Founded as an agricultural community, South Memphis was stable and close-knit until the 1950s when businesses and families began relocating to the suburbs. Ill-conceived “revitalization” in the 1980s leveled many early buildings and accelerated the decline. Today, it is one of the city’s most economically challenged but culturally rich neighborhoods. The Soulsville area attracts thousands of tourists each year while resident-led revitalization has steered recent investments towards an area farmers market as well as a childcare and family center. South Memphis is also home to numerous community gardens, LeMoyne Owen College, and the famous Four Way Grill.
“Our volunteers’ and donors’ dedication and support help ensure we can deliver mortgages with no interest, which helps create long-term affordability for Habitat’s first-time homebuyers," says Dwayne Spencer, Memphis Habitat president and CEO.
For residents of some underserved communities — like Hickory Hill and South Memphis, for example — the barrier to fresh produce can stretch for miles. Here’s what some community leaders are doing about it.
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