University District

The University District is home to Memphis’ largest institution of higher learning, The University of Memphis. The district is made of several distinct neighborhoods, including East Buntyn, Sherwood Forest, and Normal Station. Its main drag, a two-block strip of Highland Avenue known as the Highland Strip, is a staple of Memphis nightlife and offers food and drinks to fuel any study session. Recently, planning has focused on prioritizing pedestrians, including building standards for storefronts and updated railroad crossing to suit the university’s 20,000-plus students.

The Highland Strip features a bold sign to brand the area. Traffic cones mark recent street improvements. (Ziggy Mack)

Destination Eats: University District is a smart choice for good food

High Ground’s signature “On the Ground” series embeds a team of journalists and photojournalists in a Memphis neighborhood for 1-6 months of intensive, hyper-local coverage.  While we’re there, we eat. […]

Memphis jooker Ryan Haskett dances for onlookers
In Photos: The Last of Our Neighborhoods Revisited
The Panorama Movement gym in Memphis' Fairgrounds area sits empty but its many of its services have continued online. (Submitted)
How three local gyms are helping people stay fit from home

It's more important than ever to stay active. Three local gyms share how they're helping clients while social distancing.

A child proudly displays an award at C & J Trophy and Engraving, located at 3444 Park Avenue in the Orange Mound-University District area. The business has been open since the 1970s. (C & J Trophy and Engraving)
Local, black-owned C & J Trophy and Engraving has served Memphis since the ’70s

C & J Trophy and Engraving is located in the Orange Mound-University District area. It's served Memphis' awards, promotions, and engraving needs since the 1970s.

Domestic violence victims may not be ‘safer at home.’ Two Mid-South nonprofits are here to help.

Household abuse often increases in times of crisis. These two Mid-South nonprofits are working for victims and survivors in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Crews Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Memphis. (High Ground News)
ImagineU accelerates business dreams for undergrads across Memphis-area colleges and universities

ImagineU is a 12-week entrepreneurial accelerator for undergraduate students across Memphis-area colleges and universities. The deadline to apply is March 16.

Guests attend the "Lawrence Matthews: To Disappear Away" exhibit at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens on January 17, 2020. (Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Meka Wilson)
Dixon Gallery and Gardens to host free “Women in the Arts” event March 6-7

This weekend, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens will host its first "Women in the Arts" event. Over two days, guests can expect performances, demonstrations, and conversations with more than 20 local women from a wide range of creative fields.

Amon Dillan walks holds hands with a Harwood Center student was they walk down the hall of their Cordova location inside Hope Church. January 27, 2020. (ZIggy Mack)
Harwood Center, University of Memphis to launch early learning classroom for kids with special needs

The Harwood Center and University of Memphis are launching their first classroom for children with autism and other development delays, with potential for seven more.

Podcast: Mid-South Coliseum nearing first inside event since 2006

The Mid-South Coliseum will soon see previtalizing events inside the building.  The Coliseum Coalition's Marvin Stockwell and Chooch Pickard discuss preservation and reactivation of the iconic building. 

Alandria Ivory, a campaign worker for Memphis for All, takes a break during an early voting event at Glenview Community Center. (Andrea Morales)
Meet the Voters

MLK50 and High Ground News teamed up to pair striking portraits of Memphis voters with their reflections on what motivates them to vote and what’s at stake for them, their families and communities come Oct. 3.  

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