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

Feature Story Colorful Mexican-inspired clothing, ceramics, clutches, and other items from Mucho, first shown here in 2017. Mucho is one of 14 women-owned businesses to form and launch a new shopping passport program in Memphis. Eonomic Development

'Better together': These 14 women-owned businesses launch their own shopping passport in Memphis

High Ground TeamThursday, November 30, 2023
“I just remember having a hard day, and thinking [that] surely I am not alone in both the highs and lows I feel as a brick-and-mortar entrepreneur,” Whitney Winkler says. “It felt vulnerable to reach out at first, but after our first meeting, I knew we all were going to be so much better together.”
Development News “We are seeing great advances in repurposing tires for environmental benefits, and this grant for Memphis Tire Recyclers is a great example,” says TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young. Sustainability

Memphis Tire Recyclers win grant to increase capacity, recycle 150K additional scrap tires each year

High Ground TeamThursday, November 30, 2023
“We are seeing great advances in repurposing tires for environmental benefits, and this grant for Memphis Tire Recyclers is a great example,” says TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young. “Programs like this not only help clean up sites of used tires, they involve innovative new uses for them. We congratulate Memphis Tire Recyclers on this project.”
Feature Story Arnika Carter, founder of Loaded Juice. Entrepreneurship

Women Working It: Arnika Carter, founder of Loaded Juice, shares her start-up journey

Lois CharmFriday, November 24, 2023
Arnika Carter is a local entrepreneur with a passion for helping people stay healthy.
Development News The University of Memphis has launched two workforce development initiatives in recent weeks. Eonomic Development

New workforce development initiatives to provide Memphians career opportunities, economic mobility

High Ground TeamFriday, November 10, 2023
University of Memphis has launched two workforce development initiatives in recent weeks, with one providing opportunities in the advanced manufacturing, construction, logistics, transportation, and technology sectors; and the second in the field of behavioral health care for at-risk youth.
Feature Story x Entrepreneurship

Women Working It: Leah Williamson takes her Memphis design agency to new heights

Tafui OwusuThursday, October 26, 2023
“I am very self-motivated and independent,” says Leah Williamson. She couldn't be more right.
Feature Story x Arts and Culture

PHOTOS: City streets become galleries as Paint Memphis works to make art accessible for all

Reginald JohnsonTuesday, October 24, 2023
High Ground contributor Reginald Johnson shares his powerful experience capturing the sights at this year's Paint Memphis street festival in The Edge District, where more than 100 artists from home and abroad gathered in Memphis to share their talents with the city.
Development News Boshi Botanicals has been a regular vendor at Memphis markets and festivals since June 2022. Founder and CEO Becky Beloin will open her first storefront this November. Entrepreneurship

All-natural, zero-waste soap maker takes the leap from arts and crafts markets to first storefront

High Ground TeamFriday, October 13, 2023
“We are proud to bring Memphis a store that meets the needs of consumers looking for natural, plastic-free products and for those who want to steer-clear of synthetic fragrances,” says founder and CEO Becky Beloin.
Development News X Arts and Culture

Orpheum Theatre launches new educational initiative to examine historic venue’s segregation-era past

High Ground TeamFriday, September 29, 2023
“The Balcony Project can make significant contributions to historical recognition and understanding of the Jim Crow era,” says Dr. Charles McKinney, Associate Professor of History and Director of Africana Studies at Rhodes College.
Development News X Healthy Communities

Overton Park Conservancy to focus on park’s mental health and wellness benefits with NatureZen Month

High Ground TeamFriday, September 29, 2023
“October is the perfect month to showcase all that Nature has to offer at Overton Park, since the weather is usually beautiful,” says Tina Sullivan, Overton Park Conservancy Executive Director.
Development News Submitted design for Paint Memphis 2023 by the artist known as Knok. Community Development

More than 100 murals planned for The Edge District this October for Paint Memphis 2023

High Ground TeamThursday, September 28, 2023
“Paint Memphis is thrilled to collaborate with so many stake-holders to revitalize The Edge District,” says Kirsten Sandlin, Paint Memphis co-director.
Development News x Community Development

New grant bolsters Memphis Habitat work in South Memphis; free home safety devices for 75 residents

High Ground TeamThursday, September 28, 2023

“Memphis Habitat has worked in Castalia Heights since 2019, building new homes with affordable mortgages and working alongside residents on other community projects. We are proud to continue that work in this area because community members are so invested in creating positive change,” says Ashley Jones, M.P.A., Memphis Habitat community development manager.

Feature Story This empty storefront at 20 Mina Ave. in downtown Memphis will soon be home to the first brick-and-mortar location of MidSouth Coffee and Tea Co. Entrepreneurship

How a grant for budding retailers is helping populate empty storefronts in downtown Memphis

Aaron BrameTuesday, September 26, 2023
Early next year, a new coffeeshop will be opening in the South Main District downtown, thanks to the partnership between a local entrepreneur and the Downtown Memphis Commission.
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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.

Volunteer Opportunities

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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