S6E13 - Revitalizing History with Historic Melrose High School

In this episode, New Memphis shares the mic with a special guest host — City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young — to explore how collaboration led to the transformation of Historic Melrose High School and how the project is revitalizing the community. Orange Mound -- a historic neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee -- was the first subdivision in America built specifically for Black homebuyers, and at the heart of this neighborhood lies Historic Melrose High School. The school closed in 1979, but in recent years, community advocates came together with local government to pursue an ambitious mixed-use redevelopment of the space that includes community spaces, a public library, a Black genealogy center, and a 28-unit senior housing facility. Learn how the project came to life and how you can play a role in its future in this conversation! Guest: Ashley Cash | City of Memphis Meanwhile in Memphis is produced by New Memphis and is powered by iBank. Find out more at https://meanwhile-in-memphis.pinecast.co

Learn how Memphis' HBCU is anchoring talent in the city by creating job-ready, community-informed leaders. This conversation with Dr. Christopher Davis, president of LeMoyne-Owen College, is part of an ongoing series that explores the role Memphis’ colleges and universities play as essential civic anchors shaping the region’s talent pipeline, stabilizing neighborhoods, driving research and innovation, and influencing long-term economic vitality. Resources mentioned in this episode include: LeMoyne-Owen College Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) LOC Center for Cybersecurity LeMoyne-Owen College cybersecurity program gears up, set to build technology center called TIRC LeMoyne-Owen College's Accelerated Studies for Adults and Professionals Program (ASAP) Other Meanwhile in Memphis episodes that explore and illuminate topics covered in this episode are here , here , here , and here . LeMoyne-Owen College Receives $500,000 Investment from FedEx to Strengthen Business Department and Advance Student Success LeMoyne-Owen College Board of Trustees Selects Dr. Christopher B. Davis as the College’s 14th President This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis’ colleges and universities are essential civic anchors shaping the region’s talent pipeline, stabilizing neighborhoods, driving research and innovation, and influencing long-term economic vitality. All of these factors play a critical role in employee readiness, attraction, and retention for local employers. Hear how university leaders are navigating challenges and creating a thriving Memphis for generations to come in this conversation moderated by Dr. Joann Massey (EDGE) featuring Dr. Bill Hardgrave (University of Memphis), Jennifer Collins (Rhodes College), and Dr. Tracy D. Hall (Southwest Tennessee Community College). This is a recording of a live Celebrate What's Right: Educating Memphis' Future that happened on February 24 at The National Civil Rights Museum for a conversation with presidents from Memphis-area institutions. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Rhodes College University of Memphis Southwest Tennessee Community College Tennessee Promise Previous M eanwhile in Memphis conversations with these organizations can be found here , here , and here .

Memphis is teaming with talent, both on and off the field, thanks in part to the ways The University of Memphis is developing future professionals with transferable skills through sport. By equipping student athletes with professional development resources, mentors, and connections to career opportunities in Memphis, the 901Women program is creating success stories and future Memphians. Guests: Ed Scott, PhD, The University of Memphis Beth Wilson , Wilson PR; 901Women Initiative Hear from real leaders making a real impact in Memphis each week on the Meanwhile in Memphis podcast! Meanwhile in Memphis conversations connect changemakers and community leaders who make Memphis a vibrant place to live, work, and play. Created and produced by New Memphis. Resources and references mentioned in the episode include: The University of Memphis Athletics Department 901Women 901Women Power Summit Meanwhile in Memphis is powered by Independent Bank.

Memphis is a city known for its creative output. With new strategic priorities in place, both public and private investments are shaping the trajectory of the city’s cultural impact and the community’s civic pride. Guests: Elizabeth Rouse, ARTSmemphis Rachel Knox, Hyde Family Foundation __Resources mentioned in this episode include: ARTSMemphis Hyde Family Foundation ARTSMemphis event calendar Young Actors Guild Memphis Artists Emergency Fund Art By Design Previous Meanwhile in Memphis episodes related to this topic can be found here , here , here , here , and here Hear from real leaders making a real impact in Memphis each week on the Meanwhile in Memphis podcast! Meanwhile in Memphis conversations connect changemakers and community leaders who make Memphis a vibrant place to live, work, and play. Created and produced by New Memphis. Powered by Independent Bank.

Learn how Memphis is building and expanding economic opportunities with the Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis & Shelby County — better known as EDGE — and the City of Memphis. Guests: Mayor Paul Young , City of Memphis Dr. Joann Massey , EDGE Hear from real leaders making a real impact in Memphis each week on the Meanwhile in Memphis podcast! Meanwhile in Memphis conversations connect changemakers and community leaders who make Memphis a vibrant place to live, work, and play. Created and produced by New Memphis. Resources and references mentioned in the episode include: Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County (EDGE) EDGE programs City of Memphis, EDGE Launch Entrepreneurship City Initiative AAON Epicenter Greater Memphis Chamber Small Business Administration TN Economic and Community Development Powered by Independent Bank.

From economic lifts to culture and connection, Downtown is a vital piece of the Memphis ecosystem. Chandell Ryan, President and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission, discusses what it means to shape and share a vibrant vision for Downtown. This episode first aired on September 23, 2025 (S5E38). References mentioned in this episode include: Downtown Memphis Commission State of Downtown (2025) Previous episodes featuring Downtown Memphis commission can be found here , here , here , and here Downtown Retail Tenant Improvement (TI) Grant Central Business Improvement District Downtown Connect BuildDowntown is a master plan to help determine how Downtown Memphis will grow, evolve, and improve over the next 10 years Beale Street Daily Memphian WKNO Behind the Headlines with Chandell Ryan Block By Block Downtown Memphis Commission Downtown Memphis Commission announces new partnership to improve service efficiency Hyde Family Foundation All aboard!—Trolley buses will be returning to Downtown Memphis Open on Main program River City Records Sterick Building 100 North Main The Sheraton Downtown Memphis Instagram Downtown Memphis Commission newsletter Alley Dayz National Civil Rights Museum Memphis Art Museum DMC's Parking Map Hotel Pontotoc This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis is a city teeming with talent, and one of the city's largest employers is working to keep that talent here through innovative partnerships. Explore how Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) is taking a meaningful, measurable, and memorable approach to connect high school students with career pathways, and hear why they see it as a smart business decision to keep them growing and keep them in Memphis with guests Timothy Davis and Kenneth Culp. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Memphis Light Gas and Water (MLGW) MLGW History Career pathways at MLGW Student programs at MLGW MLGW resources MLGW Customer Service Career Academy MLGW Workforce Community Partners Previous conversation with Southwest Tennessee Community College This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Explore how one organization's transportation model in Memphis is going the extra mile to make transportation reliable and affordable while also investing in workforce development. Guests today are David Short and Ben Walsh from My City Rides. Resources mentioned in this conversation include: My City Rides Boys and Girls Club of Memphis Bird Scooter Vespa RISE Memphis Hope Works Rhodes College This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Hear from real leaders making a real impact in Memphis on the Meanwhile in Memphis podcast! Join the hosts at New Memphis for a weekly window into what makes Memphis a vibrant place to live, work, and play. In this episode, New Memphis shares the mic with a special guest host — City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young — to explore how the city’s approach fighting blight is increasing safety and shaping civic pride. Guests: Karen Gause | City of Memphis Melanie Neal | City of Memphis Meanwhile in Memphis is produced by New Memphis and is powered by iBank. Resources mentioned in this episode include: City of Memphis City of Memphis' blight resources City program pays citizens to tackle blight on Memphis streets (WREG) Historic Melrose Code Enforcement City of Memphis 311 Division of Community Enhancement Lamar Ave. Corridor Blight Zero initiative