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Walking in the Footsteps of a Giant
This week, we said goodbye to a legend. Fred Smith was a visionary whose ideas reshaped the world, and whose roots never left Memphis. He didn’t just build a global enterprise, he built it here, with Memphis grit and vision at its core. More than that, he helped build up our city. His groundbreaking work in logistics changed how the world moves, but his generosity and love for this community were just as powerful.
The path he cleared still guides Memphis entrepreneurs today — and it will for generations to come.
 Fred Smith believed that building a better business meant investing in the things that create a stronger community. Over the years, he and his family made transformative contributions to education, athletics, civic pride, and opportunity, all rooted right here in Memphis.
In late 2023, Fred Smith and his family made a record-setting $50 million “challenge gift” to the University of Memphis to help renovate Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. That was the largest single donation in the school’s history. Matched by the university, the gift is fueling a $226.5 million transformation of the stadium into a world-class facility. Beyond that, FedEx committed $25 million over five years to support name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for University of Memphis student-athletes, providing $5 million annually to help them thrive both on and off the field.
Fred and Diane Smith also gave generously through the FedEx Foundation to a range of causes, including a $65 million gift to the U.S. Marine Corps Scholarship Fund, as well as support for enhancements at the Memphis Zoo and the National WWII Memorial.
That legacy of giving, of strengthening institutions and expanding opportunity, made this week’s honor all the more meaningful. In a tribute both fitting and profound, the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority voted to rename Memphis International Airport as Fred Smith International Airport, a testament not only to his global impact, but to his deep and lasting love for Memphis.
 Fred Smith’s legacy reminds us that Memphis is a city where big ideas can take flight — and bold leadership can change the world. That’s the spirit behind our Entrepreneurship City initiative, launched to nurture the next generation of visionaries:
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Entrepreneur Network Center: A one-stop hub offering business planning, mentorship, back-office support, and access to capital.
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EDGE + Community Partnerships: Aligning public and private investments to support homegrown startups and scale neighborhood-based businesses.
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Tech & Talent Investments: Expanding infrastructure, training, and resources to grow Memphis’ innovation ecosystem and workforce.
Honoring Fred’s legacy isn’t just about what we name, it’s about what we build. And we’re committed to building a city where the next world-changing idea doesn’t just start here. We are building the framework to ensure those ideas take off, scale, and soar.
Let’s remember the greatness that was created here. And let’s keep building together.
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 linked report below provides our weekly update on Part 1 Crimes. The Safer Community Dashboard updates daily. The chart below compares 2025 to 2024 and Week/Week for 2025
 For more info on how to use the dashboard, go here.
Our Blight Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38103, 38104, 38105, 38107, 38108, 38118, 38134
In the Know:
Solid Waste Holiday Schedule. In observance of the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 4, there will be no solid waste collection that day for City of Memphis-serviced customers. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday pickups will remain on schedule. Thursday and Friday routes will both be collected on Thursday, July 3. For contractor-serviced customers, check your pickup schedule here.
Comptroller of the Treasury Certification. Congratulations to Donnesha Brittmon, fixed asset & property coordinator for the City of Memphis, on graduating from the COT program to be a certified municipal finance officer. We are proud of our young talent at the City of Memphis.
To report concerns related to property violations, potholes, and trash, click the link here or call 311 to speak to a live agent.
Social and Community Engagement:
Family Fun Fridays. Family Fun Fridays are in full swing! Join us every Friday this summer at a different city park for an evening of free, family-friendly fun. Tonight’s event takes place from 6pm to 9pm at Marquette Park (4946 Alrose Ave.) and features live entertainment, carnival rides, games, a video game board, and free food for the first 500 guests. No registration required—just bring the family and enjoy the fun! See more and share here.
Trolley Night. Get ready for Memphis’ longest running street festival happening TONIGHT! Head down to South Main for a night of open houses at shops and galleries, live music, exclusive food and drink deals from local restaurants and bars all night long! Explore the fun happening downtown! See more details and share here.
All-American City Awards. We’re excited to share that we’re an All-America City Awards Finalist! The All-America City Awards is our nation’s oldest and most prestigious community recognition award honoring exemplary problem solving and collaboration to address local challenges. Watch the ceremony, happening Sunday from 6:30pm to 8pm, live streamed on All-American City Awards’ Facebook page! Go Memphis! See more and share here.
Kids Entrepreneur Fair. The Memphis Public Library Raleigh Branch is hosting the Kids Entrepreneur Fair on Saturday, July 5 from 1pm-3pm. If you have a young person ages 8-16 who wants to showcase their business then have them sign up here.
Stay Connected:
You belong in Memphis — every voice, every identity, every story. This Pride Month, we’re celebrating the love, strength, and unity that make our city shine. Because here in Memphis, everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and welcomed. 🌈
#MemphisPride #PrideMonth #InclusiveMemphis #OurMemphis
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