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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At D'Bo's Wing n' More, the wing challenge tasters sampled regular hot, suicide hot, honey gold, and seasoned wings. (Ziggy Mack)

Can you get great hot wings on Winchester? High Ground taste test has the answer.

Cole BradleyThursday, December 12, 2019

Don't be intimidated by the long lines at La Michoacana's Summer Avenue location. They move quickly and the reward is worth the wait. (Josh McLane, La Michoacana)

Ice cream shop La Michoacana is prepping for two new locations in Olive Branch, Little Rock

A.J Dugger III and Cole BradleyThursday, December 12, 2019

Carlos Ochoa with Ranked Choice Tennessee works from his desk in one of Wonder / Cowork / Create's small offices. (Cole Bradley)

A year with Wonder / Cowork / Create

Deborah Robertson and Cole BradleyThursday, December 12, 2019

World Overcomers Church has hosted previous events for single mothers in their own congregation. This year's Christmas expo event is the first event for single moms that is open to the broader community. (Terrance Davis)

Church to host Single Moms Christmas Expo in Hickory Hill

A. J. Dugger IIIThursday, December 12, 2019

podcast

Podcast: Strategy, Spare Change, and Speaking for Yourself

Sunday, December 8, 2019

This choreographed slap between two characters will be a powerful moment in the upcoming Black History Month skit performed by the newly formed Hickory Hill Drama Club. (AJ Dugger)

New Hickory Hill drama club prepares for 2020 Black History Month performance

A. J. Dugger IIIWednesday, December 4, 2019

UrbanArts Commission's Art + Environment Initiative funded a mural in Uptown by artist Khara Woods. Woods cataloged the litter entering the Mississippi River from the Gayoso Bayou in Uptown then depicted it in graphic form. (Cole Bradley)

Litter, Landfills, and Illegal Dumping: New murals tell the story in Uptown and Frayser

Jim ColemanWednesday, December 4, 2019

Participants of the Memphis Youth Crime Watch at Kirby High School. (AJ Dugger)

Cops and kids come together at Kirby High

A. J. Dugger IIIWednesday, December 4, 2019

This is the second year teaching kindergarten for The Circle participant Candace Hill. Previously, she taught music for the Gestalt Network. (Ashley Davis)

The Circle sees high-performing teachers as industry experts. It's working to keep them in class.

Ashley DavisWednesday, December 4, 2019

Handler San Chambers and therapy dog Batman are favorite regular visitors at Dorothy's Place. The day house is operated by Alzheimer's and Dementia Services of Memphis, Inc. (Cat Evans)

Dementia is isolating. In Memphis, Dorothy's Place keeps people connected and helps slow decline.

A. J. Dugger IIIWednesday, November 27, 2019

GoDaddy's Made in America docu-series premiered in Memphis on November 22. Its first episodes feature Memphis-area entrepreneurs. Stacy Cline stands at the far left. (Cole Bradley, High Ground News)

GoDaddy supports small business in Memphis, premiers docu-series

Cole BradleyWednesday, November 27, 2019

The light of a claw machine casts an eerie light down the hallway of the former Hickory Ridge Mall. The mall is now owned by World Overcomers Church, who are working to repurpose it as a town center. (Ziggy Mack)

The History of Hickory Hill, Part II: Annexation and Aftermath

Cole BradleyWednesday, November 27, 2019

podcast

Podcast: Refugees are good for Memphis but number of new arrivals is shrinking dramatically

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Roshun Austin (L), president/CEO of The Works, Inc., and South Memphis resident Dolores Bateman are featured in the Memphis-based Divides Cities documentary. The short film was produced by The Guardian and gaps food access in Memphis. (The Guardian)

Video series explores worldwide divides, spotlights Memphis for unequal food access

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Southern Hands Home Style Cooking offers classic soul food entrees and sides, including smothered pork chops, fried chicken, meat loaf, baked spaghetti, black-eyed peas, and cornbread. (Cole Bradley)

Your lunch is safe in Southern Hands, Hickory Hill's home cooking powerhouse

A. J. Dugger IIIWednesday, November 20, 2019

Community Court Referees John Cameron mediates cases involving common code violations. Community Courts are hosted in Hickory Hill and other communities, which helps residents avoid going Downtown for Environmental Court. (Lisa Harris)

Neighborhood Justice: How Memphis' Community Courts are reducing barriers to court appearances

A.J Dugger III and Cole BradleyWednesday, November 20, 2019

L to R: Community Correspondents Ian Randolph, Ivy Arnold, and Monique Rials listen attentively to a conversation on journalist ethics lead by trainer, Micaela Watts. (Cat Evans)

Who tells the story? High Ground program trains Memphians to report their neighborhoods' news

Cole BradleyWednesday, November 20, 2019

podcast

Podcast: Lifting up resident voice as Memphis neighborhoods transform

Monday, November 18, 2019

Vendors sell goods at a local farmers market. (High Ground News)

Don't just shop, shop just at Peace and Justice Art Festival this Saturday

A. J. Dugger IIIFriday, November 15, 2019

Paulita Edmondson is a family coordinator supervisor for Agape Child and Family Services. She's embedded in Hickory Hill. (Agape Child and Family Services)

Paulita Edmondson walks alongside Hickory Hill families to keep kids in their homes. Walk with her.

A. J. Dugger IIIThursday, November 14, 2019

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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

Across Our Network

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Source: 83Degrees
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Source: Epicenter - Mount Pleasant
Another chapter in the history of Powers Hamburgers
Source: Input Fort Wayne

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