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When I ran for office, I campaigned on the strength of our creative and cultural assets. I believe a thriving Creative and Cultural economy isn’t something that is just a nice to have - for me, for Memphis, it is a need to have. Because Memphis has always been more than just a place where music is heard - it’s a city where music is felt. It’s embedded into our very identity, influencing our economy, culture, and history. Memphis is the original, the ultimate music city - and I believe we need to do more to exalt that . The Memphis I know isn’t comfortable with simply resting on our legendary past; it’s a place where innovation reigns supreme, and where our contemporary music culture is still alive, growing, and shaping our future.
Earlier this week, DeMarcus Suggs, Director of the office of Creative and Cultural economy, hosted an important event to share the findings from our first Memphis Music Strategy report, which is the result of a collaboration between Sound Diplomacy, Music Export Memphis, the Greater Memphis Chamber, and the City. The report was designed to showcase the current and potential economic impact of the nonprofit and for-profit Memphis music industry, and the launch event was held at Minglewood Hall, where Talibah Safiya, Bertram Williams, Ted Townsend, and Elizabeth Cawein, all helped to facilitate the community conversation with an opening set performed by DJ Yo Breezye. The night was filled with passion, insight, and a clear call to action - we must do more to integrate our creative economy into the economic development strategy for our city.
This combination strategy aims to make Memphis the world’s most vibrant music city by preserving our musical legacy and capitalizing on music as a powerful economic driver.
While we honor the giants who came before, we also have a thriving, contemporary industry that includes young, emerging artists, innovative music businesses, and new opportunities for creatives looking to build a career right here at home. For me, the resounding message from the report was that it is time leverage our assets to create a stronger future.
From hip-hop artists to orchestras, DJs to blues musicians, club owners to music educators, every facet of our music ecosystem was represented at the Minglewood Hall event. That level of engagement underscored an essential truth: Memphis has all the ingredients to not only sustain its music economy but to lead the way in defining what a successful music city looks like in the modern era.
Currently, Memphis' music ecosystem supports over 5,000 local jobs and 1,148 music-related assets - from venues and studios to cultural institutions and festivals. But this is just the beginning. For every $1,000 generated by Memphis' music industry, an additional $750 is created across other sectors, demonstrating the profound ripple effects music has on our local economy. By expanding our music industry, we can continue to grow, innovate, and attract global attention.
 Our music industry deserves investment, structure, and an intentional path forward. That’s one of the reasons we established the first-ever Office of Creative and Cultural Economy, a move that goes beyond a traditional Arts and Culture Office or Music Commission. The office is dedicated to ensuring that music and creativity are core drivers of economic vitality in Memphis.
I look at the Sound Diplomacy report as a kind of roadmap. It lays out recommendations to strengthen our music industry, from increasing funding opportunities for artists to fostering deeper collaboration between musicians, venues, and industry professionals. But the biggest takeaway is that we need to move to connect the assets and strengthen the ecosystem. I don’t want this to be the kind of report that sits on a shelf. I want to have the hard conversations and the uncomfortableness that will spark change. I want this report to be a call to action, one that we are all serious about responding to.
The conversation at Minglewood was honest, sometimes difficult. People spoke openly about the challenges they face, including lack of funding, limited opportunities for independent artists, and the need for stronger infrastructure to support musicians.
One thing that seemed to resonate strongly with attendees was the report’s recognition that investment is needed. Memphis has incredible assets that don’t exist anywhere else - from institutions like the Blues Foundation and Rock n Soul museum to organizations like Music Export Memphis, Crosstown Sync, Stax Music Academy, and Memphis record pressing, Memphis is home to so many unique and powerful music ecosystem assets. But these institutions, along with the countless individual artists and businesses shaping our scene, need resources to thrive.
The report also makes it clear that Memphis has an opportunity to be an innovator. The next three to five years are a critical window of opportunity to cement Memphis as a leader in music industry solutions. The challenges we face aren’t unique to Memphis—other cities are grappling with similar issues. But we have a chance to be the first to develop groundbreaking solutions that support musicians, drive economic growth, and redefine what it means to be a music city.
 So, what is next? This report is just the beginning. My goal is for us to take these insights and turn them into action. The city is committed to working with partners across the industry to implement key recommendations, drive investment, and ensure that Memphis music continues to grow in a way that benefits everyone—from artists to audiences to industry professionals.
As one attendee put it, “The future of Memphis is bright, and we must embrace everything that makes up our culture and ecosystem as we journey to build a Memphis that provides equitable opportunities for local acts, businesses, and organizations to grow, interact, and impact the greater music industry.”
Music is core to our cultural identity. It is time that we recognize its power of the economy, a culture, and a legacy in motion. And now, with a clear strategy and a commitment to action, we have the chance to inspire the world with the power of our music and build something even greater. Let’s get to work.
Read the full report here or the executive summary here.
Good News!
   Do you have good news to share? We would love to share it! Send us a note at goodnews@memphistn.gov
Weekly Crime Trend
The report below provides our weekly update on Part 1 Crimes. It updates daily and shows a continuous rolling 7-day total compared to the prior 7-day total. The charts on the right show the calendar week trend, comparing 2023 to 2024.
 (We maintain two crime dashboards, the Weekly Crime Trend report can be found here, and the Crime Analytics dashboard can be accessed here.)
Our Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38106, 38107, 38108, 38111, 38112, 38116, 38117, 38118
In the Know:
Neighborhood Watch: Build a Safer Community. Take action against crime in your neighborhood by joining or starting a Neighborhood Watch group through your local MPD station. Get resources, guidance, and access to the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Grant to support safety initiatives. Eligible neighborhood groups can apply for funding by attending a mandatory workshop and meeting key requirements. Learn more about how to protect and strengthen your community by attending one the workshops! See more and apply for the grant here.
IRS Taxpayer Advocate Assistance. Need help filing your taxes? The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service is offering free assistance for first-time filers and those facing tax issues. Visit the 3rd floor of the Benjamin Hooks Central Library every other Thursday during tax season for expert guidance. One-on-one assistance requires a government-issued ID. Learn more about your taxpayer rights and get tax tips here.
Welcome, Recruit Classes 127 & 128. We’re thrilled to welcome 107 new recruits to the Memphis Fire Department! This diverse group is bringing the heat with a mix of recruits, EMTs, AEMTs, paramedics, and certified firefighters, all ready to serve our city. With most recruits coming from Tennessee and ranging in age from 20 to 39, we look forward to seeing them become the next generation of Memphis' bravest! Let’s show them some love as they embark on this journey!
Social and Community Engagement:
 Mar10 Day. Celebrate all things Mario at our 3rd annual MAR10 Day at Crosstown Concourse! Enjoy Mario Kart tournaments, retro arcade games, mini-golf, Wii stations, a live DJ, and exciting giveaways—all for free! This event is fun for all ages. Don’t miss this action-packed day of Mario magic on Saturday, March 8 from 1-3pm! See more and share here.
Pole Vault Clinic. Calling all young athletes! Murphey Track Club is offering a free pole vault clinic led by Olympian Jeff Hartwig and Murphey Classic vaulter Jill Marois this Sunday, March 9. Open to elementary, middle, and high school students of all experience levels, this is a great chance to learn from the best! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. See full details and sign up here.
HCD How 2 Mentor Workshop. Join Housing & Community Development for this month’s How 2 workshop featuring Casio Montez, CEO of We Stand on Business. Learn what it takes to be an impactful mentor in 2025 — from connecting with the next generation to navigating today’s fast-changing world. Whether you’re a seasoned mentor or just getting started, this session will give you tools to guide, inspire, and uplift. See more details and register here.
Memphis Public Libraries. Looking for spring break fun? We got you covered with arts & crafts, STEM activities, movie screenings, and interactive workshops! There’s something for everyone to enjoy, so don’t miss out on a week full of learning, creativity, and fun at your local library! See more Spring Break Library events here.
Stay Connected:
Last night, the City of Memphis and the Greater Memphis Chamber hosted an insightful discussion at Minglewood Hall, unveiling key findings from the Memphis Music Strategy Report—a co-commissioned study by Sound Diplomacy aimed at strengthening our city’s music ecosystem.
Hosted by Bertram Williams and Talibah Safiya, the event featured a deep dive into research and recommendations, followed by a panel discussion with Mayor Paul A. Young, Greater Memphis Chamber President & CEO Ted Townsend, and Music Export Memphis Executive Director Elizabeth Cawein.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us as we work toward amplifying Memphis’ rich musical legacy and creating new opportunities for artists, industry professionals, and our creative economy!
#MemphisMusic #OurMemphis #MusicStrategy #MusicCity #CreativeEconomy #Memphis
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