The 100 Families Alliance in Sebastian County, Arkansas experienced a phenomenon that centered around multiple power shifts that helped men and women move from crisis to career. The current study uses a critical social theory lens and a qualitative research design that combines transformative worldview, an embedded single-case study, and critical discourse analysis as the methodology. Four elements (collective impact, emancipatory leadership, functional literacy education, and linguistic devices) are embedded in the case study to help explain the phenomenon that was central to the way families were able to change the course of their lives. Through the examination of language found in 39 videos that documented the 100 Families Alliance, the study found evidence of a power shift that occurred in each of the four components examined in the case. The study can be used to explain the phenomenon and inform future leaders of best practices as they make plans to scale and replicate the 100 Families initiative in other locations. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]