“I believe in the power of parks and green spaces; I’m excited to become part of this important coalition,” says Mayor Young.

“We are world-renowned in Memphis for our culture.” Tafui Owusu spoke with Rychetta Watkins, Memphis Music Initiative's Director of Grantmaking and Partnerships, about equity and access to the arts in Memphis neighborhoods and the need for an office in the Arts & Culture sector.

“We must move away from this idea of individualism and build for the collective.” Tafui Owusu spoke with Roshun Austin of The Works, Inc. about the issues of affordable housing programs, the impact of policies, and the power of community. 

"One million acres of tangible conservation in one year is an achievement that's nearly 90 years in the making," says Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam.

“We're all restaurants feeding our customers. And it just made sense to try to do the same thing and help feed the seniors in the Memphis area that don't have the luxury of eating out,” says Ashely Robilio, president of the Hueys Restaurant company and a member of the MIFA board.

"It was the most exhilarating thing that I have ever witnessed," Reginald Johnson writes after visiting a Meals on Wheels event at MIFA HQ. "You'd think that people are racing to MIFA picking up gold bars. But for them, the cargo in their cars is more precious than silver and gold, for they are on a mission to serve some of the most vulnerable and isolated seniors in our city. You can see it in their eyes and you can hear it in their voices; you can see it in the urgency of their walk."

This is the first in our new series on senior food insecurity. It’s a topic that is especially important in the greater Memphis area, which has the third highest senior food insecurity rates in the country. There are a lot of challenges associated with senior food insecurity, but local organizations like MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) are taking a proactive approach to providing solutions.