: A Modern Approach to At-Risk Youth

In a recent address to the "STEM for Us" symposium, Shelby County Chief Administrative Officer Harold Collins tackled one of the most persistent issues facing our community: the school-to-prison pipeline. However, unlike many standard political speeches that focus solely on "law and order," Collins presented a solution rooted in economic opportunity and technological advancement.

The Reality Check: "Courtrooms vs. Classrooms" Collins opened with a stark observation about young African-American boys in Shelby County. "Many of our young boys visit more courtrooms than they do classrooms," Collins stated. "It is unfathomable for us to assume that our young boys will be educated and ready for the workplace if they're spending all of their time in the courtroom."

This acknowledgment serves as the foundation for his policy approach: we cannot arrest our way out of this problem; we must educate our way out of it.

The "Old School" Solution: Reviving Vocational Training Collins identifies a critical gap in our current educational system—the removal of vocational training. He argues that not every student succeeds in a traditional academic setting, and the removal of trade skills from schools has cut off a vital pathway to the middle class.

"We ensure that our young boys who do not succeed in the classroom have an opportunity to go to vocational training," Collins urged, calling for a return to the practical skills that built the black middle class in Memphis "many, many years ago." By prioritizing vocational tech, Collins is advocating for immediate, tangible economic independence for at-risk youth.

The "New School" Solution: Embracing AI Perhaps the most surprising and forward-thinking part of his address was his pivot to Artificial Intelligence (AI). While many leaders fear AI, Collins sees it as an equalizer.

"We want to make sure that AI has an opportunity to be advanced... not only in the classroom but in the workplace as well," he said. He revealed that Shelby County government is already using AI to "ensure that [citizens] get the proper information and the right pathways to secure services."

Why This is the Leadership Shelby County Needs This speech highlights exactly why Harold Collins is a formidable executive leader. He displays the ability to hold two distinct thoughts at once:

1. Respect for Tradition: He understands the value of "blue-collar" vocational skills that have historically supported Memphis families.

2. Vision for the Future: He is actively integrating "white-collar" future-tech (AI) into county operations to improve efficiency.

Most politicians offer one or the other—a return to the past or a gamble on the future. Collins offers a bridge between the two. He understands that to break the prison pipeline, we need to offer a young man a welding torch or a laptop, as long as we don't offer him handcuffs.

This is holistic governance. It is not just about stopping crime; it is about building an economy where crime becomes the less attractive option.