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Leaning into Live Music: Our City’s Unifier, Our Global Calling Card
This week, people from across the globe are in Memphis for Elvis Week — to remember the man, the music, and the magic that started in our city. And at the same time, we’re celebrating another chapter in that same story: the inaugural People's Hip-Hop Awards at the Cannon Center. From Eightball & MJG, Project Pat, and Al Kapone to GloRilla, Big Boogie, and a whole new generation of lyricists and producers, Memphis hip-hop is telling our city’s story in its own voice, its own rhythm, its own truth.
 And right alongside these marquee events is Beale Street Live — a powerful reminder that we don’t have to wait for a special occasion to celebrate Memphis music. We need nights like these to get people back on Beale — to fill the clubs, fill the sidewalks, and fill the air with the kind of energy you can only find here. It’s a way for both locals and visitors to experience firsthand what makes Memphis music so special.
We have to lift up and share the good — the Elvis Weeks, the International Blues Challenges, the concerts, the Orpheum shows, the amazing food and cultural events that happen here daily. When more people visit, eat out, and share their positive Memphis experiences, they help our small businesses thrive, boost our economy, and strengthen our city.
 We aren’t taking victory laps - our glasses aren’t rose-colored. We have work to do. We aren’t finished fighting blight or crime. But we are making strides — and we can be proud of what we are accomplishing together. Memphis is better when we pull together, and every positive story we share adds to the momentum we’re building.
Let’s keep putting in the work to tackle our toughest challenges — and at the same time, let’s lean into the good, amplify what makes Memphis shine, and keep showing the world the city we know is possible.
Good News!
   Do you have good news to share? We would love to share it! Send us a note at goodnews@memphistn.gov
Track Our Progress
The linked reports below provide evidence to support our public safety strategy and our work to ensure municipal fiscal responsibility. These dashboard provides a quick overview, with the ability to dive in deeper to neighborhoods and divisions. Both dashboards updates daily.
 SAFER COMMUNITIES: For more info on how to use the safer communities dashboard, go here. Or for the whole dashboard, go here. FINANCE TRACKER: For more info on how to use the finance tracker dashboard, go here. Or for the whole dashboard, go here.
Our Blight Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38115, 38116, 38117, 38118, 38141.
To report concerns related to property violations, potholes, and trash, click the link here or call 311 to speak to a live agent.
In the Know:
Resident Ideation Sessions. North and South Memphis residents are invited to join the City of Memphis Innovation Team on August 30 for a collaborative discussion on reducing energy burdens and improving home quality at the Ed Rice Community Center from 10am to 11:30am. Food will be provided. Register here.
Own Your Block. Mayor Young’s Own Your Block initiative calls on faith leaders, churches, and community-based organizations to take pride in their neighborhoods by picking up trash and helping keep Memphis clean. Join us on September 20 from 8 to 12pm to make a visible impact where you live and serve. Registration is open through August 20. Register here.
Community Engagement:
Backpack Giveaway Pt. 2. The City of Memphis and The Dreams Foundation will partner to host the 7th Annual Backpack Giveaway Pt. 2 with special guests Mayor Paul Young and Councilwoman Pearl Walker. The event is Wednesday, August 20 from 5:30pm - 7pm at Whitehaven Community Center. See more and share here.
Economic Empowerment Tour. The City of Memphis Office of Community Affairs will be hosting a series centered on building wealth through homeownership and financial literacy. Save the date for these impactful conversations led by local leaders. Share and learn more here.
Explore Memphest. We're celebrating the Bluff City this weekend at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library! Join us Saturday, August 16 for live music, food, story time, and crafts as we say good-bye to summer and honor all things Memphis at this FREE family-friendly event! See more details here.
Big Congratulations to Kimberly Strong! We’re proud to share that Kimberly Strong has been named the 2025 Bruce Womack Public Educator of the Year by the Tennessee Public Fire and Life Safety Educator’s Association! This honor recognizes Kimberly’s passion and dedication to fire and life safety education. She received the award at the Annual Public Fire Educators Conference, held July 15–16 in Franklin, TN. Join us in celebrating Kimberly for this outstanding achievement!
Honoring Memphis Legend, Fred Smith:
Memphis joins the world in celebrating the life of Fred Smith, a legendary force for good whose vision reshaped global commerce.
Mayor Young declared today Frederick W. Smith Day in Memphis, honoring the legend whose work didn’t just connect packages to people, but connected cities, countries, and lives.
Fred believed in Memphis. He invested in our people, our future, and our place on the world stage. His legacy will forever be felt in the heartbeat of this city and in every corner of the globe where a purple tail flies.
Happy Birthday to a legend whose impact will be felt for generations.
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