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Sidewalk-level journalism for Memphis.

We cover Memphis neighborhoods with nuance and center the experience of residents. We expose Memphians to stories of their neighbors across the city. We seek to rebalance the news by exploring challenges while focusing on the people and solutions moving Memphis forward.

Features

Feature Story On Saturday, June 10, Playback Memphis hosted its annual Juneteenth Memphis Matters performance and celebration. Arts and Culture

ARTSmemphis awards $1.2M in grants to these 45 local arts organizations

High Ground TeamFriday, September 15, 2023
“We are proud to provide not only funds but also resources to amplify their program attendance and awareness as well as community engagement,” says Elizabeth Rouse, President & CEO of ARTSmemphis.
Development News X Entrepreneurship

Midtown urban flower farmers to celebrate grand opening of storefront in Cooper-Young

High Ground TeamThursday, September 14, 2023
A micro-urban flower farm first seeded in the backyards of Midtown in 2021 is sprouting up in Cooper-Young with the opening of their first brick-and-mortar storefront.
Development News “Conservation For A Continent is more than a statement,” says DU President Chuck Smith. “It’s a promise to improve wetlands across North America on a scale large enough to improve quality of life for waterfowl, people and other wildlife." Sustainability

Memphis non-profit launches $3B fundraising goal for North American wetland conservation efforts

High Ground TeamThursday, August 31, 2023
“Conservation For A Continent is more than a statement,” says Ducks Unlimited President Chuck Smith. “It’s a promise to improve wetlands across North America on a scale large enough to improve quality of life for waterfowl, people and other wildlife.”
Development News This Porter-Leath Early Childhood Academy is a state-of-the-art preschool and teacher training institute located at 628 Alice Avenue. Kids and Education

This historic Memphis institution was just awarded $3.7M in grants to support Head Start programs

High Ground TeamThursday, August 31, 2023
This continued funding is an investment in our community, its children and its future," Congressman Steve Cohen says in a statement.
Development News “Our volunteers’ and donors’ dedication and support help ensure we can deliver mortgages with no interest, which helps create long-term affordability for Habitat’s first-time homebuyers," says Dwayne Spencer, Memphis Habitat president and CEO. Eonomic Development

Habitat Memphis to build 12 new homes in Castalia Heights this fall

High Ground TeamFriday, August 11, 2023
“Our volunteers’ and donors’ dedication and support help ensure we can deliver mortgages with no interest, which helps create long-term affordability for Habitat’s first-time homebuyers," says Dwayne Spencer, Memphis Habitat president and CEO.
Feature Story The following is a peek at what some of our hard-working neighbors have in store for the Memphis community in the following weeks and months ahead. Community Development

9 ways to support and engage with Memphis nonprofits this Black Philanthropy Month – and beyond

High Ground TeamFriday, August 25, 2023
The following is a peek at what some of our hard-working neighbors have in store for the Memphis community in the following weeks and months ahead.
Development News August is Black Philanthropy Month. This is how Memphis is celebrating, advocating, and participating – and how you can, too. Community Development

August is Black Philanthropy Month throughout the world. Here's what's happening in Memphis

High Ground TeamThursday, August 10, 2023
It's Black Philanthropy Month. This is how Memphis is celebrating, advocating, and participating – and how you can, too.
Development News The health centers will be roughly 2,500 sq. ft. each, with full-time staffs that include primary care physicians and health coaches. Healthy Communities

Primary health care centers planned for Memphis area YMCAs beginning in 2024

High Ground TeamWednesday, August 9, 2023
"Providing access to quality healthcare, especially in areas with fewer options, enables us to broaden our services to continue to help families and individuals thrive on their journey to wellness," says Jerry Martin, president and CEO of YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South.
Feature Story The Klondike Smokey City Community Development Corporation co-hosted the third event in the 2023 BLDG Memphis MEMFix series this past Saturday, July 22, along several blocks of Jackson Avenue. Community Development

PHOTOS: Scenes from MEMFix 2023 in Klondike Smokey City

Reginald JohnsonFriday, July 28, 2023
The Klondike Smokey City Community Development Corporation co-hosted the third event in the 2023 BLDG Memphis MEMFix series this past Saturday, July 22, along several blocks of Jackson Avenue.
Development News The Mobile Shell is a mobile, functional replica of the Overton Park Shell, scaled down to half the size of the historic bandshell first established in 1936. Arts and Culture

A program of 'transformational, creative placemaking': Overton Park Shell rolls out its mobile stage

High Ground TeamFriday, August 4, 2023
“With the release of the Mobile Shell, I hope to create more opportunities to support local Memphis artists and nonprofit organizations while making performing arts more accessible to all of Memphis,” says Shell on Wheels Outreach Manager, Yolanda Kelly.
Development News “This year’s award winners display their care for the environment by taking action,” says Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Commissioner David Salyers. Sustainability

These two Memphis projects just won Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards

High Ground TeamThursday, July 27, 2023
“This year’s award winners display their care for the environment by taking action,” says Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Commissioner David Salyers.
Development News “Clinics, such as the one at College Park, are part of a growing trend to improve health and achieve health equity by connecting health and housing in affordable housing communities,” says Dexter Washington, CEO of Memphis Housing Authority. Healthy Communities

Grand opening celebration held for on-site healthcare clinic for senior residents of College Park

High Ground TeamFriday, July 21, 2023
“Clinics, such as the one at College Park, are part of a growing trend to improve health and achieve health equity by connecting health and housing in affordable housing communities,” says Dexter Washington, CEO of Memphis Housing Authority.
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Have a connection to any of our 14 On the Ground neighborhoods? 
You can help shape our coverage.
Email [email protected] with story ideas, feedback, or questions. 

What are our focus neighborhoods? 
Binghampton, The Edge, Frayser, The Heights, Hickory Hill, Klondike & Smokey City, Madison Heights, North Memphis, Orange Mound, South City, Soulsville, Uptown & The Pinch, The University District, and Whitehaven.

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What is Solutions Journalism?

Many of High Ground's in-depth stories take an approach known as solutions journalism.

Solutions journalism:
  • explores challenges but focuses on responses—the solutions
  • asks for evidence—proof of need, success, & progress
  • asks complex questions—whys & hows
  • includes the voices of those most affected by challenges and solutions
We asks how challenges and responses affect Memphis' diverse communities and focus on neighborhoods and voices often excluded from these critical conversations. 
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