Author

Aisling Maki

Aisling Maki is a writer and editor with awards from The Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists and Public Relations Society of America. Her work has appeared in publications in more than 20 countries and she has written locally for more than a dozen publications, including The Commercial Appeal, Memphis Flyer and Memphis Parent Magazine. She previously worked as a digital producer and weekend reporter for Action News 5, Memphis correspondent for the Agence France-Presse (AFP) and staff reporter for Memphis Daily News.

Aisling Maki's Latest Articles

A group of passengers prepares to board a MATA bus at the American Way Transit Center on January 9, 2018. (Brandon Dahlberg)
Memphis 3.0 looks to citizens’ input on shaping city’s transit system

Memphis' public transportation system needs a revamp, and the Memphis Area Transit Authority is informing that revamp with riders' input. 

Colorful Mexican-inspired clothing, ceramics, clutches and other items from Mucho, one of the vendors whose items are available through the month of December at The Attic in Overton Square. (Aisling Maki)
The Attic in Overton Square gives micro-retailers a brick-and-mortar trial run

Midtown's highly-desired retail center is made accessible to micro-retailers during a holiday pop-up shop.

Dr. Stacy Spencer, senior pastor at New Direction Christian Church, is one of the founders of MICAH.
Memphis faith leaders unite to address poverty, education and criminal justice

A Memphis-based organization with ties to President Barack Obama's career as a community activist unites two dozen faith-based groups to further social justice. 

A draft concept image from the City's updated Fairgrounds plan, featuring a youth sports complex. Youth sports is a lucrative, growing tourism sector. Mayor Strickland said the proposal is unique in that it focuses on indoor sports, as the city alrea
City tables Coliseum repurposing, presents sports complex in latest Fairgrounds plan

“Our goal was to assemble a project that both attracts tourists and enriches the surrounding neighborhoods,” Mayor Strickland said. 

Students at Memphis Scholars Caldwell-Guthrie play with their school mascot Jiggy. (Andrea Morales)
Klondike Smokey City improves education outcomes with wrap-around neighborhood support

Test scores can indicate struggles outside of the classroom, such as transportation, bullying, housing issues and parents’ work schedules. Neighbors in Klondike Smokey City have come together to address how a strong community can support strong students. 

Colby Midgett, owner of Premier Flowers at 10 North Second Street. (Renier Otto)
Memphis Money: Community-based startups struggle to find capital beyond debt-based platforms

“There’s no such thing as equal opportunity without equal access to capital,” said Anthony Young, River City Capital’s Economic Development Director. “In the neighborhoods we serve, we often see business owners who’ve been disenfranchised and underserved by traditional banks.”

The Mid-South Coliseum seen from the Fairground's south side. Under the City-backed Fairgrounds redevelopment project, the vacant Coliseum could become an amateur sports venue, providing space for championship games and opening and closing tournament
Orange Mound stakeholders voice concerns about inclusion in fairgrounds planning process

As discussions continue about the fate of the Fairgrounds, Orange Mound residents weigh in on the process and how redevelopment of the site could affect their neighborhood.

Accelerator programs hosted by organizations such as EPICenter Memphis, Memphis Bioworks and Start Co., help entrepreneurs launch businesses and   connect them with pathways to capital. To date, EPICenter has raised more than $16 million in capital.
Memphis Money: Investment pipeline for startups has room for improvement

Facing a sore lack of later-stage capital in Memphis, startups that matriculate through local accelerator programs often have to look outside of the Mid-South to scale. 

Owner and chef Octavia Young behind the counter at Midtown Crossing Grill.
Midtown Crossing Grill is a community hub for Crosstown neighbors

Gourmet pizza complements regular community gatherings including comedy shows, neighborhood watch meetings and popup artisan markets. 

The latest chapter in the effort to tap into the Fairgrounds' potential started in 2015, when the Coliseum Coalition was founded. Its goal was to restore the idle structure to its former glory.
Underutilized Fairgrounds land is reimagined with City-backed planning

On September 21, the City of Memphis hosted a public meeting to update residents about plans for the Fairgrounds, which includes exploring the idea of a youth sports complex to host basketball, volleyball, cheer and other indoor competitions. It could also include swimming and diving pools and exterior fields for soccer and rugby.

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