Stories

Feature Story MIFA Meals on Wheels Volunteer Ride along

MIFA's Meals on Wheels Program brings connection and meaning to volunteers and clients

What is it like to volunteer to bring meals to seniors? Volunteer Jeff Squires says, “It’s very rewarding. Most people are gracious and happy to see us. It might be one or two words or a thankful expression. It’s touching.” 

In The News Justin Merrick is striving to make positive changes across South Memphis and beyond as the Executive Director of the Center for Transforming Communities.

Voices of More for Memphis: Justin Merrick of the Center for Transforming Communities

Tafui Owusu spoke with Justin Merrick of the Center for Transforming Communities about the nonprofit's mission, challenges, and the necessity and power of community engagement.  

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 “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 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 "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.

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.

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.

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.