Stories

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: Mid-South Coliseum nearing first inside event since 2006

The Mid-South Coliseum will soon see previtalizing events inside the building.  The Coliseum Coalition's Marvin Stockwell and Chooch Pickard discuss preservation and reactivation of the iconic building. 

Feature Story Collegiate School of Memphis replaced the roof of Highland Heights Baptist Church main sanctuary this fall. CMS manages the building with the stipulation that the school coexist with the congregation. (Leigh Tatum)

Faith in Action: Sharing space to save historic churches

As congregations shrink and age, historic churches are at risk for demolition. In The Heights, Highland Heights Baptist Church has teamed up with The Collegiate School of Memphis and The Avenue Community Church to save their building. 

Feature Story Aspire4

Now locally-operated, Memphis' Aspire Public Schools to unveil new mission and vision

After spinning off from its California-based charter operator, Aspire Memphis spent months engaging the community in its redesign. On January 24, they'll unveil their new mission, vision, and motto.

Feature Story Promise CDC has built 30 houses in North Memphis, most of them three- and four-bedroom single family homes. The homes are for rent and purchase at affordable prices. (Promise CDC)

Promise CDC builds homes, community, and investment in North Memphis

With constant plumbing problems at her old place, Eunice Phillips was looking for a safe and affordable rental for her and her two children. Promise CDC delivered with a beautiful home in North Memphis. Now she's looking to buy.

Feature Story Artist Terry Lynn's original sculpture design will pay homage to Foote Homes, the former public housing project that was raze for redevelopment into the new South City mixed-income development. (Symmbol Sanderlin)

Local artist creating sculpture for South City honoring legacy of Foote Homes

The redevelopment of South City will include a steel sculpture by Memphian Terry Lynn. The sculpture will honor the legacy of Foote Homes, Lynn's grandfather, and future hopes for South City.

Feature Story Attendees of the Being Black in College workshop break for lunch and informal discussions about the challenges they anticipate in their educational careers post-high school. (Our Grass Our Roots)

The power of knowledge brings power to the people in North Memphis

“We’re not a housing community development. We don’t buy land. We don’t transform homes. We’re not doing giveaways. We’re doing informative practices." - Michalyn Easter-Thomas, founder of Our Grass Our Roots.

Feature Story Students at Memphis Scholars Caldwell-Guthrie play with their school mascot "Jiggy."

High Ground's On the Ground series heads to North Memphis

North Memphis is not a neighborhood. It's many small but distinct communities with rich histories, passionate residents, and big challenges. January through July, our team of embedded journalists will bring you stories of success, struggle, and resiliency from across North Memphis.

Feature Story Teen boys practice their basketball drills and skills at Manassas High School. (Ziggy Mack)

Photos: Welcome to (western) North Memphis

Take a stunning visual tour of the western half of North Memphis through the lens of High Ground's photojournalists. 

Feature Story BLDG Memphis' coalition members attend the BLDG Memphis Capital Projects Tour on November 9. (Jarvis Hues)

BLDG Memphis marks 20 years as a collective voice for equitable development

For 20 years, BLDG Memphis has helped grassroots leaders and community-based nonprofits come together to build responsible, authentic, and equitable communities.

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: Looking back on year one of the On the Ground Podcast

High Ground’s Emily Trenholm and Cole Bradley along with our podcast producer, Natalie Van Gundy, reflect on the first year of our On the Ground Podcast, including favorite moments and biggest impacts.

Feature Story MEMShop helped launch new brick and mortar small businesses in South Memphis in 2014, including the Klassy Chics boutique and @ Home Computer Repair. (MEMShop)

MEMShop expanding to Frayser and Whitehaven in 2020

MEMShop is helping six small businesses launch brick and mortar locations in Frayser and Whitehaven in early 2020. 

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: Chill out as tween CEO talks luxury lemonade empire

Tween CEO Kinyah Bean and the family behind B Chill Lemonade sit down with High Ground's A.J. Dugger to share their journey, keys to success, and next steps for their luxury lemonade brand.

Feature Story The High Ground team enjoys a 'thank you' lunch at El Mercadito de Memphis with key stakeholders in our "On the Ground: Hickory Hill" coverage, including residents and representatives from nonprofits and the Memphis Police Department. (High Ground)

Our 'see you later' to Hickory Hill

Our embedded coverage in Hickory Hill has come to a close. We look back on the coverage and what we learned for our next neighborhoods.

Feature Story Neighborhood Christian Centers' newest location is in partnership with Power Center Academy in Hickory Hill. Students, their family members, and their neighbors now have closer access for food assistance and other supports. (Brandon Dill)

Neighborhood Christian Centers' Compassion Christmas comes to Hickory Hill

Neighborhood Christian Centers opened its newest location in Hickory Hill this September. The center is now participating in its first Compassion Christmas and expanding services for students and families.

Feature Story The Career Advantage Youth Program helps people ages 16 to 24 identify their employment goals and potential and connects them with the tools they need to see success. (Submitted)

Program pays at-risk teens and young adults to find and follow career goals

Finding a good job when you're young can be hard, especially if your neighborhood is under-resourced or your home life unstable. The Career Advantage Youth Program helps at-risk Memphians ages 16 to 25 find their passions, potential, and resources for success.

Feature Story Last year's VISUALS & VIBES was held at The CMPLX in Orange Mound and featured traditional gallery art alongside art forms not typically found in a gallery show. This year's event promises the same. (Christaian Williams)

Painters and fire dancers? Art show at The CMPLX promises anything but typical

This is not your typical art show. On Dec. 22, VISUALS & VIBES II will showcase fine artists alongside dancers, musicians, designers, filmmakers, and more. The artist are all Memphis-based women of color.

Feature Story Residents of Kirby Pines ride in style across the expansive Hickory Hill campus. (Kirby Pines)

Retirement is anything but relaxing at Kirby Pines Lifecare Community

Kirby Pines is a premier senior living community but their current focus isn't housing. Resident love their art studio, wood shop, and volunteer program, but they want a bigger gym to stay fit.

Feature Story podcast

Podcast: The Revival of Gaisman

A few years ago, Gaisman Park was seedy and neglected. Now there are hundreds of kids and families there each week. Friends of Gaisman and Heights CDC discuss the power of passionate people.

Feature Story 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.

The High Ground team heads to Hickory Hill for a throw down of gastronomic proportions. We put the wings of Winchester Road to a taste test to find our favorite.

Feature Story 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

Well-loved treat shop La Michoacana has six locations across the Mid-South. The family-owned business is now planning for new stores in Olive Branch and Little Rock.