On The GroundSidewalk-level journalism from Memphis neighborhoods

Chooch Pickard, the Coliseum Coalition's vice president, walks the lower-level corridor near a shuttered concession stand. (Shelda Edwards)

Chooch Pickard, the Coliseum Coalition's vice president, walks the lower-level corridor near a shuttered concession stand. (Shelda Edwards)

(L to R) Ladarius Shields, Cedric Hicks, and Hayden Williams attend a football game at Treadwell Middle. Treadwell is the area's oldest public school, opened in 1915. (Ziggy Mack)

(L to R) Ladarius Shields, Cedric Hicks, and Hayden Williams attend a football game at Treadwell Middle. Treadwell is the area's oldest public school, opened in 1915. (Ziggy Mack)

The CMPLX opened on January 11, 2019 to a packed house. On December 22, it will host Visuals and Vibes, an exhibition of local women artists of color. (Cole Bradley)

The CMPLX opened on January 11, 2019 to a packed house. On December 22, it will host Visuals and Vibes, an exhibition of local women artists of color. (Cole Bradley)

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An employee of La Michoacana ice cream and paleta shop serves up a fruit cup with tajin. (Forever Ready Productions)

Video: Paletas in the pandemic with La Michoacana

Cole BradleyThursday, November 5, 2020

Dalisia “Dee” Brye closed on her new home in Whitehaven in June with the help of United Housing's HUD-certified housing counselors. Brye sought home ownership after realizing that mortgage payments would be less than rental payments. (Submitted)

Agencies in Memphis encourage homeownership as alternative to high rents

Ashlei WilliamsThursday, October 15, 2020

James Cook and his family stand outside the future home of Nubian Design Studios in Whitehaven. The building is currently under renovations with help from an EDGE Inner City Economic Development loan . (Ziggy Mack)

This Whitehaven entrepreneur is bringing a new hair studio to his community with help of EDGE loan

Erinn FiggWednesday, October 14, 2020

Kenzie Cleaves stands inside a vacant unit in her North Memphis apartment complex that she said has been unsecured for over a year. Unsafe housing conditions can increase COVID-19-related deaths. (Ziggy Mack)

In poor communities, toxic housing is a risk factor for COVID-19 deaths

Chris Jones & Cole BradleyWednesday, September 30, 2020

Census

Here's why Memphis nonprofits care about the U.S. census and you should too.

Cole BradleyThursday, September 24, 2020

Derotha Payne-Obie mounts a recently completed puzzle at her dining room table. Prior to the pandemic, she attended the Lewis Senior Center. It closed in March under local and state mandates. (Tamara Cunningham)

For senior citizens, the virus isn't the only pandemic danger. Isolation can be deadly.

Tamara CunninghamWednesday, September 16, 2020

Nonprofit JUICE Orange Mound recently received their largest single donation. ADT Securities donated $10,000 towards its community improvement efforts. (Submitted)

The Orange Mound Street Assembly uses the neighborhood grapevine for community improvement

Alexandria MooreThursday, August 27, 2020

Alandria Ivory, a campaign worker for Memphis for All, takes a break during an early voting event at Glenview Community Center. (Andrea Morales)

Food giveaway and voter registration drive coming to North Memphis August 28

Cole BradleyWednesday, August 26, 2020

Soulsville USA

Walking in Memphis: Put on your tennis shoes and discover South Memphis history

Ramona SpringfieldThursday, August 20, 2020

Frank Johnson looks towards North Memphis' Penn A Kem, LLC chemical plant on the left hand side of the road. On the right is Douglass High School. (Ziggy Mack)

The Pandemics: Decades of environmental racism is making COVID-19 more deadly in Black communities

Baris Gursakal & Cole BradleyThursday, August 20, 2020

Jason Ayers high fives one of the kids that came out to help clean up empty lots along Randle Street in Klondike. Folks from the community organization Crowning Our Youth, Inc. an anti-violence and youth oriented group, worked to clean up vacant lots

High Ground Says 'See You Later' to North Memphis

Cole BradleyMonday, August 10, 2020

Archie Willis rides the Madison Avenue trolley bus through Madison Heights. (Ziggy Mack)

In Photos: More Memphis neighborhoods revisited

Cole BradleyFriday, July 31, 2020

Shelia Williams, a 2020 Bickford-Bearwater High Ground News Community Correspondent. (Cole Bradley)

Memphis' Newest Reporters: Meet Community Correspondent Shelia Williams

Cole BradleyThursday, July 30, 2020

Jolie Shaw, a 2020 Bickford-Bearwater High Ground News Community Correspondent. (Cole Bradley)

Memphis' Newest Reporters: Meet Community Correspondent Jolie Shaw

Cole BradleyThursday, July 30, 2020

Executive Director John Paul Shaffer announces the BLDG Memphis rebrand in April 2017. It was previously the Community Development Council of Greater Memphis. (Submitted)

BLDG Memphis and new board look to the future of community development in and after the pandemic

Cole BradleyThursday, July 23, 2020

Husband and wife Nancy and Patricio Gonzalez carry equipment to the Gaisman Community Center at the end of game day. They are the directors and coaches of Illegal Arts Memphis soccer league. (Natalie Eddings)

In Photos: Memphis neighborhoods revisited

Cole BradleyThursday, July 23, 2020

Soulsville in pictures 2

Mass evictions are coming. This South Memphis nonprofit is part of the solution.

Baris GursakalThursday, July 16, 2020

To celebrate Juneteenth 2020, The Time is Now Douglass, the Official Black Lives Matter Memphis Chapter, and Memphis Artists for Change partnered to supply produce boxes, free lunch from local food trucks, masks, and hand sanitizer. (Forever Ready)

Video: Juneteenth in Douglass Park

Thursday, June 25, 2020

MPD

The whole world is talking about police reform. Black Lives Matter has solutions.

Cole BradleyMonday, June 22, 2020

A Craftsman Bungalow-style home with ornate spiral pillars in Vollintine-Evergreen. VECA is seeking a landmarks designation for the V&E area to preserve its historic aesthetic. (Cole Bradley)

Vollintine-Evergreen seeks landmark designation to preserve its unique history and aesthetic

Ashley DavisFriday, June 19, 2020

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The On The Ground series embeds a team of journalists in Memphis neighborhoods.

We include residents in planning articles, photo essays, videos, and events that reflect their lived experience.

We strive for genuine relationships and nuanced coverage.

PlacesOn The Ground

A young boy rides his bike on the path at Uptown Park as his parents and neighbors enjoy the show. (Cole Bradley)

Uptown & The Pinch

L to R: Upscale Kutz Barber Shop barbers Karlos Burt cuts the hair of Riko while Dennis Ross cuts the hair of Bernard in the Madison Heights District. (Ziggy Mack)

Madison Heights

Folks hang out outside of Salem’s Market on Mississippi Avenue. The store has been open for decades in the neighborhood and has seen a significant slowing of business since Foote Homes closed and demolition started.

South City

Derek Stubbs gets his hair cut by Eric Steward, the owner of the Handy Spot on Vollintine Avenue in Klondike.

Klondike Smokey City

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Soulsville

Binghampton

Binghampton

bball

North Memphis

Frayser

Frayser

Across Our Network

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Source: Input Fort Wayne
U-M's Ypsilanti Health Center to move downtown, tripling space and adding specialty care
Source: Concentrate
Flint Southwestern students explore career pathways at Wayne State and Hurley Medical Hospital
Source: Flintside
CDFI funding helps Corktown Health expand services for Detroit area's LGBTQ residents
Source: Second Wave Michigan

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