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Cathryn Stout

2024-2025 Obama Foundation USA Leader

Headshot of Cathryn Stout, 2024-2025 Obama Foundation USA Leader

Student, Candler School of Theology, Emory University

Memphis, Tennessee

Cathryn Stout is currently studying at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Cathryn was previously the chief of communications and broadcast services at Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Tennessee’s largest school district. While managing her team’s $3 million budget, Cathryn led communications strategy and marketing as a storyteller and public historian. Prior to that role, she served as the Tennessee bureau chief for Chalkbeat, a news organization covering education nationwide, she used her journalistic skills to spearhead national coverage through the creation of an interactive Critical Race Theory legislation map that tracked restrictive legislation and focused on translating dense legislative jargon into clear, actionable explanations for readers.

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