In wake of Brandon Clarke’s death, donors rally around child literacy organization he supported
ARISE2Read has received over 100 donations since Clarke's untimely death.
Brandon Clarke was found dead Tuesday. He was 29. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Christian Petersen via Getty Images Eight months before his tragic death left many in NBA circles shaken and heartbroken, Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke made one of his final appearances on behalf of the franchise at an elementary school just north of downtown.
Clarke spent the day before his 29th birthday speaking on behalf of ARISE2Read , a Memphis-area non-profit organization dedicated to improving second-grade literacy rates by providing children’s books and one-on-one volunteer tutoring. A few dozen second graders at KIPP Collegiate Elementary school listened with rapt attention last September 18 as Clarke presented a check for $1,500 and emphasized the importance of learning to read and staying in school. The kids then enthusiastically sang happy birthday to Clarke, approached him for photos or high-fives and scarfed down the cupcakes he brought to share with them.
📚 September was Literacy Awareness Month! The Grizzlies teamed up with the Brandon Clarke Foundation to support @ARISE2Read , helping get books into students’ hands across the Mid-South. Every great story starts with a reader!
pic. twitter. com/66PerKNJqe — Grizz Community (@GrizzCommunity) October 2, 2025 “What stood out to me was how naturally he interacted with the children and how genuine he was,” La Tonya Mouzon, executive director of ARISE2Read, told Yahoo Sports on Wednesday.