S6E31 - Collaboration Helps Memphis Students Succeed

Memphis is made vibrant by its green spaces and the wildlife that inhabit them. Those spaces exist, and wildlife populations persist thanks in part to the organizations dedicated to protecting and preserving them, including today's guests from Ducks Unlimited and Wolf River Conservancy. From Ducks Unlimited's work conserving more than 20 million acres of waterfowl habitat across North America to Wolf River Conservancy's work planting more than 60,000 trees and protecting upwards of 20,000 acres of land, there's a lot to unpack in today's conversation. Joining us from Ducks Unlimited is Chief Operating Officer Karen Waldrop, and joining from Wolf River Conservancy is Chief Conservation Officer Ryan Hall. 

A proven model of success is helping students in Memphis persist to graduation and launch careers in the Mid-South thanks to an impact-driven collaboration between tnAchieves and MDRC. Listen in to learn how a state-wide program is taking a tailored approach to help students in Memphis succeed!Guests: Krissy DeAlejandro (tnAchieves) Sonia Drohojowska (MDRC). Resources mentioned in this episode include: tnAchieves MDRC MEMcomplete MDRC Post Secondary focus Tennessee Promise Slingshot Memphis MEMworks Southwest Tennessee Community College Previous Meanwhile in Memphis episodes on related topics can be found here , here , here , here , and here This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Whether it's Giving Tuesday or just a regular Tuesday, nonprofits play a vital role in the Memphis community. The 901 is repeatedly ranked as one of the most philanthropic cities in the U.S., but is everyone clear on what a nonprofit is? Why do they matter? This conversation covers the fundamentals of nonprofits: What makes these organizations unique? Who governs them? How do they operate? We’re getting answers to all of these questions and more with Tennessee Nonprofit Network's Kevin Dean.This episode originally aired on December 4, 2024.Resources mentioned in this episode include: Tennessee Nonprofit Network "I was told there would be snacks..." A Nonprofit Podcast Hope House Literacy Midsouth National Council of Nonprofits University of Memphis' Institute for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership CARES Act 2020 Memphis Zoo Arrow Creative Hattiloo Theatre Children's Museum of Memphis LiveGive MidSouth Community Foundation Volunteer Odyssey New Memphis activation work This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

The challenges of daily life aren't organized by a single department or eligibility category, so it stands to reason that the resources shouldn't be siloed either. Today's conversation digs into a statewide initiative to create an easily accessible solution for Tennesseans. Here to share more about the Human Flourishing Initiative are David Jordan and Jeff Piker. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Agape Memphis Restore Hope Human Flourishing Initiative Science of Hope Powerlines Community Network HopeHub The Tennessee Governor's Faith-Based and Community Initiative Tennessee Division of Labor and Workforce Development Memphis Leaders Unite Around New Human Flourishing Initiative Memphis Hope Summit One By One Ministries Porter Leath Hope Research Center at University of Oklahoma This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Renowned as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and home to blues, soul, and hip-hop icons, Memphis’s role in global music influence is undeniable. The music ecosystem in Memphis contributes significantly to the local economy — to the tune of $720+ million. Beyond the economic impact of the ecosystem itself, music has the power to be a significant source of social and cultural value. As decades change and musical tastes shift, some are left asking what the future holds for this music city. Today’s conversation will feature music industry giants sharing how leaders are ensuring the industry is thriving for both artists and the city’s economy, This conversation originally took place as a live event on June 18, 2026, as part of New Memphis’ Celebrate What’s Right series and was made possible by Tennessee Valley Authority and Kroger. Today’s conversation features Jared "Jay B." Boyd of WYXR as moderator, and the panelists are: Elizabeth Cawein I Music Export Memphis Nykesha Cole I City of Memphis - Office of Creative & Cultural Economy Boo Mitchell | Royal Studios Brandon Seavers | Memphis Record Pressing Gebre Waddell I Sound Credit Resources mentioned in this episode include: WYXR The City of Memphis - Office of Creative and Cultural Economy Memphis Record Pressing Sound Credit Royal Studios Music Export Memphis Music Ecosystem Fund Code Crew Previous episodes relating to the content featured in this conversation include: S5E51 , S5E46 , S5E33 , S5E16 J Brooks Coffee Willie Mitchell Americana Fest Sam Phillips Studio UNAPOLOGETIC. Studio Memphis Magnetic Studio Memphis Grammy Chapter Hernando's Hideaway Minglewood Hall MEM's Merchandise Fund The Levitt Foundation Grind City Amp Joe's Records in Wolfchase Galleria This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

In Memphis, innovation and collaboration go hand in hand. Explore what that looks like at a civic level with Innovate Memphis and The City of Memphis' innovation team. Guests: Jessica Lotz (Innovate Memphis) Jasmine Worles (The City of Memphis) Resources mentioned in this episode include: The City of Memphis i-team Innovate Memphis Binghampton Business Center Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation "City Hall on the Go" examples in Boston and Raleigh This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis isn't simply hoping for a bright future; we're creating the blueprint for success! Explore how collaboration is preparing a new generation to take an active role in historic preservation and the future of social justice with Arlinda Fair Cathey (National Civil Rights Museum) and Sam O'Bryant (BRIDGES USA). Resources mentioned in this episode include: Bayard Rustin Institute at the National Civil Rights Museum National Civil Rights Museum BRIDGES USA Rustin Social Change Fellowship Bridge Builders Youth Action Center Team BRIDGES The Little Rock 9 The Memphis 13 The Memphis State 8 1963 March on Washington Rustin Lecture Series Micah Memphis John Lewis Bayard Rustin Montgomery Bus Boycott The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis is a vibrant city that is home to artists and creatives in every medium. Crosstown Arts is an organization that is reshaping creative and economic opportunities for artists while providing Memphians with new opportunities to experience art in every form. In today's episode, hear from two areas of Crosstown Arts -- Crosstown Sync and the Crosstown Artist Residency -- and learn how they are helping to ensure creatives can have thriving careers in Memphis. Guests: Charles Seaton (Crosstown Arts) Dr. Christine Sears (Crosstown Arts) Resources mentioned in this episode include: Crosstown Arts Crosstown Arts Music & Artist Services Crosstown Sync Crosstown Artist Residency Memphis Music Strategy Report Greater Memphis Chamber Memphis Record Pressing Music Export Memphis Hyde Family Foundation ARTSmemphis Shared Art Making at Crosstown [email protected] 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.

Investments in youth sports are unlocking community impact in Memphis! Degan Mesler (Memphis Inner City Rugby) and Becky Erickson (Memphis Rox) share how the use of "sport as a vehicle" is creating pathways for success for both individuals and neighborhoods. Resources mentioned in this episode include: Memphis Inner City Rugby Memphis Rox Teach for America Memphis Project Green Fork Clean Memphis Food Desert Soulsville Charter School Moore Tech Jay Uiberall Foundation Girls Inc Youth Connect Mental Health Support UT Health Hub Tech901 Sister Supply LeMoyne Owen College This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis is THE place for collaboration, and our friends at The Daily Memphian recently invited New Memphis President & CEO Anna Mullins Ellis to their studio for an episode of their podcast, The Sidebar, which is hosted by The Daily Memphian CEO, Eric Barnes. We are thrilled to have such collaborative partners on the airwaves, and we’ll be airing their conversation today! Host: Eric Barnes Guest: Anna Mullins Ellis This conversation originally aired here as an Episode of The Sidebar with Eric Barnes on May 18, 2026.