Megan Spurgeon, Director of Empower Upper Cumberland
Megan Spurgeon, Director of the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency’s Empower Upper Cumberland program, has been awarded the prestigious William “Sonny” Walker Self-Sufficiency Award at the 2026 Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies (SEACAA) Annual Conference. Spurgeon received the regional honor for the groundbreaking success of Empower Upper Cumberland, an initiative designed to help families break the cycle of poverty and achieve lasting independence.
Presented annually by SEACAA, the William “Sonny” Walker Self-Sufficiency Award honors exemplary programs expressly designed to promote self-sufficiency among low-income individuals and families.
Empower Upper Cumberland originated from Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding, prompting regional leaders to rethink conventional service delivery. Backed by a $25 million investment and leadership from the Tennessee Department of Human Services, along with the vision and guidance of The Poverty Solution, the initiative established a comprehensive support system centered entirely around the needs of the family across 14 rural counties.
To date, Empower Upper Cumberland has served 905 families. Among participants, 61 percent have increased their household income and 160 families have moved entirely above the poverty line. Collectively, participating families are earning $9.4 million more annually than when they enrolled, directly benefiting 1,946 children who are now growing up with greater stability, opportunity, and hope.
“Empower was born out of an opportunity to ask a different question: What if we built the system around the family instead of asking families to navigate the system?” said Spurgeon. “Behind every number is a family building confidence, setting goals, and creating a different future for the next generation. I’m incredibly grateful to our partners, our 50 dedicated team members, and the Tennessee Department of Human Services for believing in what is possible when we work together differently.”
The strategies and lessons developed through Empower are now being integrated across UCHRA’s broader Community Action programs, creating a collaborative framework that walks alongside families rather than placing administrative burdens in their path.
“This recognition belongs to all of them, and most of all, to the families who remind us every day why this work matters,” Spurgeon added. “Self-sufficiency is not just about income. It’s about confidence, opportunity, and the ability to build a future on your own terms.”
