Building Together: City of Memphis Weekly Newsletter

Memphis sent this bulletin at 08/07/2026 04:15 PM CDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

The Future of Memphis Walks Through Our School Doors Every Day

The people who will make decisions about Memphis' tomorrow are sitting in classrooms throughout our city today. If we want Memphis to keep moving forward, there's no better investment than preparing them to lead.

Across Memphis, there are reasons to be encouraged. This year, 44 Memphis-Shelby County schools earned Tennessee Reward School designation. East High, Middle College High, White Station High, Houston High and Crosstown High continue to earn statewide recognition. Charter schools like Freedom Prep, Memphis Grizzlies Prep and Granville T. Woods Academy of Innovation are demonstrating what's possible through academic growth and innovation. Independent schools like Lausanne, Hutchison, St. Mary's, Christian Brothers and MUS continue to be recognized among Tennessee's best. Those accomplishments don't tell the whole story, but they remind us what's possible.

Behind every one of those accomplishments are educators who get up every day and think, How do I change the world today? It is a huge responsibility, and we all owe teachers our gratitude.

Rather than creating my own list, I asked our Youth Services team to share the names of educators who are making a difference in the lives of young people, and I wish I had the room to list every name. For the sake of space, I'll share only a few.

Antonio Havey at Hawkins Mill Elementary. Andrea Charles at Macon-Hall Elementary. Audrienne Owens at Fox Meadows Elementary. Dr. Zonja Glover at Hanley Elementary. Jeffrey Parks at East High School. Ms. Burse at Westwood High School. Latita James at Trezevant High School. JoAnn Boyce at Hamilton K-8. June Knox Perkins at Dunbar Elementary. Tayra Harris Kennie at Booker T. Washington High School. Monica Thomas at Bellevue Middle School. Antionette Harvey at White Station Middle School. Melissa Anderson at White Station High School. And two names that have to be on any Memphis teachers list this year: Adrian Maclin of Cordova High, recipient of the 2025 Grammy Music Educator Award, and Dr. Ollie Liddell of Central High, Tennessee's 2026 Outstanding High School Music Educator.

This isn't a list of the "best" educators in Memphis. It's simply a handful of teachers and school leaders identified by people who know their communities and have seen their impact firsthand.

Every day, educators, along with mentors, coaches, parents and countless others, show our children what leadership looks like. It isn't always perfect. But it is thoughtful and creative. It isn't performative. It is responsible. It tells the truth and does the hard work. It doesn't look for the shine. It looks to shine a light on others.

They say it takes a village to raise a child.

Let's be the village that teaches our children to lead.

Good News!

Goodwill Opens Third Excel Center Campus in Memphis

Memphis just made it a little easier for adults to reach their full potential. Goodwill has opened its third Excel Center campus in the city, transforming a former thrift store on Austin Peay Highway into a place where adults can earn their high school diploma, obtain work certifications, and apply to college completely free of charge. More than 1,700 people have already graduated from Memphis Excel Centers since the first campus opened in 2015, and classes at the new Austin Peay location begin August 10.

Click here to apply: Goodwill Opens Third Excel Center Campus in Memphis

$4 Million Investment Will Expand Free Health Hubs Across Tennessee

Memphis-based UT Health Sciences is taking a proven model of community health care and bringing it to more Tennesseans than ever. UnitedHealth Group announced a $4 million commitment to expand the university's neighborhood health hub network from five locations to 13 across the state by the end of 2027. The hubs offer free preventive care focused on obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, and are open to anyone regardless of insurance status.

Click here to learn more: $4 Million Investment Will Expand Free Health Hubs Across Tennessee

Cooper-Young Festival Returns September 19

One of Memphis's most beloved neighborhood festivals is back for its 38th year. The Cooper-Young Festival takes over the neighborhood on Saturday, September 19 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., bringing together live music, local vendors, food, and the community spirit that has made it a Memphis tradition. This year's music lineup features Raneem Iman, Twin Fiction, Massey Lane, Degenerate Breakfast, Joe Restivo 4, Ello, and the Afrikan Jazz Ensemble headlining the Guaranty Bank stage, along with San Salida, The Narrows, Mama Honey, Yesse Yavis, and Impala!

Click here to learn more: Cooper-Young Festival Returns September 19

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 dashboards provide a quick overview, with the ability to dive in deeper to neighborhoods and divisions. Both dashboards update daily.

SAFER COMMUNITIES: View the dashboard here.

FINANCE TRACKER: View the tracker here.

Our Blight Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38106,38117, 38118,38115,38107, 38109,38114, and 38122

To report concerns related to property violations, potholes, and trash, click the link here or call 311 to speak to a live agent.

Want to know what's happening in Memphis? Explore these event calendars to stay in the loop on all the city has to offer!

Memphis Public Libraries

City of Memphis Meetings & Notices

Follow us on social media @citymemphis!

Too big for the trash can? You have options!

City of Memphis Solid Waste customers can take large furniture, tires off the rim, and other non-hazardous waste to a City collection center or Republic Services landfill. Customers may dispose of up to one truckload per month at the landfill with an MLGW bill showing payment of the City Solid Waste fee.

For your Outside the Cart collection schedule, visit https://memphistn.gov/solid-waste/.

See the full post here.

In partnership and progress,

Paul A. Young