Stories

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.

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

"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 "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."

Sculpture honoring Orange Mound community selected for library and genealogy center

"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  Shannon Briggs founded Campfire Collective in 2022.

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

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.

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

“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.

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

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 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)

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

"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 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)

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

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 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)

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

“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.

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

“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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

“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.

Feature Story For High Ground's 'On The Ground' series, six local community-level journalists help dissect the More for Memphis plan and share the stories of Memphis residents who are working hard for a better tomorrow. 

High Ground's newest Community Correspondents explore the More for Memphis plan

For High Ground's 'On The Ground' series, six local community-level journalists help dissect the More for Memphis plan and share the stories of Memphis residents who are working hard for a better tomorrow. 

In The News Roshun Austin, CEO of The Works, Inc., discusses the issues of affordable housing programs, the impact of policies, and the power of community. 

Voices of More for Memphis: Roshun Austin, CEO of The Works, Inc.

“We must move away from this idea of individualism and build for the collective.” Tafui Owusu spoke with Roshun Austin of The Works, Inc. about the issues of affordable housing programs, the impact of policies, and the power of community. 

Development News "Haven of Hope is here to offer a safe and unique healing experience for those suffering from eating disorders and trauma," says Brittney Greer, LPC, MHSP, executive clinical director of Haven of Hope.

New treatment facility for eating disorder and trauma care set to open in Memphis in late summer

"Haven of Hope is here to offer a safe and unique healing experience for those suffering from eating disorders and trauma," says Brittney Greer, LPC, MHSP, executive clinical director of Haven of Hope.

Development News "One million acres of tangible conservation in one year is an achievement that's nearly 90 years in the making," says Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam.

Memphis nonprofit achieves 1M acres of wetlands conservation throughout North America in FY24

"One million acres of tangible conservation in one year is an achievement that's nearly 90 years in the making," says Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam.

Feature Story Economic Development is one of the six 'More for Memphis' anchor collaboratives and aims to put 10,000 additional young people on a path to economic mobility.

More for Memphis plan identifies liberty and equity as Economic Development priorities

Over the next several months, the High Ground Team will be diving deep into the More for Memphis plan: What it is, why it is, and where it's taking us. This week, we take a look at Economic Development, one of the 6 focus areas critical to the initiative's success.

Development News A rendering of one of the 70 homes to be built at Epping Forest in Raleigh.

Groundbreaking ceremony held for new subdivision being built in Memphis' Raleigh community

The Epping Forest subdivision will include 58 single family homes and 12 condominiums in Memphis' Raleigh community.

Development News “The Healthy Start program is a perfect addition to continue our work to improve the health outcomes of women in this community,” says Alicia Smith-Steele, vice president of ambulatory services at Regional One Health.

Memphis hospital launches targeted perinatal care program for Black mothers and infants

“The Healthy Start program is a perfect addition to continue our work to improve the health outcomes of women in this community,” says Alicia Smith-Steele, vice president of ambulatory services at Regional One Health.

Feature Story Lakeisha Buford is the founder and owner of natural hair care salon FingersRite Hair Studio.

Women Working It: Lakeisha Buford is helping Memphis women feel beautiful at FingersRite Hair Studio

Lakeisha Buford launched her company after deciding to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional hairstylist, receiving business development support from BLDG Memphis and their Community Navigator Pilot Program.