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HAVE MORE IN MEMPHIS

ISSUE 2 | 2023

The Shelby Farms Greenline runs through the Memphis metro area, offering another option for navigating the city without a car.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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Shelby Farms Park

On the Cover Gwen Alexander, PhD, enjoys time with her family around the piano. Gwen is a program manager in STEMM Education and Outreach at St. Jude.

East Memphis Cover and above image: Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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Dear Future Memphians, My path to Memphis started with an intriguing phone call. The voice on the line began, “You don’t know me, but I’ve got the perfect job for you.” By the end of the conversation, I agreed to at least consider the proposal, a decision that set in motion a journey that changed my life. It was 1986. As an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, I was already a long way from my hometown of Detroit. The caller, a well-known hematopathologist, made an interesting pitch: Visit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and see the work underway. My wife and I packed the car, buckling in our young daughter, and headed toward Tennessee. At St. Jude, I found a place of discovery and collaboration. Information flowed freely from the lab to the clinic. The insights gained shaped new knowledge, forming the basis of the next iteration of improvements to care. Creativity was cultivated, and compassion prioritized. The speed of research moved forward irrespective of funding cycles, grants or bureaucracy. Finding an academic home is one thing, but putting down roots is entirely another. My wife and I looked at neighborhoods and schools, scoped out the available extracurricular activities, considered the cost of living, and weighed the options. We agreed. Memphis offered career-defining work, but more importantly, it held the promise of a community rich with experiences and possibilities. By the time of our move, we had welcomed a second daughter. We settled into our new house and made friends quickly. Over time, the family grew to five with the arrival of a son. The kids thrived in school, and all but one remained in state for college. Today, my daughters—one a lawyer and the other a scientist— still call the city home. My son, an executive chef at a fine-dining restaurant in Nashville, lives only a short car ride away. Their children, ages 2 to 17, proudly represent our family’s third generation in Tennessee.

As Memphians, we’ve watched the city bloom, our own lives benefiting from its progress and culture. At the same time, St. Jude also flourished. The modern-day campus spans more than 100 acres— a miraculous skyline along the Mississippi River. In many ways, this is only a beginning. Under the 2022–2027 strategic plan, the largest expansion in the institution’s history, St. Jude is growing by leaps and bounds. The $12.9 billion investment will significantly influence the way the world understands and treats childhood cancer, sickle cell disease, neurological disorders and infectious diseases. These developments will be made possible by the nearly 6,000 employed today and the 2,300 more who will join our mission of finding cures and saving children in the next five years. The first medical director of St. Jude used to tell a story about recruiting talent when the hospital first opened its doors in 1962. His offer: “Here, you have the opportunity to make your own center. It’s unplowed ground. If you come here, you’re an innovator.” The proposition wasn’t for everyone. It was for the adventurous, the courageous and the passionate—those ready to blaze new trails. Sixty years later, the invitation continues to be relevant. As long as children are lost to cancer or other catastrophic diseases, unplowed ground remains. With considerable investments in talent, programs and resources, St. Jude is unearthing transformative ideas—with the Mid-South as a partner for those opportunities to grow.

Sincerely, James R. Downing, MD President and CEO St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Contents

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03 Introduction Letter from Dr. Downing

12 Patio Stories Getting to know Anang Shelat and Marta Jarquin-Pardo.

06 Memphis Events September 2023 – August 2024

08 By the Numbers A by-the-numbers look at Greater Memphis’ rich history, growing hospitality and tech industries, and the expansion of Downtown; plus important facts about St. Jude’s strategic plan and their commitment to researching and treating childhood cancer. Photo courtesy of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

10 Family Fun in Memphis Bring the kids along for these outings and activities in the city and suburbs.

18 The Arts for All Memphis is overflowing with incredible talent, and these five cultural leaders are paving the way for a more inclusive creative community in the Bluff City.

30 Memphis Map

66 Road Trippin’ Memphis’ location makes it the perfect starting point for quick-and-easy getaways.

76 Cricket in Collierville This bat-and-ball game — not baseball — was the first official national game here in America. Photo courtesy of Shelby Farms Park

80 Memphis Moment

32 Neighborhood Spotlights 52 At the Table Exciting newcomers, notable standouts, and family-run restaurants take the spotlight in Memphis’ food scene. Photo courtesy of Jay Atkins Photography

60 Memphis & Mid-South School Guide Find out about Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) and their academic, athletic, and artistic offerings.

Events Calendar

Memphis Events SEPTEMBER

901 DAY

WAX & WINE

September 1 marks “901 Day’’ in Memphis; a special day where those who call Memphis home celebrate the diversity, growth and best of the city through a variety of events and outreach opportunities. choose901.com

Commemorating Stax Museum’s 20th Anniversary in partnership with the Soulsville Foundation, the museum will host a special wine tasting paired with appetizers and listening party. staxmuseum.com

MEMPHIS 901FC SOCCER

DECEMBER

Take in the excitement of a 901FC soccer match while experiencing the state-of-the-art Autozone Park in Downtown Memphis. Since their inaugural season in 2019, the 901FC continues to become one of Memphis’ favorite sporting clubs. The hometown team is entering the 2023 season as one of the toprated clubs in the league. memphis901fc.com

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH THE STAX MUSEUM

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For the first time in its history, the Stax Museum examined Chicano Soul, a Detroitand-Memphis-inspired subgenre of soul music that grew in popularity during the 1960s. staxmuseum.com/events

SHOP BLACK FEST Discover, support and celebrate, blackowned businesses, and entrepreneurship in a fun, friendly and upbeat environment. Experience wonderful music, shopping, food and community during the two-day event.

Photo courtesy of Memphis Botanic Garden

HALLOWEEN HIKE Your Halloween celebrations begin at the Memphis Botanic Garden’s annual family-fun Halloween Hike. Experience treat stations featuring activities and crafts along with a special pumpkin story time for the kids and enjoy a family picnic with the many on-site food trucks. Halloween Hike is a fun treat for all tricksters at heart. membg.org

Film buffs, movie fans and burgeoning film artists, experience short films, documentaries and other features from all corners of the world at the Memphis Indie Film Fest. Grab some popcorn and enjoy the diversity and creativity of independent filmmakers! indiememphis.org NOVEMBER

LATIN FEST 901

MEMPHIS HUNGRY TURKEY 5K

MEMPHIS COMIC EXPO Have a burgeoning comic artist in the family? The Comic Expo is creator focused and driven. Learn about this vibrant art, meet the creators, dress up (or down) and connect with your favorite heroes and heroines in a 7,000 square foot venue.

memphiscomicexpo.com OCTOBER

BLACK AMERICAN PORTRAITS Composed of more than 100 photographs from Los Angeles County Museum of Art, experience a vivid display of black history, frame by frame through the eyes of black Americans, at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. brooksmuseum.org

For runners and walkers alike, the Memphis Hungry Turkey 5k is a family-friendly race featuring treats from local vendors, a kid’s race and a medal for every finisher. Additionally, the run partners with a local charity helping raise awareness and necessary funding for an important cause.

tennesseeruns.com

MEMPHIS TURKEY TROT The Memphis Turkey Trot is the perfect introduction for first-time runners, with an easy four-mile course that takes you through Shelby Farms. If four miles still seems a bit too much, participants can opt for the two-mile relay, where runners pair up and run two miles each to complete the course. memphisturkeytrot.raceroster.com

GRIND CITY COFFEE XPO It’s a coffee lover’s moment to shine. Grind City Coffee Xpo is a coffee connoisseur’s paradise, an annual event centered around coffee culture and everything that goes with it, featuring an incredible array of roasters and coffee vendors, from Belltower Coffeehouse to Wiseacre Brewing Co.

grindcitycoffee.com

2023

Let’s get moving! Multiple distances, from marathon to 5K, will be offered as part of race weekend, the largest single-day fundraising event for St. Jude. Race Weekend is presented by Juice Plus+. stjude.org/marathon

MEMPHIS INDIE FILM FESTIVAL

shopblackfest.com/memphis

Held during a weekend in September, you can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with family and friends at the annual Latin Fest in Overton Square, where you’ll experience the vibrant energy of Latin culture through live music, food, drinks and crafts for kids. cazateatro.org/cultural-events/latin-fest/

ST. JUDE MEMPHIS MARATHON WEEKEND

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

GRAND MENORAH LIGHTING AND CHANUKAH CELEBRATION On December 10, bring your family and join in the festive lighting of the menorah, an event that promises to be a special Chanukah celebration. myjewish901.org

HOLLY, JOLLY COCKTAIL FESTIVAL AT THE KENT Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year sipping your way through a variety of tasty “fun-size” holly, jolly cocktails from top-shelf brands, plus delicious eats. And, don’t miss out on meeting the big guy in red himself at this sparkly holiday festival.

tnevents.squarespace.com/holidayspirits

BALLET MEMPHIS PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER An annual favorite returns to The Orpheum. Experience the magic of a holiday classic, The Nutcracker, presented by Ballet Memphis. The sounds of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra will enhance the performance bringing extra joy to the holiday season.

balletmemphis.org/nutcracker

JANUARY

MAY

RACE FOR RECONCILIATION

YOGA ON THE RIVER

CRAFTS & DRAFTS SUMMER MARKET

Unify and celebrate healing and hope in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the 3rd annual Race for Reconciliation 5k or 1-mile run/walk. r4r.one

Beginning on the first Tuesday of May, become one with nature at Yoga on the River, a free outdoor event located in the lush River Garden, featuring the tranquil backdrop of the Mississippi River. This event runs through October. choose901.com

Hosted by the Memphis Flyer, the Crafts & Drafts Summer Market takes place at the Crosstown Concourse and brings together new and established makers from across the country, where they sell their unique goods. Shoppers and looky-loos enjoy a refreshing selection of craft beers from local Memphis breweries. memphiscraftsanddrafts.com

FEBRUARY

LES MISERABLES The highly acclaimed and iconic musical, Les Miserables, returns to The Orpheum. Telling the story of broken dreams, passion, sacrifice and redemption, Les Miserables is undoubtedly an epic and uplifting story that has become one of the world’s most celebrated musicals. orpheum-memphis.com

FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS Every week (rain or shine) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Court Square Park plays host to Food Truck Thursdays. Relish in a range of culinary options from Japanese to Mexican to BBQ and everything in between. Enjoy live musical performances in the park from April to October. Outdoor seating is available.

downtownmemphis.com MARCH

DISNEY ON ICE: FIND YOUR HERO Sail away with Moana in this immersive experience featuring water, waves and wind. Upgrade your ticket to the Character Experience that includes crafting and oneon-one time with Moana. disneyonice.com APRIL

ECLIPSE DAY Make a plan to experience this awesome celestial event. Pick a special spot, and don safety viewing glasses and view this magical experience. eclipse2024.org

MEMPHIS IN MAY The annual Memphis in May International Festival brings the world to Memphis by featuring a different country each year. Located in Tom Lee Park, the festival offers stunning views of the Memphis skyline and riverfront. It plays host to the Beale Street Music Festival and a BBQ Cooking Contest, where people from across the region, and the world, come together to create memorable experiences and a unique bond.

memphisinmay.org

In the heart of one of the most important musical sites in the world, Beale Street, trace the roots and confluence of blues, soul, and rock music. With a mission to preserve the history of this musical legacy, the museum provides an experience that links the past with the way we listen, dress, dance, and perform music today. memphisrocknsoul.org JUNE

MOSH - MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY Experience everything from local history to the life of a star at MoSH, the Museum of Science and History, or the Pink Palace as it’s known to Memphians. There is something for every member of the family, with exhibits that connect visitors young and old.

moshmemphis.com

JULY

MEMPHIS’ LARGEST FIREWORKS FESTIVAL Memphis Parks and the City of Memphis play host to the biggest fireworks show in town, featuring live music, food trucks and loads of fun activities for kids, including face painting, carnival games and a showing of a familyfriendly movie. memphistn.gov/liberty-for-all-event

THE MEMPHIS ZOO Home to more than 3,500 animals, the Memphis Zoo isn’t just a field trip for kids; it’s an immersive and engaging adventure for the whole family. Restaurants, exhibits, and learning has never been so fascinating and exciting while furthering the zoo’s notable conservation mission. memphiszoo.org

PEABODY ROOFTOP PARTIES Named one of the top 10 rooftop bars, the Peabody kicks the weekend into high gear on Thursday nights with refreshing drinks, even cooler bands and spectacular views of the sun setting over the Mississippi River. peabodymemphis.com/rooftop-partiesure

In its 72nd season, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra presents Tchaikovsky’s 5th & Wynton Marsalis Violin Concerto as part of their Masterworks Series, featuring worldrenowned violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.

AUGUST

FEDEX ST. JUDE CHAMPIONSHIP

thecannoncenter.com

WICKED THE MUSICAL

orpheum-memphis.com

June 19th was officially made a federal holiday in 2021, but Memphis has celebrated this historical day for over thirty years. Held during Father’s Day weekend, this fun-filled festival features live music (soul, hip-hop, and R&B), arts and crafts, food vendors serving everything from barbeque to snow cones and plenty of activities for children, young and old. juneteenthfreedommemphis.com

MEMPHIS ROCK ‘N’ SOUL

MEMPHIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MASTERWORKS SERIES

Before Dorothy arrived in Oz, there was Glinda and Elphaba! Throughout April the Orpheum will present the wildly popular, critically acclaimed musical sensation.

MEMPHIS JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

MEMPHIS PRIDE FEST Mid-South Pride is home to the Memphis Pride Fest, a fun-filled weekend of movies, dance parties, an iconic and colorful parade and a brunch, all in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

midsouthpride.org

Held at Shelby County’s TPC Southwind, the PGA golf tournament brings together pros to showcase thrilling play and competition on a challenging Ron Prichard-designed course. PGAtour.com

INDIE MEMPHIS YOUTH FILM FEST For the budding filmmaker in the family, the Youth Film Fest is a day packed with filmmaking workshops, screenings of short films made by students from Memphis and a special presentation from a film industry professional offering advice and tips on the craft of filmmaking. indiememphis.org

2024

11.1M

Number of years the Stax Museum has been showcasing Memphis’s contributions to music. The museum will celebrate its anniversary throughout the year with a full lineup of concerts, never-before-seen exhibitions and youth programming.

Number of people that visited Memphis in 2022. Memphis is one of only two destinations from the United States to make the global list in Condé Nast Traveler’s “23 Best Places to Go in 2023” covering 22 countries and six continents.

Number of countries represented by the University of Memphis’s student body.

Ranking in a list of 50 cities with the most greenspace per capita in the country. Memphis has 43,691 sq. ft. of greenspace per capita. Shelby Farms Park is five times the size of Central Park.

67,808

Number of leisure and hospitality jobs across Greater Memphis in 2022.

Photo courtesy of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

3,500+

Number of projects under construction in Downtown Memphis. According to the Downtown Memphis Commission’s 2022 annual report, another 27 projects are in the planning phase.

Number of animals housed at the Memphis Zoo, including two new Sumatran tiger cubs born at the zoo in May 2023; and Fern, the skunk, the zoo’s new animal ambassador, who recently joined the team.

Photo courtesy of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

24% Percentage of Black employees in Greater Memphis tech industry – the highest when compared to other major U.S. metro areas.

670,000 Total number of locals comprising the Greater Memphis workforce – the highest on record. According to a 2021 Lending Tree report, Shelby County had more small business applications than any other area in the country.

Photo courtesy of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

MEMPHIS AREA FACTS

By the Numbers neighborly

Bold Vision

A by-the-numbers look at Greater Memphis’ rich history, growing hospitality and tech industries, and the expansion of Downtown; plus important facts about St. Jude’s strategic plan and their commitment to researching and treating childhood cancer.

ST. JUDE FACTS

Big Investment

Photo courtesy of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

120+

125

$160M

Basic and translational research labs at St. Jude bridging scientific discovery from bench to bedside.

Unique homelands of St. Jude employees, emphasizing the rich cultural diversity of the institutional workforce.

Investment over the next five years in the St. Jude Research Collaboratives; consortia of investigators from more than 16 institutions coming together to find answers to the most challenging questions in pediatric medicine.

100K People in the United States with sickle cell disease. St. Jude secured its first grant to study sickle cell disease in 1958, and it now has one of the largest sickle cell programs in the country.

1200 Ukrainian children continued their cancer treatment thanks to safe passage out of the warzone facilitated by the St. Jude SAFER Ukraine humanitarian effort.

2300 Jobs created by the FY22-27 St. Jude Strategic Plan.

Family Fun in Memphis

Memphis has something fun and exciting to offer all year-round. Read on to find out more about our picks for family-focused activities, from science to sports and the arts.

FOR THE SPORTS FAN

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amily Fun

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

From October to April, the beloved Memphis Grizzlies NBA team takes to the court at the FedEx Forum, where you’ll see the biggest names in the NBA go head to head. And with Rendezvous barbecue and the Grizz Girls at hand, there’s plenty of food and entertainment to keep the energy going. For more information, visit nba.com/grizzlies

MID-SOUTH ICE HOUSE

Photo courtesy of Sean Fernandez

THE MEMPHIS MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY The Memphis Museum of Science and History is a science lover’s paradise featuring everything from prehistoric fossils and ancient relics, to awe-inspiring planetarium shows where you can gaze into the galaxies. Exhibitions invite handson interaction. The central location includes the museum, Pink Palace mansion, theater, and planetarium. For more information, visit moshmemphis.com

Whether you’re interested in public skating, a skating school, theater on ice, curling, broomball, traditional hockey, or figure skating, MidSouth Ice House has something for everyone. For more information, visit midsouthicehouse.com

FOR THE FUTURE SCIENTIST

MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN This stunning 96-acre property boasts 30 specialty gardens, a level four arboretum that provides the ability to interact with various families of plants, flowers, and trees. Special programs and exhibits like the “Flowertots: Story Time at the Garden” offer great photo opportunities and family fun for adults and children. My Big Backyard is a family garden featuring 16 themed areas where you can discover the great outdoors and experience learning and creation. For more information, visit membg.org Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

SHELBY FARMS PARK Shelby Farms Park stretches across 4,500 acres of natural habitats housing buffalo, deer, turtles, beavers, and hundreds of bird species. The park features more than 40 miles of paved and unpaved trails for hiking, walking, running and cycling. Additionally, Shelby Farms includes 20 bodies of water, perfect for fishing or kayaking, and space for unique activities like horseback riding and treetop adventures. For more information, visit shelbyfarmspark.org

Photo courtesy of Shelby Farms Park

WAPANOCCA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Quite literally an island of forests in a sea of agriculture, the Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge is an essential stopover for neotropical songbirds migrating to and from Central and South America and waterfowl traveling through the Mississippi Flyway. For more information, visit fws.gov/refuge/wapanocca Dennis Donohue – stock.adobe.com

DIXON GALLERY AND GARDENS The Mini Masters workshop at the Dixon encourages toddlers, ages two to four, to explore shape, texture, color, and other sensory possibilities by making art and exploring the gardens alongside a parent. For more information, visit dixon.org

FOR THE CREATIVE TYPES

ARROW CREATIVE Arrow Creative promises an inspirational experience for you and your kids with their Kids Night Out class, featuring two hours of art, followed by pizza, and a viewing of a kid-friendly movie. Kids Night Out is for kids from 3rd to 6th grade. For more information, visit arrowcreative.org

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

in Memphi

FOR THE ADVENTURE SEEKER

Patio Stories

Getting to Know

Anang Shelat The St. Jude associate faculty member and director of the Lead Discovery Informatics collaborative center shares his thoughts on the Memphis County school system and what makes Mud Island the ideal place for him and his family.

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St. Jude is one of the jewels of Memphis, intertwined with the city’s identity and a point of pride–even the announcers at Grizzlies games wear St. Jude pins. It’s an institution unique in the world and in the scope of what it does, with international impact, and it’s right here in Memphis. I joined St. Jude as a postdoc in 2006, and the first project I worked on involved developing an antimalaria drug. It’s estimated that around one million children die of malaria every year. This work was an intellectual challenge that addressed a significant

unmet clinical need. The resources of the institution made our discoveries possible. It was truly amazing that the work of a pediatric cancer hospital parlayed into an adult clinical trial involving healthy volunteers from the Memphis community. The drug we developed is now being tested across the world: it’s now part of a Phase 2 clinical trial in Peru. I played a small but pivotal part in this effort, and that’s what I’m most proud of. There isn’t anywhere else in the world where I can do the kind of work that I’m doing. At St. Jude, I have a clear purpose.

Photo courtesy of Anang Shelat

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I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the world where I could do the kind of work that I’m doing at the level of resources that we have available in an environment where there are just so many smart people around, and the mission is clear.

“ 12

Loving My Neighborhood People from every country in the world seem to live on Mud Island; the diversity here is on par with any major metropolitan area. Walking or running through Mud Island Park, you encounter all types of people: it’s a natural hub for residents and demographically diverse. My wife and I have tried fantastic regional and international cuisine: one of our favorites was a local Ethiopian restaurant just minutes from Mud Island. Memphis’ food culture has something for everyone. On Mud Island, young professionals, growing families, and retired individuals live in diverse clusters of single-family homes, condos, and apartments. My family and I live right on the river, where we enjoy the natural beauty of the area and benefit from conveniences like a local market and even a short walk to work on the St. Jude campus. Strong school systems are always a priority for families when considering relocation and home ownership. While some assume you must head to the suburbs for scholastic excellence, we have found plenty of great options in the city proper. I have two children: one enrolled in public school and one in private. My oldest attended daycare in Downtown Memphis near the St. Jude campus, where they created opportunities for preschoolers to engage in activities with the local elementary schools as transition learning. A Memphis Shelby County School program, Creative Learning in a Unique Environment (CLUE), fosters creative thinking and problem-solving for kindergartners. One of my children attends an elementary school with a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focus, and it’s a fantastic training ground for him. Additional programs in the area include the Memphis STEM Academy and optional programs with a discrete focus on the sciences. I’m amazed at the quality of education my children receive.

Photo courtesy of Anang Shelat

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

ANANG’S FAVORITES Things to Do • Running in Mud Island Park

As a family, we like to visit Big River Crossing on the weekends. We hike the railroad tracks converted into a pedestrian walkway across the Mississippi River to the Arkansas side–it’s gorgeous. We usually follow up with a relaxing brunch at Sunrise Memphis, enjoying their classic breakfast dishes and artisanprepared meats. And no weekend is complete without a stop at Mempops for a fresh, frozen treat.

• Zoo Camp (for kids) at Memphis Zoo • Big River Crossing

Places to Eat • Sunrise Memphis • Mempops

Patio Stories

Getting to Know

Marta Jarquin-Pardo The project manager and longtime employee of St. Jude shares her passion for science, and gives us a glimpse into her life as a South Main resident, where everybody knows her name.

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I got my PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology from Louisiana State University, but I didn’t want to stay in the lab, and I loved St. Jude’s problem-solving approach to science. St. Jude had an opening for a scientific recruiter, I applied, and the rest is history. I have been at St. Jude, now, for fifteen years. I started as a scientific recruiter in human resources, but for the last six years, I have been a project manager. As a project manager, I helped implement various initiatives in Central and South America that aim to improve survival rates for childhood cancer. One of the current projects I’m working on is finding ways to bring doctors from different parts of the world together to help encourage collaboration and build community. Doctors can help each other, and learn from each other’s experiences.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

At St. Jude, everything comes with its own joy to the degree that I sometimes take for granted all the good work that we do. St. Jude is one of the biggest employers in Memphis, and they have been proactively working to connect with the surrounding community. For example, we work with local high schools to bring in high school students to introduce them to science. This kind of fluidity between institutions adds to the culture of diversity that makes St. Jude feel like home to me. At St. Jude, they give me a sense of belonging such that I bring my true self to work every day. I’m from Costa Rica, so Memphis was kind of a bigger city than I was used to, but it has a small town feeling in the sense that people are very friendly here. I was living on Mud Island when I first moved here, and although the food was great, I didn’t have as much to do. So much has changed since that time, especially Downtown, with all the new businesses and hotels. And now, there’s more communication about what is going on in Memphis. Choose901 is a great resource for finding out about all the different events happening around town.

Photo courtesy of Marta Jarquin-Pardo

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Even though I’ve been here for a long time, there are still hidden gems that I can discover.

“

Photo courtesy of Marta Jarquin-Pardo

Loving My Neighborhood I moved to South Main Arts District about a year ago, and I just love it. I’m half a block from Trolley Night, so I love being able to go out and try different restaurants. I can go listen to live music, or see a movie. It’s all within walking distance. Here, I can go out, and I can meet people. I can chat with strangers and establish a connection, and I tend to meet a lot of people that way. It’s great because I learn people’s stories. I got some coffee at a local shop and I started talking to the owner, and I learned that she became an entrepreneur at the age of 22. Every time I leave my house, I learn a story and I love that! Being in South Main makes me want to be more engaged, because I see more. I’m part of the South Main Association. But the best part of South Main is the close-knit community. You feel like family. It can feel like that show Cheers, where everybody knows your name. It’s kind of like that. A day-in-the-life for me includes the morning spent at the gym, followed by a coffee and avocado toast from Hustle and Dough, or a croissant with cheese and sausage from Bluff City Coffee and Bakery. Maybe I’d see a movie, rent a kayak through Bluff City Kayaks, or take a tour of Ghost River. Later, as the sun goes down, I’d visit one of the rooftops, like the Hyatt Centric Downtown, for a glass of wine. When you’re at the Hyatt Centric, it feels like the river is right there and you can see both bridges, and the lights, so that’s very nice.

MARTA’S FAVORITES Restaurants and Bars to Frequent • Terrace at The River Inn • Hustle and Dough (recommendation: the avocado toast)

• Bluff City Coffee and Bakery (recommendation: croissant with cheese and sausage)

Things to Do • Trolley Night in South Main on the last Friday of every month • Collierville Balloon Festival in September Outdoors • Shelby Forest offers kayaking, hiking, cycling, and paddle boarding • Shelby Farms Park • Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club Best Rooftop Bars • Hyatt Centric • Terrace at The River Inn Local Travel for a Weekend Getaway • Nashville for sightseeing (three hours from Memphis)

• Pinnacle Mountain in Arkansas for hiking (two and a half hours from Memphis)

• Eureka Springs in Arkansas for kayaking (five and a half hours from Memphis)

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A CURE STARTS WITH CURIOSITY At St. Jude, we're driven by curiosity. We choose not to accept the status quo, but rather question why things can't be better — for our patients, our researchers, and the world at large. Our fusion of bench and clinical research has a proven record of success, but it all begins with curiosity. If there's something you’ve been searching for, we'll find a way to find it together.

A sprawling park adjacent to Vollintine-Evergreen, a diverse and historic neighborhood.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Overton Park

The Arts for All neighborly

The Ar Memphis is overflowing with incredible talent, and these five cultural leaders are paving the way for a more inclusive creative community in the Bluff City. Some of their recent initiatives include the development of a Black arts center, the reopening of a historical music venue at the city’s center, and new avenues of support that help to establish the careers of Memphis musicians.

for All

Photo courtesy of ARTSmemphis

rts

The Arts for All

STEVEN MCMAHON

In 2019, at 34, Steven McMahon became the artistic director of Ballet Memphis, making him the second artistic director in the organization’s 37-year history. As a former dancer with a penchant for pushing the boundaries, McMahon’s appointment is a perfect match for Ballet Memphis’s mission of producing original dances that disrupt the constraints inherent to classical ballet. Born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, McMahon completed his dance training at the Ailey School in New York City, later joining Ballet Memphis in 2004 as a Company dancer. Of his move to Memphis, McMahon explains:

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“At the time, I couldn’t have pointed to Memphis on a map, but I wanted to work, so Memphis was it. It didn’t take long to realize that Memphis suited me well. The excellent work that Ballet Memphis was doing and the pace and quality of life were exactly what I wanted and needed. Memphis inspires me and my work in so many ways. The people who live in Memphis are wonderfully proud of Memphis. Many people feel so personally connected to the success of the city; Memphis has made so many cultural contributions to the world, especially through music, but there is so much more than that. This city is alive with creativity, and our arts and culture community is thriving and constantly evolving.”

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Founded in 1986 by Dorothy Gunther Pugh, Ballet Memphis emerged with just two dancers and a modest operating budget of $75,000. Pugh embarked on this remarkable journey as a fourthgeneration Memphian and former dancer herself. Since then, Ballet Memphis’ Company has soared to critical acclaim, touring nationally and internationally and expanding to include a ballet school, community dance programs, and a pilates center, serving more than 80,000 people annually. In 2017, Ballet Memphis debuted a new $22 million rehearsal and performance space in Memphis’ arts district. The modern twostory building features gorgeous architectural touches, including layers of glass, perforated copper, lots of contrasting metal, picture windows, public courtyards, and a café. The building’s breathtaking façade even received an award of merit from the Education Facility Design Awards. Today, Ballet Memphis has an operating budget of over $4 million.

“Our community

plays a vital role in how we think about our work. Memphis is never far from my thoughts when I’m thinking about my work.

McMahon’s plans for the Company’s 37th season include revivals from the Company’s repertoire alongside world premiere ballets. McMahon elaborates, “Our organization is committed to producing exceptional theatrical experiences that use ballet and contemporary dance to entertain but also to ask questions about the world, to reflect the best of who we are and what we can do. We are keeping them a secret for a little while longer, but you can be sure it’s going to be special.” As the Company’s choreographer, McMahon has created over 30 works, including Peter Pan, Wizard of Oz, and Romeo and Juliet. But it was a more recent and daring production that took McMahon outside of his comfort zone; saying, “I recently choreographed a new production of Dracula that was unlike anything that I had ever made before. It was a huge moment of growth for me as a dance maker, and I think it was an unexpected surprise for our audience.” Ballet Memphis’ audience is mainly comprised of Memphians, a community McMahon holds in high esteem, saying, “Our community plays a vital role in how we think about our work. Memphis is never far from my thoughts when I’m thinking about my work.” When Pugh founded Ballet Memphis, she sought to create a ballet company that reflects Memphis’ diverse community. McMahon’s fresh vision will expand on Pugh’s legacy: “Ballet Memphis would not be Ballet Memphis without this great community.”

Above: Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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The Arts for All neighborly

LAR’JUANETTE WILLIAMS Lar’Juanette Williams has a storied career in film and television as an award-winning actress, singer, dancer and writer. Still, her role as the executive director of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance truly showcases Williams’ ability to inspire and bring positive change to the Memphis arts community.

Williams is a born and bred Memphian. She spent her formative years attending Whitehaven High School. Her passion for the arts is reflected in her 25-year career in entertainment. Her TV credits include appearances in E.R., Chicago Hope, Seinfeld, and NYPD Blue. And her professional stage credits include Ain’t Misbehavin, Hairspray, Hello Dolly, and starring as Effie White in the National Touring company of Dreamgirls. Williams brings an incredible range of experiences in the arts to her role as head of the Memphis Black Arts Alliance. Her devotion to the organization is as much personal as it is professional.

Memphis Black Arts Alliance showcases and encourages the advancement of African American arts, literature and culture across greater Memphis. And under the stewardship of Williams, it’s about to undergo a major $15-million expansion that will see the construction of a Black arts center tentatively called Soulsville Cultural Arts Center. The expansion will also support emerging Memphis artists to develop plays, music, visual artwork and other projects. For Williams, Memphis plays a central role in the birth of contemporary music and art, saying, “Memphis is the cultural heartbeat of the world. Look at our history in the arts, civil rights, innovation, and beyond. Memphis is where all American music and arts began, which is why it is hailed throughout the world. There’s something in the water here.”

And like Williams herself, MBAA encompasses a range of artistic ambitions, from working with and supporting seasoned professionals and Pulitzer-prize-winning playwrights to offering after-school programs. The organization has a yearly operating budget of around $350,000 and devotes much of its energy to after-school programs that connect artists with kids in economically disadvantaged communities. Said Williams: “Through intentional programming such as ArtsReach and MBAA Productions, we provide opportunities for multi-disciplined arts education, Intergenerational exchange with Arts Legends, and seasonal programming like SPARK Summer Camp, where we most recently hosted more than 40 children for five weeks and presented them and their creative works, in a grand showcase finale before their families, friends and peers.”

Photo courtesy of Dennis Groves

According to the website’s statistics, the organization has trained over 43.5 thousand young artists, employed over 4,200 working artists, and engaged 74 thousand patrons and guests. MBAA seeks to inspire, educate, and engage artists and audiences through forward-thinking experiences that will create just and equitable communities. Williams has effectively utilized the organization’s limited budget and small full-time staff. Through the development of three unique programs (Jazz A-fire, MBAA Productions, and the Academy & ArtsReach ASAP), MBAA can honor Memphis’ own musical legends, stage major productions featuring seasoned professionals alongside underserved youth, and offer free private and group training opportunities to artists of every age, provided by area professionals. Given William’s devotion to growing Black arts in Memphis and the alliance’s stellar reputation, it’s easy to see why the organization requires more space. From a personal standpoint, Williams sees MBAA’s role in the community as a connector, helping to elevate creative voices from all art forms. With the $15-million expansion underway, featuring the addition of a Black arts center, MBAA’s impact and influence will only continue to flourish.

Trained Over

43.5K

Young Artists

Employed Over

4,200 Working Artists

74K Engaged

Patrons & Guests

The New Daisy was converted into a music venue during the 1980s after originally opening as a movie theater in 1937. Since its conversion, the venue has played host to some of the most famous musical acts, including Jerry Lee Lewis, Al Green, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, The Cult, Oasis, Prince, and Keith Richards. Shivers understands the weight of such an institution, saying, “The New Daisy Theatre is an integral part of the Beale Street story, but its importance is even bigger than Beale. Since its opening in 1936, it has played a huge role in Memphis’ music history and the Memphis music scene.”

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The Arts for All

JON SHIVERS

As the director of the Beale Street Historic District, Jon Shivers has an exciting year ahead. This storied district, featuring one of the most iconic streets in America, has reopened its theater, the New Daisy.

In 2015 the New Daisy underwent an impressive $1.5-million renovation, incorporating modern enhancements, including a new VIP balcony and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems that create an unparalleled experience. But that rebirth was short-lived, as the theater announced in early 2019 that it would take an operational hiatus. As the pandemic took hold and live events were postponed, the fate of the New Daisy hung in the balance. Fortunately, in October 2022, the Downtown Memphis Commission was handed over control of managing and operating the property to make the New Daisy an anchor for Beale Street that could inspire interest and draw a local crowd.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

“Entities across the City of Memphis dropped everything to put 100% effort into doing all they could to assist Beale Street as the host location. The end result of our collective hard work was being able to host ten-thousand people on Beale Street early that Saturday morning for the taping of GameDay and to virtually welcome over two-million people across the nation who were watching the Beale Street-focused broadcast.”

The New Daisy officially reopened its doors on January 12, 2023, when the Downtown Memphis Commission hosted an event honoring individuals and organizations who have contributed to the growth of Downtown Memphis. Today, the New Daisy Theatre is an all-ages venue that features local and national touring acts and hosts corporate and private events. The role the New Daisy plays in Memphis’ creative community, both for artists and patrons, cannot be overstated. Shivers elaborates, “I can’t tell you how many artists, across a variety of genres, have told me how excited they are about the reopening of the New Daisy Theatre. For nearly eight decades, the New Daisy has played host to some of the most important artists playing anywhere, often before they became well known. So many Memphians have great memories of shows that they attended, and when they hear about the reopening, they are immediately asking when shows will return because they look forward to being in the venue again. Personally, I’m ecstatic that the New Daisy has reopened. The first concert I ever attended was at the Daisy. I have great memories, and I can’t wait to make more.” Of the city itself, Shivers declared:

“

I love Memphis. It’s gritty, original and true to itself.

“

And Shivers is the perfect person to shepherd in the New Daisy’s new era. It was a summer internship with the historic district at the age of 15 that first introduced Shivers to Beale Street. This introduction evolved into a love for Beale Street’s history, music, and commerce. “That internship inspired me to want to eventually come back to Beale Street on a fulltime basis,” Shivers explains. 2023 marks Shiver’s 20th year working for the management group of the historic district. During that time, Shivers has encountered some challenging but rewarding projects, including hosting ESPN College GameDay on Beale Street in 2019, with only 72 hours’ notice to prepare. Shivers recalls,

Above: Photo courtesy of Joshua Brown

The Arts for All

ELIZABETH ROUSE

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The pandemic era marked an end to live performances for an unprecedented handful of years, affecting everything from fun marionette shows to sophisticated nights at the opera. Once cultural hubs, museums were compelled to close their doors, becoming glorified storage units housing pricey collections of master works. But a few innovative minds found ways to keep the focus on the arts, ensuring that when the time came, there would be plenty of art and programs to interact with once again. One such mind was that of Elizabeth Rouse, current president and CEO of ArtsMemphis, the granting organization that has been supporting Memphis artists since 1963. Pivoting from the in-person, Rouse turned her attention to developing strategic partnerships and new avenues of support. Of the many partnerships Rouse developed, there was one that stood out to her.

“One of the most impactful partnerships over the last three years has been with Music Export Memphis, an organization that gives Memphis musicians the opportunity to share their music beyond the city, helping to invigorate tourism, attract new talent, and create economic development while providing artists with the momentum and the space to elevate their careers and Memphis’ profile as a contemporary music city.” Overall, Rouse was able to secure $3.1 million in grants that were awarded to 67 arts organizations, with $870 thousand going to over 600 individual artists, resulting in a record year in 2021 for ArtsMemphis. Much of the funding individual artists received went toward rent, medical bills, and supplementing earned income that wasn’t possible during the shutdown. Rouse began her career at ArtsMemphis in 2006, with a focus on development. Rouse has a deep understanding of just how influential art can be, saying, “Art has the power to bridge differences, enhance youth development and drive tourism.” For Rouse personally, ”arts are a growing source of joy and inspiration.”

Photo courtesy of ARTSMemphis

What’s next for ArtsMemphis includes a flurry of updates and events. To begin, the organization’s brand will undergo a refresh, set to debut this summer. The brand’s refresh will include a new look and a new website. The new site, Rouse notes, will provide “enhanced ways for Memphians and visitors to experience the arts.” She’s especially excited about the new arts and culture events calendar which will offer engaging ways to learn about and plug in to arts opportunities.

Million

$3.1 67 Organizations

100+

including

Artists

As museums open their doors and cultural institutions ramp up programming, inclusion has become a central mission for many in the nonprofit sector. The pandemic did much to reveal social inequalities, and stalwart organizations like ArtsMemphis are poised to lead the charge on how to provide vital support to the arts community in Memphis at a time when it’s most needed. Rouse acknowledges ArtsMemphis’ long history serving the Memphian community: “Founded in 1963, 2023 marks 60 years and $94 million (and counting) invested in our local arts community to teach, uplift, unite, and engage Memphians of all ages. Last year ArtsMemphis provided $3.1 million to 67 organizations and hundreds of artists who collectively serve as an economic driver for employment, engagement, and entertainment across our city. For six decades, ArtsMemphis has been a source of support to elevate the arts in Memphis and make the arts accessible.”

Above: Photo courtesy of ARTSMemphis

The Arts for All neighborly

EKUNDAYO BANDELE

When it opened in 2006, Hattiloo Theater was a 75-seat playhouse with a staff of three. But under the vision of founder and CEO Ekundayo Bandele, the playhouse has seen major expansion, including a move to a facility that encompasses two theaters, a spacious lobby adequate for hosting fundraisers and banquets, a development center, and Hattihouse, a residential space for guest artists and interns. Seventeen years later, Bandele isn’t done growing Hattiloo’s influence. As the only freestanding Black repertory theater in five surrounding states, Hattiloo produces seven plays a season. Past and present productions include The Color Purple, A Raisin in the Sun, and the Tony-nominated musical Blues in the Night. As Hattiloo has evolved over the years, so has its impact on the Black community in Memphis. Elaborating on this impact, Bandele says,

Above: Photo courtesy of Hattiloo Theatre, © Andrea Zucker

“Before Hattiloo opened, Black arts had no more than two opportunities a year to work their talent in a production that was authentic to their culture and spoke to the Black community. While more Black plays are being done, Hattiloo remains a space where Black artists can talk about cultural issues openly and freely. We can share our frustration about the latest police-related shooting of an unarmed Black person. And for Black people in our audiences, they have permission to confront the trauma that is often laced through a Black play.” As a young man, Bandele was a voracious reader who found inspiration in author Richard Wright’s novels Native Son, The Outsider, and Uncle Tom’s Children, eventually finding his calling in playwriting. For Bandele, playwriting is writing in its purest form, but he’s equally enamored with directing, finding time to direct a handful of plays each season. Hattiloo Theater combines all of Bandele’s passions under one roof, where he can write, direct, and produce plays that possess the power to entertain audiences and educate the community while empowering and inspiring young Black playwrights in the making.

Bandele attended Tennessee State University in 1989 but was compelled to leave school so he could take care of his growing family. Today, over 30 years later, Bandele is attending the prestigious Morehouse College, where he is set to graduate in 2024 as a theater studies major, completing a lifelong endeavor. Said Bandele: “I’m looking forward to earning my undergraduate degree and my MFA so that I can share all that I’ve learned with younger people. I currently live 90% of my time in Atlanta, Georgia on the campus of Morehouse College, which is the only college on the planet that I wanted to attend because of how, in some ways, it puts acculturation before education, because if you’re an excellent person, you will get excellent grades.” Hattillo Theater gives Bandele the ability to distill his passion for theater into a singular mission of producing plays by Black playwrights for a larger audience. But it’s evident that Bandele’s passion is larger than what one theater can contain. With Hattiloo’s influence on the larger community of Memphis, you can be sure that whatever Bandele envisions next, it will be as profound as the theater itself, providing opportunities and inspiring a community for generations to come.

Top: Photo courtesy of Hattiloo Theatre, © Andrea Zucker Bottom: Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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Memphis Map

Photo courtesy of Shelby Farms Park

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Neighborhood Spotlights

Millington Whether you’re here for bird watching, boating, fishing, or hiking, there’s something for everyone.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Located an easy 20 minutes from Downtown Memphis, Millington is a small but vibrant community, with its own attractions, including the Old Millington Winery, the Millington Arts Council, and the Millington Farmers Market. Playhouse 51 is Millington’s community theater that offers big productions of major plays. There’s also a major sports complex that features baseball games and rodeos. And with a population of 10,582, it’s easy to get to know your neighbors here and feel a part of the community. Historic turn-of-the-century-style single-family homes abound in Millington, and for a fraction of the price in Memphis’s adjoining neighborhoods, making Millington an ideal neighborhood for young families and single professionals.

Neighborhood Spotlights

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Parks and Green Spaces

Food and Drink

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is a picturesque state park that borders the mighty Mississippi River and features mature bald cypress and tupelo swamp, as well as large oaks, American beech, hickory and sweet gum. Whether you’re here for bird watching, boating, fishing, or hiking, there’s something for everyone.

The Shelby Forest General Store is an old-school, “real-deal Mom-and-Pop” that serves up your classic hot-off-the-grill fare, featuring items like cheeseburgers, patty melts, and jalapeno poppers. But the real draw is the sense of nostalgia one experiences, entering the general store with its covered porch and black vinyl stools at the wraparound counter.

Ideal for community events, family reunions, birthday parties and other general family gettogethers, Lions Park Pavilion is open from sunrise to sunset and features a walking trail, picnic tables, barbecue grill, and playground for children. For the active family, Oak Park features a tennis court and playground for kids. The park is located adjacent to the Baker Community Center on Church Street, and is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.

Manila is a family-owned and operated authentic Filipino restaurant that uses the freshest ingredients while serving up flavorsome traditional Manila dishes like lumpia (Filipino eggrolls), pancit canton (thick noodles) with your choice of vegetables, chicken, pork, or shrimp. Dessert options include a taro shake, available in melon, mango, and avocado flavors. Serving mouthwatering hickory smoked BBQ, Smokin D’s Pit Stop Bar-B-Que is part diner and part homage to motorsports, featuring red vinyl booths, black-andwhite checkered floors and tablecloths, and a row of spare tires decorating the perimeter of the restaurant.

A picturesque state park that borders the mighty Mississippi River. 35

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Neighborhood Spotlights

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Neighborhood Spotlights neighborly

Uptown

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Uptown is bordered to its left by Wolf River Harbor and composed of late-1800s and early-1900s homes featuring quaint covered porches. The preservation of these homes was the result of a major effort to enhance the historical architecture that’s come to define much of Uptown’s charm. Uptown’s revitalization effort has long been in the making — since the late 1990s — when the Memphis Housing Authority and the City of Memphis were able to secure a grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grant allowed Uptown to create an economically integrated community that included the construction of mixed-income apartment complexes, while adding infrastructure and amenities designed to attract small businesses and create a prosperous future for the town’s residents. This development has largely paid off, turning Uptown into a family-friendly neighborhood with a thriving culture that includes bike lanes, a few small parks and community centers, as well as hip cafes like Crazy Gander Coffee Company and the local favorite, Cozy Corner barbecue. Today, Uptown continues its boom town era with the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital expansion, and the development of Snuff District, a 60-acre site that, once open, will feature brand new offices, apartments, and restaurants to service a growing population of young families who are moving here to raise their children.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Parks and Green Spaces Uptown features parks ideal for rest, play, exercise, or all three. Adopted by Grace Church Memphis, Greenlaw Park and Community Center is a two-acre park that features a playground, outdoor basketball court, open park space, and a community center that has a gym. Ideal for gettogethers like birthdays or family reunions, Mary Elizabeth Malone Park is a little over two acres and includes a paved walking trail, playground, benches, and a rental pavilion with picnic tables.

Food and Drink Alcenia’s Restaurant provides a festive atmosphere with colorful walls and a warm welcome. BJ ChesterTamayo opened Alcenia’s in 1997 and created a menu that specializes in making soul food that’s reminiscent of your grandmother’s home cooking. Highlights include fried chicken, salmon croquettes, catfish, pork chops, meatloaf, waffles, fried green tomatoes, cha-cha cabbage, yams, and hot-water cornbread.

Ryan and Blair have combined their love of Memphis music and craft beer to create Soul & Spirits Brewery, a craft brewery that specializes in a diverse range of craft beers that have been inspired by Memphis blues and rock and roll. Many of the beers feature a playful take on the name of the famous song that inspired it. There’s a pilsner called Thirteen Pils after Big Star’s “Thirteen,” and an IPA called Proud Meri after Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary.” Chef Cole’s Kitchen on Bethel Avenue features an array of mouth-watering staples, including a grilled chicken sandwich, spicy red rum wings, and smoked seasoned crab legs.

The preservation of these homes was the result of a major effort to enhance the historical architecture that’s come to define much of Uptown’s charm.

Neighborhood Spotlights neighborly

Photo courtesy of Traci Strickland

High Point Terrace Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, High Point Terrace offers architecturally significant post-World War II homes, mature trees and plenty of character. The paved Shelby Farms Greenline cuts through the leafy neighborhood, offering pedestrians and cyclists another option for navigating the city. Centrally located between bustling Downtown and the wide open spaces of Shelby Farms Park, the neighborhood is home to around 4,000 Memphians, who reside in approximately 1,800 single-family homes that were built in the

Minimal Traditional style during the 1940s and 50s. Property values in High Point Terrace are some of the highest per square foot in Memphis. High Point Terrace has its own shopping center where locals pick up essentials at High Point Grocery and dine at High Point Pizza, without the commercial corridors seen in other communities. However, residents are in close proximity to the University District’s Highland Strip, Poplar Plaza and other shopping and dining districts.

Parks and Green Spaces You’ll find a variety of parks and greenspaces around High Point, offering everything from flower gazing, to hiking and picnicking. High Point is bordered by a country club and an expansive golf course, but it’s the Memphis Botanic Garden that sits just south of High Point where you’ll find the 96-acre greenspace boasting 30 specialty gardens. Special programs and exhibits offer family fun. In addition to a dog park and athletic fields where adult-rec teams and little leagues often play, Tobey Park features a skate park with areas made for all skill levels. Two large bowls, ramps, rails and stairs offer chances to practice from sunrise to sunset. The Wolf River Greenway is protected green space along the Wolf River and it includes a paved pathway for walking and cycling that will eventually extend 36 miles from Mud Island to Shelby County’s suburbs. Current access points include the Shady Grove trailhead on Humphreys Boulevard, which is about a 10-minute drive east of High Point.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Just off Poplar Avenue, and minutes from High Point Terrace, is where you’ll find a variety of restaurants serving up everything from seafood to prime steak, but it’s a local diner that has the High Point resident’s seal of approval. Half Shell is an unassuming seafood house that first opened in 1973 and offers a consistent menu of favorites, including Louisiana redfish, etouffee salmon cakes and other New Orleans-inspired dishes. Attentive service and fine cuts of meat are the signatures at Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House. Weekly specials and an extensive wine list have made this a go-to spot for special occasions and date nights since the 1970s.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Food and Drink

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Neighborhood Spotlights neighborly

VollintineEvergreen

Tree-lined streets, manicured lawns and pictureperfect homes abound in Vollintine-Evergreen, a diverse and historic neighborhood adjacent to sprawling Overton Park in Midtown Memphis. Outdoor recreation is treasured here and neighbors can often be found walking, jogging and biking the nearly two mile V&E Greenline, a community-maintained trail that was built atop a disused railroad line. Stretching more than 60 blocks, Vollintine-Evergreen is one of the largest Memphis neighborhoods on the National Register of Historic Places. Home to mostly 1920s and ‘30s-era homes as well as a few apartment buildings, the residential district boasts mature trees and beautifully preserved Craftsman bungalows. On the edge of the district’s southwest corner is Crosstown Concourse, an exciting mixed-use destination that’s just a short stroll away on Concourse Avenue. Here you’ll find The Mad Grocer, Crosstown Brewing Co., Farm Burger, and French Truck Coffee. Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Parks and Green Spaces The residents of Vollintine-Evergreen take pride in their efforts to ensure the preservation of natural greenspaces throughout the neighborhood. A 10 year effort resulted in the reimagining of the old railroad into a neighborhood-owned nature trail that gives the community a verdant, serene greenspace, known as the V&E Greenline, for walking, exercising, biking and beyond. The greenline reaches from Crosstown Concourse on the west to Springdale Street on the east and includes sculptures, a tree canopy, an iron bridge, an arboretum, and a creek brimming with wildlife. Overton Park offers wide open spaces, rolling across nearly 350 acres. The grounds feature trails that wind through the urban Southeast’s only old-growth forest. An enclosed dog park and children’s playground can also be found here. For family fun, Williamson Park features over four acres, a children’s playground, a jungle gym, swings and a field with soccer goals for practicing and casual play.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Stripay

Neighborhood Spotlights

Food and Drink Located in the heart of the Memphis Theater District, Overton Square features a range of dining options. From New Orleans-inspired cuisine to an upscale steakhouse, Overton Square has a variety of restaurants to satisfy every type of palate. New Orleans native and chef Kelly English brings Big Easy food to Bluff City with The Second Line. Menu highlights include chicken and andouille gumbo and crawfish etouffee. Standout sushi, specialty rolls, nigiri, teriyaki and noodle dishes make Sekisui a Midtown favorite. Bringing Southern flair to a steakhouse concept, Porch and Parlor offers chops and hearty seafood dishes including Louisiana redfish paired with jambalaya risotto cake topped with green onions.

Stretching more than 60 blocks, Vollintine-Evergreen is one of the largest Memphis neighborhoods on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Raleigh Located in north-central Memphis, Raleigh exemplifies the Memphian spirit, reimagining formerly iconic structures for a new era, helping to pave the way forward while inspiring the community. Just 15 minutes north of the vibrant Downtown scene, Raleigh sits in close proximity to some of the best entertainment, arts, and culture that Memphis has to offer. The Raleigh Springs Civic Center includes a combination of indoor and outdoor activities ideal for the bookworm or the athletically inclined. The center was once the iconic site of the Raleigh Springs Mall, but a $42-million overhaul saw the reinvention of the structure from an enclosed shopping center into an innovative civic center complete with an expansive skate park, an 11-acre pond with walking trails, and a branch of the Memphis Public Libraries that hosts book club meetings. Relative to greater Memphis, Raleigh has some of the most affordable housing, without forgoing convenience or space. And with markets and family-friendly entertainment complexes like the Memphis International Flea Market and Put-Put Golf and Games all a stone’s throw away, there’s plenty of weekend exploring to do right in Raleigh.

Raleigh sits in close proximity to some of the best entertainment, arts and culture that Memphis has to offer.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Raleigh’s convenient location, its vast array of parks and greenspaces, and affordable housing make it an ideal location for young families and professionals looking to put roots down in a burgeoning neighborhood.

Neighborhood Spotlights

Parks and Green Spaces

Food and Drink

Whether you’re into hiking, biking, playing soccer, or all of the above, Raleigh is the perfect neighborhood for the adventurous person. At just over 260 acres, the John F. Kennedy Park holds multiple softball fields and soccer fields, as well as a nearly three-mile trail with a view of Wolf River. A segment of the Wolf River Greenway runs through Kennedy Park, which is a paved, dedicated walking and biking space that will eventually extend up to 26 miles, connecting 22 neighborhoods across the greater Memphis area.

The Broad Avenue Arts District is a 12-minute drive east from Raleigh, but this is where you’ll find some of the most exciting restaurants and eateries in all of Memphis. The Liquor Store is a lively diner serving comfort food amidst an eclectic setting. The breakfast and lunch menus feature Cuban-inspired dishes, from the Cuban sandwich to the Cuban Platter complete with fried plantain wedges. The Cove Bar is a retro and nautical-themed bar and is a throwback to the dive bars of New Orleans. The bar specializes in fresh oysters and hand-crafted cocktails, including classics such as the mint julep and the Cove martini. And for something on the sweeter side, take a quick drive east to Berclair, where you’ll find Jerry’s Sno Cones, famous for its sno cone supreme, a large Styrofoam cup filled with up to three different flavors and topped with an ice cream swirl.

And for those green-thumbed adventurers, there’s Windermere Farms and Apiaries. Ken and Freida Lansing lovingly own and operate this certified organic farm, growing everything from purple hull peas and blueberries, to cantaloupe and watermelon, all while offering berry picking and farm tours where you can view working bee hives and learn how they gather the honey and separate it from the comb.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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The Kennedy Park area of the Wolf River Greenway has nearly two miles of recreational trails running through forests adjacent to the hills and banks of the Wolf River. This section also includes six scenic bridges. A stroll along the unpaved nature trail yields zen-inducing views of the Wolf River.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Raleigh Springs Civic Center

Neighborhood Spotlights neighborly

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Pinch District Situated along the Wolf River Lagoon, the Pinch District is one of Memphis’ oldest neighborhoods as well as the city’s oldest commercial district. Today, the area is on the verge of a renaissance, with a major $1.1 billion redevelopment project underway.

The Memphis Pyramid opened in 1991 as a concert and entertainment arena; since then the facility has taken on a new life. Today, a Bass Pro Shop and a lodge-inspired hotel occupy space inside the roughly 32-story building.

Just north of Downtown, the Pinch District is home to high culture and distinctive architecture. The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts is at home in the neighborhood’s Main Street corridor, and local landmarks such as the eye-catching Memphis Pyramid are a short stroll away.

The current redevelopment project will transform Pinch with new dynamic places to eat, drink, work, play and create. Plans include the construction of two boutique hotels, retail shops, apartments and office space.

Built in 2003, the 2,072-seat Cannon Center was designed using world-class acoustic standards; today the venue hosts symphonic concerts, touring theatrical productions, children’s theater and jazz productions.

The Pinch District is home to high culture and distinctive architecture.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Parks and Green Spaces

Food and Drink

One of the many perks of the Pinch District is its proximity to some of Memphis’s best parks and green spaces. Whether in search of a quiet space to practice morning yoga, a family-friendly park with ample play equipment to keep the kids busy, or a dedicated space with historical value, there is a park for every type of visitor.

Burgers, beers and live music are on tap at Huey’s Downtown, a Memphis institution, serving up casual fare and no-frills good times since the ‘70s. Tuscan and Sicilian fare make Catherine & Mary’s a standout in Memphis’ dining scene. Head here for incredible pastas, authentic polenta and meatballs as good as grandma made. The Main Street restaurant and wine bar, Flight, offers flights of everything from wine and bourbon to seafood and soups, and the menu offers suggested wine pairings with dinner entrees. Dubbed the oldest tavern in Memphis, The Green Beetle offers more than 50 beers and serves up classic pub grub, like burgers and buffalo wings.

A short walk from Downtown, Mud Island Park sits on a peninsula in the Mississippi River and features incredible views of the city skyline, plus a 50-foot “Memphis” sign perfect for selfies. Fourth Bluff Park includes plenty of space for quiet contemplation. Head here to stroll on a paved walking trail or take a rest on a bench in the shade. River Garden is a one-acre city park featuring an allages treehouse, children’s play areas and a pavilion for picnics and get-togethers. A bike-share station is located on-site, and group fitness classes are held here. Standing at Beale and Fourth Streets is the Ida B. Wells Plaza and Statue, featuring the only life-size statue in the country of Ida B. Wells. The plaza and statue honors the pioneering journalist, educator, and civil rights advocate and sits adjacent to the original office of the Free Speech and Headlight newspaper, for which Wells wrote and was a partial owner of. The Memphis Memorial Committee, in partnership with the Neshoba Community Resource Center, aims to shed light on her legacy, and is in the process of further developing the plaza around her.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Neighborhood Spotlights

Southaven, MS A 10-minute drive from Memphis International Airport, Southaven is an accessible small town full of appeal and plenty of family-friendly activities. Situated at the very top of Mississippi, the community of Southaven is equally dedicated to athletics as it is to the arts, with an impressive sports complex and an array of theaters that host major productions and offer summer theater camps and workshops.

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Snowden Grove Park is America’s premier youth sports destination and the nation’s largest youth baseball complex with 17 fields, plus Greenbrook Park with eight softball fields. There is also the Southaven Field of Dreams, a mini complex that’s accessible to children and adults with disabilities.

The DeSoto Family Theatre has been entertaining the Southaven community since 2000, featuring performances of classic musicals and plays such as The Sound of Music, Annie, Little Women, Music Man, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Area locals are encouraged to audition and are often cast in productions. Every summer, the theater hosts a summer camp for local youth that is structured to develop appreciation and talent for theater, teamwork, and presentation skills. Strong public schools combined with affordable housing make Southaven a popular city among young families.

Southaven is an accessible small town full of appeal and plenty of family-friendly activities.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Parks and Green Spaces

Food and Drink

Greenbrook Lake Park provides ideal space for a birthday party or family picnic, complete with a pavilion, picnic tables, a playground for the kids, and a walking trail, all overlooking the lush Greenbrook Lake.

Seven-time world barbecue champion Melissa Cookston is the owner of Memphis Barbecue Company, an award-winning BBQ restaurant. She is also the author of two cookbooks, Smokin in the Boy’s Room and Smokin’ Hot in the South. Favorites from the kitchen include fried catfish, BBQ spaghetti, and BBQ meatloaf.

Built in 1999, Snowden Grove Park is a 17-field baseball-only park that has set the standard for what youth baseball complexes should look like, complete with concession stands and comfortable chairback seating for fans and observers. A recent addition to the complex includes the Southaven Field of Dreams, a mini complex for children and adults with disabilities. The stadium has been the recipient of numerous awards over the years, including the prestigious Economic Development Award presented by the State of Mississippi for the impact that this park has had on the local economy of Southaven, MS. In 2008, the stadium was named the USSSA Complex of the Year.

Velvet Cream, aka The Dip, is the oldest running restaurant in DeSoto County, having opened its doors on July 23, 1947. Like a scene straight out of American Graffiti, newly-licensed teenagers would flood The Dip’s parking lot with their cars, eager to hang out with friends while grabbing a bite to eat. The menu’s Americana fare hearkens back to a previous era, featuring hamburgers, shakes and malts, and American pie.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Jim Saucier Memorial Park offers a quiet retreat with a walking trail, a peaceful lake replete with ducks and a small waterfall, and exercise equipment sprinkled along the trail.

Neighborhood Spotlights

Olive Branch Located 30 minutes southeast of Downtown Memphis, Olive Branch is a quaint but fast-growing city that has National Blue Ribbon public schools, familyfriendly parks, golf courses, and shopping. Lower taxes and affordable housing make Olive Branch ideal for young families and single professionals.

Old Towne also features shopping and community events great for weekend exploring with the family.

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Old Towne is Olive Branch’s main drag and is the site of a number of historical buildings dating back to the 1830s. City Hall features a one-room museum dedicated to the town’s earliest settlers, accompanied by documents, photographs and artifacts. Built in 1875, the Wesson House, home of Olive Branch’s first mayor Ben Wesson, is one of three dedicated Mississippi landmarks in the county. During the summer and fall, the historic property hosts free concerts and movies on its lawn.

Old Towne also features shopping and community events great for weekend exploring with the family. Along Pigeon Roost Road, you’ll find boutiques, hair salons, an award-winning bakery, a coffee shop, as well as a florist, and antique and collectibles shops. Arts in the Alley is a free outdoor art gallery, featuring paintings by local artists, all nestled near the Chamber of Commerce that’s housed in the original 1917 Bank of Olive Branch.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Food and Drink Old Town is where you’ll find a cluster of great places to eat and drink, including Old Towne Vibes, a specialty shake and tea shop featuring a mix of beverages like coconut cream pie, peanut butter cup shake and watermelon crawl.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Parks and Green Spaces Olive Branch City Park truly has something for every type of park goer, with three lakes, five tennis courts, a playground, three ballfield complexes, an eight-lane track, two miles of walking trails with exercise stations, a nature trail, a scenic overlook, an amphitheater, two picnic pavilions, and a mountain biking trail suited for beginners. And for the dog-lover, there’s a nearly three acre dog park, created in 2016, called Olive Bark.

A local favorite, The Neighborhood Grill is reminiscent of roadside diners with its relaxed atmosphere and classic American fare, including pancakes, omelets and creamy mashed potatoes, accompanied by a steaming hot cup o’ joe. Voted the best BBQ in DeSoto county, Old Style BBQ is exactly that, replete with green-andwhite-checkered tablecloths and that southern hospitality charm. Highlights include chopped pork BBQ, ribs, half chicken, burgers and sandwiches.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

FPO

After serving as the executive sous chef at Alchemy in the bohemian neighborhood of Cooper-Young, Jonathan Mah decided to pursue his own vision, opening SideStreet Burgers in 2012. It’s a favorite among the locals for its array of mouthwatering burgers, including the Street Burger and That’s My Bacon Jam Burger both featuring a chuck and shortrib blend. This no-frills burger joint also serves spicy pork tacos, shrimp po’boys, sandwiches and salads.

The Lobbyist The interior is polished and modern, with high ceilings and star-burst chandeliers presiding over mid-century tables and chairs.

Exciting newcomers, notable standouts, and family-run restaurants take the spotlight in Memphis’ food scene. Here, we’ve highlighted just a few of our picks, featuring inventive farm-to-table restaurants, craft cocktail bars, and the most famous peanut shop in all of Memphis.

Photo courtesy of Elly Haze; Haze Photography

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New & Notable NEW SPOTS

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

THE FARMER THE LOBBYIST

Photo courtesy of Elly Haze; Haze Photography

Located inside the former historic Chisca Hotel, where the lobby once sat, is The Lobbyist, an elegant restaurant helmed by Chef Jimmy Gentry. The interior is polished and modern, with high ceilings and star-burst chandeliers presiding over mid-century tables and chairs. The menu is equally tasteful and features two distinct sections: produce and proteins. Standouts among the dishes include the charred okra with buttermilk crème fraiche and pickled fresno and the duck with plums and pears.

The Farmer @ Railgarten is a farmto-table establishment that puts a contemporary spin on traditional Southern cuisine, using only the freshest ingredients. Brisket nachos, Gulf shrimp and grits and sweet potato hash are just some of the delectable dishes on offer.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

PANTÀ MEMPHIS

Pantà Memphis is Chef Kelly English’s Spanish-inspired restaurant and latest dream-come-true. Having spent his formative cooking years in Barcelona, English wanted to open a restaurant in homage to the place that helped define him as a chef. The result is an authentic and sophisticated tribute that serves traditional Catalan food and Memphis inspired Catalan food. There’s the classic tortilla española, and the Memphis-inspired porco preto grelhada, grilled pork belly and cebolada. Keeping the Catalan connection, the bar serves gin and tonics and sangrias and has a list of mostly Spanish wines.

INKWELL

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Inkwell is a Black-owned cocktail bar in the Edge District, founded by entrepreneur and designer Ben Colar, who has employed a straightforward mission: serve excellent drinks in an inclusive atmosphere. And that’s precisely what you’ll get here, with a menu of savory sandwiches, from grilled cheese to Cubans, plus an array of signature drinks, classic cocktails, mocktails and wines. An all-black interior and a colorful tiled floor create an intimate atmosphere ideal for a date or casual drinks with friends.

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NEW SPOTS

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

BISCUITS AND JAMS 901 Photo courtesy of Melanie Moore

GOOD FORTUNE CO.

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Steaming bowls of fresh ramen, mouth-watering dumplings, rice bowls, and small plates (think tofu bites) define this buzzy Asian-fusion restaurant, Good Fortune Co. Inside, you’ll find a 27-foot-long, brightly colored mural painted by local artist, Ivy Jade-Edwards, featuring a phantasmagorical scene of women paddling through a river of noodles, accompanied by dumpling babies and an enormous koi fish. Owners Chef Sarah Cai and Arturo Leighton are the creators behind the Asian-fusion cuisine and the much-photographed interior.

HEN HOUSE

Photo courtesy of Melanie Moore

Hen House is a cocktail lover’s paradise, from its chic decor to its inventive concoctions. The interior is eclectic, featuring rattan 1970s seating and a row of minimalist globe pendant lights dangling over the bar. The vibes are inviting and intimate. And the cherry on top is a fun mix of refreshing cocktails. The “Pardon My French” is sparkling wine mixed with orange blossom, citrus, wheatley and lillet rose. “Chic Yeah!” combines Ford’s gin with raspberry, caravedo and egg white.

Located in the Bartlett Towne Square is the bright and cheerful Biscuits and Jams 901 offering the best of breakfast and brunch. Classic breakfast favorites like biscuits and sausage gravy are featured along shareable plates like fried green tomatoes. It’s recommended that reservations be made for Saturdays and Sundays, when there’s likely to be a rush of brunch-goers looking for their helpings of French toast and sides of crispy bacon.

HOG & HOMINY

Photo courtesy of Enjoy AM Restaurant Group

The much-lauded Hog and Hominy was a semi-finalist for Best New Restaurant from the James Beard Foundation and named one of the top new restaurants by a slew of glossy mags, including Southern Living and Bon Appétit. This wood-burning eatery is Memphis born-and-bred chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman’s second restaurant and features a mix of classic dishes from meatballs to steak frites. But it’s the seasonal dishes where you’ll find unique flavors and exciting combinations.

NOTABLE SPOTS

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PHILLIP ASHLEY CHOCOLATES These designer chocolates have inspired an international following, and they’re more than just a sight to behold. Phillip Ashley Chocolates creates inventive flavors, like collard greens and sweet potato, such that the owner and chocolatier, Phillip Rix, was recently named a James Beard semifinalist for his Memphian take on the bonbon. Rix focuses on seasonality, blending ingredients from around the world with the finest fairtrade chocolate. The designs are hand-painted and feature a mix of Jackson Pollock-esque paint speckles and Mark Rothko-esque washes of color.

GREY’S FINE CHEESES AND ENTERTAINING

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Stripay

Delectable jars of bright jams and Edmond Fallot mustards decorate the shelves at this European-inspired specialty cheese shop in Memphis. Grey’s Fine Cheeses and Entertaining is Memphis’ only cheese shop, and it has set the bar high, with its array of artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, accoutrements and wine. For the cheesemongers, there’s a Monthly Cheese Club, as well as workshops and tasting events.

TIGER AND PEACOCK

Photo courtesy of The Memphian

Located on the rooftop of the Memphian Hotel, Tiger and Peacock is an eccentric cocktail lounge that evokes a whimsical take on a London pub. Stately portraits mingle with miniature chandeliers and a bust of a white giraffe with a chandelier dangling from its mouth. Highlights from the tasting menu are the Lays potato chips served with caviar, and the short ribs marinated in sake. Classic cocktails are given a modern twist, with the blood orange mezcal negroni and a spicy bourbon sidecar.

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Stately portraits mingle with miniature chandeliers and a bust of a white giraffe with a chandelier dangling from its mouth.

Photo courtesy of The Memphian

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Tiger and Peacock

Family-Owned & Flourishing FAMILY-OWNED & FLOURISHING

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DORY Chef Dave Krog and his wife Amanda opened Memphis’ first tasting-only menu restaurant, Dory, named for their daughter Doris Marie, in 2021, to great fanfare. Working with local farmers and vendors, the menu reads like an homage to the carefully sourced ingredients that define the cuisine. Highlights include BBQ squash with harissa glaze, and farm greens with crispy Marmilu egg. The dining room is open by reservation only, from Tuesday to Saturday; walk-ins are welcome for the bar and lounge.

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ANIMA COFFEE AND AMARO BAR

BOG AND BARLEY

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Stripay

DJ and Jamie Naylor are the brains behind the lavish $2.5-million renovation of Bog and Barley. The result is a contemporary spin on a traditional Irish pub. Beautiful mahogany wood, high ceilings and a cozy brick fireplace are some of the restaurant’s grand features. The menu also offers an elevated take on traditional Irish pub fare, with dishes like bangers and mash, and charred cabbage steak with vegan cider mayo. Keeping with the Irish connection is a curated selection of the finest whiskeys from around the world.

Anima Coffee and Amaro Bar is the natural next step after the espresso martini craze, bringing specialty coffee and craft cocktails under one roof. At the helm are Tim and Teri Perkins, who know a thing or two about coffee. They’re the owners of Vice and Virtue, a coffee shop in downtown Memphis. Their new venture, located in the historic midtown section, is housed inside The Citizen, an apartment and condo complex. The menu features inventive bites, specialty coffee from Vice and Virtue and an amaro-forward cocktail program.

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FAMILY-OWNED & FLOURISHING

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HIGH POINT PIZZA

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BABALU

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Nestled within the vibrant Overton Square, Babalu offers a unique fusion of Southern flavors with a Latin twist. The menu, a symphony of Latin and Southern culinary traditions, prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients, and features an array of hand-crafted cocktails. Dishes like Shrimp and Grits and Beef Short Rib Rolls mix with a selection of flavorsome tacos. Highlights include the Tableside Guacamole featuring a bacon add-on and the house-made sangria with a medley of fresh fruit. Bright yellow umbrellas and a sky-blue exterior punctuate the festive atmosphere.

SOUL FISH CAFÉ Soul Fish Café is a casual, come-as-you-are eatery with a retro 1950s vibe that has multiple locations around Memphis and in the ‘burbs, and offers a variety of tasty favorites including po’boy sandwiches, catfish platters and tacos of all kinds.

High Point Pizza is the perfect setting for a lunch with the kids, post-soccer game or ballet recital. The menu sticks to the classics, serving toasted ravioli, a garden salad, meatballs and an array of pizzas from cheese to Margherita to mushroom. With black-and-white checkered floors, a red-and-white awning adorning the facade, this classic joint is sure to be recalled fondly as that place with the really good pizza.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

FAMILY-OWNED & FLOURISHING

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BISHOP RESTAURANT Bishop Restaurant is a French brasserie-inspired restaurant with a Southern influence. For brunch, modern plates like avocado toast mingle with the French-inspired grapefruit brulee, as well as the southern staple, biscuits and gravy. And for dinner, the French theme continues with oysters, tinned seafood and moules-frites. The interior is a captivating blend of mid-century seating, burnt orange velvet booths and dark blue walls, together creating a moody but inviting atmosphere.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

THE PEANUT SHOPPE

COLETTA’S

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

It’s a family affair at this Italian restaurant, serving Memphians since 1923. Coletta’s two locations — South Parkway and Appling Road — are run by the fourth and fifth generations of the Coletta family, and have been voted the Best Pizza in a poll conducted by the daily newspaper of Memphis, The Commercial Appeal. The menu is traditional Italian cuisine with focaccia bread, antipasto salad, tortellini soup and spaghetti with meat sauce. But it’s the array of delicious pizzas, from a “Plain Cheese” pizza to a “Round the World” pizza with sausage, beef, mushrooms, shrimp, pepperoni and peppers that keeps locals coming back for more.

Since 1949, The Peanut Shoppe has been a local Memphis favorite and a labor of love by the owners Rida Abu-Zaineh and his daughter, Nurah. Roasted, toasted, peeled, or shelled, you’ll find a variety of salted and unsalted nuts, like almonds and pistachios, to meet your needs. Also available is a variety of dried fruits, chocolates, candies and flavored popcorn. The chocolate nuts sampler makes for an ideal holiday gift. The Shoppe is still on Main Street in the historic Downtown section of Memphis, but now in a larger, newly renovated space.

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School Listings

Memphis & Mid-South School Guide

Located across Greater Memphis, from Binghampton to Sea Isle, school-aged children have a range of educational options, including top-rated charter schools, public schools with Blue Ribbon designations and private schools like Lausanne Collegiate, the only secular private school in Memphis. Read on to find out more about Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) and their academic, athletic and artistic offerings. CHARTER SCHOOLS Located inside Crosstown Concourse, a landmark adaptive reuse development project in the heart of Memphis, Crosstown High School is a public charter school that aims to prepare students to be lifelong learners. Clubs and groups make up an important part of a student’s educational experience at Crosstown. A theater group brings students together as they work to put on full length performances each winter and spring. For the musically inclined, the Memphis Jazz Workshop is an afterschool program that features both ensemble practices and master classes with instructors in various instruments and choir. The XTH debate team competes in speech competitions. Students are encouraged to develop new clubs and interest groups. When it comes to academics, Libertas School of Memphis is the #1 highest achieving elementary charter school in Memphis, serving students from PreK to fifth grade and located in the Frayser neighborhood. They offer a Montessori education, a personalized approach to learning that meets the unique needs of each individual student. Students will be taught a Core Knowledge curriculum that includes Greek mythology, astronomy, ancient Roman civilizations, as well as Native American regions and cultures with the aim of providing students with a strong foundation in cultural literacy. Daycare is available to those who need it.

SPOTLIGHT ON

POWER CENTER ACADEMY SCHOOLS In 2011, Yetta Lewis and Derwin Sisnett founded Gestalt Community Schools, a charter management organization, to address the economic hardships affecting schools and families within the Memphis community. Power Center Academy schools, now under the Gestalt Community Schools umbrella, are among the top charter schools within the Shelby County Schools system. Lewis’ and Sisnett’s vision centers on building better communities through education. Gestalt focuses on low-income communities with failing schools, then employs grassroots leadership to revive the neighborhood and partners with providers to address outside challenges hindering students from flourishing. The Gestalt Community Schools encompass five Power Center Academy Schools: two elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. Southeast Elementary School features small class sizes and has a collaborative approach to learning. Hickory Hill Elementary School promotes building a community through collaborative relationships between teachers and students. Hickory Hill Middle School considers the unique needs of the whole child, helping them to become better learners. At Southeast Middle School students become invested in their learning through collaborative lesson plans. Hickory Hill High School offers a rigorous academic program that includes advancement courses as well as dual enrollment courses, ensuring students are college-ready. Power Center Academy opened its doors in 2008 to 125 sixth grade students in Hickory Hill. Since that time, PCA schools have steadily climbed the Public School Review Top 10 Best List for charter schools, with Southeast Elementary School and Hickory Hill High School ranking at number four and number eight, respectively.

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS Considered an integral part of the historic Central Gardens neighborhood in Midtown, Idlewild Elementary has been around for 117 years and has earned the distinction of being ranked in the top 10% of all public schools by the State of Tennessee. Idlewild’s Enriched Science and Technology Optional Program provides a meaningful learning environment for students from more than 28 zip codes across the Mid-South. Teachers and staff create classrooms that embrace sharing diverse cultures, ideas, experiences, interests, and opinions in a safe and nurturing environment. Notable alumni include developer and preservationist Henry Turley, and Congressman Steve Cohen. Serving students from pre-k through fifth grade, White Station Elementary is a highly rated public school that aims to prepare students to become college and career ready by employing instructional strategies that challenge and support their learning. For math, White Station uses Eureka/Engage New York. This service provides a variety of free family tip sheets that include suggested strategies and models, essential vocabulary, and tips for how parents can support learning at home. For language arts, the McGraw-Hill Reading Wonders program encourages the exploration of texts and daily development of skills, including reading, writing, speaking, and active listening, ultimately fostering a life-long reader.

Snowden School is a magnet school that serves children from kindergarten through eighth grade, and seeks to foster positive collaboration between students, families and the community. Snowden regularly partners with Rhodes College and the Memphis Symphony to provide opportunities for students to engage with the Memphis Community. For parents of students, the Snowden School Parent Teacher Organization makes it easy to get involved and support their child’s educational experience. As a member of the PTO, parents–and children–can attend the meetings, held the first Tuesday of every month, as well as participate in volunteer opportunities that range from teacher appreciation efforts to Snowden events.

SPOTLIGHT ON

CAMPUS SCHOOL Campus School, in affiliation with the University of Memphis, ranks in the top five percent of Tennessee public schools and received a Blue Ribbon designation in 2019. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Campus School is a laboratory school that utilizes research to inform its innovative curriculum. The school’s affiliation with the University of Memphis means students are exposed to a culturally rich environment that’s diverse and collaborative. The school boasts small class sizes, with a cumulative student body of just 400, with a quarter of those students being the children of UofM faculty and staff. Students have described the learning environment as fun and welcoming. The Campus School’s vision includes an emphasis on collaboration, research, excellence in teaching, enthusiasm for learning and diversity. These five tenants help to foster an environment where students feel inspired to exercise initiative, handle responsibilities, test ideas, establish opinions about controversial matters and develop aesthetic values that will prepare them for their eventual place in the larger world.

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PRIVATE SCHOOLS Midtown Montessori Memphis veers from traditional methods in favor of focusing on philosophical, environmental and purpose-driven activities that aim to enhance a student’s educational experience. Located in the Evergreen Historic District of Midtown Memphis, Midtown Montessori offers children, ages three to 12, an environment rich with opportunities to explore their community. Teachers and staff members support the vision of creating an environment that aids children’s development in a way that is the product of the child’s own intellectual, emotional and spiritual work. Core curriculum emphasizes the importance of collaboration and community illustrated by trips to the library, walks to the park and visits to area museums. Memphis University School is a college preparatory school for boys from seventh to 12th grade that focuses on maintaining the school’s Christian tradition by encouraging young men to become thoughtful individuals with a strong value system. Curriculum centers on academics, arts and athletics. Core curriculum consists of English, mathematics, classical and modern languages, history, sciences and fine and performing arts. The arts program stages a minimum of two major theater productions, two choral/band concerts and two annual orchestra concerts. The athletics program boasts a sports facility that rivals those of some colleges, with dedicated spaces for almost all of the school’s 14 interscholastic upper school sports.

SPOTLIGHT ON

LAUSANNE COLLEGIATE SCHOOL The only PK-2 through 12th grade International Baccalaureate World School in Tennessee, Lausanne Collegiate School is a popular choice among St. Jude employees for its small student-to-teacher ratio, its 100% acceptance rate to colleges and universities and its global approach to learning that seeks to teach students how to become curious, knowledgeable and caring people who wish to leave the world better than how they found it. The campus is situated on 30 acres and includes four academic buildings, a science center, a 60,000 square foot state-of-the-art library and indoor sports complex, two gymnasiums, a performing arts center and arts wing, two multi-purpose athletic fields, six tennis courts, a sprint track and waterfront access to Blue Heron Lake. The primary years program focuses on a curriculum that teaches students to make connections across subjects and be able to develop investigations into their ideas. From fifth to eighth grade, the program focuses on eight subjects: language and literature, language acquisition (Spanish, Mandarin, and French), individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics, physical and health education, design and visual and performing arts. The diploma program allows students, grades 11 to 12, to explore their interest in six content areas: language A (literary studies in the student’s native language), language B (acquisition of an additional language), social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics and arts. Through a well-balanced blend of academics, athletics and the arts, Lausanne Collegiate School’s aim is to prepare each of its students for college and for life in a global environment.

Located on a 52-acre campus in East Memphis, Hutchison School is a preparatory day school for girls from pre-k to 12th grade, that takes a thoughtful approach to academics, athletics and character development in order to speak to the mind, body and spirit of their students. The curriculum boasts a fine arts program, an athletics program and a working farm. The fine arts program includes formal art shows, sculpture exhibits and the mounting of full-scale theater productions. The athletics program caters to a range of abilities, offering intramurals for basic skill development to highly competitive varsity sports. And first graders make mud pies and sculptures out of clay for a unit in soil, while the AP environmental class explores organic and vertical gardening on the farm. highwaystarz – stock.adobe.com

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GREAT IDEAS FLOURISH HERE When field-leading researchers meet world-class resources, anything is possible. That means any idea can go from mind to matter. From cancer and sickle cell disease to neurologic disorders and more, if there's a problem out there, we aim to solve it. With you.

96-acres of greenspace boasting 30 specialty gardens.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Memphis Botanic Garden

Road Trippin’

Memphis MISSISSIPPI

JACKSON 3 HOURS

LOUISIANA

MONTGOMERY 2.5 HOURS

6 HOURS

PANAMA CITY 7 HOURS

Road Trippin’ More Americans are opting for road trips in lue of air travel when it comes to vacation planning, and Memphis’ location makes it the perfect starting point for quick-and-easy getaways that offer everything from toes-in-the-sand relaxation to mountain mornings, electric entertainment and iconic festivals.

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ALABAMA

FLORIDA

NEW ORLEANS

TENNESSEE

MISSISSIPPI

LOUISIANA

ALABAMA

FLORIDA

Florida Panhandle FLORIDA

DRIVE FROM MEMPHIS : 7 Hours

ON THE ITINERARY Miramar Beach St. George Island Fort Myers

Food and Family Fun Miramar Beach Located in the heart of the Panhandle, Miramar Beach is famous for its Emerald Coast waters and sugar-white sand beach that takes up a little over seven of the 26 miles that comprise South Walton, Florida. Beyond the beach is a variety of familyfriendly activities, shops and restaurants to keep the vacation vibe going. Yolo Board Adventures at Baytowne Marina has stand-up paddle boards for rent, as well as lessons and kids camps available. Silver Sands Premium Outlets is a shopper’s paradise featuring outlets from J. Crew, Le Creuset, Disney, Vans and more. Hungry tummies will enjoy Another Broken Egg Cafe for brunch. Meanwhile, Pompano Joe’s is right on the beach and serves fresh seafood. And for dessert, La Cremeria serves gelato, coffee, milkshakes and Italian Ice.

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Fort Walton Beach Situated between Pensacola and Panama City, Fort Walton Beach is a family favorite for its calm waters and cool sand. Here, a vibrant mix of eateries mingle with parks and a science center. Okaloosa Donuts serves everything from breakfast burritos to sprinkled donuts. The Shack is right on the water and serves fried green tomatoes and fresh seafood. Liza Jackson Park is located on the waterfront and features a play structure, pavilion, picnic tables and fishing pier. The Emerald Coast Science Center features the interactive Ecosystem Room, where visitors can create watershed models and experiment with virtual rainfall.

History and Horseback Riding Panama City African Americans have played a central role in Panama City’s cultural heritage. Jose Massalina and his family settled in Redfish Point around the time of the Civil War. He invited dozens of free black slaves and their families to help establish the area. Eventually more than thirty families moved to Redfish Point, where they built a school, a church and dozens of homes. For an indepth look at the history of Redfish Point, visit the Bay County Historical Museum.

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Cape San Blas

Tarpon Springs

One of the few vacation destinations in the country that still allows visitors to go horseback riding on the beach, Cape San Blas is a narrow stretch of land popular for its laid-back vibe and beautiful views of the Gulf. Two-Bit Stable offers daily one-hour to one-and-a-half-hour horseback rides, during cooler hours in the summer, and warmer hours in the winter. Rockin’ M Ranch has horses for all ages and rides are accompanied by an experienced guide. Broke A Toe provides a digital photo package so you can let someone else worry about capturing the moment while you enjoy the ride.

Tarpon Springs is known for its Greek heritage and for its 51 miles of waterfront allure, but it’s the hidden gems bringing fresh adventures to this destination. Catapult Adventure Park has a series of fun-filled obstacles, bounce houses and ball pits to keep the entire family entertained. For underwater adventures, Narcosis Scuba offers a variety of diving lessons, from beginner to advanced. And for the gameplayer, Replay Museum is an interactive museum with over 120 playable games and unique amusement devices set to “free” play. Donkey Kong, Pac Man and Mortal Kombat are among the classics you’ll find here.

St. George Island

Natural Wonders

St. George Island is a 22-mile barrier island home to serene beaches ideal for family-friendly activities including swimming, fishing and paddling. For the nature-lover, venture out to the island’s bay marshes to spot wildlife. Or tour the historic Cape St. George Lighthouse that stands at the center of St. George Island.

Sanibel Island

The Sports Coast New Port Richey The gateway to the sports coast, New Port Richey’s riverfront landscape blends nature and beaches with shopping and restaurants and all with a smalltown feel. But it’s the wealth of parks and nature preserves that New Port Richey is known for. Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park is 8,000 acres of pine flatwoods and ancient oaks, providing plenty of shade and fresh air for hiking, biking and camping. James E. Grey Nature Preserve borders the shores of the Cotee River and is home to 80 acres of swamps and wetlands. Nature trails provide a glimpse into wildlife and their habitats. Other aquatic and forested getaways include Robert K. Rees Memorial Park, Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, Boy Scout Preserve and Pasco Palms Preserve.

Sanibel Island’s Gulf Coast is the seashell capital of the world and is considered the best shelling spot in North America according to Travel and Leisure magazine. The island’s boomerang shape helps to slow the shells down and brings them onto the beach in one piece. The best time to go shelling is May through September, when you can find anywhere from 50 to 60 different varieties of shells on any given day, including conch, junonia, lightning whelk, cockle, scallops, murex, tulip and coquina.

Siesta Key Siesta Key has sandy beaches and picturesque sunsets, as well as some good shelling. Head to the southern end of Siesta Key to Turtle Beach, where you’ll find crown shells, horse conches and banded tulips. The best shells are found just before low tide, or directly after a storm passes. When shelling, the only rule of thumb is that if you see something living in a shell, then leave it on the beach.

Fort Myers Located in Lee County, Florida, Fort Myers is full of outdoor adventures and excellent shelling. The Great Calusa Blueway is a 190-mile marked canoe and kayak trail ideal for beginners or experienced paddlers and kayakers, and is home to marine life, shore birds and crustaceans. For shelling, Lovers Key State Park is accessible and the shells are plentiful. The best time for shelling is early in the morning.

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Situated between Pensacola and Panama City, Fort Walton Beach is a family favorite for its calm waters and cool sand.

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TENNESSEE

MISSISSIPPI

ALABAMA

Stop Along the Way

Montgomery ALABAMA

DRIVE FROM MEMPHIS :

2.5 Hours

ON THE ITINERARY The Civil Rights Trail The Rosa Parks Museum

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The Legacy Museum

Montgomery is full of historical sites and institutions worthy of a visit. The Civil Rights Trail includes the historic path that voting rights activists famously took in 1965. The Rosa Parks Museum, the Legacy Museum and the Freedom Rides Museum are conveniently located within a few blocks of each other.

Gatlinburg TENNESSEE

DRIVE FROM MEMPHIS :

2.5 Hours

ON THE ITINERARY Anakeesta Theme Park Gatlinburg Trail Wild Plum

Ranked a top mountain town by Travel and Leisure magazine in 2022, Gatlinburg is the gateway to the Smoky Mountains, and offers lots of opportunities for scenic exploring and delicious food. Anakeesta Theme Park provides fun ways to experience the Smoky Mountains with a zipline and a skywalk. The Dueling Zipline Adventure will have you soaring through the trees alongside your friends. The Treetop Skywalk has over 880 feet of connected bridges suspended 50 to 60 feet in the air. For something more grounded, The Gatlinburg Trail, a two mile stretch, is a fan favorite for its convenience along with its verdant beauty. The trail also permits pets and bicycles. Middle Prong Trail is a more strenuous hike, at eight miles, but boasts three incredible waterfalls: Lynn Camp Prong Cascades, Lynn Camp Falls and Indian Flats Falls, making the trek more than worth it.

Gatlinburg has a trove of eateries, from a tea room to a brewery and everything in between. Wild Plum is a charming mountainside tea room inspired by Austrian-style tea houses and located in the historic Arts and Crafts Community. Wild Plum is the ideal lunch spot and highlights from the menu include wild plum tea, served hot or cold, fresh ahi tuna on greens, the hot pimento cheese dip and the lobster pie. Built among the treetops in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, Anakeesta is more than just a theme park, featuring small villages with dozens of dining options, each with sweeping views of the mountains. To access these restaurants, you will need to purchase a ticket to the theme park. The Tap House serves a variety of signature cocktails, craft beers and wines and features a fire pit and sweeping views of the mountain tops. The Tennessee Sidecar is the perfect place to pick up a quick bite to eat, serving the Tennessee walking taco with ground beef. The Smokehouse is an open-air lodge with 360° views of the outdoors and serves smoked meats like pulled pork, brisket and chicken wings. Bonus feature: Located in Pigeon Forge, Dollywood is less than a 30 minute drive away from Gatlinburg, and was voted the number one theme park in the United States by Tripadvisor. With more than 50 world-class rides, tons of options for entertainment and award-winning dining, there’s no shortage of excitement to be had. Listen to the Smoky Mountain String Band play authentic mountain music, or catch an educational Zookeeper Chat, featuring live birds. Dining options abound, from kettle korn, to Dippin’ Dots, hot dogs and pizza. Aunt Granny’s Restaurant was named by USA Today as one of the top 10 best theme park restaurants in the country, serving classic Southern fare. 71

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Jazz Fest is a 10-day cultural feast starting in late April and running through early May.

Franklin TENNESSEE

DRIVE FROM MEMPHIS :

3 Hours

ON THE ITINERARY Pilgrimage Music and Culture Festival

30 minutes south of Nashville, Franklin is a mustsee historical city with a charming main street, dating back to 1799, that houses trendy boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Every September, Franklin hosts the Pilgrimage Music and Culture Festival featuring popular rock musicians, from the Lumineers to the Black Crowes.

New Orleans LOUISIANA

DRIVE FROM MEMPHIS :

6 Hours

ON THE ITINERARY French Quarter Congo Square Zulu Lundi Gras Festival

Located at the end of the Mississippi River, New Orleans is where Caribbean, Spanish, French and African cultures come together to forge a city full of history, culinary experiences, incredible architecture and festival fun. Take a self-guided food tour in the historic French Quarter, where you’ll find a mix of traditional French restaurants and delicious African fare. Take a walking tour through the historic Congo Square, recognized as the birthplace of jazz. Although New Orleans is most known for Mardi Gras, the Big Easy is a cornucopia of year-round festivals. Here we’ve listed some of the festivals that highlight the best of New Orleans. The French Quarter Fest is the largest showcase of Louisiana music in the world and runs during two weekends in April. Throughout the French Quarter, you’ll find more than 20 stages celebrating local music and representing a variety of genres from traditional and contemporary jazz to R&B, New Orleans funk, brass bands, folk, gospel, Latin, Zydeco, classical, cabaret and international. The festival’s 40th anniversary included over 270 performances and over 60 culinary experiences.

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Past performers have included Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas, as well as Ani Difranco, Samantha Fish and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Admission is free. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, also known as Jazz Fest, is a 10-day cultural feast starting in late April and running through early May. Thousands of musicians, cooks and craftspeople will share their music, food and crafts with festivalgoers. The festival celebrates the indigenous music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana, encompassing every style associated with the city and the state, from the blues to R&B and bluegrass. There will also be lots of contemporary and traditional jazz. A stellar lineup of performers has appeared, including Grammy award winner Jon Batiste, H.E.R., Mumford and Sons and the Lumineers. 73

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“The party with a purpose,” the Essence Festival started in 1995 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine, a periodical dedicated to African-American women. Popular with festivalgoers, the festival went on to become the largest African-American cultural event in the United States. Over the years, the festival has featured performances from musical legends like Jill Scott, Irma Thomas, Patti LaBelle, The Roots, Chaka Khan, Prince, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Leon Bridges and most recently, Ms. Lauryn Hill. In addition to music, the festival includes a marketplace where black-owned businesses sell original jewelry, handbags, apparel, accessories and visual art, as well as an array of food and wine. The Krewe of Boo Halloween parade is a funfilled, theatrical celebration with macabre undertones. The festival begins with a luncheon featuring a spread of local fare, followed by a jazz parade that marches through the French Quarter, leading into happy hour at a local bar. Saturday starts with the early morning New Orleans Zombie Run through the Warehouse District. The Krewe of BOO! Parade rolls at sundown and the festivities come to a close with a blowout costume bash at a post-parade afterparty, the Monster Mash.

Every November, Chef Emeril Lagasse’s nonprofit foundation hosts Carnivale du Vin, a charitable food and drink extravaganza that supports youth and vocational training programs in the culinary arts. The wine auction and gala dinner has attracted culinary greats like Frank Brigtsen, Nina Compton, and Ken Frank. A four-course meal is created by Chef Lagasse’s team along with culinary students from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. The live auction can fetch upwards of $1 million for a six-liter bottle of wine. In the year 2022 alone, Lagasse’s foundation raised $2.2 million, money that helped to fund programs with a focus on culinary, nutrition and arts education. Hosted in late February by the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, the Zulu Lundi Gras Festival in Woldenberg Park features food, music, arts and crafts along the riverfront, with three stages and a star-studded lineup. The festival continues until the arrival of the Zulu King and Queen aboard a coast guard ship. From there, the royals will meet Rex and the mayor of New Orleans. This festival is free and open to the public.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Stripay

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Jackson MISSISSIPPI

DRIVE FROM MEMPHIS :

3 Hours

ON THE ITINERARY Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Mississippi Blues Trail

Jackson, Mississippi encompasses a number of historic sites including the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, a site that served as a catalyst for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Mississippi Blues Trail offer unique insights into the movement and the music that helped to reshape a nation. amadeustx – stock.adobe.com

Cricket in Collierville

Collierville Notable within this bustling area is a growing South Asian community.

Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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Cricket in Collierville

In a charming Memphis suburb, a growing South Asian community is living the American dream, putting down roots and boosting the local economy.

Situated in Tennessee’s Shelby County, historic Collierville combines the best of country- living with the perks of life connected to a thriving metropolis. Picturesque and relaxed, this Memphis suburb is alive with fabulous restaurants, local boutiques and a vibrant music scene. Families and professionals in Collierville also enjoy access to a robust range of arts and sports programming as well as exceptional green spaces that include 18 miles of walking trails.

Growing from a modest three percent in 2000, the Asian and South Asian populations comprise an impressive eleven percent of the Collierville community. Signs of this expanding population can be seen in the restaurants, shops and independent grocers that have been not only welcomed but have found an integrated home. St. Jude hematopathologist, Mondira Kundu, moved her family from DC and her impression speaks volumes about community spirit, “One thing that is really different here is the warmth and friendliness of local Memphians.” In addition to the local Indian businesses, the popular sport of cricket has firmly taken its place and can be seen across the local playing fields between April and September. Established in 2019, the Collierville Cricket Club has become a well attended pastime for players and spectators alike.

Maintaining its small town feel, in recent years Collierville has seen an evolution from a sleepy suburb into an active metro area. Part of this energized momentum has been due to the embrace of other cultures and their professional and social contributions to Collierville. Notable within this bustling area is a growing South Asian community. In fact, located just a short distance from Collierville in Eads, TN, the Indian Cultural Center and Temple is a testament to the roots the Indian population have established in the area. Founded in the 1980s, built donation by donation, today the center is a flourishing ceremonial and cultural touchstone through which South Asian communities of Memphis and its surrounding suburbs flow. Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Cricket in Collierville

The first mention of cricket can be traced to the mid-16th century England and became known as Britain’s national sport by the 18th century. Played between two opposing teams, cricket came to be embraced throughout the British Commonwealth from Australia to India. Today the game enjoys a global profile across 92 countries with a diverse and deeply dedicated following of fans.

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This bat-and-ball game, not baseball, was the first official national game here in America. Predating the Olympics by 50 years, in 1844 teams from the United States and Canada competed in what was the first international sporting event in modern history. Played on a field with a center pitch measuring 22 yards, each team is made up of 11 players. The “batting” team tries to score runs while the opposing team “bowls” to prevent runs from being scored. By 1849 an estimated 10,000 Americans were playing the game. In fact, in its American heyday, Philadelphia alone had more than 100 cricket clubs only to be usurped by baseball in the 1880s. However, thanks to various immigrant populations, the game’s enthusiastic global following is emerging again across this country. Reflective of its prominent emergence, the Memphis area is home to a significant number of teams with Collierville having established a league of its own.

“One thing that is really

different here is the warmth and friendliness of local Memphians.

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Photo courtesy of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Founded in 2019, the Collierville Cricket League is now home to 21 teams. Currently matches are played at the Nikki McRay Park but with an aim to enter tournaments throughout the region along with a growing local fan base, the need for a permanent home has become a priority. The teams are making due with fashioning their own playing area and pitch. In order to qualify for regional tournaments, the playing field has to meet measurable specifications. Local players recently made a formal request to the Collierville city council for a designated area to build a cricket field. The city council is currently assessing which of the town’s green spaces would make the ideal location for the league.

The South Asian residents are effectively incorporating generations of tradition, sport, cooking, fashion, music and blending those attributes within the established American traditions of this historic Tennessee town. Though perhaps an unexpected population to lay roots in Collierville, South Asians have not only settled in this idyllic landscape but have created a connected and engaged community to call home.

Memphis Moment

MEMPHIS MOMENT A CULTURE OF CARE BRINGS US HERE.

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There’s something about Memphis that’s so different. It’s in the sidewalks. It’s everywhere. When you walk down Beale Street and look from one end to the other, you can see the FedEx Forum, the Pyramid and the Memphis Bridge. From the W. C. Handy Home and Museum to A. Schwab Dry Goods Store to B. B. King’s Blues Club, you can’t walk down Beale Street and not feel and see the history of it. How many major cities have a restaurant like the Arcade that’s been around since 1919 and features photographs of some of the most famous people in music just eating a pizza?

Photo courtesy of Rachel Kannady

My five children have all been raised here, and I see how they take ownership of who they are and their actions. They are aware of the legacy that they’re leaving behind. That sense of ownership partly comes from the culture

of care St. Jude fosters in children of Memphis from a very early age. From the time you’re in kindergarten until you graduate from high school, you know about Trike-A-Thon, you know about Math-A-Thon and you know about the St. Jude Marathon Weekend. This is part of the reason why Memphis ranks among the top cities with the most volunteer hours in the country. That culture of care permeates through every neighborhood in Memphis, including Orange Mound, where I live with my family. In Orange Mound, I’m around other hard-working Memphians who love their family, neighborhood and city. We have so many wonderful establishments invested in our children, including Novel, where kids get to be junior booksellers, write a synopsis of a book they’ve read and then display it next to the book. My kids have enjoyed the many sports and athletic opportunities, including competitive swimming, cheer, gymnastics, softball, basketball and ballet. I grew up in Memphis and have seen firsthand how Memphis continues to grow. This place is amazing and raising kids here is incredibly exciting.

Rachel Kannady

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Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program Manager Orange Mound

IT’S EASIER TO BREAK BARRIERS WHEN YOU HAVE NONE You know what you need to get the job done, which is how you've made it so far. And why you keep working for more. St. Jude aims to help you succeed, starting with $12.9 billion in strategic investment and an ambitious plan to accelerate progress on a global scale. For you, the possibilities are limitless.