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 "This is my heart right here, Orange Mound, Tennessee. There will never be a place like Orange Mound,” reads a quote from Larry Finch, which will run alongside the sculpture. “Everything in this city starts and ends in Orange Mound." Community Development

Sculpture honoring Orange Mound community selected for library and genealogy center

High Ground TeamFriday, July 26, 2024
"This is my heart right here, Orange Mound, Tennessee. There will never be a place like Orange Mound,” reads a quote from Larry Finch, which will run alongside the sculpture. “Everything in this city starts and ends in Orange Mound."
Development News "Too many families in South Memphis are forced to go without basic needs like food, housing, and medicine because a large portion of their income is being used to pay their utility bills,” says Memphis Community Against Pollution's KeShaun Pearson. Eonomic Development

New study presents solutions for combatting Memphis' disproportionately high energy burdens

High Ground TeamFriday, July 26, 2024
"Too many families in South Memphis are forced to go without basic needs like food, housing, and medicine because a large portion of their income is being used to pay their utility bills,” says KeShaun Pearson, president of Memphis Community Against Pollution. 
Development News Shannon Briggs founded Campfire Collective in 2022. Entrepreneurship

This woman-owned Memphis marketing firm more than doubled in size since launching just two years ago

High Ground TeamFriday, July 26, 2024
An award-winning, woman-owned marketing firm is gaining steam in its hometown of Memphis.
Development News “We are committed to keeping the arts alive and flourishing in Shelby County,” says Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. Arts and Culture

Metal Museum expansion earns $250K in support from Shelby County

High Ground TeamThursday, July 25, 2024
“Museums are vital institutions that preserve the cultural heritage of humanity," says Shelby County Chairwoman Miska Clay Bibbs. "I’m happy to support the Metal Museum, where people from all walks of life can find common ground and shared experiences.”
Feature Story This week, we hone in on how the plan will be carried out as the community works together to improve the social and economic systems and policies in Memphis. Eonomic Development

Completing the plan: How the More for Memphis plan is meant to be iterative and fluid

Jeff HulettFriday, June 28, 2024
This week, we hone in on how the plan will be carried out as the community works together to improve the social and economic systems and policies in Memphis. 
Development News Crew members for the Heights CDC work on traffic calming features to complement the new bioswale construction at Tutwiler and National in 2022. (File photo: Reginald Johnson) Transportation

Memphis MPO seeks residents' input on building new Regional Pedestrian and Bicycle Greenprint Plan

High Ground TeamThursday, June 27, 2024
The Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization is looking to “propel” a new master plan for guiding the development of multi-modal transportation in the region.
Development News Meka Egwuekwe, co-founder and executive director of CodeCrew, speaks to coding students at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library in 2018. (File photo: Brandon Dahlberg) Community Development

Celebrating its 160th anniversary, this Memphis bank just awarded $1.6M in grants to 160 nonprofits

High Ground TeamThursday, June 27, 2024
"We are honored to recognize these outstanding nonprofit organizations through the Grants for Good campaign," says First Horizon Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Bryan Jordan.
Development News On the greensward at Overton Park, members of the Central High School band take a few extra minutes to practice their parts as the rest of the band wraps up practice behind them in 2021. (File photo: Cole Bradley) Community Development

Memphis Mayor Paul Young joins the Mayors for Parks Coalition: 'I believe in the power of parks'

High Ground TeamThursday, June 27, 2024
“I believe in the power of parks and green spaces; I’m excited to become part of this important coalition,” says Mayor Young.
In The News Shante Avant, CEO of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, discusses revitalizing and investing in low-income neighborhoods to create a better Memphis. Eonomic Development

Voices of More for Memphis: Shante Avant of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis

Tafui OwusuMonday, June 17, 2024
“The people who are the most approximate to the problems are the best authors of those solutions.” Tafui Owusu spoke with Shante Avant, CEO of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, about revitalizing and investing in low-income neighborhoods to create a better Memphis.
Feature Story Memphis native and community mentor Frank Gottie poses with his son, Andreis Smith. Kids and Education

Boots on the Ground: How two community activists mentor Memphis youth with the power of presence

Danica WilksMonday, June 10, 2024
Community Correspondent Danica Wilks spoke with Casio Montez and Frank Gottie, two community mentors who are instilling Memphis youth with valuable life skills and lessons.
Feature Story Rendering of Alliance Healthcare Services' Crisis Wellness Center at the intersection of Broad and Malcomb in Binghampton, opening February 2025. Healthy Communities

Q&A: How a 24-hour Crisis Wellness Center in Binghampton will save more lives come early 2025

Jeff HulettFriday, June 7, 2024
Jeff Hulett speaks with Alliance Healthcare Services CEO Laurie Powell about the new crisis wellness center, Alliance Healthcare Services celebrating 50 years, and more. 
In The News Rychetta Watkins, Memphis Music Initiative's Director of Grantmaking and Partnerships, discusses equity and access to the arts in Memphis neighborhoods and the need for an office in the Arts & Culture sector. Arts and Culture

Voices of More for Memphis: Rychetta Watkins of Memphis Music Initiative

Tafui OwusuTuesday, June 4, 2024
“We are world-renowned in Memphis for our culture.” Tafui Owusu spoke with Rychetta Watkins, Memphis Music Initiative's Director of Grantmaking and Partnerships, about equity and access to the arts in Memphis neighborhoods and the need for an office in the Arts & Culture sector.
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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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