Stories

Feature Story Attendees of the Being Black in College workshop break for lunch and informal discussions about the challenges they anticipate in their educational careers post-high school. (Our Grass Our Roots)

The power of knowledge brings power to the people in North Memphis

“We’re not a housing community development. We don’t buy land. We don’t transform homes. We’re not doing giveaways. We’re doing informative practices." - Michalyn Easter-Thomas, founder of Our Grass Our Roots.

Feature Story Students at Memphis Scholars Caldwell-Guthrie play with their school mascot "Jiggy."

High Ground's On the Ground series heads to North Memphis

North Memphis is not a neighborhood. It's many small but distinct communities with rich histories, passionate residents, and big challenges. January through July, our team of embedded journalists will bring you stories of success, struggle, and resiliency from across North Memphis.

Feature Story Teen boys practice their basketball drills and skills at Manassas High School. (Ziggy Mack)

Photos: Welcome to (western) North Memphis

Take a stunning visual tour of the western half of North Memphis through the lens of High Ground's photojournalists. 

Feature Story BLDG Memphis' coalition members attend the BLDG Memphis Capital Projects Tour on November 9. (Jarvis Hues)

BLDG Memphis marks 20 years as a collective voice for equitable development

For 20 years, BLDG Memphis has helped grassroots leaders and community-based nonprofits come together to build responsible, authentic, and equitable communities.

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: Looking back on year one of the On the Ground Podcast

High Ground’s Emily Trenholm and Cole Bradley along with our podcast producer, Natalie Van Gundy, reflect on the first year of our On the Ground Podcast, including favorite moments and biggest impacts.

Feature Story MEMShop helped launch new brick and mortar small businesses in South Memphis in 2014, including the Klassy Chics boutique and @ Home Computer Repair. (MEMShop)

MEMShop expanding to Frayser and Whitehaven in 2020

MEMShop is helping six small businesses launch brick and mortar locations in Frayser and Whitehaven in early 2020. 

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: Chill out as tween CEO talks luxury lemonade empire

Tween CEO Kinyah Bean and the family behind B Chill Lemonade sit down with High Ground's A.J. Dugger to share their journey, keys to success, and next steps for their luxury lemonade brand.

Feature Story The High Ground team enjoys a 'thank you' lunch at El Mercadito de Memphis with key stakeholders in our "On the Ground: Hickory Hill" coverage, including residents and representatives from nonprofits and the Memphis Police Department. (High Ground)

Our 'see you later' to Hickory Hill

Our embedded coverage in Hickory Hill has come to a close. We look back on the coverage and what we learned for our next neighborhoods.

Feature Story Neighborhood Christian Centers' newest location is in partnership with Power Center Academy in Hickory Hill. Students, their family members, and their neighbors now have closer access for food assistance and other supports. (Brandon Dill)

Neighborhood Christian Centers' Compassion Christmas comes to Hickory Hill

Neighborhood Christian Centers opened its newest location in Hickory Hill this September. The center is now participating in its first Compassion Christmas and expanding services for students and families.

Feature Story The Career Advantage Youth Program helps people ages 16 to 24 identify their employment goals and potential and connects them with the tools they need to see success. (Submitted)

Program pays at-risk teens and young adults to find and follow career goals

Finding a good job when you're young can be hard, especially if your neighborhood is under-resourced or your home life unstable. The Career Advantage Youth Program helps at-risk Memphians ages 16 to 25 find their passions, potential, and resources for success.

Feature Story Last year's VISUALS & VIBES was held at The CMPLX in Orange Mound and featured traditional gallery art alongside art forms not typically found in a gallery show. This year's event promises the same. (Christaian Williams)

Painters and fire dancers? Art show at The CMPLX promises anything but typical

This is not your typical art show. On Dec. 22, VISUALS & VIBES II will showcase fine artists alongside dancers, musicians, designers, filmmakers, and more. The artist are all Memphis-based women of color.

Feature Story Residents of Kirby Pines ride in style across the expansive Hickory Hill campus. (Kirby Pines)

Retirement is anything but relaxing at Kirby Pines Lifecare Community

Kirby Pines is a premier senior living community but their current focus isn't housing. Resident love their art studio, wood shop, and volunteer program, but they want a bigger gym to stay fit.

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: The Revival of Gaisman

A few years ago, Gaisman Park was seedy and neglected. Now there are hundreds of kids and families there each week. Friends of Gaisman and Heights CDC discuss the power of passionate people.

Feature Story At D'Bo's Wing n' More, the wing challenge tasters sampled regular hot, suicide hot, honey gold, and seasoned wings. (Ziggy Mack)

Can you get great hot wings on Winchester? High Ground taste test has the answer.

The High Ground team heads to Hickory Hill for a throw down of gastronomic proportions. We put the wings of Winchester Road to a taste test to find our favorite.

Feature Story Don't be intimidated by the long lines at La Michoacana's Summer Avenue location. They move quickly and the reward is worth the wait. (Josh McLane, La Michoacana)

Ice cream shop La Michoacana is prepping for two new locations in Olive Branch, Little Rock

Well-loved treat shop La Michoacana has six locations across the Mid-South. The family-owned business is now planning for new stores in Olive Branch and Little Rock. 

Feature Story Carlos Ochoa with Ranked Choice Tennessee works from his desk in one of Wonder / Cowork / Create's small offices. (Cole Bradley)

A year with Wonder / Cowork / Create

Wonder / Cowork / Create is a coworking and collaboration space geared towards creative entrepreneurs but open to anyone. It's done a lot of growing in its first year.

Feature Story World Overcomers Church has hosted previous events for single mothers in their own congregation. This year's Christmas expo event is the first event for single moms that is open to the broader community. (Terrance Davis)

Church to host Single Moms Christmas Expo in Hickory Hill

World Overcomers Church is hosting a Single Moms Christmas Expo event for moms and kids at the former Hickory Ridge Mall on December 14. 

Feature Story Millington Middle School

Chalkbeat asks readers to share stories of cold classrooms

Chalkbeat Tennessee is creating a map of classrooms in Shelby County with inadequate heat this winter. They're asking readers to contribute the stories that will built the map.

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: Strategy, Spare Change, and Speaking for Yourself

If there’s no one investing in you, invest in yourself. Britney Thornton, founder of JUICE Orange Mound, is on a mission to mobilize residents to revitalize the neighborhood on their own terms. 

Feature Story This choreographed slap between two characters will be a powerful moment in the upcoming Black History Month skit performed by the newly formed Hickory Hill Drama Club. (AJ Dugger)

New Hickory Hill drama club prepares for 2020 Black History Month performance

The newly formed Hickory Hill Senior Drama Club is preparing for its first performance, an original skit for Black History Month in February 2020.