MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Every Tuesday, as part of our Greater Memphis on a Mission series, we highlight organizations making Memphis better. This week, we caught up with a group that believes in knowing your own worth.

Alyce Hart is the founder and CEO of Know Thy Worth, a nonprofit organization that empowers middle and high school girls and boys through mentorship, education, and community engagement.

“I worked for MPD, so I ran into runaways. And I used to be like, ‘Why are you doing this?’ Well, ‘I can’t talk about it at home,’ or ‘I need to get away from home,’ so just provide an outlet before they take off or go to drugs,” said Hart.

Now a high school math teacher, Hart creates a safe space for girls to talk freely during their Cupcakes and Conversations program.

“We had a session about who we are, and we went around and told good qualities about ourselves. So that is important — just knowing who you are and growing into who you are,” she said.

She also takes the girls and boys on college tours.

“University of Memphis, Lemoyne, Christian Brothers, and Rhodes. And the kids loved it. They received a new outlook,” said Hart. “It’s something that exposes them to something different. So if you live in an inner city, you won’t know about the colleges unless you go off to them.”

Know Thy Worth offers scholarships for minority students to help with their secondary education.

“I know how hard it was financially to go off. I received a full ride, but at some point, I studied abroad, and I needed money for studying abroad. So the scholarship is just to help with any financial need, from housing, food, or anything,” Hart said.

Alyce wants the students to truly know their worth and not just settle.

“Don’t just be ok with the bare minimum of just getting a diploma. Go to the next level. exposing them to something more,” she said.

That is why Brown Missionary Baptist Church and the Mid-South Genesis CDC donated $1,000 to Know Thy Worth. Because your biggest investment will always be yourself.