"We knew that we had an opportunity to be the difference. It is a challenge for those 18 to 25 years old currently; I need them to see themselves [in their elected officials]. They have the opportunity to be the change."

It is election season, mane! This topic is mission critical all year long, but the need for courageous conversations is always heightened during this season. We're chatting with Shelby County Commission Chairwoman Miska Clay Bibbs about the nuances of the job, the need activation, and where and how citizens of Memphis and Shelby County can take that action.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Previous episodes focusing on civic opportunities include: Rock the Vote: Ballot Basics 101, On The Record: Ballot Basics 102, and A Conversation with Elected Officials
• State and federal primary and county general elections are just around the corner._ _For election details and a sample ballot, click here.
• Shelby County Commissioners
• Memphis Shelby County School Board
• Five Black women advance to general election, changing landscape of Shelby County Commission
• Teach for America Memphis
• Teach Plus
• New Memphis Fellows and LDI programs
• Memphis Challenge
• John Gaston Hospital that became Regional One Health
• Michael Whaley will be the next chairman of Shelby County Commission
• Contact information for Chairwoman Clay Bibbs includes email Miska.ClayBibbs@shelbycountytn.gov and phone number 901-222-1000

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"If we're looking at long term solutions, the changes need to be within the systems that prevent people from realizing the opportunities they can have."

How would our city change if we collaborated more? New Memphis convened a series of conversations with leaders from three visionary organizations who are revolutionizing the way Memphis develops and implements solutions. Hear how these big visions for big change are coming to life and learn how you can get involved to amplify access in this week's episode!

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis Leadership Summit on August 9, 2024
• TEDxMemphis on September 28, 2024
• More for Memphis
• Slingshot Memphis
• The Collective Blueprint
• S4E18 Explore the Experiences
• BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"You borrow things from your neighbors, and the library is everyone's neighbor. We lend you our books, our space; why not lend other stuff, too?"

They say don’t judge a book by the cover, but what about libraries? Memphis is full of unique libraries that create access and opportunity, not only for knowledge, but experiences. Today we’re chatting with Anthony Lucatelli and Jenna Pertl of Memphis Public Libraries to share about the access made possible through collaboration, specifically their Library of Things.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis Leadership Summit
• TEDxMemphis 2024
• Memphis Public Libraries
• Library of Things
• Seed Library
• Cloud901 Teen Learning Lab
• Youth Action Council
• BRIDGES
• S4E7 "Leadership at Every Age"
• Language Learning at Memphis Public Libraries
• Cossitt Library
• Memphis Botanic Garden
• S4E16 "Not-So-Secret Garden"
• UT Agricultural Extension Office
• The Works Inc.
• S4E26 "Full Bellies and Full Hearts"
• LINC 2-1-1
• Memphis Library Foundation
• Friends of the Library
• Memphis Area Legal Services
• Memphis Shelby County Room

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"The need is there; people are hungry. We will continue to provide resources, but we have to also figure out a way to truly make it attainable with the education piece and policy, too. We continue to be reactive rather than proactive... food should be a true right attainable to everyone."

New Memphis has had several conversations about how social determinants of health all rely on each other for optimal community health. Research indicates a link between chronic diseases — such as heart disease, cancer, asthma, diabetes, and kidney disease — and low food security. This topic is often discussed around the holiday season, but it is of critical importance during the summer months, particularly for youth.

Joining us to discuss the essential stopgaps as well as what is needed to address basic, structural problems, are Ann Perry Wallace of First Congo and Karen Bernard of The Works Inc.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis 101 on July 11
• 2024 New Memphis Leadership Summit on August 9
• 2024 TEDxMemphis on September 28
• Memphis-Shelby County Schools Nutrition Services' Summer Meal Program through August 2, 2024. For a full list of participating sites, text "SummerMeals" to 97779, call 1-866-348-6479 or visit SCSK12.org/summermeals.
• MIFA's Meals on Wheels programming for seniors
• The Memphis Dream Center food resources
• The Memphis Flyer article "The Fight for Food"
• The Works, Inc
• First Congo Church
• Meanwhile in Memphis S3E47
• Food Swamps vs Food Deserts
• Mid-South Food Bank
• Mid-South Food Bank's Mobile Pantry
• South Memphis Farmers Market
• Meanwhile in Memphis S3E11

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What does the path to public office look like at the local level? New Memphis recently hosted a live event at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art to explore this question and more...and we're bringing audio from the event to your inbox today! In a series of short, nonpartisan conversations in which elected officials interviewed each other, this week's episode gives some insight into what drew some our community's leaders – from mayors to State Representatives – to serve in public office, what motivates them to do the work, and what they hope will inspire other leaders to take an active role in the community.

Additional resources to utilize include:

• S3E34: "Rock the Vote: Ballot Basics 101" on the importance of voting
• S3E39: "On the Record: Ballot Basics 102" on the role of journalism in politics
• New Memphis is proud to partner with Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE), a diverse, nonpartisan network of equity-minded leaders, to connect you to the training and tools that can get you ready to lead in public office or organize in your community.
• City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young
• Shelby County Commissioner Brandon Morrison
• School Board Representative Amber Huett-Garcia
• State Representative Torrey Harris
• Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Whether or not you're a sports fan, there is something we can all learn from the way a team functions. Luckily for Memphis, there are some dedicated city champions who are working collaboratively to help the community evolve. Not only are they working to attract global sporting talent for locally-hosted events, they also work hard every day to shine a light on the city where the champions want to play: Memphis.

Today's guests are:

• Joe Tomek | Executive Director, FedEx St. Jude Championship
• JJ Greer | Director, Memphis Tourism's Sports Council

Related Episodes and Resources include:

• S4E15: The Heartbeat of the City
• S3E53: Trust the Process
• Memphis Sports and Events Center
• TPC Southwind
• Leftwich Tennis Center
• The Links at Galloway
• PGA's Equipment Grant Program
• Memphis Sports Experience & Hall of Fame

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"We do see real estate breathe new life into communities and neighborhoods where they go."

How do residential and commercial real estate work together to create an attainable city? Hear what makes our city attractive to investors, renters, home-owners, and varied industries alike as Landon Williams and Worth Jones share trends, barriers, and exciting projects on the horizon.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• New Memphis Summer Experience
• New Memphis Leadership Summit
• New Memphis Fellows
• Landon Williams of Cushman Wakefield Commercial Advisors
• Worth Jones of Ware Jones Realtors
• Learn more about adaptive reuse in our conversation here.
• MBJ's Top 40 under 40
• F3 Memphis
• Advance Memphis
• Memphis Teacher Residency
• Wolf River Conservancy
• Memphis Inner City Rugby (BONUS: Learn more about MICR in our conversation here)
• Memphis ranks above D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia and more in list of Top Metros in the U.S.
• Shelby Farms Park and Memphis River Parks (BONUS: Learn more about our city's 3 signature parks in our conversation here)
• Memphis Botanic Gardens
• Dixon Gallery and Gardens
• Crosstown Concourse
• The Standard in Germantown
• NorthSide Square
• Orange Mound Library in the space of former Melrose High building
• Blue Oval City
• Memphis as a hub for Black Tech Talent
• Liberty Park

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Does behavior and mindset impact medical outcomes? We discuss how holistic care is a critical piece of the healthcare sector with Leighanne Soden of the West Cancer Foundation and Dr. Marian Levy of The University of Memphis' School of Public Health. Together they share the confidence-building the resources available to Mid-South patients and caregivers that provide grow confidence and take back their own story from their diagnosis.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Big Visions for Big Change
• New Memphis Leadership Summit
• University of Memphis School of Public Health
• West Cancer Foundation
• Dr. Marian Levy
• She to Sea
• Ride to Rosemary
• West Fight On

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.