Memphis businessman Charles McVean is well-versed in the art of speculation, and his recognition of the opportunities to invest in young students is paying dividends.

The latest investment is Shelby Middle School and its North Bolivar School district in Shelby, Miss., which has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Education Department.

The grant was awarded to the school to continue its yearlong work with Peer Power Foundation, McVean’s tutoring initiative aimed at students in grades 7-12.

Prompting the Education Department grant was the surge in state math exam scores among seventh-graders at Shelby Middle.

“This kind of financial support will mean that we can touch the lives of so many more students,” said Rives Neblett, the Shelby businessman who funded the program through a nonprofit group … (read more)