Stories

Feature Story Tami Montgomery, owner of Dru's Bar, sits at the newly remodeled bar and chats with regulars after completing some chores around the business. The location, 1474 Madison Avenue, has been home to a number of LGBT bars since the 1970s. (Cole Bradley)

Bar Fight: The Rise and Fall of Memphis' Gay Bars

The fight for LGBT equality started in a bar, but the movement's success is now threatening the very spaces that birthed it. Memphis' last two gay bars are now working to stay relevant in an increasingly less hostile world. 

Feature Story La Michoacana owners Ana and Rafael Gonzales spoke at the Gateways for Growth community meeting held at their restaurant at 4091 Summer Avenue. (Submitted)

Memphis immigrants meet for paletas and solutions for a more immigrant-friendly city

On May 18, Gateways for Growth convened a diverse group of immigrants who now call Memphis home. They enjoyed sweet treats at La Michocana and set to work brainstorming ways to make Memphis a more immigrant-friendly city. 

Feature Story  Travis Butler, New Ballet Ensemble dance instructor, works with students at LaRose Elementary. Dance classes at LaRose are held either early in the school day or the last period of the day. (Submitted)

South City area residents benefit from Vision 2020 grantmaking initiative

South Memphis' 38126 ZIP code has Memphis' highest poverty rate. The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis’ Vision 2020 plan is focused on 38126 with more than $4.7 million already invested. 

Feature Story Slice of Soul’s signature Al B. Green Pizza, with spinach, black olives, green olives, mushroom, onions, roasted red peppers, and green bell peppers. (Submitted)

Slice of Soul Pizza Lounge brings food and entertainment to Madison Heights

Since Slice of Soul Pizza Lounge opened its doors in January 2018, it has become a popular spot to enjoy local arts and entertainment in a chill and family friendly environment.


Feature Story Utopia Animal Hospital's Dr. Jen Clay (R) and veterinarian technician Jessica Tatum (L) prep a patient for surgery to remove an abdominal tumor. (Cole Bradley)

Utopia Animal Hospital takes an enlightened approach to pet care

Madison Heights’ Utopia Animal Hospital uses innovative practices with a personal touch to provide positive client and patient healthcare outcomes.

Feature Story Customer Chimere Miller plays with her son J'iris after enjoying lunch at Riko's Kickin Chicken located at 1329 Madison Avenue in Madison Heights. (Cole Bradley)

What's in a name? People of Madison Heights talk labels and identity

Madison Heights isn't a new name but it is obscure. High Ground hit the streets to ask the people of Madison Heights about life in the slice between Crosstown and Midtown. 

Feature Story Anatole Williams (L), executive director of Memphis Adult Teen Challenge, and Michael Skouteris, daily operations manager of BAM Thrift Store, discuss store needs. To the right, regular Patricia Jones says hello to the cashier. (Cole Bradley)

A thrift store, a car wash and a mission to fight addiction

BAM Thrift Store is a staple for Madison Heights shoppers. It's also one of the many ways Memphis Adult Teen Challenge helps men kick addiction and rebuild their lives.

Feature Story The 2018 Indie Memphis film festival spanned nine venues across the city with accumulated crowds of over 12,000, and revenue for the event has more than doubled in the last five years. (Courtesy Indie Memphis)

Why this investment firm has a stake in building the culture of Memphis

With 50 years under its belt, Duncan Williams helps others invest in the vibrancy of the Bluff City.

Feature Story podcast

On The Ground Podcast: Sheltering Memphis' homeless population

In S2E3 of the On The Ground Podcast, High Ground News editor Madeline Faber interviews Tamara Hendrix and Dana Brooks, who provide services to Memphis' homeless population. They weigh in on the lack of resources available to women and their hopes for a new emergency shelter that will serve women Downtown.  

Feature Story Walter Clark, owner of Outstanding Touch window services, puts the finishing touches on the door of Riko's Kickin Chicken, located at 1329 Madison Avenue. (Cole Bradley)

Riko's Kickin Chicken brings the heat to Madison Heights

What makes Riko's chicken kick? Family, friends and flavor. After two years in Madison Heights, they're excited to see their business and their community growing. 

Feature Story Trap Fusion co-owners Jason Gardener, left, Monique Williams, center, and Markeith McCoy, right. (Baris Gursakal)

Trap Fusion restaurant offers healthier soul food in Whitehaven

“You can find a burger or a hot wing on just about every corner, however [healthy] options are not provided to them. We’re going to offer things that people really want to eat and have a taste for in this neighborhood, but have to go outside of the community to get.”

Feature Story  Under the guidance of the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis, a collaborative group of private, public and nonprofit innovators are working to make the Bluff City into a hub for blockchain technology. (Submitted)

Memphis is betting on blockchain

Blockchain is an emerging trend with wide applications in the broader economy, especially in logistics and healthcare, making Memphis a natural launching pad for the crypto technology.

Feature Story Joshua Short, a previous artist in residence, uses engagement to blur the line between audience, artist and artwork. (Submitted)

Crosstown Arts blossoms with new spring offerings at Crosstown Concourse and beyond

Crosstown Arts has grown into its home at Crosstown Concourse. The arts nonprofit manages an artist residency, a near-daily performance schedule and outreach programs among countless other offerings.

Feature Story Eli Townsend, executive chef of Sage Memphis, teaches Kaleidoscope Kitchen students. (Submitted)

Binghampton emerges as Memphis’ incubator for food entrepreneurs

Binghampton has long been counted among Memphis’ food deserts. But it is now emerging as an incubator for culinary entrepreneurship, and its unique flavors and innovative ideas are expanding beyond the diverse neighborhood’s boundaries.

Feature Story Students and faculty at the Southern College of Optometry participate in the 2018 Bike to Work Day, which included food and festivities at an outdoor registration table. (Submitted)

Medical District steps up to Commute Challenge and shared mobility

May's Commute Challenge offers rewards for commuters who trade solo car trips for walking, biking and shared transportation. In the Medical District, the challenge is one piece of a larger shared mobility strategy. 

Feature Story Local musician "Morris" poses in front of a mural by artist Toonkey Berry. (Ziggy Mack)

In photos: Welcome to Madison Heights

High Ground's On the Ground series is gearing up for three months of embedded coverage in Madison Heights. Take a tour of this diverse neighborhood through Ziggy Mack's keen photographic lens.

Feature Story Volunteers work in the Coliseum's lower-level loading dock entrance. The building's arena and corridors were lit by task lighting provided by the City of Memphis. (Shelda Edwards)

In photos: Closed since 2007, Mid-South Coliseum reopens for one-day cleanup event

On April 27, over 50 volunteers signed up to help clean and organize the Mid-South Coliseum in preparation for its first indoor events in 12 years. This intimate, photographic essay steps inside the Coliseum cleanup and explores the building's journey from closure to potential reactivation.

Feature Story Melissa Sierra, Connect Crew manager for the Memphis Public Library system, talks about the process of making brine for a pickling class at the How-To-Festival, held at the Whitehaven Library on Saturday, April 27. (Kim Coleman)

Hair care and car repair: Whitehaven Library hosts first Do-It-Yourself Festival

Classes for do-it-yourselfers spanned a range of diverse topics like natural hair care, sheetrock repair, car oil changes, pickling and photography.

Feature Story At the Gaisman Park cleanup, group Desayuno Con Libros provided storytime activities as well as free books in English and Spanish. (Friends of Gaisman)

Residents of Berclair and The Heights unite to keep Gaisman Park beautiful

Neighbors of Gaisman Park came together for a weekend cleanup and celebration of the diversity and vibrancy of community's residents. 

Feature Story Rob Coleman of Green Girl Produce tends to microgreens. (Ziggy Mack)

Green Girl Produce grows indoor farm at Midtown warehouse

Green Girl Produce has grown from a fledgling business to a year-round supplier of leafy goods — all cultivated in Midtown Memphis.