When her daughter was struggling to learn how to walk, Yolandra Rodgers turned to hard-bottom baby shoes, which she couldn't find locally. Years later, she is now an online distributor of hard-bottom baby shoes.
Launched in 2015, the Rhodes Compassionate Campus Initiative encourages inclusive dialogue and mindfulness both in and outside of the classroom.
“I want the rest of the country to know what we’re doing in Memphis, that we are on the front lines of addressing the importance of diversity and inclusion, and it’s important that we are part of the national conversation."
“All of these galleries are truly reflective of their community,” said Whitney Hardy, founder and executive director of Young Arts Patrons. “They’re not just there because they found cheaper rent and moved in. They’re tied to the community, and they invest in their community.”
"Public art has become much more an expectation rather than something we can’t afford or as something unnecessary," said Carissa Hussong, executive director of the Metal Museum about Memphis' 20-year dance with public art.
Since its charter corps in 2006, Teach for America - Memphis has been infusing local schools with new, talented educators who are passionate about giving students the opportunity to succeed. There are currently 360 alums in the region who continue to advocate for education reform from the classroom and beyond.
Nestled in the heart of Overton Park, more than 400 students are learning to hone -- and leverage -- their creative talents. Memphis College of Art is exploring new strategies to help young artists discipline their craft while also engaging with the community and using their skills in a professional environment.
The New City Builders program is training future community development leaders for Memphis neighborhoods. Through hands-on workshops and mentoring with established CDC directors, the program shepherds participants through the complexities and intricacies of community development work.
Image a MidSouth where local farmers make a living feeding their own community and healthy produce is accessible to people of all income levels. That is now a dream with a pathway to reality thanks to the MidSouth Regional Food System Assessment, a big picture study released last month that lays out a 20 year plan to grow the local food economy and food access.
Fair housing advocates gathered in Memphis last week to help educate the public on discriminatory housing and lending practices, offering insight into how the city can collectively create a fair, competitive and productive community where all citizens can flourish.
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