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Memphis is known as Grind City - our entrepreneurial and get-it-done spirit is at 100 all the time. We are also the soul of the South and our faith community is the backbone of our engagingly eclectic community. We are a community of do-gooders and givers and today I want to share a story and an initiative that perfectly embodies the Memphis way—resilient, community-driven, and unstoppably generous.
To tell the story, I have to go back to 2002, when New Olivet Church launched an initiative called Bust a Move Monday, or BAMM. The BAMM mission was to uplift and strengthen Black-owned businesses in the Orange Mound community by driving customers to one business during one Monday per month, turning what was typically a slow retail day into a financial lifeline for many merchants. It was a movement fueled by faith, purpose, and the belief that economic empowerment starts at the local level.
  Watch the video here. Register to get involved here.
Fast forward over 20 years, and the idea – leveraging the power of community to fuel small businesses – is still rock solid.
Today, together with our entire faith community, we want to expand on that vision – taking the foundation laid by New Olivet Church and amplifying it across the entire city. Years ago, New Olivet transformed Bust a Move Monday into the Black Alliance Marketing Movement (BAMM), and now we want to broaden that mission further, beyond New Olivet’s congregation, beyond Orange Mound: our aim is to strengthen small businesses across Memphis and create sustainable, lasting change.
Supporting small businesses isn’t just about shopping local – it’s about strengthening the entire Memphis economy. Consider these national statistics:
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Economic Backbone: Small businesses account for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses, totaling approximately 33.2 million enterprises. State of Small Business
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Employment Engine: They employ 46.8% of the private-sector workforce, representing about 61.6 million jobs. Small Business Facts
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Economic Contribution: Small businesses contribute 43.5% to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring their vital role in economic activity. Small Business Contributions
Locally, the impact is equally significant:
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Memphis Landscape: In the Greater Memphis area, small businesses constitute 98.9% of all businesses, with 17,339 small employers and an additional 119,443 self-employed individuals or businesses without employees. Memphis Chamber Reports
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Employment Impact: These small businesses employ 41.3% of the Greater Memphis workforce, highlighting their critical role in job creation and economic stability. Memphis Chamber Reports
Investing in our small businesses means investing in Memphis’ future, fostering generational wealth, and ensuring our city thrives from the ground up.
Expanding the Movement, Growing the Impact. We hope to grow what started as a single day of support into a full month of engagement for each business spotlighted by the efforts. And we hope to expand what began as a one-church effort into a call to action for our entire city.
We’re looking for up to 50 churches to be part of this inaugural expansion. Faith leaders, we need your leadership and the power of your congregations. Small business owners, we’re here to support you. Together, we can turn BAMM into a city-wide force for economic transformation.
Through BAMM, we will:
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Drive new customers to small businesses throughout Memphis
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Showcase success stories and build momentum with real data and testimonials
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Leverage the power of our faith communities to create a sustainable economic ecosystem
- Strengthen up to 600 Memphis businesses in just one year
 Memphis has always been a city of innovators, creators, and community-builders. Let’s take that energy and make BAMM a game-changer for small businesses and neighborhoods across our city.
Join the BAMM Movement. If you’re a faith community leader, we need you to stand with us in support of local businesses. If you’re a small business owner, we want to uplift and support you. Faith Community leaders and Retailers can register here.
For everyone else, be sure to follow our social media channels for more opportunities to get involved. Together, we can make a big BAMM difference—one congregation, one small business, and one success story at a time.
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: 38104, 38106, 38107, 38108, 38109, 38114, 38118, 38122, 38127, 38134
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.
Social and Community Engagement:
 Five Fridays of Jazz. Experience the soulful sounds of jazz at Five Fridays of Jazz, a free concert series at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Enjoy live performances from top local and regional artists every Friday in March from 6:30pm – 7:30pm. This event is presented by the Memphis Library Foundation in partnership with the Memphis Black Arts Alliance, the Levitt Shell, and other community sponsors. Don’t miss this celebration of jazz, culture, and community! See more and share here.
Mayor Young on Meanwhile in Memphis. Tune in to the latest episode of Meanwhile in Memphis, featuring Mayor Young in a conversation about public safety, leadership, and building a stronger Memphis. Hosted by New Memphis, this podcast highlights changemakers shaping the city’s future. Listen now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and be part of the discussion on what’s next for Memphis!
 Safer Memphis 365. Be a part of the first-ever Safer Memphis 365 Convening on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Bridges USA from 9am to 3pm. Your voice and ideas can help shape a safer future for our city! Hosted by the Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement, this event is an opportunity to connect with community members, share innovative solutions, and strategize ways to reduce violence in Memphis and Shelby County. Register by March 17 to secure your spot here.
The Work: Film Screening & Discussion. Join The BIG We, Inside Circle, and the Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 11am – 2pm at the MoSH Theater Room for a screening of The Work. After the film, take part in a powerful discussion on reimagining public safety and community healing in Memphis. Let’s build a safer, more connected city—together. See more and register here.
Free Community Workshop. The Office of Community Affairs, NExT, and Score will be hosting a FREE community workshop on Saturday, March 22 from 9:30am-11am at 555 Beale Street. Come learn about the process of establishing a nonprofit entity and resources to help you thrive from Alexandria Grant of A. Nicole LLC. Learn more and sign up here.
Stay Connected:
Mayor Paul Young, Dr. Jamila Smith-Young, and their daughter joined MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) at Memphis Parks' Orange Mound Community Center to serve meals to seniors—continuing a tradition of giving back for the second year in a row!
MIFA’s Meals on Wheels program provides thousands of nutritious meals to seniors across Memphis, ensuring they stay healthy, connected, and supported. We’re proud to stand with MIFA in their mission to serve our community with compassion and care.
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