Hi from High Ground News
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

Development News “By the end of the program, we aim to develop actionable solutions for utilizing county-owned land to ensure equitable access to affordable housing," says Rasheedah Jones, a leader with NAREB and the Black Coalition of Housing.

Shelby County selected for inaugural cohort of nationwide program to address housing shortages

“By the end of the program, we aim to develop actionable solutions for utilizing county-owned land to ensure equitable access to affordable housing," says Rasheedah Jones, a leader with NAREB and the Black Coalition of Housing.

Development News “Quality, vibrant neighborhood parks make a city where people want to live, work, raise families, and call home," says Nick Walker, Memphis Parks Director.

Memphis Parks wins $3M grant to make improvements to this North Memphis park

“Quality, vibrant neighborhood parks make a city where people want to live, work, raise families, and call home," says Nick Walker, Memphis Parks Director.

Feature Story The Black Farmer’s Market in South Memphis aims to promote food justice and bridge the gap in areas that have difficulty accessing farmer’s markets and full-service grocery stores.

Bridging the gap: How the Black Farmer’s Market promotes food justice & inclusivity in South Memphis

Community Correspondent Danica Wilks spoke with Brittney Shelby Sessoms and Roz Crawford to learn about their efforts at the Black Farmer’s Market, its inclusivity, food justice, and what the market means to them.

Feature Story Marquis White and Alicia Dixon of Dixon-White Restaurant Group are blending community, mindfulness, and music in Uptown with their new wellness micro-eatery, Groovy Gratitude.

More Gratitude, More Grooves: How a small wellness staple is becoming a community oasis in Uptown

Community Correspondent Danica Wilks spoke with Alicia Dixon and Marquis White about their new wellness micro-eatery, Groovy Gratitude, that's blending community, mindfulness, and music in the center of Uptown.

Development News A ribbon-cutting for Memphis' latest Storybook Trail is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Memphis Botanic Garden.

Ribbon-cutting planned for new Storybook Trail at Memphis Botanic Garden

“The Storybook Trail program creates an enriching learning experience by combining literacy with physical activity, allowing children to connect with books while exploring the outdoors," says James Pond, GELF president and CEO.

Development News “Memphis is not just a music city, it’s a generous city, full of great organizations and businesses who not only bring their unique offerings to the area, but also give back to their communities,” says Pat Mitchell Worley, CEO, Soulsville Foundation.

Unique partnership brings together two Memphis businesses in support of Stax Music Academy

“Memphis is not just a music city, it’s a generous city, full of great organizations and businesses who not only bring their unique offerings to the area, but also give back to their communities,” says Pat Mitchell Worley, CEO of Soulsville Foundation.

Development News “The funding Ducks Unlimited receives from the Conservation Through Art program benefits wetlands conservation efforts in our own backyard," says Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited.

Biennial event returns this November with opportunity to support local arts and conservation efforts

“The arts and conservation serve key roles in making Memphis a more inspiring place to live, work and thrive,” says David May, head of Mid-America Commercial Banking and Memphis market executive for Regions Bank.

Development News Stax Music Academy is expanding its workforce development program.

Stax Music Academy offers new-look workforce development program for careers in music, entertainment

If it’s broke, don’t fix it – or in the case of Stax Music Academy, learn from your success and make it even better.

Development News "We are like a goalie before the landfill, trying to capture and divert compostable materials so that instead of becoming waste forever it can become what it wants to be: regenerative compost," says Patrick Gridley of The Compost Fairy.

This unique partnership is making it easier for Memphians to compost food waste at home

"We are like a goalie before the landfill, trying to capture and divert compostable materials so that instead of becoming waste forever it can become what it wants to be: regenerative compost," says Patrick Gridley of The Compost Fairy.

Feature Story Good Governance Transition Team members with Mayor Young: (From left to right) Dorcas Young Griffin, Beth Flanagan, Meggan Khiel, Jessica Lotz, Mayor Young, Cheyenne Johnson, Tiffany Day, Maria Oceja, and Ariell Gipson Martin.

Education advocates strive to keep bilingual high school graduates in Memphis

Education advocates are dedicated to ensuring that bilingual high school graduates remain in Memphis where they can contribute to the local community's cultural and economic vitality.

Development News Hoop Street Screenwriter and Executive Producer Teresa Dickerson and Director Princeton James on set.

‘Memphis is the perfect place to film a movie’: Independent film crew abounds with Memphis talent

“Memphis is the perfect place to film a movie,” says Princeton James. “We have a wealth of talent that needs to be showcased.“

Development News Dwayne Chaffen and Rick Askew co-founded Grindhouse Coffee in 2019.

How U of M student-athletes are getting a jolt of support from this Memphis coffee roaster

"At Memphis Grindhouse Coffee, we believe in the power of community and supporting local initiatives,” says Rick Askew, co-founder of Memphis Grindhouse Coffee.

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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.
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.