Commission honors World Relief Memphis executive director PJ Moore

Shelby County commissioners on Feb. 4 presented a special-resolution honor to World Relief Memphis and its executive director, PJ Moore, recognizing the agency’s work supporting refugees and immigrants across the county.

The resolution, read into the record by the parliamentarian, detailed Moore’s leadership since joining the organization in 2012 and said World Relief Memphis has provided services — including housing, workforce development and English-language education — to thousands of refugees and immigrants. "Chairman Avent, Commissioner Sugarman, members of the Shelby County Commission, thank you for this honor," Moore said as he accepted the recognition. He dedicated the award "to the families who have survived extraordinary circumstances and now consider Shelby County as home."

Why it matters: The recognition signals county-level support for nonprofit programs that provide direct services to recently arrived families and for organizations that partner with government on integration and stabilization efforts. The resolution noted that more than 10,000 refugees and immigrants have received services from World Relief Memphis under Moore’s leadership.

Moore said the work is ongoing and framed the recognition in personal terms: he described ancestors who fled persecution and tied their experience to the agency’s mission today. The commission offered brief applause and thanks before moving on to other agenda items.