In late March, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris gave Marie Pizano and her MVP3 Foundation a month.
As in, an actual month — March 2025 was officially declared “Marie Pizano & MVP3 Foundation Month,” complete with a signed proclamation praising the nonprofit’s work empowering women, supporting children, and promoting healing through the arts.
Which is why Pizano says she’s feeling a bit of whiplash.
Just two months later, Harris vetoed a $177,000 grant to MVP3 that had already been approved by the Shelby County Commission, citing ethics concerns tied to the grant’s sponsor, Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who was indicted earlier this year on multiple federal charges related to public grant funds.
Now, Pizano is defending her nonprofit — and the students it serves — from being the casualty of a simmering political feud. And she’s hoping that there are enough votes among commissioners to override Harris’ veto when the commission votes on the matter today.
“Out of our $177,000, $100,000 of it is going toward our 36-week curriculum program,” Pizano said in a TSD exclusive interview. “These kids are working on movies, documentaries, one of which features Mayor Lee Harris himself. The students are earning school credit, they’re getting paid internships. Why would you take that away?
“This has nothing to do with us,” Pizano added. “Just let us continue our work.”
Ford’s legal problems spill over
Ford was indicted by a federal grand jury in April on multiple charges, including wire fraud, federal program fraud, money laundering and making false statements on tax returns. Prosecutors allege that Ford steered public grant funds to organizations he controlled or was affiliated with, receiving personal financial benefits and failing to disclose them properly. The charges span both his tenure on the Memphis City Council and his current role on the Shelby County Commission.
Neither Pizano nor MVP3 Foundation were named in documents incriminating Ford.
MVP3’s grant was approved by the full Shelby County Commission during its May 19 meeting. Ford had the item pulled from the larger grant package so it could be voted on separately. It passed without objection. But Harris was skeptical anyway.
“It is difficult to understand how any public official who is facing federal charges for alleged corruption involving grants is allowed to continue to distribute grants — essentially unchecked — while under indictment,” Harris wrote.
In his letter, Harris also was alarmed that the $177,000 awarded to MVP3 was nearly the entirety of what a single commissioner is typically allocated for grant-making. Harris also called out Ford’s behavior in past hearings as disruptive, referencing incidents such as “pointing cans of poisonous insect spray and waving house slippers at staff.”
“For these reasons,” he concluded, “I am returning the resolution unsigned.”
The Tri-State Defender was not able to reach Harris or Ford for comment before publication of this report but will continue efforts to reach both offices.
Defending her program and her record
For Pizano, the turnabout has been devastating.
“We’ve already proven this program works,” she said, adding she sends regular email updates to Harris and commissioners. “We just want to be judged on our merits. Keep us out of this.”
Pizano noted that students in MVP3’s programs are currently working on a documentary about longtime commissioner Walter Bailey, which includes an interview with Mayor Harris. She also highlighted support from other entities, including proclamations and recognitions from state lawmakers.
“Please, from your heart,” she said, addressing Harris directly. “I respect the mayor. I appreciate him. I am so grateful he honored us. Just please, allow us to keep these programs. Keep us out of this.”
Caught in the Crossfire
Tensions between Ford and Harris have been simmering for months.
At a recent event celebrating redevelopment at the site of the old Southwest Twin Drive-In, Ford fired off one-liners and thinly veiled criticisms of Harris from the podium — comments that were not lost on attendees. Though Harris attended the event, he was not invited to speak.
“We got a mayor who wants to talk about transparency, but won’t show up unless there’s a camera,” Ford said from the podium.
Ford’s father, Memphis City Councilman Edmund Ford Sr., has also weighed in, characterizing the veto as part of a longstanding personal feud between Harris and the Ford family. In recent weeks, Harris and his staff have reportedly decided to stop attending Commission meetings unless required by agenda items, citing uncomfortable or hostile behavior directed at them during sessions.
What MVP3 Does
Pizano’s MVP3 Foundation works with schools, churches and community groups to deliver hands-on training in film, music, live production and digital media. The goal is to empower students — particularly those from underserved neighborhoods — with creative skills and real-world pathways to careers in the entertainment and media industries.
At Westwood High School, MVP3 operates a 36-week curriculum-based program that teaches students everything from scriptwriting and cinematography to editing and live streaming. Students produce real films, earn school credit, and in some cases, secure paid internships with partner organizations.
MVP3 also works with foster care agencies, churches like Mt. Vernon Baptist, and organizations supporting fatherhood and integrity in media — such as the John Amos Student Grant, awarded to youth demonstrating leadership and ethical storytelling. The grant is named for Amos, best known for his roles on the television show Good Times and the movie Coming to America.
“We’ve proven this works,” Pizano said. “The kids love it. The parents love it. The teachers love it. “All I’m asking, respectfully: Please don’t destroy something that’s working.”
