On The GroundSidewalk-level journalism from Memphis neighborhoods

Chooch Pickard, the Coliseum Coalition's vice president, walks the lower-level corridor near a shuttered concession stand. (Shelda Edwards)

Chooch Pickard, the Coliseum Coalition's vice president, walks the lower-level corridor near a shuttered concession stand. (Shelda Edwards)

(L to R) Ladarius Shields, Cedric Hicks, and Hayden Williams attend a football game at Treadwell Middle. Treadwell is the area's oldest public school, opened in 1915. (Ziggy Mack)

(L to R) Ladarius Shields, Cedric Hicks, and Hayden Williams attend a football game at Treadwell Middle. Treadwell is the area's oldest public school, opened in 1915. (Ziggy Mack)

The CMPLX opened on January 11, 2019 to a packed house. On December 22, it will host Visuals and Vibes, an exhibition of local women artists of color. (Cole Bradley)

The CMPLX opened on January 11, 2019 to a packed house. On December 22, it will host Visuals and Vibes, an exhibition of local women artists of color. (Cole Bradley)

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Barbara Nesbit hangs out with the kids at the Vance Avenue Youth Development Center.

Vance Avenue Youth Development Center is a free safety net for South Memphis children

Madeline FaberWednesday, June 21, 2017

Jeremy Stein, general manager for Lucky Heart Cosmetics stands with Bennie Franklin, an employee of 33 years, and Olivet Montgomery, an employee of 52 years, by the mural outside the company's new storefront on Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard.

This Black beauty company survived segregation in Memphis. Now it faces off against e-commerce.

Thelma BalfourWednesday, June 14, 2017

Anthony Jackson (L) and Rico Randall (R) showing off their award-winning barbecued ribs

South Memphis Shalom Zone barbecue contest encourages residents to seek peace

Wesley Morgan ParahamWednesday, June 14, 2017

Visitors to the block party enjoy live music.

In photos: Stop the Violence Block Party celebrates a 20-year run in South Memphis

Andrea MoralesWednesday, June 14, 2017

The Soulsville girls rugby team at practice.

Sound & Color: The first rugby field for Memphis schools; Memphis power outage aftermath

Molly MulroyWednesday, June 14, 2017

Club Paradise

Video: The blues return to Club Paradise

Lauren Squires-ReadyWednesday, June 7, 2017

Protestors outside Memphis City Hall decry a visit from Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Sound & Color: Memphis protests Jeff Sessions; Foote Homes comes down

Molly MulroyWednesday, June 7, 2017

The Central High School concert singers perform at the commemoration ceremony. In 1917, many students from Central High School missed school to attend the lynching of Ell Persons, adding to the festival-like atmosphere of the horrific event. Students

The lynching of Ell Persons finds a lasting imprint on the Memphis NAACP chapter

Kim and Jim ColemanWednesday, May 24, 2017

BTW graduation

In photos: Booker T. Washington graduation ushers 111 students into legacy

Andrea MoralesWednesday, May 24, 2017

Ashley Barnes (second from left) says grace with her family while putting a bib on her son Ayden, 1.

In photos: South Memphis celebrates Mother's Day at Miss Shirley's Soul Food

Andrea MoralesWednesday, May 17, 2017

Janiya, 8, uses one of the computers in the kids’ corner at the Cornelia Crenshaw Library.

The Cornelia Crensaw library is a "sanctuary" on Vance Avenue

Tamara WilliamsonWednesday, May 17, 2017

Foote Homes now sits vacant with many of its former residents having been relocated to different neighborhoods across the city as of late 2016.

The last major vestige of segregation-era housing set for demolition

Madeline FaberWednesday, May 10, 2017

Innovation & Job News

John Paul Shaffer announces the rebranding of BLDG Memphis.

CD Council and Livable Memphis begin new era as BLDG Memphis

J. Dylan SandiferWednesday, April 19, 2017

Daniel Watson prepares cinnamon rolls in his South Memphis commercial kitchen.

Beneva Mayweather Foods brings 'America's grandmother' to Memphis kitchens

Lance WiedowerWednesday, April 12, 2017

Caritas Village executive director Leslie Barker and founder Onie Johns

Caritas Village's new director brings theatrical flair to the longstanding community hub

Rachel WarrenWednesday, April 5, 2017

Innovation & Job News

Soulsville

Soulsville citizens advocate for improvements to Chandler Park

J. Dylan SandiferWednesday, March 29, 2017

Azaylia Elias, 1, peeks out over a chair at the Operation Smart Child program at the Neighborhood Christian Center in Smokey City.

Neighborhood Christian Center provides sustenance for Memphis' disadvantaged neighborhoods

Thelma BalfourWednesday, March 29, 2017

Painter Larry Walker in the Kate Sexton Community Center where he creates art.

Painter Larry Walker carries his North Memphis roots to the Memphis Hall of Mayors

Lance WiedowerWednesday, March 29, 2017

Angela Adair hugs her husband Robert during Sunday service at Hope City Church in Caldwell-Guthrie's cafeteria in Smokey City.

Join High Ground News for a Klondike Smokey City block party

Lance WiedowerWednesday, March 22, 2017

KSC

Video: North Memphis community gardens turn blight into bounty

Lauren Squires-ReadyWednesday, March 22, 2017

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The On The Ground series embeds a team of journalists in Memphis neighborhoods.

We include residents in planning articles, photo essays, videos, and events that reflect their lived experience.

We strive for genuine relationships and nuanced coverage.

PlacesOn The Ground

A young boy rides his bike on the path at Uptown Park as his parents and neighbors enjoy the show. (Cole Bradley)

Uptown & The Pinch

L to R: Upscale Kutz Barber Shop barbers Karlos Burt cuts the hair of Riko while Dennis Ross cuts the hair of Bernard in the Madison Heights District. (Ziggy Mack)

Madison Heights

Folks hang out outside of Salem’s Market on Mississippi Avenue. The store has been open for decades in the neighborhood and has seen a significant slowing of business since Foote Homes closed and demolition started.

South City

Derek Stubbs gets his hair cut by Eric Steward, the owner of the Handy Spot on Vollintine Avenue in Klondike.

Klondike Smokey City

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Soulsville

Binghampton

Binghampton

bball

North Memphis

Frayser

Frayser

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