Back in 2001, Katie Smythe founded the New Ballet Ensemble (NBE) with a simple goal: for every paying student, she would admit a community student on full or partial scholarship. Thirteen years later, NBE has been recognized by The New York Times, the National Symphony Orchestra, and now—Michelle Obama.
Though perhaps better known for its spot atop lists of America’s fattest cities, Memphis is gaining traction as a whole-hog participant in a healthier trend: community gardening. Every garden has a story. Meet some of the folks getting their hands dirty.
According to a 2012 study from the Plough Foundation, more than 10,000 Memphis seniors are currently living below the Federal Poverty Line. Over the next ten years, those numbers are expected to rise. Here’s how one nonprofit is helping poor seniors lead happy, fulfilled lives.
You’re not cool enough or fit enough. You own zero spandex, and you don't know how to fix a flat. If you’re interested in cycling, but reservations like those stop you, meet Sylvia Crum. She's the new director of Revolutions Bicycle Co-op, and her goal is to make it easy for anyone to get pedaling.
Local business, city and academic leaders agree that Memphis is sitting on top of and adjacent to its most vital resource – water. But how can the city best market, manage and sustain the system to stoke economic development across the Mid-South?
Years behind schedule and millions over budget, the redevelopment of the Memphis riverfront got off to a slow start. But with the rollout of two new parks, the tide may finally be turning.
After extensive planning on how to best connect major parks and greenspaces throughout the city, the Mid-South Regional Greenprint now hits its final review phase. The ambitious vision to better connect the communities of the Mid-South could have broad impact for the city, from environmental protection to economic development.
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