S5E48 - Revisiting Celebrate What's Right: Activating Vibrant Downtown

Meanwhile in Memphis conversations showcase collaboration in Memphis and beyond, and today's episode is part of a mini-series within the show: Legislately with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. This collaboration will bring together experts and local leaders to amplify the way leaders in our community are learning, collaborating, innovating, and working to set Memphis and Shelby County up for success. Today's installment features a conversation with Montgomery, Alabama Mayor Steven Reed on education and investing in the future for each of their respective cities. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Montgomery, Alabama Mayor Steven Reed Shelby County Government Previous episodes of Legislately with Mayor Harris can be found here , here , here , here , here , and here This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis has a vibrant Downtown and with key projects underway. There are also new reasons for Memphians to celebrate the city's civic assets and come Downtown to engage in community. In this conversation, you'll hear from Chandell Ryan of the Downtown Memphis Commission, Zoe Kahr of The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Paul Chandler of Memphis River Parks Partnership, Jessica Benson of Memphis Grizzlies and Grind City Media, John Zeanah of The City of Memphis, and Russ Wigginton of the National Civil Rights Museum. This episode revisits a live-event of a recent “Celebrate What’s Right” conversation that illuminates the ways Downtown city-centers fuel vibrant cities. This event took place on November 5, 2025 and was made possible in partnership with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Kroger, Duncan Williams Asset Management, Bass Berry and Sims, Downtown Memphis Commission, and LRK. Resources mentioned in this episode in include: State of Downtown from Downtown Memphis Commission Downtown Memphis Commission Downtown Action Plan Block by Block Memphis Brooks Museum Memphis Grizzlies City of Memphis Grind City Media The Jessica Benson Show Memphis River Parks Partnership National Civil Rights Museum Tom Lee Park Metal Museum BVO Mahogany River Terrance Memphis 3.0 Previous episodes including these organizations are here , here , here , here , here , here , here , and here This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Collective impact is moving Memphis forward. If you care about Memphis, you're already a philanthropist, and this conversation with Julia McDonald of The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis and DeVonté Payton of RISE Memphis explores accessible pathways for giving that create maximum potential. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Community Foundation of Greater Memphis GiVE 365 RISE Memphis. Inc. Goal Card program Save Up program Silver Neighbors program Greater Memphis Financial Empowerment Center (GMFEC) Previous episode featuring Community Foundation of Greater Memphis can be found here Carpenter Art Garden This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis is a media oasis! The city has a vibrant, people-powered ecosystem of with a wealth of public radio stations. Go behind the scenes of two of the city’s signature public stations with Jared "Jay B" Boyd (WYXR 91.7 FM - the host station for Meanwhile in Memphis) and Charles McLarty.(WKNO 91.1 FM) to learn what role they play in connecting the community through news, music, and future-focused missions. Resources mentioned in this episode include: WYXR WKNO The Daily Memphian Previous episodes on similar topics can be found here, here, here, and here NPR PBS Morning Edition All Things Considered Behind the Headlines KLOVE Donate to WKNO and donate to WYXR WYXR Raised by Sound Fest The University of Memphis Crosstown Concourse The Impact of the Federal Rescission on Public Media article from Corporation for Public Broadcasting Arthur on PBS Kids Learn more about "Hello, Mr. Chuck" here and here Congress rolls back $9 billion in public media funding and foreign aid article from NPR Timeline: The History of Public Broadcasting in the U.S. Educational Television Facilities Act of 1962 Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Meanwhile in Memphis conversations showcase collaboration in Memphis and beyond, and today's episode is part of a mini-series within the show: Legislately with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. This collaboration will bring together experts and local leaders to amplify the way leaders in our community are learning, collaborating, innovating, and working to set Memphis and Shelby County up for success. Today's installment features a conversation about the ShelbyCares initiative with Dr. Jim Bailey that showcases how Memphis' Neighborhood Health Hub model is the national standard. Resources mentioned in this episode include: ShelbyCares Nieghborhood Health Hub Model Previous episodes of Legislately with Mayor Harris can be found here, here, here, here, and here This episode is made possible in partnership with Shelby County Government and Independent Bank.

Vibrant communities have activated downtown civic centers, and Memphis is a shining example of what's possible when you bring people together and the power of connectivity for both businesses and residents. Joining us are Milton Howery of the Downtown Memphis Commission and Joe Simon of the South Main Neighborhood Association. Resources mentioned in this episode include: The Downtown Memphis Commission The South Main Association Previous conversation about a shared vision for Downtown Trolley Night Downtown Parking Map Live from Ernestine and Hazel's DMC's event calendar This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis is the proud home to several higher education institutions, and today we get the opportunity to take a closer look at how three of them work uniquely and in collaboration with one another to create a better, brighter future for students, alumni, and the city as a whole. So no matter if you cheer for the Lynx, The Tigers, or the Magicians... this conversation is a nice reminder that we’re all on team 901. Joining us are Linda Bonnin of Rhodes College, Michele Ehrhart of The University of Memphis, and Tara Dunn-Ross of Lemoyne Owen College. Resources mentioned in this episode include: LeMoyne-Owen College Rhodes College The University of Memphis Joint Memphis Homecoming in 2025 Memphis Brand Previous episodes that focus on higher education in Memphis can be found here, here, and here Previous conversations with Memphis Brand can be found here Rhodes College celebrating 100 years in Memphis (additional resources can be found here and here) UMRF Ventures St. Jude Summer Plus Fellowship Learn more about Rhodes' student-run soup kitchen here, here and here University of Memphis Service Saturdays Learn more about the University of Memphis' Ballin' on Beale Memphis Madness here and here Rhodes College Announces $2M Endowment to Support New Center for Career and Professional Development LeMoyne-Owen College cybersecurity program gears up, set to build technology center called TIRC The Polytechnic@UofM AI for All at University of Memphis This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis is a city full of innovators, visionaries, and ideas worth sharing. Today, you’ll hear a few big ideas — born out of the city’s momentum — in the form of TEDx Talks. Whether you take a moment to think about your relationship with your morning cup of coffee or take a beat to focus on the way you breathe, use these talks as a jumping off point to seek fresh perspectives in your day-to-day! Resources mentioned in this episode include: TEDxMemphis Bartholomew Jones' 2024 TEDxMemphis Talk Dr. Diana Ruggiero's 2024 TEDxMemphis Talk Skye Oduaran's 2024 TEDxMemphis Talk Lauren Vestal’s 2024 TEDxMemphis Talk View all of the 2024 TEDxMemphis talks here This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Meanwhile in Memphis conversations showcase collaboration in Memphis and beyond, and tody's episode is part of a mini-series within the show: Legislately with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. This collaboration will bring together experts and local leaders to amplify the way leaders in our community are learning, collaborating, innovating, and working to set Memphis and Shelby County up for success. Today's installment features a conversation with Beto Sanchez (Starbucks employee and member of Memphis 7) and Jessica Stewart (SEIU Local 205). Resources mentioned in this episode include: "The Memphis 7" SEIU Local 205 Starbucks Workers United origin story in Buffalo, NY Previous installments of Legislately with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris can be found here, here, here, and here What the Memphis Seven Decision Means for Starbucks Workers National Labor Relations Board McKinney v Starbucks Corp.

The Memphis Medical District is among the city’s most vibrant business districts. This success is a direct result of a strategic vision that was put in place a decade ago and brought to life by the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. This visionary organization has spent the last 10 years collaborating and coordinating efforts in the district to ensure shared success for businesses, residents, hospitals, and higher-ed institutions that share space in the heart of the city. The model they have created is one worth replicating, and in today’s episode, we’ll be airing a live-event recording of a recent “Celebrate What’s Right” panel conversation that reflects on the first decade of impact in the distract, and to hear what’s in store for the next era. This event took place on September 15, 2025 and was made possible by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Kroger, Regional One Health, and Turner Foundation. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Memphis Medical District Collaborative Regional One Health Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare ALSAC St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Other episodes that focus on MMDC include S5E37, S5E34, and S5E8 This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.