Stories

Feature Story A student at the South Memphis community cooking class closely inspects her dish. (Cat Evans)

South Memphis locally-owned grocery store launches free cooking classes

1400 Mississippi Boulevard is home to the South Memphis Farmers Market, one of the area's only permanent grocery store and a community kitchen. Now it's home to South Memphis' newest event — community cooking classes. 

Feature Story ABC Clinic

Video: University of Memphis mock preschool prepares children with autism for classroom learning

The Autism, Behavior and Communication program housed at the Memphis Speech and Hearing Center of the University of Memphis meets the needs of children with developmental disabilities. Therapists work with children who have high-functioning autism and are between the ages of three and five. Launched in 2017, the clinic has helped many children learn the necessary communication and behavior skills to manage the demands of a mainstream preschool.  

Feature Story Mike Blumenthal

4th annual TEDx Memphis conference lineup features unlikely paths to success

Memphis' bicentennial inspired the 2019 theme of "Ideas for the Next Century." The conference, held this year at the Crosstown Arts Theater, will feature 18 speakers. 

Feature Story High Ground News Podcast Logo

Podcast: The Black arts scene comes home with James Dukes and Lawrence Matthews

In S1E5 of the On The Ground podcast, supporting artists of The CLTV Lawrence Matthews (AKA Don Lifted) and James Dukes (AKA IMAKEMADBEATS) talk with High Ground News executive editor Madeline Faber about how a Black-owned arts space nourishes the existing arts scene and complements the surrounding neighborhood of Orange Mound, the country's first subdivision where African-Americans purchased their own homes.

Feature Story More than 50 middle and high school students engaged with local music industry experts and learned about everything from production to publicity to how vinyl records are made at a January 18 event held at Stax Music Academy. (Submitted)

Music professionals prep STAX Academy students for industry careers

M.I.C. Check, a free music industry career fair for students, presented by STAX Music Academy along with Memphis Music Initiative and Ty Boyland Consulting, featured about a dozen music industry veterans in areas such as production, tech, media, entertainment law and publicity.

Feature Story Dr. Isaac Rodriguez, chief science officer and co-founder of SweetBio and Kayla Rodriguez-Graff, co-founder and SweetBio CEO.

Home, sweet home: SweetBio and others are first tenants of CommuniTech Research Park

CommuniTech Research Park opens its doors as a new home for innovative technology companies like SweetBio, a medical device startup developing medical applications in wound care for honey.

Feature Story The burial site of Harry Madison, one of two headstones in the Madison-Eckles Cemetery Park that is still legible. (Ziggy Mack)

University District partnership transforms neglected cemetery into tranquil park

Normal Station residents have partnered with the University of Memphis to transform a historic but long-neglected family cemetery into a peaceful neighborhood greenspace.

Feature Story A lunch plate at Kountry Kitchen located at 1128 Winchester Road. Kountry Kitchen is one of the ten businesses participating in the Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week. (Submitted)

Whitehaven celebrates MLK legacy with Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week

“Integration was definitely about access — not just schools and communities, it was also access with our dollars,” said Pearl Walker of I Love Whitehaven on MLK’s legacy of economic justice. Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week runs January 19-26.

Feature Story High Ground News Podcast Logo

On The Ground Podcast: Homeownership in Memphis neighborhoods

In S1E4, High Ground News publisher Emily Trenholm welcomes Steve Lockwood from Frayser CDC and Amy Schaftlein from United Housing to discuss why homeownership is so important to stabilizing Memphis neighborhoods and what strategies community development organizations are using to turn longtime renters into homeowners. 

Feature Story Artist Brantley Ellzey in workspace, as part of "Memphis Studios: A Visual Tour." (Murray Riss)

Making space: New book is a visual tour of the workspaces of Memphis' top artists

"Memphis Studios: A Visual Tour," a newly published book, details the diverse nooks and crannies that Memphis artists have claimed as home.

Feature Story At Tiger Bookstore, Tigers branded merchandise accounts for 40 percent of gross sales. (Cole Bradley)

Married to the game: When Tigers score, Memphis small business wins

“If people feel good about the university, they want to show off. You want to wear that hoodie or have that decal on your car," said Jeremy Stinson, general manager of Tiger Bookstore. 

Feature Story Fabrics with vibrant patterns for sale at African Kingdom at Park Avenue and Getwell Road. (Submitted)

African Kingdom brings West African style to University District

Jainaba Johnson started her first business in her native country of The Gambia at 16 years old. Now 53, she's recently opened her third Memphis-based, family-run shop for African goods and hair styling.

Feature Story Guests discuss a set of photographs at The CMPLX grand opening. (Shelda Edwards)

The CMPLX opens to packed house in Orange Mound

The January 11 grand opening of The CMPLX in Orange Mound was shoulder to shoulder. Organizers hope the gallery and studio space operated by and for Black artists will help inspire the next Harlem Renaissance right here in Memphis. 

Feature Story A diverse group of students hold a pose at Yolandrea Clark's Any Body Yoga studio in Midtown Memphis. (Shelby Black)

New year, new you, new body-positive yoga studio opens in Memphis

Looking to get fit and de-stress this year in a body-positive space? On Jan 1, local yoga legend Yolandrea Clark launched a body and ability-inclusive studio that's got you covered. 

Feature Story A customer points to the menu with a question and Tavias Ford answers with a smile at Vivian's Down Home Cooking in Binghampton. (Taylor Moore)

Former banker has big plans for Binghampton restaurant serving down home meals

In August 2018, Tavias Ford left banking to launch a restaurant named for his late grandmother, Vivian. It's a simple model — down home food served with a friendly smile — but he has big plans to put his Binghampton restaurant on the map.   

Feature Story UDist_10

In photos: Welcome to the University District

As we kick off three months of On the Ground reporting in the University District, photographer Ziggy Mack explores the visual vibe of this growing, center-city neighborhood. 

Feature Story UDist_8

Coffee and community journalism: On the Ground in the University District

We're kicking off our embedded reporting in the University District with a look at its past, current state and our new community news room location — The Belltower Artisans. 

Feature Story High Ground News Podcast Logo

On the Ground Podcast: Kicking off our University District coverage with Cody Fletcher

In S1E3, we kick off three months of embedded reporting with a conversation on the unique features, strengths, and challenges of the University District. 

Feature Story Aumilli’on Kimble, a 16-year-old junior at Bartlett High School, won the floor pitch for her "Heat Keep" food warming pouches. She's already had one employer express interest in hiring her when she graduates. (Submitted)

Special education support & lunchbox warmers: High school students pitch product ideas to meet needs

As part of their participation in LITE Memphis, an entrepreneurship support program targeted at minority high school students, 35 potential startup founders pitched their ideas on December 6 to an audience of funders and supporters. 

Feature Story Magaly Cruz (L) and Joni Laney on the porch of a property that was previously blighted. The land trust worked with Neighborhood Preservation Inc. to report the house to Code Enforcement and within one month it was in compliance. (Ziggy Mack)

Bing-Boom III: A land trust seeks to preserve housing affordability in booming Binghampton

Wealthier white Memphians began moving to Binghampton out of a desire to be around diversity and to help improve a disadvantaged community. Now, they fear they've turned the tide as major real estate developments are emerging. Old and new residents are banding together to preserve affordable housing by establishing a Binghampton land trust.