A Fresh Start for the School Year: The Back to School R.E.S.E.T Jamboree
Inside the Back to School R.E.S.E.T. Jamboree in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, featuring community love, mental wellness, and a standout performance by rising rap star MemeTheGoat.
The Hearts of Hearts Foundation hosted their second annual Back to School event, the Back to School R.E.S.E.T. Jamboree, on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, TN. This event was overflowing with joy, love, and excitement for the new school year to begin. While many were looking forward to the back-to-school giveaways and fun entertainment, this jamboree was so much more than that. I spoke with co-founder Andrea Robinson, who shared that R.E.S.E.T. stands for Resources, Encouragement, Support, Empowerment, and Transformations, and attendees, from young to old, got to experience all of those things.
Throughout the event, families were surrounded by prayer, encouragement, and heartfelt reminders that they are deeply loved and supported. The atmosphere made it clear: the Rutherford County community is standing with them, hoping and praying for a safe and successful school year. More than 20 local organizations and businesses showed up in full force offering school supplies, resources, and meaningful connections to carry into the months ahead.
In my conversation with Andrea, she shared that the inspiration behind this event was to shine a light on the often-overlooked mental health needs of children. She spoke with compassion about several heartbreaking losses within the community and emphasized the urgent need for spaces that uplift and affirm our youth. Her hope for the jamboree was clear: to create a moment of renewal, where every child could be reminded of just how loved, valued, and needed they are. That message echoed throughout the day, as community leaders continuously poured into the crowd with powerful words of encouragement reminding young people to never give up, to recognize their power, and to believe that they can truly do anything.
The gymnasium was filled with families who got to enjoy entertainment from the dynamic hosts, Joe Major and Mani Millss of 101.1 The Beat Jams, Nashville’s number one radio station for Hip-Hop and R&B, along with performances from local dance teams and a show-stopping moment by the beloved MemeTheGoat. The kids were having the time of their lives, from jumping into dance contests to singing and dancing word-for-word with MemeTheGoat during her performance of the hit single “Affirmations,” reminding us all that depression and stress cannot keep us down.
As we step into a new school year, that message is something not only students need to hold onto, but parents and educators as well: hard days and challenges may come, but we are able to persevere through them all. This event was more than a jamboree; it was a reminder that faith and community matter, and it’s what everyone will need in order to have a fruitful and abundant school year.
Special thanks to the many community organizations and partners who showed up to pour into families, including Andrea Robinson and Jermany Cooper, co-founders of The Hearts of Hearts Foundation; Joe Major and Mani Millss (event hosts); DJ Cash (MTSU); Tramaine Ferguson (youth advocate, mentor, and active community partner); Frances Kendrick (Vice Principal of Blackman High School and community liaison); and the many local nonprofits and businesses who made sure families left with both resources and inspiration.
I’ll be sharing more soon from my exclusive interview with MemeTheGoat, so be sure to subscribe to my Substack and follow me on my socials.
The event photo featured in this article is credited to Josh Lovett via @heartsofheartsfoundation. More official photos can be found on their official Instagram.
© 2025 Courtney A. Clardy. All rights reserved. This post, including all written content, may not be copied, reproduced, or used without express written permission from the author. Intellectual property protection is in effect.