Vibrant communities are created through the "power of partnership." Hear how collaboration played a role in the creation (and approval!) of the Cleveland Street TIF with Todd Richardson ( Crosstown Concourse) and Andre Dean (Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church).

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This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Explore how Memphis strategically blends economic development with the city's rich creative landscape to lay the foundation for long-term success. With the City's freshly creative Office of Creative and Cultural Economy (the fist of its kind in the city!) Memphis is modeling best practices got how a community can be intentional about investing in its artists, its institutions, and its future workforce.

This episode features live audio from Celebrate What's Right: Growing the Creative Economy which took place on April 8, 2025, and features panelists: DeMarcus Suggs (City of Memphis), Carissa Hussong (Metal Museum), Kid Maestro (UNAPOLOGETIC.), Rachel Knox (Hyde Family Foundation), and Derek Patterson (Contemporary Arts Memphis).

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This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Great cities deserve great city plans, and Memphis 3.0 (the city's first comprehensive plan in 40 years!) is the product of research, partnership, and citywide passion. John Zeanah (Division of Planning and Development) and Christina Edingbourgh (City of Memphis) share the nuances of the plan, the importance of on-going collaboration, and why everyone has a part to play in the city's future.

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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."

Curious about the journey of Crosstown Concourse's radio station? Dive into the vision of the founders Jared "JayB" Boyd and Robby Grant, the history of the station, and learn what role dialogue plays within that rich history. NOTE: This episode originally aired in October 2024.

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This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

City and regional planning is about more than getting people from Point A to Point B. These community plans become the neighborhoods and physical spaces that communities inhabit to live, work, play, learn, and thrive. Hear about the importance of collaboration in city planning from Dr. Charlie Santo (University of Memphis) and Rory Thomas (Memphis Medical District Collaborative).

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This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

It’s often said that the “magic” of Memphis comes from its people. In this conversation, learn how an innovative organization (UMRF Ventures) is implementing a unique business model with unique solutions for building a talent pipeline: helping students build professional skills to kick-start careers by employing them before they graduate. UMRF Ventures CEO, Pierre Landaiche, and student employee, Marcus Jordan, share how this dynamic model is engaging students and companies to build — and keep — experienced professionals in Memphis.

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This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"You can complain about what you don't have or you can build what you want. If we want a prosperous Memphis, we can't expect anyone to give it to us. It is something that we have to work, spend our own blood, sweat, and tears to build. Whether it's a business, your career, or anything -- you can complain about it or you can build it." -- Alan Gumbel, COO of The Black Chamber of Memphis

Each Spring, Memphis spotlights some of the most celebrated restaurants in the city during Memphis Black Restaurant Week. This signature, week-long event shines a light on some of the most significant contributors to Memphis culture and to the local economy. This showcase was spearheaded by Cynthia Daniels, a local leader in the entertainment scene. Today, we’re revisiting a conversation about the impact of the work with Cynthia Daniels, and Chief Operating Officer of the Black Chamber of Memphis Alan Gumbel.

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This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

"Year over year, we’ve established a goal where we want to reduce crime by overall by at least 10 percent each year and overall we want to have about a 40 percent reduction from where we were in 2023, and so fare we’re trending in the right direction." — Mayor Paul Young

The City of Memphis recently announced specific goals for reducing crime and a plan for increasing safety in the city. In this conversation with Mayor Paul Young shares some of the plan specifics, including...

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This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis may not have any national parks, but our parks are getting national recognition. Whether you visit your neighborhood park or one of the city's signature green spaces, you can celebrate the role that collaboration, innovation, and community-centered planning play in making Memphis a vibrant place to live, work, and play. Two of the newest leaders in this work, Kaci Murley (Overton Park Conservancy) and Marcha Allen (Memphis Parks)share a peak behind the scenes to some of the city's most public spaces.

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

As Medical District Park unveils its newest asset, Lakeisha Edwards (UrbanArt Comission) and renowned artist Molly Gochman reveal the connection between this high-profile public space in the heart of Memphis and the community it serves. They share what led to the creation of an interactive sculpture that invites the community to rethink its relationship with monuments. See “Monuments to Motherhood” in Medical District Park, located in the heart of the Memphis Medical District. Did you know this project is only one example of the collaborative way UrbanArt Commssion intertwines creativity and community? Listen for ways you can play a role in public art selection — no artistic experience required!

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This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.