S6E43 Memphis is Activating Community Leaders

Memphis is a city where anyone can make a positive impact on the community, and today, we’re bringing together leaders from two organizations who are helping shape the education landscape inside and outside of the classroom. Joining us today are Christopher Coleman III (Teach For America Memphis) and Michael Whaley (LEE Memphis).Resources mentioned in this episode include: LEE Memphis Teach for America Teach for America Memphis This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Live music in Memphis is a love story as old as time! Grind City Amp is an incredible outdoor venue brewing up exciting, world-class music experiences on the riverfront. Bill Seeley (Varsity Spirit; Grind City Brewing) and Nick Barbian (Barbian Entertainment; Grind City Amp) are joining us today to talk about its origin and evolution.Resources mentioned in this episode include: Grind City Amp Grind City Brewing Co. Varsity Spirit Ole 60 Uptown Memphis TIF AngelStreet Varsity Spirit opens new HQ in Uptown Snuff District (Memphis Business Journal) The Kent Historic Conwood Flats This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Every election brings fresh opportunities for leadership. And with it, new energy, new priorities, and a renewed opportunity to shape Memphis and Shelby County's future. Local offices like the Shelby County Commission, Memphis City Council, and Memphis-Shelby County School Board shape the policies, resources, and opportunities that impact our daily lives. These elected bodies help determine how our neighborhoods develop, how our schools are supported, and how our community's future is built. Newly elected Shelby County officials stepped into office on September 1, 2026, and this nonpartisan conversation brings together some of these leaders for a forward-looking dialogue about what comes next for our community. This conversation originally took place as a live event on September 30, 2026, as part of New Memphis' Celebrate What's Right series. The event was powered by Tennessee Valley Authority and made possible by Kroger and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee. This event featured breakfast, cross-sector networking, conversations on stage with recently elected members of the Shelby County Commission, and a fireside chat with the new Shelby County Mayor, Mikkel Lowry. This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

There is always something exciting to talk about in Memphis, and Memphis Magazine and The Memphis Flyer have weathered decades of change, and they continue to evolve, proving that good reporting is always relevant.This conversation with Anna Traverse (Chief Executive Officer of Memphis Magazine and The Memphis Flyer) explores how these publications are stepping into a new era with a new publication partner: Noisy Creek, a media company that’s working to bolster independent, local publications.Resources mentioned in this episode include: Memphis Magazine The Memphis Flyer Memphis Parent Noisy Creek Memphis Magazine celebrates 50 years of Memphis stories (Action News 5) Memphis Magazine and Memphis Flyer to Join Noisy Creek (Memphis Magazine) This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis has a long, rich history of music, and there are many organizations working to ensure culture and creativity are part of the city's present and future. This conversation features Natalie Wilson (Overton Park Shell) and Isaac Daniel (Stax Music Academy), who are working to build a bright future for Memphis.Resources mentioned in this episode include: Stax Music Academy The Overton Park Shell Stax Museum of American Soul Music Soulsville Foundation Memphis Symphony Orchestra  Music Eploys Kirk Whalum Kirk Whalum's TEDxMemphis Talk Kameron Whalum David Porter Shell on Wheels 5 Fridays of Jazz Previous episodes on similar topics can be found here, here, and here. This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis' higher-ed institutions play a critical role in city vibrancy.  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. This conversation, moderated by Dr. Joann Massey (EDGE), features Dr. Bill Hardgrave (University of Memphis), Jennifer Collins (Rhodes College), and Dr. Tracy D. Hall (Southwest Tennessee Community College).Resources mentioned in this episode include: Rhodes College University of Memphis Southwest Tennessee Community College Tennessee Promise Previous episodes on similar topics can be found here, here, and here. BONUS: Dr. Christopher Davis (LeMoyne-Owen College) shares how Memphis’ HBCU is anchoring talent in the city by creating job-ready, community-informed leaders here, and Ron Brandon (Christian Brothers University) discusses the impact of turning learners into leaders here. Note: 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.

Memphis is a media oasis! The city has a vibrant, people-powered ecosystem 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. This episode first aired on November 18, 2025 (S5E46).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 KLOVE Donate to WKNO and donate to WYXR The University of Memphis Crosstown Concourse 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.

Entrepreneurial spirit has shaped Memphis for decades, and the city still supports entrepreneurship today! This conversation has a strategic focus on attracting and retaining businesses — from small businesses to large-scale industry leaders — as well as exploring what makes Memphis a city of choice for entrepreneurs and innovators looking to launch a business. These leaders not only see what's possible, but they are also carving paths for the future of the city and positioning Memphis as a city of choice for changemakers. This conversation originally took place as a live event on August 26, 2026, as part of New Memphis’ Celebrate What’s Right series and was made possible by Tennessee Valley Authority, Kroger, and Servis1st Bank. We work very hard to make these events accessible, but we know that there are a myriad of reasons why members of our community had to miss this live event. In an effort to ensure that these leaders’ insights are disseminated far and wide, we’re bringing you their conversation on the radio waves this morning.Guests: Meka Egwuekwe | Co-Founder & Executive Director of Code Crew (moderator) Anthony Young | President & CEO of Epicenter Memphis Ido Sairig I Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation at The University of Memphis Gwyn Fisher I Chief Economic Development Officer for The Greater Memphis Chamber Trey Moore | Senior Small Business Specialist at EDGE Memphis

Memphis builds community through collaboration. Habitat for Humanity's initiatives to build homes, help citizens age in place, and showcase leadership through volunteerism create a more vital and prosperous 901 for today, tomorrow, and generations to come.  Guests: Dwayne Spencer (Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis) Michael Scarbrough (Matter Health Care) Resources mentioned in this episode include: Habitat for Humanity CEO Build Matter Health Care Plough Foundation Aging in Place Social Determinants of Health Varsity Spirit Chelsea Avenue Development Previous episodes on this topic include: S3E29 and S3E18 Dwayne Spencer's TEDxMemphis Talk Housing and Community Development (HCD) Community Redevelopment Agency City of Memphis Hyde Family Foundation Assisi Foundation This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Downtown Memphis is a vibrant place to live, work, play, and thrive! Adding to downtown's appeal is an immersive experience, Baron Von Operbean and the River of Time, affectionately known as BVO. The attraction has been noted as a "jewel of an asset" and is playing a role in the forward momentum of the city's vision. Guests: Chandell Ryan (Downtown Memphis Commission) Jee Vahn Knight (Baron Von Opperbean) Resources mentioned in this episode include: Downtown Memphis Commission Baron Von Opperbean Christopher Reyes' "Live From Memphis" Meow Wolf Mid-South Coliseum  Court Square Pyramid Pedestrian Bridge to Mud Island This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.