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> 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>
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 StoryWith the Memphis College of Art closing in 2020, the future of its main building, Rust Hall, is up in the air. Arts and Culture

Local arts organizers make a bid to take over Memphis College of Art's Rust Hall

Kim and Jim ColemanMonday, November 12, 2018
With the Memphis College of Art’s May 2020 closure approaching, the fate of the school’s main building in Overton Park is up in the air. Local arts entrepreneurs are taking steps to secure Rust Hall and remake the eye-catching mid-century space into a mixed-use facility for artists and creative entrepreneurs.
Feature StoryA customer looks around the store as he speaks with the owner of the Summer Outlet thrift store. (Natalie Eddings) Arts and Culture

In photos: Memphis gets thrifty on Summer Avenue

Natalie Eddings & Cole BradleyWednesday, November 07, 2018
For decades Summer Avenue in The Heights has been a destination location for Memphis' frugal shoppers. Photographer Natalie Eddings explores the chaotic beauty of Summer's most popular thrift stores. 
Feature StoryPhoto show flyyer Arts and Culture

Join the On The Ground team for "Great Heights: National Street & Beyond in Photographs"

Madeline FaberWednesday, November 07, 2018
As our four-month embedded engagement in The Heights area of Memphis draws to a close, we're celebrating the residents who shared their stories with a one-night-only photo exhibition.
Feature StoryLayne Carden was inspired to open TransforMama, a play and co-work space for parents, based on her own postpartum experience. Healthy Communities

A community center for new parents offers fitness classes, playgroups and coworking

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, November 07, 2018
Inspired by her own postpartum struggles, entrepreneur Layne Carden launched TransforMama to offer new parents resources and community support.
Feature StoryOne of two proposed playground designs for the new L.E. Brown Park in South City. (City of Memphis, Division of Parks and Neighborhoods) Community Development

City plans to resurrect L.E. Brown Park as part of South City development

Cole BradleyWednesday, November 07, 2018
Generations of Cleaborn Homes residents remember L. E. Brown Park, and now a $700,000 investment will ensure future generations of South City neighbors can enjoy the park and public pool. 
Feature StorySummer Avenue near National Street has been an important corner for commerce since the late 1800s. (Andrew Breig) Eonomic Development

Summer Avenue to rebrand as an international district

Cole BradleyWednesday, November 07, 2018
The Heights-Berclair stretch of Summer Avenue is just three miles long but it represents business owners from over 30 countries. Now it’s getting the recognition it deserves with a campaign to brand it as the Memphis’ first international district.
Feature StoryStudents socialize while enjoying a midday snack. (Cole Bradley) Kids and Education

Heights Boys and Girls Club earns national acclaim, trains Memphis musicians

Cole BradleyWednesday, November 07, 2018
The Heights’ Ira Samelson Jr. Club is the city’s top performing Boys and Girls Clubs, and it's receiving national recognition for its dynamic staff and state-of-the-art music studio that’s training Memphis’ next generation of music legends.
Feature StoryAs 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) Arts and Culture

Brooks Museum's mural project takes classic art to the streets of Memphis

Mark JordanTuesday, October 30, 2018
The public art exhibit that crosses Memphis neighborhoods from Orange Mound to Frayser does more than anything before to break down the barriers between the Brooks Museum and the community it serves or, as even some fans might point out, underserves.
Feature StoryThe voters arrive at Glenview Community Center as part of JUICE Orange Mound's Roll to Poll community initiative on Oct 27. (Ziggy Mack) Community Development

Orange Mound 'Roll to the Poll' centers voter empowerment as Memphis debates suppression

Cole BradleyWednesday, October 31, 2018

The NAACP is focusing its legal power on Shelby County to ensure its citizens the right to vote on November 6. Leaders in Orange Mound join those efforts by creating positive experiences at the polls to ensure people exercise those rights.

Feature StoryA once-drab building, 751 National Street now has tables and chairs, interactive maps of the neighborhood, and flags denoting the many nationalities in The Heights. (Cole Bradley) Community Development

Neighborhood by design: Community design studio is space to imagine a new Heights

Cole BradleyWednesday, October 31, 2018
In September, Heights CDC purchased an old cabinet shop at 751 National Street for a new kind of community center where residents can actively redesign the surrounding street, neighborhood, and a proposed $3.5 million Heights Line bicycle-pedestrian path.
Feature StoryThe Redbird FMX simulator at CTI Professional Flight Training helps students become familiar with the controls and develop their flying skills before taking to the air. (Submitted) Eonomic Development

Facing pilot shortage, University of Memphis offers aviation degree through Millington flight school

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, October 31, 2018
With a growing demand for commercial pilots, the University of Memphis is partnering with CTI Professional Flight Training in Millington to offer a Bachelor of Science in Commercial Aviation — with the blessing of FedEx.
Feature StoryBallet Arts and Culture

Video: A ballet class in North Memphis underscores the need for family wrap-around support

Forever ReadyWednesday, October 31, 2018
Universal Parenting Places are designed for parents who are seeking information and intervention at the earliest signs of concern. But beyond intervention, the Universal Parenting Places hold resources, respite and times for celebration — like a Ballet Memphis-led class for children and caregivers who attend Perea Preschool.
Feature Story In addition to coworking, Epicenter members have opportunities to participate in professional development and networking events. Entrepreneurship

Eight places to cowork in Memphis

Brandi HunterTuesday, October 30, 2018
Looking to get out of the coffee shop? Check out eight places to cowork from Downtown to Collierville.
Feature StoryJared Myers (derecha), director ejecutivo de Heights CDC, y un adolescente local en el vecindario. (Cole Bradley) Healthy Communities

Hechos y sentimientos: El impulso para mejorar la seguridad en The Heights

Cole BradleyWednesday, October 31, 2018
La seguridad es más que simples estadísticas de delitos, también está relacionada con cómo se sienten los vecinos acerca de su comunidad. Los líderes en The Heights se enfocan en el deterioro y las relaciones con la policía, mientras que invierten en la vecindad para cambiar tanto los hechos como la percepción de seguridad en su crecimiento de la comunidad.
Featured PostJared Myers (R), executive director of Heights CDC, and a local teen canvas the neighborhood. (Cole Bradley) Community Development

Facts and Feelings: The push to improve safety in The Heights

Cole BradleyWednesday, October 24, 2018
Safety is more than just crime stats, it’s also related to how neighbors feel about their community. Leaders in The Heights are targeting blight and relationships with law enforcement while investing in neighborliness to shift both the facts and perception of safety in their growing community. 
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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.

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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

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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,

...
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North Memphis

North Memphis

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Focus Areas
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