Kids participate in an afterschool program at Emmanuel Center. (Andrea Morales) <span class='image-credits'></span> A family overlooks the Mississippi River in Downtown Memphis. (Ziggy Mack) <span class='image-credits'></span> Knights joust at the 2018 Mid-South Renaissance Faire, held at the USA Baseball Stadium and Park in Millington, Tennessee. (Ziggy Mack) <span class='image-credits'></span> Attendees of the "Great Heights: National Street and Beyond" photo exhibit hosted by High Ground News and Heights CDC. (Markus Mueller) <span class='image-credits'></span> Residents cross in front of the U.S. Post Office on National Street. (Ziggy Mack) <span class='image-credits'></span> Family plays at Tom Lee Park near the Mississippi River. <span class='image-credits'>Ziggy Mack</span> As part of the Brooks Outing project, artist Julien de Casabianca pasted "characters" from earlier artworks in suprising places across Memphis. This snippet of "Au pied de la falaise" can be seen on Crump Boulevard. (Ziggy Mack) <span class='image-credits'></span> Heights resident Ethel McBride drives to work in front of a community mural near Treadwell Elementary and Middle School grounds. <span class='image-credits'>Ziggy Mack</span> Members of the Real South Wrestling Federation demonstrate their skills to a packed house. <span class='image-credits'>Brandon Dahlberg</span> Tes Herman, left, and her cousin Leslie Herman look at a book of Freida Hamm paintings at Novel bookstore in East Memphis. <span class='image-credits'>Brandon Dill</span> Summer Avenue in September. <span class='image-credits'>Ziggy Mack</span> Construction takes place at the former Wonder Bread factory at 400 Monroe Avenue. (Brandon Dill) <span class='image-credits'></span>
Hey from High Ground News!
We believe that Memphis deserves sidewalk-level journalism that covers neighborhoods with nuance and centers the experience of residents. We seek to rebalance the news so that Memphians are exposed to stories that help them wrap around the city's challenges and better understand that there are people in every neighborhood across the city innovating for solutions.

Features

Feature StoryThe burial site of Harry Madison, one of two headstones in the Madison-Eckles Cemetery Park that is still legible. (Ziggy Mack) Community Development

University District partnership transforms neglected cemetery into tranquil park

Scarlet PonderWednesday, January 23, 2019
Normal Station residents have partnered with the University of Memphis to transform a historic but long-neglected family cemetery into a peaceful neighborhood greenspace.
Feature StoryA lunch plate at Kountry Kitchen located at 1128 Winchester Road. Kountry Kitchen is one of the ten businesses participating in the Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week. (Submitted) Eonomic Development

Whitehaven celebrates MLK legacy with Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week

Cole BradleyMonday, January 21, 2019
“Integration was definitely about access — not just schools and communities, it was also access with our dollars,” said Pearl Walker of I Love Whitehaven on MLK’s legacy of economic justice. Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week runs January 19-26.
Feature StoryHigh Ground News Podcast Logo Community Development

On The Ground Podcast: Homeownership in Memphis neighborhoods

Sunday, January 20, 2019
In S1E4, High Ground News publisher Emily Trenholm welcomes Steve Lockwood from Frayser CDC and Amy Schaftlein from United Housing to discuss why homeownership is so important to stabilizing Memphis neighborhoods and what strategies community development organizations are using to turn longtime renters into homeowners. 
Feature StoryGuests discuss a set of photographs at The CMPLX grand opening. (Shelda Edwards) Arts and Culture

The CMPLX opens to packed house in Orange Mound

Cole BradleySaturday, January 12, 2019
The January 11 grand opening of The CMPLX in Orange Mound was shoulder to shoulder. Organizers hope the gallery and studio space operated by and for Black artists will help inspire the next Harlem Renaissance right here in Memphis. 
Feature StoryAt Tiger Bookstore, Tigers branded merchandise accounts for 40 percent of gross sales. (Cole Bradley) Eonomic Development

Married to the game: When Tigers score, Memphis small business wins

Cole BradleyWednesday, January 16, 2019
“If people feel good about the university, they want to show off. You want to wear that hoodie or have that decal on your car," said Jeremy Stinson, general manager of Tiger Bookstore. 
Feature StoryArtist Brantley Ellzey in workspace, as part of "Memphis Studios: A Visual Tour." (Murray Riss) Arts and Culture

Making space: New book is a visual tour of the workspaces of Memphis' top artists

Mark JordanWednesday, January 16, 2019
"Memphis Studios: A Visual Tour," a newly published book, details the diverse nooks and crannies that Memphis artists have claimed as home.
Feature StoryFabrics with vibrant patterns for sale at African Kingdom at Park Avenue and Getwell Road. (Submitted) Entrepreneurship

African Kingdom brings West African style to University District

Brandi HunterMonday, January 14, 2019
Jainaba Johnson started her first business in her native country of The Gambia at 16 years old. Now 53, she's recently opened her third Memphis-based, family-run shop for African goods and hair styling.
Feature StoryA customer points to the menu with a question and Tavias Ford answers with a smile at Vivian's Down Home Cooking in Binghampton. (Taylor Moore) Entrepreneurship

Former banker has big plans for Binghampton restaurant serving down home meals

Taylor MooreThursday, January 10, 2019
In August 2018, Tavias Ford left banking to launch a restaurant named for his late grandmother, Vivian. It's a simple model — down home food served with a friendly smile — but he has big plans to put his Binghampton restaurant on the map.   
Feature StoryA diverse group of students hold a pose at Yolandrea Clark's Any Body Yoga studio in Midtown Memphis. (Shelby Black) Entrepreneurship

New year, new you, new body-positive yoga studio opens in Memphis

Shelby BlackThursday, January 10, 2019
Looking to get fit and de-stress this year in a body-positive space? On Jan 1, local yoga legend Yolandrea Clark launched a body and ability-inclusive studio that's got you covered. 
Feature StoryUDist_10 Arts and Culture

In photos: Welcome to the University District

Cole Bradley and Ziggy MackWednesday, January 09, 2019
As we kick off three months of On the Ground reporting in the University District, photographer Ziggy Mack explores the visual vibe of this growing, center-city neighborhood. 
Feature StoryUDist_8 Community Development

Coffee and community journalism: On the Ground in the University District

Cole BradleyWednesday, January 09, 2019
We're kicking off our embedded reporting in the University District with a look at its past, current state and our new community news room location — The Belltower Artisans. 
Feature StoryHigh Ground News Podcast Logo Community Development

On the Ground Podcast: Kicking off our University District coverage with Cody Fletcher

Saturday, January 05, 2019
In S1E3, we kick off three months of embedded reporting with a conversation on the unique features, strengthens, and challenges of the University District. 
Feature StoryMagaly Cruz (L) and Joni Laney on the porch of a property that was previously blighted. The land trust worked with Neighborhood Preservation Inc. to report the house to Code Enforcement and within one month it was in compliance. (Ziggy Mack) Community Development

Bing-Boom III: A land trust seeks to preserve housing affordability in booming Binghampton

Cole BradleyWednesday, December 26, 2018
Wealthier white Memphians began moving to Binghampton out of a desire to be around diversity and to help improve a disadvantaged community. Now, they fear they've turned the tide as major real estate developments are emerging. Old and new residents are banding together to preserve affordable housing by establishing a Binghampton land trust.
Feature StoryPastor Shun Abram in front of Binghampton Community Church, located in east Binghampton. (Ziggy Mack) Community Development

Bing-Boom II: A tale of two Binghamptons

Mark JordanWednesday, December 19, 2018
Once one of the city's most distressed neighborhoods, the west side of Binghampton is now one of its hottest properties. Can the east side follow suit? And should it?
Feature StoryNew homes on Autumn Avenue and Circle Drive are selling in the $300,000 to $350,0000 range, which are some of the highest property values in the area. (Ziggy Mack) Eonomic Development

Bing-Boom I: The consequences of progress in Binghampton

Cole BradleyWednesday, December 19, 2018
After years of revitalization efforts in Binghampton and several multi-million dollar projects in the works, gentrification is now a fast-growing concern. Our three part series explores the state of housing in Binghampton and community efforts to encourage development without displacement. 
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