Today is November 5, 2024, so happy election day, Memphis! We want to make sure you have made your voice heard by casting your vote this election season. Whether you early voted or will be headed to your designated polling location TODAY, we want to be sure you have everything you need to vote with confidence. Happy voting!

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:

• Sample ballot for the 2024 election
• Find your designated polling location here
• 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

What does it look like to create socioeconomic mobility for all young people? Today we’re taking a closer look at the realities young people face in creating pathways to economic success. In doing so, we will hear from both sides of this equation — the employer and resource creator, Sarah Lockridge Steckel, and a young adult who has experienced the resources of The Collective Blueprint, Shyana Brown. Together, they will share the impact of workforce readiness and and why economic mobility should be attainable for all.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Public Space for Common Good
• New Memphis Digital Communications Survey (tell us how we're doing!)
• The Collective Blueprint
• Tech Collective program with The Collective Blueprint
• AmeriCorps VISTA
• S4E28 Maximizing Impact
• Career Experience program with The Collective Blueprint
• Tech901
• Cross Purpose and upstream impact in Denver

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

How does real estate development contribute to the momentum of the local economy? Chance Carlisle (River City Momentum Fund) joins us in the studio to discuss local projects, the need for a new collaborative capital fund, and the overall impact of real estate developments. Building a more prosperous and vital city rich with talented professionals cannot be a reality without residential and commercial real estate. Learn more about where Memphis stands in comparison to other cities, how the process for development projects differs, and more in this conversation.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Public Space for Common Good
• Carlisle Corporation
• River City Momentum Fund
• One Beale
• The Landing Residences
• The Hyatt Centric
• The Chisca on Main
• Catherine and Mary's
• The Oliver
• The Rise
• Tennessee Brewery
• PILOT Program
• The Sheraton project

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"That is what records are, they are just evidence or proof that someone was here, that they had a statement, and that they left a mark on this world."

Today we’re taking it back to the very beginning of our journey with WYXR. We will hear from our friends at the radio station about who they are, the history of the station, what New Memphis’ role is within that rich history, and the importance of not only archiving musical history but lifting voices into the narrative. Memphis really does have a sound... a_re you listening?_

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• WYXR
• "Meanwhile in Memphis" on WYXR
• Crosstown Arts
• WFMU from New York
• WWOZ from New Orleans
• The Daily Memphian
• Beale Street Caravan
• The University of Memphis' The ROAR
• WYXR = The Reimagined WUMR
• Crosstown Concourse
• Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell"
• New Memphis Embark
• New Memphis Events
• The Link Up Memphis
• TEDxMemphis
• DJ Spanish Fly
• The Black Keys
• Raised By Sound Fest
• Power the progress of New Memphis and WYXR

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What do individuals need from their built environment in order to not just survive but thrive? In this episode, we are discussing housing solutions and the need to have access to safe, affordable, reliable housing options. The champions of this work are not only assisting individuals but also impacting future policy for housing solutions.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Public Interest Law Center
• The Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis
• The Greater Memphis Housing Justice Project
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (also referred to as HUD)
• Guide to Eviction Court
• Social Determinants of Health (which includes Built Environment)
• Dwayne Spencer's 2023 TEDxMemphis Talk titled "What My Childhood in Substandard Housing Taught Me About Health"

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What could Memphis look like if we from imagination to activation? Hear from leaders at Seeding Success and More for Memphis about how collaboration is the key to working toward a better Memphis together.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Celebrate What's Right: Public Space for Common Good
• New Memphis Digital Communications Survey
• Seeding Success
• More for Memphis
• The More for Memphis Plan
• Playhouse on the Square
• Choose901
• First 8 Memphis
• Porter Leath
• Start Co.
• EDGE
• Greater Memphis Chamber
• More for Memphis Letter of Support

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

What supports are in place for students and faculty stressors? Hear from Dr. Jessi Gold (UTHSC and University of Tennessee) and Dr. Justin Lawhead (University of Memphis) about how universities are intentionally creating access to resources for help-seekers in a culture of competition among highly competitive world of undergraduate and graduate students and faculty. Demonstrating a community of care translates into all areas of workforce development and helps retain talented, connected changemakers to the city.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• TEDxMemphis
• University of Memphis
• Dr. Justin Lawhead
• Dr. Jessi Gold
• UTHSC
• University of Tennessee
• Frosh Camp
• "How Do You Feel" by Dr. Jessi Gold
• New Memphis activation work

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Do you know the areas in which the Memphis medical field is a leading innovator in lifesaving research being used across the globe? If your answer was “childhood cancer,” you are correct...but only partially! Dr. Michelle Taylor (Shelby County Health Department) and Elizabeth Propst (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) join us for a conversation to expand our understanding of the global innovations in public health that are needed to shape healthy communities and how those connect to Memphis and the Mid-South.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis 101 on September 17
• TEDxMemphis on September 28
• Shelby County Health Department
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's HIV Program
• End HIV 901
• Connect 2 Protect (C2P)
• Memphis Flyer's August article on HIV/Syphilis surge
• The Daily Memphian's July article on HIV/Syphilis surge
• Hope House
• Friends for All
• Partnership to End AIDS Status (PEAS)
• CHOICES
• Tennessee General Assembly 2012 "Gateway Law"
• Planned Parenthood
• Community Care Fairs

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.