Members of the Real South Wrestling Federation demonstrate their skills to a packed house. <span class='image-credits'>Brandon Dahlberg</span> Explore Bike Share cyclists set out along Keel Avenue. <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> A nighttime view of the I Am A Man plaza outside of Clayborn Temple, near Downtown Memphis. <span class='image-credits'>Ziggy Mack</span> Visitors to Hattie B's Hot Chicken restaurant in Midtown. <span class='image-credits'>Ziggy Mack</span> Memphians play a game of sand volleyball around sunset at Tom Lee Park. <span class='image-credits'>Ziggy Mack</span> A message from Summer Avenue. (Brandon Dahlberg) <span class='image-credits'></span> City of Memphis employees install new Beale Street gateway signs. (Ziggy Mack) <span class='image-credits'></span> Ballet Memphis dancers perform "I Am a Woman: Moult" as part of a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. <span class='image-credits'>Ziggy Mack</span> A view of Speed Trials, an interactive art exhibit by Crosstown Arts artist in residence Josh Short. <span class='image-credits'>Ziggy Mack</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 StoryAn young soccer team practices at Gaisman Park. (Natalie Eddings) Community Development

Grassroots leaders foster greenspaces in Berclair and The Heights

Cole BradleyWednesday, October 17, 2018
The Heights’ many stakeholders are investing time and thousands of dollars into building and maintaining green spaces, but they’re hoping their efforts attract larger projects in the next few years. 
Feature StoryMario Ramos participates in an English Language Learners class at HopeWorks. (Submitted) Community Development

HopeWorks charts growth with $25K grant from First Tennesee

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, October 17, 2018
Memphis-based HopeWorks is a top-tier winner of First Tennessee's 25 Years of Giving contest. With the funds, the nonprofit plans further growth at its new Summer Avenue location.
Feature StoryDana Merriweather (L), Judy Conway (Center), Sidney Johnson discuss plans for the greenhouse located next to Johnson’s property on Gracewood St. (Natalie Eddings) Healthy Communities

In photos: The gardens of Mitchell Heights

Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Visit two Mitchell Heights gardens growing food, flowers, and community alongside the Mitchell Heights Neighborhood Association and its handful of dedicated members. 
Feature Story Sharon Jones (class of 1979) and her sister Pasadena (class of 1980) pose for a photo at the annual Melrose High School alumni breakfast on Saturday morning, October 7, 2017. (Andrea Morales) Community Development

Shuttered for 40 years, old Melrose High School to open for weekend Orange Mound celebration

Madeline FaberWednesday, October 17, 2018
The Reimagining Historic Melrose event celebrates the neighborhood asset while drawing outside attention to a project potentially backed by funds related to the Fairgrounds redevelopment.
Feature StorySupported by a $3.9 million Aging Initiative Grant, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis completed 374 aging-in-place home repairs for Shelby County seniors. (Submitted) Healthy Communities

Plough Foundation's $12 million Aging Initiative finds success in supporting Memphis seniors

Dawn NeusesTuesday, October 16, 2018

Programs funded with $12 million in Aging Initiative grants from the Plough Foundation have garnered state and national attention for the impact they’ve had on the lives of Shelby County seniors.

Feature StoryOffice manager Judith Currin drops a client off at home after a busy day at daycare. A ride in the custom bus is a favorite activity for the dogs. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian) Entrepreneurship

Doggy daycare on Summer Avenue is (adorable) sign of new investment

Cole BradleyTuesday, October 16, 2018
The Doghouse opened in July, and it’s growing fast alongside hopes for Summer Avenue's future.
Feature StoryA first-grade student peeks around the corner at a pop-up performance held at Treadwell Elementary School as his classmates line up behind him. (Renier Otto) Kids and Education

In photos: The Heights celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Renier Otto and Cole BradleyMonday, October 15, 2018
Take a tour through Spain and Latin America with the students of Treadwell Elementary School to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Feature StoryA first-grade student peeks around the corner at a pop-up performance held at Treadwell Elementary School as his classmates line up behind him. (Renier Otto) Kids and Education

De fotos: The Heights celebra la herencia hispana mes

Cole BradleyMonday, October 15, 2018
Toma un tour a través de América Latina y España con los estudiantes de treadwell la escuela primaria para celebrar la herencia hispana mes.
Feature StoryMuddy's Bake Shop founder Kat Gordon speaks to the Rising Tide Society at a February 2018 meeting, held at Memphis College of Art. (Kristen Archer) Entrepreneurship

Memphis College of Art is closing to students, opening its classes to creative entrepreneurs

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, October 10, 2018

Through its community education, Memphis College of Art is building a framework for continued learning opportunities made by and for creative entrepreneurs — even once campus doors close in 2020. 

Feature StorySidney Johnson, president of the Mitchell Heights Neighborhood Association, poses in front of the hoop house at the Mitchell Heights Landscape Garden and Nursery. (Cole Bradley) Community Development

Small but mighty: Resident-led development improves Mitchell Heights

Cole BradleyWednesday, October 10, 2018
From gang relations to gardening, the Mitchell Heights Neighborhood Association is taking ownership of its 40-block neighborhood. Grown from that grassroots effort is a commercial nursery that recently secured a contract to plant flowers at Memphis City Hall.
Feature StorySidney Johnson, presidente de la Asociación de Vecinos de Mitchell Heights, posa frente a la casa de aro en el Jardín y Vivero de Mitchell Heights. (Cole Bradley) Community Development

Pequeño pero poderoso: El movimiento en Mitchell Heights

Cole BradleyWednesday, October 10, 2018
Mitchell Heights es una sección de 40 cuadras de “The Heights” que recibe un poco de amor muy necesario de parte de unos pocos residentes dedicados. También es el hogar de un vivero de flores que recientemente obtuvo un contrato para plantar flores en el Ayuntamiento de Memphis.
Feature StoryChildren play at Pursuit of God Church while their parents attend class next door. The new program teaches about language and brain development for children zero to 30 months. (Agape) Kids and Education

Gift of gab: Frayser children reach for kindergarten readiness before they learn to talk

Cole BradleyWednesday, October 10, 2018
A new program in Frayser is using technology to build kids' conversation skills before they’ve even learned to talk. Partners at Agape and University of Memphis say talking is critical to healthy growth and kindergarten readiness and helps underprivileged families level the educational playing field.
Feature StoryCynthia Daniels Entrepreneurship

Talking business: Local event planner shares her story and those of women like her in a new podcast

Andy MeekTuesday, October 09, 2018
Cynthia Daniels moved to Memphis ten years ago and changed the Memphis' small business landscape with events like Memphis Black Restaurant Week. She's partnering with entrepreneur support organization Epicenter to produce a podcast that highlights the journeys of other women- and minority-owned entrepreneurs. 
Feature StorySuzanne Carlson, transportation and sustainability program manager for the nonprofit Innovate Memphis. Transportation

Innovate Memphis pushes to revamp Memphis bus system from the ground up

Andy MeekWednesday, October 03, 2018
Officials with Innovate Memphis are working behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for implementation of a reimagined Memphis Area Transit Authority network which would rejuvenate public transport in Memphis.
Feature StoryArdent recordings opened in 1966 at the intersection of National and Bayliss, catty corner from the Sweden Kream that still stands today. Arts and Culture

Musical Heights: A neighborhood's forgotten role in the history of one of pop's most famous studios

Mark JordanTuesday, October 02, 2018
In a nondescript store front on National Street, some of the 20th century's biggest music stars once worked. Discover the one-time Heights recording studio that played a major role in garage rock, soul, and heavy metal and laid the groundwork for one of Memphis' most enduring musical legacies.
View All Stories

On the Ground:
The Heights

Read the latest in our embedded 16-week community reporting series on The Heights area of Memphis. If you are a resident, join us for a weekly community newsroom.

Check it out (en español).
Signup for Email Alerts

Volunteer Opportunities

Featured Focus

Memphis HustleRead More

Memphians are resilient. They set out to solve problems in their communities through innovation. In our Memphis Hustle series, we tell the stories of local entrepreneurs who are meeting challenges head-on and bringing forth grassroots economic development for the city. 

Featured Place

The HeightsRead More

The Heights is a collection of neighborhoods — Highland Heights, Mitchell Heights, Graham Heights, and others — located roughly between Tillman and Graham Streets to the east and west and Jackson and Summer Avenues to the north and south.

It's predominantly working class with modest ...

Places

Uptown & The Pinch

Uptown & The Pinch

Read More

South City

South City

South City is best known for the Foote Homes development, Memphis’ last public housing project. The $250 million South City revitalization aims to transform the 420-unit institution into mixed-income apartments and rental homes with an emphasis on safety,

...
Read More

North Memphis

North Memphis

Read More
Focus Areas
Copyright © Issue Media Group. All rights reserved.