The Design Besties to create first student space at Grizzlies Prep

The Design Besties are partnering with Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School on a restorative teachers' lounge and the nonprofit's first student space as the school opens its new South Memphis campus in August 2026. The project comes as Grizzlies Prep launches its first all-girls campus and expands into a larger facility with new learning and community spaces.

Why it matters: - The partnership extends The Design Besties' Teachers' Lounge Movement beyond educator spaces for the first time. - Grizzlies Prep will get a student space designed to support belonging, wellbeing and community inside its new campus. - The project lands as the charter school expands into a larger South Memphis facility and opens its first all-girls campus.

What happened: - The Design Besties announced a new partnership with Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School. - The work includes a restorative teachers' lounge and a dedicated student space shared by the boys' and girls' schools. - The new spaces will be part of Grizzlies Prep's South Memphis campus opening targeted for mid-September 2026. - Grizzlies Prep is moving into the campus in August 2026, according to the announcement.

The details: - The Design Besties is a nonprofit collective behind the nationally recognized Teachers' Lounge Movement. - The organization has previously transformed overlooked faculty spaces at schools across the country into areas meant to support restoration, appreciation, connection and wellbeing. - Grizzlies Prep has spent nearly 15 years serving students in grades 6-8 through hands-on learning, character development and a foundation in literacy and mathematics. - The school is backed by the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team and is described as the nation's only public charter school backed by an NBA franchise. - The new Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory STEAM School for Girls will be the school's first all-girls campus and the third all-girls public charter school in Tennessee. - The new campus will add expanded learning environments, a gymnasium and outdoor space. - The Design Besties website is the organization's announcement. - Grizzlies Prep's website is the school's announcement.

Between the lines: - The collaboration signals that schools are treating design as part of student and staff support, not just aesthetics. - The addition of a student-centered space shows The Design Besties is broadening its mission while keeping its focus on human-centered environments. - Grizzlies Prep is using the move to reinforce its identity around academic rigor, character and community investment.

What's next: - The teachers' lounge and student space will be unveiled with the opening of the new campus. - The public reveal is targeted for mid-September 2026. - The exact date and additional unveiling details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The bottom line: - The partnership gives Grizzlies Prep a design upgrade aimed at both educators and students, while marking a new chapter for The Design Besties and its school-based mission.