Stories

Feature Story dancingnuns

Video: One church, three cultures, one awesome party

Once a year, Sacred Heart Church's parishioners come together for one service in three different languages and a celebration of their diverse cultures. 

Feature Story A Hollywood Feed staff member makes gourmet dog cookies. The story offers a range of gourmet treats including cakes and cupcakes. (Submitted)

More than retail, Hollywood Feed helps animals in need

Hollywood Feed is well-known for high quality pet treats and supplies, but they're also doing their part to help reduce the number of animals in Mid-South shelters.  

Feature Story (L to R) Kenneth Alexander, Jared Boyd, Kid Maestro and Amber George attend The CLTV's Juneteenth gala. (Erica Horton)

CLTV's Juneteenth gala celebrates history, community and Black excellence

The CLTV's 2019 Juneteenth gala was a celebration of history, resiliency, bold looks and Black excellence in Memphis. 

Feature Story Renderings for the new Soulsville container restaurant show a bold and colorful design with indoor and outdoor seating. (Submitted)

275 Food Project announces fellowship for chefs of color, strategy to grow local food ecosystem

275 Food Project is working towards a $1.5 billion reinvestment in local food. They're connecting farmers to buyers, reactivating spaces and building a container restaurant in Soulsville. Now High Ground takes a first look at their Ground Up fellowship.

Feature Story podcast

On the Ground Podcast: Building Community with Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis is building more than houses. Habitat's Jessica Hord and homeowner Brandi Hunter dive into the organization's mission to craft community in Uptown and beyond.

Feature Story Local artists and their works have found a place in Market on Madison. (Kim Coleman)

Something old, something new, something Memphis at Market on Madison

Chuck Guthrie and Larry Tyger are antique experts, but their Market on Madison is an expertly crafted blend of vintage finds and local Memphis craftsmanship from fine art to candles. 

Feature Story University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are four of the anchor institutions partnering with the Memphis Medical District Collaborative for Hire Local 901. (Submitted)

Hire Local 901 helps Memphians work closer to home

The Memphis Medical District Collaborative’s workforce development program connects residents to training, education and employment opportunities in and around the Medical District.

Feature Story podcast

On the Ground Podcast: Agape summer camps take youth on around the world

Angela Garland and David Jordan dive into Agape's mission to keep kids out of foster care, reduce poverty and take youth from Frayser, Whitehaven and Hickory Hill around the world with a global curriculum.   

Feature Story Stanley Campbell opened the museum as a way to bring to life the memories of his mother, who has Alzheimer's.

House of Mtenzi is eclectic mix of art, family and Civil Rights history

The House of Mtenzi is packed tight with art, artifacts and audio that weave together an intimate story of one Memphis family and its ties to the city's Civil Rights history. 

Feature Story A window display at the BAM Thrift Store at 1340 Madison Avenue hopes to attract medical professionals from the surrounding Medical District. (Cole Bradley)

Construction starts soon for facade improvements, coffee shop at Madison-Cleveland

At the Madison-Cleveland intersection, BAM Thrift Store's familiar blue awnings and chain link fence will be replaced with landscaping, a stylish patio and a coffee shop. Construct is expected to begin by June 15.

Feature Story Anthony Braxton waits for his meal at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Memphis Ozanam Food Mission. (Ziggy Mack)

Called to Serve: Ozanam Center steps up for Memphians in need

The Society of St Vincent de Paul has a simple mission -- help when needed. The Ozanam Center is where mission becomes action with support from meals to utility assistance.

Feature Story Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris (L) presents the Senior Prom's 2019 Prom Queen Everlena Yarborough. Prom King Clarence Christian watches with pride. (Baris Gursakal)

Magical night for senior citizens at Shelby County's first senior prom

On June 3, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris hosted his first prom. More than 400 seniors citizens packed the Stax Museum for food, music and dancing. And to see who'd win king and queen, of course. 

Feature Story podcast

On the Ground Podcast: Spotlight on Madison Heights

Emily Trenholm hosts the Memphis Medical District Collaborative's Abby Miller and Susannah Barton for a discussion on assets, opportunities and story ideas in High Ground's latest focus neighborhood. 

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: MyCityRides talks scooters, transportation justice and $2 tanks of gas

Andy Nix and Khalil Castal of MyCityRides discuss how the lease-to-own scooter program is helping Memphians access transportation, see more of their city and save thousands of dollars in annual transportation costs.


Feature Story Joann Selvidge and her daughter, Frannie, enjoy their designer confections at Philip Ashley Chocolates cafe, located at 1200 Madison Avenue in Madison Heights District. (Ziggy Mack)

Chocolatier Phillip Ashley Rix brings designer delights to Madison Heights

Dubbed a “real life Willy Wonka” by Forbes Magazine, Phillip Ashley Rix has relaunched his chocolate factory in Madison Heights after six years in Cooper Young and a six-month hiatus.

Feature Story Tami Montgomery, owner of Dru's Bar, sits at the newly remodeled bar and chats with regulars after completing some chores around the business. The location, 1474 Madison Avenue, has been home to a number of LGBT bars since the 1970s. (Cole Bradley)

Bar Fight: The Rise and Fall of Memphis' Gay Bars

The fight for LGBT equality started in a bar, but the movement's success is now threatening the very spaces that birthed it. Memphis' last two gay bars are now working to stay relevant in an increasingly less hostile world. 

Feature Story La Michoacana owners Ana and Rafael Gonzales spoke at the Gateways for Growth community meeting held at their restaurant at 4091 Summer Avenue. (Submitted)

Memphis immigrants meet for paletas and solutions for a more immigrant-friendly city

On May 18, Gateways for Growth convened a diverse group of immigrants who now call Memphis home. They enjoyed sweet treats at La Michocana and set to work brainstorming ways to make Memphis a more immigrant-friendly city. 

Feature Story  Travis Butler, New Ballet Ensemble dance instructor, works with students at LaRose Elementary. Dance classes at LaRose are held either early in the school day or the last period of the day. (Submitted)

South City area residents benefit from Vision 2020 grantmaking initiative

South Memphis' 38126 ZIP code has Memphis' highest poverty rate. The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis’ Vision 2020 plan is focused on 38126 with more than $4.7 million already invested. 

Feature Story Slice of Soul’s signature Al B. Green Pizza, with spinach, black olives, green olives, mushroom, onions, roasted red peppers, and green bell peppers. (Submitted)

Slice of Soul Pizza Lounge brings food and entertainment to Madison Heights

Since Slice of Soul Pizza Lounge opened its doors in January 2018, it has become a popular spot to enjoy local arts and entertainment in a chill and family friendly environment.


Feature Story Utopia Animal Hospital's Dr. Jen Clay (R) and veterinarian technician Jessica Tatum (L) prep a patient for surgery to remove an abdominal tumor. (Cole Bradley)

Utopia Animal Hospital takes an enlightened approach to pet care

Madison Heights’ Utopia Animal Hospital uses innovative practices with a personal touch to provide positive client and patient healthcare outcomes.