NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Rock the Hill 2026 — More than 100 families with young children from across Tennessee gathered at the State Capitol yesterday for Rock the Hill 2026, a statewide advocacy rally hosted by Tennesseans for Quality Early Education (TQEE) in partnership with a coalition of community organizations. Families shared personal stories and urged lawmakers to invest in early learning, healthy development, and family support that gives children a strong start.
“Today was about listening to families and understanding how early investments shape a child’s future — and Tennessee’s,” said Blair Taylor, CEO of Tennesseans for Quality Early Education.
Following the rally, families and advocates met with lawmakers, delivering curated “Messages in a Bottle” — scrolls of typed messages drawn directly from families’ own words and delivered to legislators — and discussing priorities including affordable, high-quality child care and early education, early childhood health, and supports that help families thrive.
Rock the Hill 2026 community partners include: Lakeshore Learning; Save the Children Action Network; First 8 Memphis; Nashville Early Education Coalition (NEEC); Raising Readers Nashville; United Way of West Tennessee; Chattanooga 2.0; United Way of Greater Knoxville; Upper Cumberland Development District; United Way of South Central Tennessee; MTSU College of Education – Early Learning Programs; and STRONG Accountable Care Community.
Rock the Hill 2026 highlighted the growing, statewide call for evidence-based solutions that strengthen outcomes for children and Tennessee’s future.
