Stories

Feature Story Current and prospective minority entrepreneurs, small-business owners and others gathered for an Epicenter Think Tank event for innovative thinking . (Epicenter)

Epicenter, Power Center CDC partner for entrepreneurs in Hickory Hill

Next spring, Epicenter and Power Center CDC will launch a nine-week program for entrepreneurs in Hickory Hill. On November 9, they'll preview the course with a one-day Get Started workshop. 

Feature Story Ridgeway Cougars helmets rest in the grass during practice. (Malik Martin)

In Photos: Practice makes perfect

They may still be scared of monsters, but the dark won't stop the Ridgeway Cougars pee wee football team. Stunning photos capture their first practice after daylight saving time lit by their parents' headlights. 

Feature Story Moziah Bridges launched his business, Mo's Bows, at the age of nine. He's now 17 with a booming business, international attention and a first book. His next step? High school graduation in 2020. (Mo's Bows)

Moziah Bridges talks bow ties, books and plans post-high school

Moziah Bridges of Mo's Bows fame shares his 'pattern' for success, his thoughts on his debut book, why he loves Memphis and his plans to rule the runway.

Feature Story School nurse Patricia McCraw prepares medication for a student at A.B. Hill Elementary. McCraw is part of a school nurse pilot program facilitated by Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Shelby County Schools and Urban Child Institute. (Cat Evans)

Can nurses keep kids in class? Pilot program seeks answer

Could access to a school nurse fives days a week help increase school attendance in Shelby County? Could increased attendance help kids thrive as adults?  

Feature Story The Belle Venue's main hall can hold between 200 and 250 people. Countless proms, weddings, family reunions and other special occasions have been held at the venue since it opened in 1972. (A.J. Dugger III)

Hidden Memphis: A step back in time at The Belle Venue

The Belle Venue has been a premier location for parties and events since 1972. The outside is stoic and industrial, but step inside and you're on a luxurious steamboat from the late 1800s. 

Feature Story The 2019 State of Memphis Housing Summit was held at the Memphis Botanic Gardens on October 29. It was attended by roughly 200 government officials, community leaders, business leaders and nonprofit representatives. (Cole Bradley)

2019 State of Memphis Housing Summit stated the facts, offered solutions

The inaugural State of Memphis Housing Summit outlined the biggest barriers to safe, quality, affordable housing for all residents and offered proven solutions that are already making positive impacts in Memphis.

Feature Story HickHill10

The History of Hickory Hill, Part I: Big Booms

Hickory Hill is one of Memphis' newest neighborhoods, but it packs a lot of history in its years.

Feature Story Musical artist J Buck performed on the Bring Your Soul stage at the 5th annual SoulsvilleUSA Festival. (Kim and Jim Coleman)

Fifth annual Soulsville USA Festival celebrated history and legends of iconic neighborhood

The 5th annual Soulsville USA Festival on Oct. 19 drew several thousand to McLemore Avenue to celebrate the neighborhood's history and legends.

Feature Story Musician, realtor and property owner Van Preston (Robert Cabral)

Women working it: Van Preston marries music and real estate in Memphis

Meet Van Preston — property owner, real estate agent and internationally known country music singer. Her next big dream? Open a music venue that puts up-and-coming Memphis musicians on the world stage.

Feature Story A Wheel of Fortune-style presentation revealed The Collective's new name, The Collective Blueprint, at their unveiling event on October 16. (Brandi Hunter)

The Collective rebrands with new name, expanded vision

Local nonprofit The Collective is rebranding and deepening its mission to help young adults in Memphis break down barriers to education and well-paying careers.  

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: Serving and growing community with Inspire Community Cafe

Kristin Fox-Trautman with Inspire Community Cafe in Binghampton talks about the growing business and its unique model to build community that includes a living wage, supporting area nonprofits and sourcing produce grown in the neighborhood.

Feature Story Yancy Villa-Calvo and Brandon Zuber (left) discuss design elements on a working draft of the mural that will be installed on the side of Whitten Brothers Hardware in Orange Mound. (A.J. Dugger)

Teens installing Orange Mound mural with focus on history and future

A group of Orange Mound teens are working with artist Yancy Villa-Calvo to install a mural on Park Avenue that documents the community's history and residents' hope for the future. They expect to finish in November.

Feature Story Members of the Hickory Hill Senior Golf Club pose of an official club photo. (Hermon Powers)

Hickory Hill Senior Golf Club tees off for fun, friends and health

They met at the Hickory Hill Community Center and bonded over a passion for golf.  Now they're the Hickory Hill Senior Golf Club with a mission to have fun, stay active and improve their game through friendly competition. 

Feature Story Koozies promoting the use of PrEP and The Corner are an example of the type of branded merchandise Friends for Life intends to sell in The Corner's retail area. (Friends for Life)

Opening soon, The Corner offers free HIV prevention in casual space

Friends for Life will open The Corner on November 4. The community space will feature a pharmacy and local art for sale and offer PEP, PrEP, STI testing, education and more for anyone in need. 

Feature Story Juan Antonio Hernandez, owner of El Nuevo Mercadito, poses with his wife, Norma Mendoza, at the restaurant's counter. El Nuevo Mercadito is a Mexican restaurant located inside the El Mercadito de Memphis in Hickory Hill. (A.J. Dugger)

El Mercadito de Memphis is destination for food, shopping, services and more

El Mercadito de Memphis is more than a family-friendly Mexican restaurant. It's a one-stop-shop for food, shopping and services from tires and cowboy boots to tax prep and the wildest playground in Memphis.

Feature Story L to R: Kinyah Bean, Valerie Braddock and Demetrius Braddock Jr. Bean is the owner of B Chill Lemonade, located inside the former Hickory Ridge Mall. (A.J. Dugger III)

10-year-old CEO takes lemonade to the next level

Ten-year-old Kinyah Bean launched B Chill Lemonade in 2017. This year she opened her first store in Hickory Hill. Her next steps? Become a millionaire and expand her lemonade empire across the globe. 

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: Agape and Power Center CDC talk community, collaboration and careers in Hickory Hill

We get the details on the October 19 Hickory Hill resource and career fair and explore the neighborhood's history, industry, and community with guests Davida Cruthird with Agape Child and Family Services and Candace Taylor with Power Center CDC.

Feature Story The Reverend Dr. Stacey Spencer. Spencer is senior pastor of New Direction Christian Church, board president of Hickory Hill's Power Center CDC, and chair of the board of Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope. (Melvin Smith)

Dr. Stacy Spencer talks church, social justice and how Hickory Hill will thrive by 2025

The Reverend Dr. Stacey Spencer sat down with High Ground for an intimate Q & A on his ministry, MICAH, and a plan to see Hickory Hill thrive by 2025.

Feature Story Members of the Playback Memphis Youth Ensemble gave their first performance at the second annual Frayser Matters event. (Playback Memphis)

Playback Memphis debuts Frayser youth theater ensemble

Playback Memphis has developed improv theater programs for law enforcement, former inmates, businesses, neighborhoods and elementary schools. Now it's showcasing the talents of Frayser middle school students.

Feature Story Auntie Round Table panelists ranged in age, careers and experience. The women discussed everything from mental health and child birth to the challenges facing female veterans and entrepreneurs. (Erica Horton)

Girl talk is health, education, careers and more at Auntie Round Table

Memphis native Jada Davis has launched a series of open discussions for Black women of all ages to share their experience on topics ranging from love and friendship to finances and entrepreneurship.