Memphis Magazine - August 2021

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Memphis • THE CITY MAGAZINE • W W W.MEMPHISMAGAZINE.COM

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DISPLAY UNTIL SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

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VOL XLVI NO 4 | A U G U S T 2 0 2 1

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Contents UP FRONT 10

I N T H E B E G I N N I N G ~ by a n n a t r av e r s e f o g l e

FEATURES

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COMMUNITY

In Orange Mound, a Tower Rises

How Unapologetic and Tone are empowering Memphis arts through ownership. ~ by c h r i s m c c oy

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THEATRE

After Intermission, a New Century A reinvigorated Theatre Memphis celebrates 100 years. ~

20

WHO’S WHO

42

MUSIC

Our annual look at the city’s movers, shakers, and other news-makers.

Sonic Temples

The resurgence of Memphis’ classic recording studios. ~

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by j o n w. s pa r ks

by a l e x g r e e n e

SPORTS

Reason to Cheer

Memphis sports carried on through pandemic conditions and offered plenty to celebrate when we gather again. ~ b y f r a n k m u r ta u g h

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FAITH

An Ecumenical Call to Action

Memphis Theological Seminary continues its tradition of community involvement.

COVER BY ESO TOLSON

~ by j o n w. s pa r ks

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DINING

Memphis Mainstays

A buffet of classic local dishes that bring comfort no matter what. ~ by s a m u e l x . c i c c i , m i c h a e l d o n a h u e , a n d a b i g a i l m o r i c i

V O L X LV I N O 4 | AU G US T 2021 Memphis (ISSN 1622-820x) is published monthly for $18 per year by Contemporary Media, Inc., 65 Union Avenue, 2nd Floor, Memphis, TN 38103 © 2021. Telephone: 901-521-9000. For subscription info, please call 901-521-9000. Subscription customer service mailing address is Memphis magazine, P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101. All rights reserved. • Periodicals Postage Paid at Memphis, TN. Postmasters: send address changes to Memphis, P.O. Box 1738, Memphis, TN 38101.

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EDUCATION

Schools of Thought

Our annual guide to assist parents find the right educational environment for their child. ~ edited by k a len a mck inne y

130 N I G H T L I F E

Our Annual Guide to Memphis Nightlife Is Back!

Need a refresher after all that time spent indoors? Get back out there with our suggestions for places to go when the sun goes down. ~ b y a b i g a i l m o r i c i

134

THE MEMPHIS DINING GUIDE

The city’s most extensive dining listings.

144 L O C A L

MEDIA

Say What?

These sources make it easy to find out who, what, when, where, and why.

SPECIAL SECTIONS

57 97 133

INSIDE MEMPHIS BUSINESS 2021 COLLEGE GUIDE SCENE DINING

CIT Y GUIDE / AUGUS T 202 1 • MEMPHISMAGA ZINE.COM • 7

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Memphis THE CI T Y M AGAZI N E

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE SINCE 1950

General Excellence Grand Award Winner City and Regional Magazine Association 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014

&7

CEO AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF anna traverse fogle

Memphis Magazine’s

THE 2021

EXECUTIVE EDITOR michael finger

FACE

MANAGING EDITOR frank murtaugh SENIOR EDITORS shara clark, jon w. sparks

OF

ASSOCIATE EDITOR samuel x. cicci

ORIENTAL RUGS

CONTRIBUTORS jackson baker, jesse davis,

michael donahue, alex greene, vance lauderdale, chris mccoy CALENDAR EDITOR julie ray EDITORIAL ASSISTANT abigail morici

4 EDITOR samuel x. cicci SENIOR EDITOR jon w. sparks

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR brian groppe PRODUCTION OPERATIONS DIRECTOR margie neal ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR christopher myers GRAPHIC DESIGNER bryan rollins

Hand Cleaning Appraisals Sales Reweaving Repairs Color Run Restoration Pet and other Stain Removals Moth Damage Odor Removal and much more HEALTHY RUGS Spread love, not germs by having your rugs disinfected.

Master Weaver Ali Taghavi restoring an antique Persian Farahan rug.

Here at Taghavi’s, we would like to do our part to help stop the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus.

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PHOTOGRAPHERS justin fox burks, samuel x. cicci,

michael donahue, karen pulfer focht, alex greene, larry kuzniewski, chris mccoy, joe murphy, abraham rowe, jon w. sparks, diane zhao

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SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE sloane patteson taylor ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES kelli dewitt, chip googe,

michelle musolf, hailey thomas

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august 2021

member: City and Regional Magazine Association member: Circulation Verification Council 8 • MEMPHISMAGA ZINE.COM • AUGUS T 202 1 / CIT Y GUIDE

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I N

T H E

B E G I N N I N G | BY ANNA TR AVERSE FOGLE

Shifts in Perspective

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Cook AT THE VIKING COOKING SCHOOL

Since early 2020, I have gotten fewer sightings of my hometown from great heights; there’s not been much air travel, or work visits with people whose offices boast loftier vistas than our company’s second-story digs. Recently, though, I’ve enjoyed a few bird’s-eye views again. People talk about the value of changing your perspective when you find yourself in a rut; I find that literally changing my perspective can go a long way toward rediscovering inspiration, motivation, and energy.

“Rediscover Memphis”: the theme of this year’s City Guide is a reflection of our city’s reawakening, and an invitation to find new ways to experience Memphis, new reasons to embrace its manifold possibilities. Our dynamic cover art was designed by none other than Eso Tolson, the local artist behind the @coolurbanhippie Instagram and creator of the “Embrace Your Inner Memphis” movement.

When we went to press with last year’s August issue, we tried our best to find a balance — appreciating all the good the city has to offer, while acknowledging its ongoing struggle toward racial and socioeconomic equity.

Not to mention: the pandemic. Mia Saine’s 2020 cover illustration depicted restaurant carryout bags and face masks along with protest signs. Our traditional nightlife review didn’t jibe with the times and so we skipped it. Much of what we would normally include in our August issue, when we help tell you where to go and what to do in Memphis, just didn’t make sense.

This year, we have managed to regain — and rediscover — much of what was put on hold during those early months of covid-19.

Events: back. Live music: back. Dine-in: ditto.

Kids at actual school desks? Yep. A few weeks ago, I started a sunny Saturday morning at Crosstown Concourse, where our sister publication, the Memphis Flyer, hosted its first in-person Crafts & Drafts Festival since pre-pandemic days. New Flyer editor

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Jesse Davis and I occupied a table for several hours, simply engaging with community members who felt like chatting with us about independent local media.

Now, over the past few years, I’ve worked booths and tables at my share of similar sorts of events. And I can tell you this: I’ve never interacted with a more eager, positive crowd than the one we had the chance to greet that morning. Maybe it was the beer that started f lowing well before lunchtime.

Or maybe people genuinely are that gratified to share space again, and to appreciate all that makes Memphis its distinctive, bold, scrappy self. I choose to think the latter’s closer to the truth.

If you’ve ever recovered from any devastating thing, you know that the journey back to health does not follow a straight line. The Delta variant spreading throughout the country and the world poses a significant threat to many right here in the Mississippi Delta. The truth is I don’t know — none of us can — what will follow the moments some of us have relished lately, these moments that feel so much like recovery. I happen to believe that if you’re not vaccinated, this would be an awfully good time to change that. I also get that you’re probably not inclined to take medical or public health advice from a magazine column. I do hope you’ll take a cue from your doctor: In June, the American Medical Association released a survey of practicing medical doctors that found more than 96 percent of physicians had been fully vaccinated against covid-19. A year ago, I would have been stunned to learn that by now, we would have vaccines that were even 50 percent effective, let alone vaccines that far surpass that figure. Whenever booster shots enter the market, I will be eagerly awaiting my injection.

For now, I’m grateful for refreshed perspectives, for sweet unmasked moments with the people I love, and for this endlessly captivating city.

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHENGUSF / DREAMSTIME

f you’ve ever looked at Memphis from above — really looked at it — you know that more than asphalt and concrete, we live in a city of trees. From an airplane window, or at the tippy-top of one of Downtown’s taller buildings, and especially in the summer, when the leaves are lush and green, our city looks as much like forest as like some urban jungle.

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R E D I S C OV E R

M E M PH I S

Community

In Orange Mound, a Tower Rises How Unapologetic and Tone are empowering Memphis arts through ownership.

BY CHRIS MCCOY

I

MAKEMADBEATS, the founder of the Memphis-based record label Unapologetic, was known as James Dukes when he was growing up in Orange Mound.

“I can’t show you the building I grew up in,” he says. “It’s gone. It’s now a grass field. I can tell all the stories, but nothing sustains a story like the physical and geographical — like a flag. Our communities need that, but we’re robbed of that because of lack of ownership.”

Orange Mound was founded in 1890 with the goal of creating affordable housing to help Black people become homeowners. For decades, it was held up as an example of what a thriving African-American middle-class looked like, often cited as America’s second largest Black neighborhood after Harlem. But the urban decline of the 1970s hit the neighborhood particularly hard, and once the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s arrived, Orange Mound became notorious for crime and violence. That was the world James Dukes was born into.

“My dad worked two, three jobs,” he says. “I remember for at least five years, one of the closest times we spent with my dad was while he was working. He would take us to work to go clean office buildings at the edge

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of Whitehaven. … I grew up with rats and roaches. It wasn’t like an infestation — that was where you lived.

We went a long time where we didn’t think anybody was fighting for us, or fighting for change. Nobody cared. We were just the selected ones, the 6 percent to 8 percent that’s got to go through poverty. That’s you, James. Good luck ….”

It wasn’t until he attended White Station High School that Dukes realized the extremity of his family’s condition. “I’m around kids who would never drive down the street I lived on,” he says. “I’m going to class with these kids, and their problems are just so different.

Their problems ain’t problems to me.”

At White Station, he saw firsthand the institutional advantages his more privileged classmates enjoyed.

IMAGE CREDITS: TOP LEFT & RIGHT PHOTOS BY CHRIS MCCOY | IMAKEMADBEATS PHOTO BY JUSTIN FOX BURKS | RENDERING COURTESY APA & LRK INC.

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“I had to go to school every day and compete with them,” he says. “Grades were grades. It wasn’t an A, because you’re from a different set of circumstances. A score was a score. They went home, got a good night’s sleep, and had a great breakfast. I woke up before the crack of dawn every morning, ran to the bus stop before the sunlight was out to stand on the corner, to spend the first hour and a half to two hours of my day just getting to school. And that was every morning. A lot of the people that I went to school with, their experience was just more set up for them to succeed. And so that’s why I had to make myself a war machine. That was the only way out I could see. I gotta fight all of this. I gotta be ready. I have to be uniquely focused, uniquely equipped, uniquely smart, aware, and resourceful.”

Dukes’ self-imposed discipline got him out of high school and into college at suny. He threw himself into his biggest obsession, music, and worked his way into the burgeoning New York City studio scene of the aughts, where other musicians recognized his talents.

There, he adopted imakemadbeats as his moniker.

Upon returning to Memphis in 2010, he rediscovered a city brimming with musical talent, but lacking the industry infrastructure he had seen in New York. “The biggest hole here in the city is music marketing,” he says. “If I was in New York, or L.A. or Atlanta, I would at least know, here’s an organization that, if I had the money, I could roll up on them, present them a product,

“One of the things I’ve realized is that Memphis is such a unique space with such a unique story, that when you hire people from other spaces to tell that story, they lack the context. It doesn’t do it justice.”

— IMAKEMADBEATS

top left: The United Equipment Building at 2205 Lamar Avenue was built in the 1950s as a feed mill. It has been abandoned for more than 20 years. center left: Visitors explore the interior of the building at the Juneteenth celebration thrown by Unapologetic and Tone. bottom left: Memphis record producer and founder of Unapologetic IMAKEMADBEATS poses in front of a rendering of the performance venue slated for the Orange Mound Tower project.

C I T Y G U I D E / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 13

K INC.

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above: Orange Mound Tower will be a mixed-use development combining residential and retail space with an arts incubator, recording studios, and a massive performance venue. below: Looking west, visitors will soon be able to take in this spectacular view of Downtown from the top floor of Orange Mound Tower.

“It’s always been about Memphis. It’s always been about our culture, but it’s time to rev up and defy the odds.”

— IMAKEMADBEATS

and they could see if they wanted to represent me. …

That doesn’t exist here, so you have these directionless people whose only answer to getting their music out is to go somewhere else. One of the things I’ve realized is that Memphis is such a unique space with such a unique story, that when you hire people from other spaces to tell that story, they lack the context. It doesn’t do it justice.”

He built a studio in his Raleigh home, which soon became a gathering place for creatives. “If you lived the ethos of forward, bold, daring music, you just found yourself at my house,” he says, “and it wasn’t even necessarily to do music! People were there drawing, writing poems, setting up art easels. I would be in the studio making a beat and then Kid Maestro and CMajor would be in studio B, my other bedroom, recording a song. Aaron, James would be out there playing guitar, and then PreauXX would be out in the front yard doing something crazy on Instagram.”

His wife, Marie, urged him to take it to the next level. “I think I was complaining about having all of these ideas for the city and for what was possible here, and nobody was listening to me. She was like, ‘You’ve got all these people who come over here every day. Whatever you’re trying to do, I’m sure that they would help you figure it out.’” imakemadbeats’ group of misfit friends became Unapologetic — at once a record label, fashion design house, video production company, and platform for community empowerment. They have been responsible for the most creative music to come from Memphis in a generation.

“I think we’ve broken down some barriers as to what’s possible in the city,” says imakemadbeats. “I want to create another lane: the musician who stayed here and was successful and didn’t have to resort to another mechanism like teaching to maintain financial stability.”

Unapologetic was outgrowing its home studio roots.

They struck up an alliance with another Black arts organization across town. The cltv, now known as Tone,

had created an art gallery space in Orange Mound.

Founder Victoria Jones, a veteran of Crosstown Arts, had recognized the importance of providing Black creatives a space to be themselves. “It became really important to us to dig in somewhere, create a home, and build a foundation, so that artists have this touch point consistently,” she says.

The gallery on Lamar became a focal point for art and music, but the partners had a nagging feeling that it was only temporary. “We have been thinking since we started for real about what it means to sustain,” says Jones. “What does it mean to hand this baton off to the next generation of artists? For us, that came with property.”

Ownership of an arts facility — just like Ballet Memphis or Playhouse on the Square — was necessary, and the founders knew their headquarters needed to be in the historically Black neighborhood of Orange Mound.

“Even though hip hop has been the number-one export out of this city for the last two decades, there is no location, geographically, for people to go,” says imakemadbeats. “We’re always renters.”

For three years, the partnership plotted. Originally, the idea was to buy the strip mall where the Tone gallery was located. It was an attractive idea that came with a built-in income-generating mechanism. But after years of work, the deal fell apart at the last minute.

“Somebody bought it from underneath us, and we were pretty sad about that,” says imakemadbeats.

“The second-tier idea was the United Equipment Building at 2205 Lamar. I would say two weeks after we lost the shopping center, we realized it should have been number one. We had been messing around.”

The sprawling United Equipment facility dates from the 1950s. The centerpiece is a concrete tower, originally built as an animal feed factory, visible from all over Orange Mound. Like Crosstown Concourse, this would be a creative re-use project that transformed a former industrial site into a mixed-use development, centered on the arts. Plans include both residential and office space, as well as art galleries, a massive performance venue, and an incubator space that artists and entrepreneurs of all types can use to kickstart their careers. Unapologetic will occupy a three-story office and recording studio complex.

With the help of Anasa Troutman, executive director of the Clayborn Temple, Unapologetic and Tone secured a matching grant from the Kataly Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Black grassroots organizations all over the country. That convinced local funders to come on-board and help close the deal. The unveiling of the ambitious project was accompanied by a Juneteenth celebration which drew thousands to the site of Orange Mound Tower this summer.

Lots of music producers have plans to get famous and rich. imakemadbeats has a theory of change.

“That’s what this tower is, and that’s what we’re doing,” he says. “It’s all the gray areas that we’ve lacked over the years, being a grassroots organization, building literally from the ground up. But now, it’s bigger.

It’s always been about Memphis. It’s always been about our culture, but it’s time to rev up and defy the odds. …

I’ve seen enough hints to know that what I’m doing is my purpose. I found a lot of purpose in this.”

IMAGE CREDITS: PHOTO BY CHRIS M C COY | RENDERING COURTESY APA & LRK INC.

Community

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R E D I S C OV E R

M E M PH I S

Theatre

Debbie Litch: Thinking Outside the Box.

A reinvigorated Theatre Memphis celebrates 100 years.

BY JON W. SPARKS

D

ebbie Litch has this thing for productions. Goodness knows she’s performed in enough of them, often where there’s a need for a high-energy, larger-than-life, sing-to-the-rafters presence who can get the audience pumped. Her next role is that of Dolly Levi, the determined center of the musical Hello, Dolly! that opens on August 27th at Theatre Memphis.

It’s a big part, a huge part, but it’s not Litch’s biggest. You’d have to save that distinction for her ongoing (17-year) role as executive producer at Theatre Memphis. Turned out that she was a natural.

She took over in 2004 after a few years of previous executive producers coming up short. The theater’s board wanted to maintain a solid financial position, improve the quality of productions, and reach out to the community for volunteers and sponsorships.

Litch brought an impressive resume made for that set of challenges. She was an entertainer and director for a Florida hotel and a San Francisco cruise line. She’s volunteered on several boards and worked for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra as interim executive director, marketing director, and development director. And she was development director at Memphis Brooks Museum of Art from 1999 until she took over at Theatre Memphis. It’s fair to say she

knew people and she knew how to get things done.

So, she worked from season to season, but was always looking ahead to 2021, the 100th anniversary of the founding of Theatre Memphis.

Of all the productions she’d been part of, this birthday would be a blockbuster.

ACT 1: 630 PERKINS EXTENDED

A

t the same time, something else was looming larger with each passing year: the property and the building at 630 Perkins Extended. When the structure was built in the mid-1970s, it was thanks to a major push by the Theatre Memphis board and executive producer Sherwood Lohrey. Since 1921, the year of its birth as the Memphis Little Theatre, performances had been staged wherever a spot could be found. First was Germania Hall at Third and Jefferson; later it would have a permanent home beside the James Lee House, then in use by the Memphis Academy of Arts (that school moving to Overton Park and becoming Memphis College of Art). While the Victorian-era house was an art school, a stable there served as the Little Theatre’s venue. Then in 1929 the company would find a welcome place in a room originally designed to house a swimming pool at the Pink Palace mansion.

In the 1960s, the board had put together plans for a new building to be located on that triangle of land that the city had agreed to lease to the group. It was a long time coming. Changes were happening, both good and bad. A fund drive was aiming to raise $600,000 for a new facility, but prices were rising and the economy was rough. It would eventually cost $1.3 million, but an energized board managed to get suppliers to be generous and the building that opened for its first performance in May 1975 was worth a good bit more than that.

The organization had also decided to change its name to Theatre

PHOTOGRAPH BY JON W. SPARKS

After Intermission, a New Century

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Memphis — Lohrey had no use for the word “little” in the name.

Some items on the wish list didn’t make it into the new building and what was missing became more and more apparent over the years. For one thing: not enough restrooms.

It’s a bit of a joke for Litch, who can tell you everything you need to know about the original building and the revamped new one. “I always say this all started because we needed more restrooms and that’s the truth,” she says. “We went from eight to 21. That is huge.” That may have been a frequent complaint from theatergoers, but Litch and her board wanted to do so much more.

Upgrading the facility was an ideal way to welcome the 100th anniversary. “We started dreaming and scheming about this three years ago, which is not a long time,” Litch says. “We had a very defined checklist of what we wanted to accomplish in three categories.

Number one, priorities that we had to have. Second were just at the bottom of the first priority. And then the third were extras depending on just what those costs were going to be. And it all came down to wanting to make sure that our audiences had a very functional, warm, safe place so that it could match what we work so hard to do on our stage from an artistic standpoint.”

One priority was a south corridor. For more than four decades, the audience had no access to the auditorium on that side. You could enter from the left side or the top rear, and it always felt like something was absent. In fact, Litch found slides from the original architect that specified that corridor, “but I guess back in the early Seventies, when they were making the choices and from a financial standpoint, they decided that they’d rather have some other things and not add that south corridor.”

It’s there now, bringing a long-missing symmetry to either side of the performance area and with a porte-cochère for convenience, walls for local art to be displayed, and a bar for — well we know what that’s for, and now that there are 21 restrooms, fully justified.

That passageway is a major addition, but what will catch the eye of those who come to the new facility with memories of the old is that lobby behind the auditorium. The space used to have stairs going down to a bar and restrooms. Those stairs are gone and now a grand stairway offers access to the auditorium and an expanded lobby area with tables.

Even before you get to the lobby, you’ll be able to go to Will Call from the outside and then enter through new doors. In the past, people would come in and join a line that put everyone in everyone else’s way to get to Will Call, which was a quaint table staffed by a volunteer.

Another item taken care of from the checklist.

ACT 2: ART OF THE PERFORMANCE

Y

ou can’t talk about the Theatre Memphis building without noting the cut-steel sculptures by Lon Anthony titled Dramatis Personae. Anthony, known for his visual puns and whimsical images, was head of the Rhodes College Art Department. The commission of the sculptures, installed in 1979, allowed for several pieces representing theatrical characters.

“We were able to place those statues pretty much in the same places although they look different,” Litch says. “They’ve got the same angles and they’re speaking to each other the way that he had envisioned.

And they’re on concrete — some had been placed on the ground resulting in some deterioration, but with them now on concrete bases and with lighting, it’s a much-improved setup.”

Some significant art and design elements in the revamped building are held over, like the Burton Callicott rainbow painting along a side stairway, and some are new, such as the remarkable piece Backstage Romance by Brantley Ellzey. He describes it on his Facebook fan page: “Rolled construction drawings and vintage and contemporary play programs and posters are interwoven to create an intricate and colorful time capsule portrait of Theatre Memphis.”

Wayne Edge, a sculptor noted for his work with stones and wood, created chandeliers and sconces, a good bit of which was repurposed from the existing building. Litch doesn’t like to throw things away (theater people are very possessive of their props, sets, and costumes) and has tried to recycle whatever was possible. “We have a bar that was made out of the lower lobby wood,” she says, “and we were able to put our original donor wall up [above the grand staircase] in order to honor those that actually helped make this possible in 1975.”

Even the old stage contributed. “It had 25 years of paint, just layers, layers, layers that needed to be replaced and was part of the checklist,” Litch says. “And we would have probably just taken it right out to the dumpster, but when our designers and our production manager saw it, they said, maybe we can do something from this. That’s when they came up with the jewelry and our coasters. We saved all the wood from the original, lower lobby and then started making frames. So, we just kind of created our own concessions that had to do with Theatre Memphis because of the sentimentality and knowing the history.”

ACT 3: THE PANDEMIC

I

t’s good to have a well-thought-out plan for any big project, especially if a major modernization project is timed to a particular date. But all the planning in the world can’t account for a worldwide pandemic. In a way, COVID-19 was as disruptive for Theatre Memphis as it was for everyone else. And yet, a plan that includes being shut down for a period that included a good bit of 2020 was, if not fortuitous, at least something that could be managed.

“The reason that we planned the renovations for the first eight months of 2020 was so that this way we could turn it around pretty quickly and would be able to reopen a year ago this past August,” Litch says. “Little did we know. I was worried that we weren’t going to meet the deadline because we were giving [the contractor and architect] so many things that had to be accomplished. But they took it and said, yes. We had to change gears but knew that this construction show was going to continue on.”

Like everyplace else, Theatre Memphis had people working remotely and shut down any notion of producing shows. It didn’t lay off or furlough any of the staff although there was a “small decrease” in salaries, but benefits were retained. Fortunately, the work on the facility could continue, but having a big bash on May 20, 2021, wasn’t quite going to happen as envisioned. The idea would be, if they couldn’t celebrate the months leading up to the 100th, they’d just designate the 2021-2022 season as the centennial.

“We changed direction and this creative group, with our dedicated board, really did come up with some things that we knew we could accomplish,” she says. “And it made us have to think outside the box and grow in some areas that we might not have otherwise.”

So Theatre Memphis made the most of the situation. Litch says, “We started this countdown from February 10th to May 20th culminating with a wonderful cabaret show that Gary Beard and I put together called Liberace and Friends.”

Beard had done a one-person show of Liberace in recent years and Litch, of course, knows a thing or two about cabaret. “It was limited in the number of people just so that we could test out our audiences,” she says. But for the 100 days leading up to the anniversary date and performance, the Theatre Memphis team harnessed social media to tell different stories and present an array of facts about the company’s past.

It was also a chance to do some fundraising, an activity never very far from an executive producer’s mind. “We recruited a hundred people to adopt each of the days,” Litch says, “and it turned into a very successful fundraiser in order to help support this campaign and our endeavors during the time when we weren’t able to sell tickets and sponsorships.” That, plus help from ArtsMemphis, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the state of Tennessee, went a long way to keeping things afloat.

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Theatre ACT 6: CURTAIN GOING UP

N

ACT 4: THE PLAYERS: ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS

S

electing the contractors and architects was, for Litch, something like holding auditions for a show. First was the contractor and, “our auditioning saw great, great choices, but at the end of the day, we chose Grinder, Taber & Grinder, and it was just magical,” she says. “I know there are horror stories out there, either building residential or commercial, but it was just golden.”

Next up for audition was the architect. “We selected Renaissance Group, which is a smaller boutique architectural firm, but has done a lot of things around,” Litch says. “They came to their audition, as I call it, with an amazing presentation and PowerPoint to show us what the south corridor and symmetry would look like.”

There were some givens as Litch and the board made their casting choices. “We can do pretty, and functional, and accessible all together,” she insisted. “And it shouldn’t be that much more money.”

Accessibility was crucial. People of a certain age buy plenty of season tickets, so it’s important to make it as easy as possible for them to negotiate the building. That was a factor is redesigning the lobby to dispense with the stairs going to the lower lobby. That part needed to be on one level.

“It also gave us an opportunity to bring everything up to code because things change in 46 years,” Litch says. “The codes weren’t as strict in the early Seventies.”

For the executive producer, dealing with the contractor and architect were in many ways unlike what she’d done before. And yet, she found that in key ways, “it was like putting a show together with the director, our scenic designer, our lighting designer, but on a little bit larger scale. And they appreciated it because of the type of people that they are. They love that collaboration.”

ACT 5: WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE

T

heatregoers will sit in new seats, be able to lounge in a more spacious lobby, have ample access to watering holes, and can go to the restroom much more comfortably. They can drop off a companion at the south side entrance and marvel at the décor and art.

But a good bit of improvement was made to areas seen by few outsiders. The old structure was bursting at the seams with set workshops, costume and fitting areas, dressing rooms, and offices — plus places to store all those costumes and set pieces and furniture and props. Some were freshened up with paint and better lighting.

Litch says they looked at the idea of excavating further down in the basement to add storage, but the cost would have been exorbitant.

“The trade-off was that we would build up,” she says, which created invaluable space. Now they can put a set on stage and build another one in the shop ready to go when the next production needs it.

Litch marshalled the team and said, “I bet there’s some square footage down in that basement that you could find, because this is one time in our entire history that you’ll have that opportunity to clean it out and purge and merge.” Sure enough, a big cleanup found just enough room for a small rehearsal space.

ACT 7: WHAT’S NEXT

A

s July of this year got underway, Litch was keeping track of how people were reacting. “I just love the look on people’s faces when they walk in here and they’re speechless,” she says with some glee and some relief. “Because they remember what it was, and it was always good bones and a good facility in the greatest location. Now people can make the beginning or intermission part of the destination, not just that they have to go through the building in order to get to their seat and to start their experience.”

She says that looking back at 100 years is important, “but the fact is that we are vibrant and we’re just getting started. We want to continue to raise the bar and see where else we can go as far as the quality of our productions, because what’s very important to us is that consistent artistic excellence is on that stage.”

It’s certainly well-positioned for that.

This year, resident scenic designer Jack Yates won two awards from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) and Mandy Heath won one for lighting. “We don’t have a large staff,” Litch says. “We have an A-plus team, but we don’t have a bench. Everybody’s just so passionate and devoted and just perfect for what they do.”

Theatre Memphis will not be will be resting on its laurels, though.

“The sky’s the limit on what we can even begin to imagine,” Litch says. “This year has allowed us, from a strategic planning standpoint, to go back and really look at some things and realize there’s so much left for us to do as a community theater, for and by our community.

We’re excited that we can get this community involved and let this be a center — a place where everybody feels welcome, that there are no barriers.”

Key to that is building community relationships and attracting people to audition or work, from a technical angle or volunteer. Every year more than 700 active volunteers take part in productions.

And, of course, fiscal stability is crucial. “We want to continue to make sure that financially we’re able to guarantee that this theater will be here for the next hundred years,” Litch says. “We’ve been blessed with some designated funds to an endowment, and we want to truly continue to focus on that so that this way we can support the staff, we can support this facility, support our programs, and invest back into the artistic product.”

If all this seems like a lot, remember something Dolly Levi has been quoted as saying: “Everything concerns Dolly Levi!”

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THEATRE MEMPHIS

Theatre Memphis is ready for the next 100 years.

obody could have foreseen the pandemic, but nobody was ever going to change Litch’s mind about Hello, Dolly! being the grand production that would celebrate the centennial and re-open the facility. “Us being a hundred, and that one being such an All-American classic, it just felt like it would be a fun and a classic comedy and a musical that people love and know,” she says.

“So, we postponed.”

The Liberace production in May was the test. She kept attendance to about 140 people, all vaccinated and with all the protocols in place. “I had everybody seated and the right distance between, and every other row,” Litch says. “And I was doing welcoming remarks and seeing people just getting up to go sit with friends, and that gave us the opportunity to see that the confidence level was back.”

With rehearsals beginning in July, Litch said that getting ready to perform as Dolly Levi was a wonderful therapy. But her mind is always counting and calculating. “I’m just thrilled that we get to do a show.” she says, “Renewals [for season tickets] are coming back in, and I’m very, very pleased with where we are there, but when we start selling single tickets to Dolly!, that’s going to be a good indicator.”

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R E D I S C OV E R

M E M PH I S

Who’s Who

M

emphis is a city of inspiration, of innovation, of refusing to settle. After a difficult past year and a half, there’s a renewed energy in our eyes and on our streets. We’re ready for what’s next, and our community’s leaders will help us get there. Whether or not you recognize every name on this list, chances are you have noticed their effect on our city. The visionary men and women who comprise Memphis magazine’s 2021 Who’s Who list have shaped our city in countless ways, and will forge our collective future. From athletes to authors, chefs to politicians, musicians to developers, artists to executives, their work defines Memphis and enriches our lives.

JEN ANDREWS Visionaries know when to jump on an

opportunity, and that’s what Andrews did after graduating from Rhodes in 2006. She became the first official employee of the Shelby Farms Park Alliance and in 2016 was named CEO of the renamed Shelby Farms Park Conservancy.

Prior to her current role, she led communications and development for the conservancy, including leadership of the $75 million capital campaign for park improvements (among those, the Shelby Farms Greenline, Woodland Discovery Playground, and the Heart of the Park). Her stewardship includes generating support and revenue to further enhance the future of Shelby Farms Park.

Tennessee’s largest and most successful advertising shop. After stepping back as CEO, he created Music + Arts studio to be a destination for recording artists and film sound mixing, and Archer Records to bring the best of Memphis’ contemporary music to the world. Archer’s most lasting impact is Protect Our Aquifer, the nonprofit he founded to ensure that the Memphis Sand aquifer remains clean and accessible to future generations. “This is all happening against a worldwide backdrop of fresh water shortages,” he says. “It’s a long haul, but we’re batting 1000 so far.”

WARD ARCHER The ad man turned music mogul’s major EKUNDAYO BANDELE In current fixation is protecting Memphis’ famous water.

In 1990, Archer oversaw the creation of Archer-Malmo,

2006, you might have thought Bandele was doing a “Hey,

Kids, Let’s Put on a Show!” thing with his founding of Hattiloo Theatre. But his vision went way beyond staging productions — it was, and is, to establish an AfricanAmerican repertory theater that inspires the community and accomplishes significant work, from plays to outreach to education. His leadership includes spearheading a $4.3 million capital campaign to build Hattiloo’s two-theater venue that opened debt-free in 2014, and raising another $900,000 in 2016 to build the Hattiloo Development Center. He’s not only created theater buildings, he creates theater itself: He’s directed many plays, and has received a $20,000 grant from the MAP Fund to write and produce a play about the removal of this city’s Confederate statues.

BRETT BATTERSON As president and CEO, Brett

Batterson led the Orpheum Theatre Group through the pandemic with innovative ideas such as converting the Orpheum stage into a mini-golf course and hosting outdoor concerts lit entirely by candlelight. He excitedly awaits the return of full-capacity shows in the fall and maximizing the organization’s mission to entertain, educate, and enlighten.

The theatre is a four-time Tony Awardwinning co-producer of Broadway shows (most recently, under Batterson’s watch, in 2018 for The Band’s Visit) and is currently represented in the big apple with the Bob Dylan musical, Girl From the North Country.

Brett Batterson

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY ORPHEUM THEATRE

TOP PHOTOGRAPH BY SOPHIESO / DREAMSTIME

Our annual guide to our city’s movers, shakers, and other news-makers.

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Who’s Who

JACK BELZ As chairman of Belz Enterprises, Belz heads

one of the South’s largest real estate and development firms. A longtime booster, activist, and participant in Downtown development, he is best known for bringing back The Peabody, which served as the impetus for Downtown’s renaissance. He is the driving force behind Peabody Place, an eight-block mixed-use development that welcomed ServiceMaster’s headquarters in 2017.

Belz worked with the Memphis Housing Authority and Henry Turley Company to develop Uptown, and has partnered in Downtown projects such as Harbor Town, South Bluffs, and elsewhere.

VERNELL A. BENNETT-FAIRS

No stranger to groundbreaking achievements, Bennett-Fairs is just the second woman to be appointed president of LeMoyne-Owen College, Memphis’ only historically black college or university. The Ohio native is a trained vocalist and orator with roles as an associate professor and college administrator in more than 25 years of academic experience. Along the way, she implemented engagement initiatives for student affairs, leadership retreats, and other student mentorship organizations. She received the Kentucky Governor’s Award in the Arts for founding Operation Half Note Inc., a music institute geared towards kindergarteners that she started while working at Kentucky State University.

JOZELLE LUSTER BOOKER When business leaders

need to find new growth strategies, they call Booker, president and CEO of the Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum, an economic accelerator for minority and women-owned enterprises. Operating a leading MBDA Business Center for the U.S. Department of Commerce, she oversees a national network of scalable minority suppliers.

Whether it’s connecting small businesses with corporations, helping large companies improve their diversity programs, or helping small Memphis companies grow revenue, she has a reputation for getting results.

PAUL BOYLE In the late 1960s, Boyle Investment

Company, led today by Paul Boyle, developed Memphis’ first office park, Ridgeway Center at Poplar and I-240. The project was a game-changer as were later projects like River Oaks, Humphreys Center, and Schilling Farms. It’s been a family enterprise even before the company was established. Edward Boyle developed Midtown’s Belvedere Blvd. in 1907, and in 1933 three of his sons formed the investment company that expanded into real estate development, sales, leasing and management, construction, mortgage banking, and insurance. Bayard Boyle Jr. led the company starting in the 1970s and remains co-chairman with his brother-in-law, Henry Morgan. Meanwhile, Paul Boyle, who began his career with the company’s construction firm, now oversees all of the company’s operations in Memphis and Nashville including commercial and residential real estate as well as insurance.

CRAIG BREWER He spearheaded the digital filmmaking

revolution in America with his debut The Poor & Hungry, and Brewer put Memphis rap on the map with the Oscarwinning Hustle & Flow. He gave Samuel L. Jackson one of his meatiest roles with Black Snake Moan, then updated the dance classic Footloose for the twenty-first century. He wrote the screenplay that rebooted Tarzan, then reunited

with his Hustle stars for the hit TV show Empire. He helmed Eddie Murphy’s comeback movie Dolemite Is My Name, and then re-teamed with the comedy king for Coming 2 America, an international hit that became the biggest movie Amazon Studios ever produced. What will Memphis’ premier director think of next?

RUBY BRIGHT

Under Bright’s leadership since 2000, the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis has served as a backbone organization in the city, promoting philanthropy, fostering leadership, and supporting program services for women and families. Nationally recognized, WFGM harnesses the power of place-based, strategic fundraising and grant development for intergenerational impact. Since 1996, WFGM has invested more than $38 million in some 600 programs involving more than 160 nonprofits.

DON BRYANT Gaining his widest fame as a songwriter,

Bryant co-wrote the hit “I Can’t Stand the Rain” with Ann Peebles, whom he married soon after. Only in the Hi Records milieu, bursting with talent, would a singer of Bryant’s caliber be relegated to writing rather than recording hits. And he wrote many — 154 by one account. A new chapter began when he released his second album, Don’t Give Up on Love,, on Fat Possum Records in 2017. He was backed by the Bo-Keys, producer Scott Bomar’s soul revival group, and since then they’ve accompanied Bryant across the world. With last year’s You Make Me Feel, his Bo-Keys collaboration continues to win fans Don Bryant PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY DON BRYANT internationally.

NED CANTY

Since January 2011, Canty has brought opera to the city and the city to the opera as general director of Opera Memphis. In 2012 he launched “30 Days of Opera,” a monthlong festival of free performances throughout Memphis, celebrating its eleventh edition next April.

In 2017, Canty launched the McCleave Project, making Opera Memphis the first opera company in the nation to make an ongoing commitment to increasing equity and diversity in opera — backstage, onstage, and in the audience. Canty was named an Inside Memphis Business CEO of the Year in 2017, and is serving his second term on the board of Opera America.

CHANCE CARLISLE

A hospitality and real estate executive, Carlisle is chief executive officer of Carlisle LLC. A graduate of Yale University, he oversees the company’s family office, real estate development, and restaurant teams. Carlisle LLC’s wholly owned subsidiary Wendelta Inc. owns and operates 165 Wendy’s restaurants in the southeastern United States. Carlisle serves on the board of directors and has held numerous leadership positions within the Wendy’s system. Recently, he’s focused the company on One Beale, a 5.5-acre, $400 million Memphis riverfront development that includes three Hyatt branded hotels, 232 luxury apartments at The Landing Residences, eight full-service restaurants and bars, and a 465-car garage.

KAREN BLOCKMAN CARRIER

After graduating from the Memphis Academy of Arts and teaching art, Carrier went to New York and charted a culinary course. Returning to Memphis in 1987, she launched the catering firm Another Roadside Attraction and a host of hip restaurants — Automatic Slim’s (sold in 2008), Cielo, Beauty Shop, Mollie Fontaine Lounge, Dô Sushi, Bar DKDC, and Back Do/Mi Yard — garnering kudos from The New York Times, Bon Appetit, and Gourmet. During the pandemic, she opened Hazel’s Lucky Dice Delicatessen, which brought her back to her culinary heritage and kept her employees on the job. Carrier’s eclectic style, marketing savvy, and mastery in the kitchen have kept her restaurants in high demand. She was inducted into the Society of Entrepreneurs in 2004.

PAUL CHANDLER Germantown loves the arts and Chandler

is the point person for much of the cultural efforts in that community. As executive director of the Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC), he’s responsible for much of the entertainment, arts education, fundraising, performing arts, and visual art programs in that city. A recent addition to that facility has been The Grove, an outdoor performance venue next to GPAC that opened last year and has already hosted over 100 shows. He also spearheaded a public art master plan thanks to a $50,000 grant Germantown won from the National Endowment of the Arts Foundation’s Our Town program.

DARRELL COBBINS Real estate has always been the

Cobbins family business. After watching his grandfather create Lakeview Gardens subdivision in South Memphis (the city’s first middle-income neighborhood for Black professionals), Cobbins began his path toward founding Universal Commercial Real Estate. When he opened his company in 2007, he presided over the only Black-owned commercial real estate firm in Memphis and drew in big clients including FedEx, City of Memphis, Crosstown Concourse, and Baker Donelson. With a focus on inspiring youth through his work, Cobbins drew the attention of former governor Bill Haslam and is now a member of the Tennessee State Board of Education.

ASHLEY COFFIELD

Rhodes College was where Coffield got her first experience defending women’s rights as a volunteer for Planned Parenthood. She worked with the Public Health Foundation in Washington, D.C., and became a leader for Partnership for Prevention. She returned to Planned Parenthood to serve on the board and became the CEO of the Tennessee chapter in 2013, where she was immediately thrust into the battle over Amendment One and successfully prevented the state from restricting Tennessee women’s right to choose. In 2016, Coffield received the Women of Achievement Award for Courage and later oversaw the merger of the Tennessee and Mississippi chapters of Planned Parenthood. For Coffield, the fight for women’s rights goes on.

STEVE COHEN Now serving his eighth term as congressman

from Memphis’ 9th District, the Vanderbilt/UM law school graduate has become a figure to reckon with in national politics — a frequent guest on political talk shows, where he is a leading critic of former President Donald Trump and strong supporter of President Joe Biden. As chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Cohen conducted hearings in 2019 on the issue of reparations for African-American citizens and in 2021 on voter suppression efforts. He was first elected to a congressional seat vacated by Harold Ford Jr. in 2006 after

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Who’s Who more than 20 years as an influential member of the state senate, where he midwifed the Tennessee state lottery into being and was the body’s most prominent progressive. Also a member of the Transportation Committee, he is instrumental in getting Transportation Improvement Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants for the Memphis area and as current liaison in bridge renovation efforts.

CAROL COLETTA

If city design is an art form, Coletta is a virtuoso. In her three years as president and CEO of the nonprofit Memphis River Parks Partnership, she’s reimagined six miles of riverfront and five park districts along the Mississippi riverfront. The most visible — and controversial — project has been the $60 million redesign of Tom Lee Park, where construction began in January.

She is a former senior fellow in the Kresge Foundation’s American Cities Practice. She founded a $50+ million national collaboration of foundations, local nonprofits, and governments to Reimagine the Civic Commons in five cities, including Memphis. Coletta was vice president of Community and National Initiatives for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, led the start-up of ArtPlace, was president of CEOs for Cities, and was director of the Mayors’ Institute on City Design.

REGINALD COOPWOOD

Regional One Health is the primary source of care for much of our city’s population, in addition to providing trauma and burn care for the region. Coopwood took on the mantle of president and CEO of Regional One in 2010; his work is complemented by a commitment to community well-being. Previously, he was CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Hospital Authority.

Honors for his work include being named Inside Memphis Business’ CEO of the Year in 2014 and receiving the Tennessee Hospital Association’s CEO Meritorious Service Award in 2011, the Diversity Champion Award in 2013, and the President’s Award in 2016.

REGGIE CRENSHAW As president and CEO of Leadership

Memphis, Crenshaw has built a reputation as a community leader. He previously served as chair of the board of directors, where he developed a three-year strategic plan that increased networking, learning, and volunteerism.

Crenshaw was named the Leadership Memphis Kate Gooch Leader of the Year in 2017. He has served in leadership roles with Common Table Health Alliance, including chair and vice-chair of the board of directors, and with Facing History and Ourselves, where he was chair of the national board, advisory board, and nominating committee.

Memphis native, Dean has more than 30 years’ leadership experience in the tourism and attractions industry, including Busch Gardens, Sea World, Discover Cove, Sesame Place, and Visit St. Pete Clearwater. Dean received the 2017 University of Memphis Distinguished Alumni Award, among other honors.

With the 2021 opening of “KangaZoo,” the Memphis Zoo welcomed Australia’s largest marsupials for the first time in almost 30 years.

MICHAEL DETROIT

For three decades, Detroit has been a popular feature of Memphis theater. As executive producer of Circuit Playhouse, Inc., he oversees the city’s largest professional theater operation. He has appeared in numerous stage productions and feature films such as The People vs.

Larry Flynt and Cast Away, but his biggest achievement is successfully shepherding his company through the pandemic. This season, Playhouse on the Square, Circuit Playhouse, and Theaterworks will produce 14 shows, including four world premieres and five regional premieres.

JAMES DOWNING The CEO of St. Jude Children’s Research

Hospital since 2014, Downing is the architect of the institution’s plan to expand clinical care and research programs in Memphis and around the globe. He was instrumental in launching the Pediatric Cancer Genome Project, which has yielded discoveries across 23 types of pediatric cancers and generated new computational tools benefitting the broader field of genomic medicine. He championed St. Jude Global, a program focused on raising pediatric cancer survival rates internationally. Downing has received many honors, including election to the Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was saluted as a 2020 CEO of the Year by Inside Memphis Business and received the same honor in 2021 for his work in safeguarding the St. Jude campus during the pandemic.

REID DULBERGER Driving economic development is

Dulberger’s expertise, which he does as president/CEO of the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) for Memphis & Shelby County, and chief economic development officer for the City of Memphis and Shelby County. EDGE coordinates public resources projects and provides a strong foundation for economic growth. Since 2011, EDGE-assisted activities have helped create and retain more than 39,000 jobs and invest more than $7 billion. Its projects have committed to spend more than $800 million with local small, minority-, and women-owned businesses. EDGE has been recognized

C.J. DAVIS

Appointed director of the Memphis Police Department by Mayor Jim Strickland in 2021, Davis is the first woman to hold the position and the first candidate from outside the MPD ranks in years. She began her law enforcement career with the Atlanta Police Department and was chief of police in Durham, North Carolina, at the time of her appointment to lead MPD. A former president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, she hit the ground running in Memphis with a “90-day plan” of action.

JIM DEAN In April 2019, Dean became the

Memphis Zoo’s new president and CEO, replacing Chuck Brady, who held that position for 14 years. A

nationally, receiving the Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development by Site Selection magazine for two consecutive years, among others.

WILLIAM EGGLESTON

Renowned photographer Eggleston burst on the global scene in the 1970s, stunning the art world when his prosaic and groundbreaking images of Southern life were shown at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. His decades of subsequent work secured his status as a major American artist and pioneer, with photos celebrated and analyzed in books and essays as well as displayed in museums and galleries worldwide.

The first exhibition under the auspices of the Eggleston Art Foundation was at The Dixon Gallery and Gardens in January 2020. The foundation’s mission is to maintain his work and legacy as well as to advance the work of other artists through a variety of events.

STEVE EHRHART Since 1994, Ehrhart has been executive

director of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Football Classic, one of the oldest annual college postseason games. One of the highest-rated telecasts originating from Memphis, the game’s annual economic impact is estimated between $23 million and $25 million. The 2021 Classic between teams from the SEC and Big 12 is December 28th. A captain and quarterback of his football team at Colorado College, Ehrhart represented athletes and coaches in his legal practice.

ANNA MULLINS ELLIS

The president and CEO of New Memphis, Ellis is devoted to retaining and training diverse talent in our community. Before joining New Memphis, she was instrumental in the creation of High Ground News and served as executive director of the Cotton Museum. The University of Memphis graduate has been named one of the “Top 40 Under 40” by the Memphis Business Journal and 20<30 by the Memphis Flyer for her work centered around empowering Memphians. Ellis is also executive director of TEDxMemphis.

KELLY ENGLISH

Chef English regularly tops dining lists in the Memphis Flyer and Memphis magazine, earning awards for Best Chef, Best Restaurant, and Best Service. He opened Restaurant Iris, helping revitalize the Overton Square area with fine dining, and then acquired the property next door for his casual eatery Second Line. In 2019, he saved Midtown’s favorite lunch spot Fino’s Deli. In 2020, he became a leading advocate for the pandemic-ravaged restaurant community, and fed frontline healthcare workers as they battled covid outbreaks. In 2021, he announced he was moving Restaurant Iris to an East Memphis location, and will introduce a new culinary concept in the old location.

ROBERT M. FOCKLER As president of the Community

Reginald Coopwood PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY REGIONAL ONE HEALTH

Foundation of Greater Memphis, Fockler oversees the largest Mid-South charitable grantmaker, awarding more than $158 million last year. The Community Foundation manages 1,200 charitable funds for individuals, families, and organizations, with total assets of $1.1 billion. It also administers the Mid-South covid-19 Regional Response Fund, raising more than $14 million for relief efforts. Fockler leads the foundation’s efforts to present community information at Robert M. Fockler LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org and to offer GiVE 365, a PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY ROBERT M. FOCKLER dollar-a-day giving program.

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Who’s Who

Lily Bear Traverse Fogle PHOTOGRAPH BY THE PUPPYRAZZI

LILY BEAR TRAVERSE FOGLE A native of East

Tennessee, where she grew up roaming the fields when not locked in a trailer, Lily Bear has lived in Memphis since August 2017. She is of noble temperament, sweet disposition, fluffy fur, and unknown breed. Lily can often be found romping through the Old Forest at Overton Park, keeping watch over her cat-brother, Lucky Boots, and dog-brother, Puck, and learning to open bags, cabinets, and even refrigerators to find tasty treats. She arrived in Memphis through Imminent Danger German Shepherd Rescue. In May 2019, Lily appeared on the cover of this magazine, shown in the act of consuming a rainbow sno-cone. Known for both her floral and ursine qualities, Lily Bear is barking at you to make sure you are paying attention to these bios.

AL GREEN

The Reverend Al Green is actually a bishop, presiding over the Full Gospel Tabernacle he founded in 1976. Still, most know his name through hits like “Let’s Stay Together” and “I’m Still in Love with You,” recorded with producer Willie Mitchell for Hi Records. He returned to secular music with Mitchell at the helm in 2004. A multiple Grammy Award winner, he is a member of the Rock-andRoll, Gospel, and Songwriters Halls of Fame. In 2018, he released “Before the Next Teardrop Falls.” This December, he’s headlining at the Once Upon a Time in L.A. Festival.

MICAH GREENSTEIN

Rabbi Greenstein celebrates his 30th anniversary serving Temple Israel, Memphis’ historic 167-year-old synagogue, sustaining its position as the largest congregation in Tennessee and the Deep South.

Reflecting Temple Israel’s commitment to the greater community, Greenstein was recognized as this magazine’s first “Memphian of the Year” in 2013. A national leader in America’s largest Jewish denomination, Greenstein was the first rabbi to preach at the Washington Cathedral on a Major State Day for Tennessee. He has been named among America’s Top 50 Rabbis by Newsweek/The Daily Beast and has served on the national board of the NAACP and the executive committee of the National Civil Rights Museum, where he continues to serve on its board of directors.

Wing King. She previously won an Olivier Award in 2010 for The Mountaintop (about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) and her other plays include Hurt Village, Hoodoo Love, Saturday Night/Sunday Morning, Our Lady of Kibeho, and The Blood Quilt. She wrote and co-produced the West End and Broadway hit Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, plus she is the executive producer and showrunner of P-VALLEY, the Starz drama based on her play Pussy Valley. She has numerous other awards as well as two Tony nominations.

TRACY HALL

Named president of Southwest Tennessee Community College in 2015, Hall previously served as vice president for academic affairs at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park. Hall is a member of the Higher Learning Commission Peer Review Corps., American Association of Women in Community Colleges, Missouri Community College Association, National Council of Instructional Administrators, and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Board of Trustees. Hall also serves on the Tennessee Board of Regents President’s Council and represents the Memphis region on the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Community Development Advisory Council.

CARMEON HAMILTON

The Memphis native first realized her design acumen decorating her dorm room at the University of Central Arkansas. Her lifestyle blog gained her many fans in the area, and her popularity exploded with her intimately curated Instagram account. She parlayed Nubi Interiors into an invitation to appear on the Discovery+ reality show Design Star: Next Gen. When she won the national competition, she earned a starring role in her own TV show, Reno My Rental, filmed in Memphis.

PENNY HARDAWAY

The basketball legend took over as head coach of his alma mater in 2018, and while he hasn’t yet led the Memphis Tigers back to the NCAA tournament, Hardaway steered the 2020-21 Tigers through a pandemic-heavy season that ended with the school’s second NIT championship. Through three seasons, Hardaway sports a record of 63-32. As a player, his achievements include All-America honors at the U of M, All-NBA status with the Orlando Magic in the mid-Nineties, and a gold medal with the 1996 U.S. Olympic team.

CAROLYN CHISM HARDY At the beginning of her

career as a young accountant, Hardy was plant manager at the J.M. Smucker Company. She kept asking questions and found the answers that turned around the plant’s When it comes to big business, it lackluster performance to great acclaim, showing her doesn’t get much bigger than Nike. Gregory, a Memphis skills as a problem solver. She went on to manage the Coors brewery in native, joined the sports apparel conglomerate in 1993 and has seen it become the largest occupier of supply-chain Memphis and ended up buying the space in Memphis. Now the director of Global Community facility to launch Hardy Bottling.

Impact, Gregory has collaborated with corporate giants Since selling the brewery, she has become president and CEO like FedEx’s Fred Smith, whom Gregory succeeded last year as chairman of the Greater Memphis Chamber. In a of Chism Hardy Investments COVID-hit 2020, he helped oversee 2,000 member business and Henderson Worldwide enterprises and organizations, $858 million in capital Investments, DBA Henderson Transloading Services. In 2019, she investment, and the creation of 2,700 jobs. published her first book, Look Up, Out, and The latest honor for the acclaimed in 2020 Step Out Memphis-born playwright is this year’s Pulitzer in 2021 Impossible Katori Hall Turned Possible Possible.

Prize for Drama, awarded in June for The Hot PHOTOGRAPH BY DIANE ZHAO

WILLIE GREGORY

KATORI HALL

She’s a member of the Society of Entrepreneurs and has served as chairwoman of the Greater Memphis Chamber and of the Chamber’s Chairman’s Circle.

LEE HARRIS The mayor of Shelby County, a Democrat, was

elected over Republican David Lenoir in 2018 after prior elections, consecutively, to the Memphis City Council and Tennessee state senate, becoming the first Black lawmaker of either party to hold a leadership position in the Senate. As mayor, he has proceeded with vigorous campaigns on behalf of pay equity for employees, juvenile justice reform, and advances in contracting opportunities for women and minorities. A law professor at the University of Memphis, Harris was born and raised in Memphis, and studied at Morehouse College, followed by Yale Law School.

In 2021, he stood at a crossroads with options of seeking a second term or pursuing other political or judicial opportunities.

SALLY JONES HEINZ Since February 2011, Heinz has acted as

president and CEO of the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), the volunteer-supported agency that supports the independence of vulnerable seniors and families in crisis.

MIFA’s high-impact programs touch some 50,000 people in this area annually. Heinz was previously MIFA’s vice president of development and has been with the organization since 2007.

Originally from Memphis and a graduate of Rhodes, she also holds a master’s degree in American studies from the University of Texas.

MARK HEUBERGER

As CEO and president of the Collierville Chamber of Commerce, Heuberger keeps the community running smoothly and acts as a resource to local business owners. A University of Memphis graduate, with a bachelor’s in journalism and a master’s in communication, he was an essential part of MLGW for 26 years before taking his business and administration skills to Collierville, where he is quickly becoming a major figure in the city’s local administration.

JODY HILL

Memphis Theological Seminary prides itself on preparing men and women for ordained and lay Christian ministry in the church and worldwide. So who better to lead the Cumberland Presbyterian Church-associated school than one of their own? Reverend Hill, a 2000 graduate of the Seminary, was named president in 2020, taking charge of an institution that represents more than 25 different denominations and seeks to give opportunities to a diverse population of Memphians.

CARISSA HUSSONG

One of this city’s exemplars of leadership in the arts, Hussong helms the one-of-a-kind Metal Museum and has furthered its international reputation. Not only does it display works of top metalsmiths, it has a strong education and community engagement component. She has been central to acquiring Rust Hall, the former home of the Memphis College of Art, which will be the museum’s new state-of-the-art facility and education center. It will keep its current location on the Mississippi River for artist residencies. Before taking over the Metal Museum in 2008, Hussong was the founding executive director of the UrbanArt Commission and was instrumental in transforming how Memphis made and appreciated public art.

BARBARA AND J.R. HYDE

Few Memphis families have had such an impact on Memphis. Barbara is chairman and CEO of the Hyde Family Foundation. She has led efforts to bring innovative education initiatives to Memphis, most notably the KIPP Academy, Teach for America, and New Leaders. As

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Who’s Who a founding member and past chair of the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, she led the master planning and fundraising efforts to transform the park into a world-class amenity. J.R. “Pitt” founded AutoZone in 1979, one of three Fortune 500 companies with Memphis headquarters.

Hyde has become one of the city’s leading philanthropists, instrumental in founding the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, Memphis Tomorrow, and National Civil Rights Museum, and was part of the civic partnership that helped bring the Grizzlies to Memphis.

IMAKEMADBEATS As the founder of the Unapologetic

music, media, and fashion collective, IMAKEMADBEATS, aka James Dukes, aka Nemo, is one of hip hop’s most innovative producers. The rappers, producers, and designers he’s surrounded himself with have quietly built a minor empire out of his home studio over the past ten years. He previously worked at Quad Recording Studios in New York with many stellar artists. Now, a sense of mission infuses all that MAD does, as was apparent in his 2019 TEDx talk, a celebration of individuals doggedly pursuing their unique visions. This year, Unapologetic and the Black arts nonprofit Tone are rehabilitating a former industrial tower in Orange Mound into a space for community revitalization.

EDDIE JONES

Chair of the Shelby County Commission in 2021, and first elected in 2014, the Democrat is a longtime party activist. Jones represents District 11, which includes sections of Fox Meadows, Hickory Hill, Oakhaven, Parkway Village, and Whitehaven. The City of Memphis code enforcement supervisor formerly served with the Memphis Police Department’s Tactical Unit. A lifelong resident of Shelby County, Jones is a graduate of Hamilton High School and attended Shelby State Community College, majoring in criminal justice, and Tusculum College, where he was a business major. He is considered adept with numbers and served as the commission’s budget chair during 2020.

FRED JONES The Southern Heritage Classic — a football

game between Jackson State University and Tennessee State University in September — has been held at the Liberty Bowl since 1990 (with the exception of 2020) thanks to Jones, president of Summitt Management Corporation, an entertainment consulting firm. The game has averaged more than 50,000 in attendance since it started. In 2010, Jones received the Authur S. Holmon Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Memphis and was added to the Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame. In 2014 he garnered a Music Business Award from the W.C. Handy Heritage Awards and received a key to the city from Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland in 2017. As part of its 40th anniversary in 2019, Leadership Memphis saluted Jones as one of the 40 Change Makers in Memphis.

VICTORIA JONES A maverick

in the local movement for Black cultural empowerment, in 2016 Jones helped found the CLTV, aka the Collective, a nonprofit supporting Black artists and their sense of community. The organization shared spaces with other arts groups before settling next to the already-established

Orange Mound Gallery (OMG) in 2018, putting CLTV’s headquarters in the heart of the nation’s first neighborhood intentionally created by Black residents. Then, during the COVID lockdown, Jones transformed CLTV into a new entity, Tone, which has recently partnered with Unapologetic to acquire the former industrial landmark, with plans to convert the newly renamed Orange Mound Tower into a space for affordable housing and commercial development.

BRYAN JORDAN The chairman, president, and chief

executive officer of First Horizon National Corporation shepherds financial services offered through First Tennessee, Capital Bank, FTB Advisors, and FTN Financial businesses, and last year finalized a merger with Lafayette, LA-based IBERIABANK. First Horizon’s banking subsidiary holds $79 billion in assets and American Banker has it No. 5 among the Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Banks. Jordan has been named Best CEO, mid-cap category, in Institutional Investor magazine’s 2013 All-American Executive Team and CEO of the Year by Inside Memphis Business.

KEVIN KANE

As president and CEO of Memphis Tourism for 29 years, Kane can cite dollar figures, rankings, crowd flow, ticket sales, and economic impact. His reach is far, with satellite offices in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. He’s also president and CEO of the Memphis Management Group, which manages the newly refurbished Renasant Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. A lifelong Memphian, he is a graduate of Christian Brothers High School and the University of Memphis.

AL KAPONE

Alphonzo Bailey, aka Al Kapone, emerged as a standout artist in the 1990s Memphis hip hop scene. An early contemporary of Three 6 Mafia, he’s guested on their tracks as well as recordings by 8Ball & MJG and others. Kapone’s contributions to the soundtrack to the film Hustle & Flow were distinctive.

In recent years, he has explored other genres more than any other Memphis rapper, collaborating with Barbara Blue, guitarist Eric Gales, R&B singer Uriah Mitchell, and Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars. In 2020, he released the album Hip Hop Blues.

LAUREN KENNEDY

When she became executive director of the UrbanArt Commission in 2015, Kennedy was charged with bringing artists and neighborhoods together around public art.

A 2018 strategic plan aims to elevate equity and expand beyond creating sculptures and murals to delve into the artists and neighborhoods impacted by the work.

Through recent programs including significant projects at the Memphis International Airport and Renasant Convention Center, UAC has leveraged over $3 million in new project opportunities in Memphis and continued to grow this city’s public art program. With over 130 projects across the area and more Victoria Jones

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THE COLLECTIVE

in the works, she looks forward to the organization’s 25th anniversary in 2022.

DEBBIE KING Promoted to executive director in March of

this year, King began her career with the Southaven Chamber of Commerce as membership coordinator in 2012. She spent 15 years in hospitality management in the gaming industry prior to her work at the chamber. She has tirelessly worked to build a team and an elite benefits package for members of the Southaven Chamber to use to grow their businesses. Her hard work has paid off, and membership is the highest it has ever been in the history of the 52-year-old organization.

PATRICK LAWLER

Now in his 41st year as the CEO of Youth Villages, Lawler has grown the organization from serving 25 youths to offering hope to more than 30,000 young people annually. It is today one of the largest private providers of services to troubled children and their families in the country.

He has established specialized treatment programs involving more than 3,000 employees in 84 locations across 21 states and the District of Columbia. The White House cited Youth Villages as an example of “effective, innovative nonprofits” that are “high-impact, result-oriented” organizations. In 2020 Lawler was the recipient of the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefitting the Disadvantaged, a national honor considered the Nobel Prize for service.

DEBBIE LITCH

Theatre Memphis will begin celebrating its 100th anniversary season in August 2021. Litch became executive producer in 2004 after stints at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. She has received the Memphis Symphony’s Hebe and Amphion awards, the Germantown Arts Alliance Patron of the Arts Award, the Gyneka Award from the Women’s Theatre Festival of Memphis, and the Memphis Ostrander Janie McCrary “Putting It Together” award.

JASON LITTLE Having been named to his position in 2014,

Little is only the fifth person to serve as president and CEO in the long history of the Baptist Memorial Health Care system.

Under his leadership, Baptist has seen immense growth, with the former 14-hospital network increasing to 21 facilities in the Mid-South. Little’s career at the hospital has spanned almost two decades; he arrived at Baptist in 2002 after serving as operations administrator at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.

GRETCHEN WOLLERT MCLENNON

A lifelong love of ballet and the arts has propelled McLennon to the leadership of Ballet Memphis, which she took over last year from retiring founder Dorothy Gunther Pugh. As a child, McLennon was a student in the Ballet Memphis school and part of the junior company. She was board chair from 2014 to 2017 and helped shepherd the construction of the company’s award-winning facility in Overton Square. She brings more than 15 years’ experience in the philanthropic and nonprofit sector, including several years as a consultant and executive coach and 10 years at the Hyde Family Foundation as a program director.

KEENON MCCLOY As the head of Memphis Public Libraries,

McCloy oversees an urban library system with 18 locations, a radio and TV station, a 2-1-1 call center, and diverse offerings of 7,000 programs impacting nearly 3 million customers. She initiated a private funding campaign for JobLINC, a mobile job/ career service. She envisioned and secured private support

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year 2020) with more than 6,500 stores. Rhodes is a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies and is the past chairman of the Retail Industry Leaders Association. In 2013, Inside Memphis Business named him CEO of the Year.

LAWRENCE “BOO” MITCHELL As co-owner of the

historic Royal Studios, as well as an active producer and engineer there, Boo Mitchell had a hand in “Uptown Funk,” the global smash by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. He’s also welcomed artists of every genre into the studio. The producer Willie Mitchell raised his daughters’ children, Boo and his brother, Archie, as his own sons, becoming Boo’s father in every sense. The bond between them is revealed in nearly everything Boo does. Growing up in the control room, Boo absorbed the lore of the music and the microphones, as well as Willie’s live-and-let-live approach to life. And that’s the secret to Royal’s continued success as a world-class recording destination to this day.

ROBERT MOODY Conducting the MSO into a new era,

Moody was appointed principal conductor of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra in 2015 and named music director in 2017. The maestro is also music director of Arizona Musicfest, America’s premier winter orchestra festival. An internationally acclaimed conductor, his guest conducting has included the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Cape Town Philharmonic, Orquesta Filarmonica de Bogota, Spoleto Festival, and Santa Fe Opera. He previously served as resident conductor for the Phoenix Symphony, music director of the Portland (Maine) Symphony, and music director of the Winston-Salem Symphony.

JA MORANT The 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year led the

Memphis Grizzlies back to the playoffs in just his second season (and at the tender age of 21). Among the most electrifying players, already, in Grizzlies history, Morant has led Memphis in scoring each of the last two seasons, averaging 19.1 points per game in 2020-21. He helped the Griz beat both San Antonio and Golden State in “play-in” games to qualify for the 2021 postseason. The South Carolina native played two seasons of college ball at Murray State and earned first-team All-America honors as a sophomore in 2018-19.

WORTH MORGAN

A Memphis city councilman since election in 2015, Morgan is considered a leading candidate for the Republican nomination for Shelby County Mayor in 2022. The insurance sales executive is a graduate of Memphis University School and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Morgan became a White House intern in 2008 and was manager of the Memphis office of Bill Haslam for Governor in 2010.

SCOTT MORRIS An ordained Methodist minister,

Morris founded Church Health in 1987 to provide quality, affordable healthcare for uninsured working people and their families. With financial support from foundations, churches, corporations, and individuals — along with the volunteer help of doctors, nurses, dentists, and others — the organization is the largest faith-based healthcare organization of its type in the country. A two-person operation on its first day, Crosstown Concourse-based Church Health served some 55,000 patients last year.

TODD RICHARDSON

David Porter

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY MADE IN MEMPHIS ENTERTAINMENT LLC

DAVID PORTER Growing up in South Memphis, Porter

was part of the neighborhood coterie of young creatives that helped bolster Stax Records. He became indispensable to Stax, cranking out hit after hit for Sam and Dave and other artists with his co-writer, Isaac Hayes. Today, he’s honored in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time, not to mention numerous Grammy Awards and nominations — and even a Mr. David Porter Street in his hometown. He’s now active in two organizations he helped to found: The Consortium MMT (Memphis Music Town) nonprofit and Made in Memphis Entertainment.

PROJECT PAT AND JUICY J The brothers Patrick Earl

Houston (Project Pat) and Jordan Michael Houston (Juicy J) were co-founders of Three 6 Mafia with DJ Paul in 1991.

Project Pat’s association was necessarily sporadic, due to incarceration, but he rebounded with the successful Ghetty Green in 1999, and had a hand in Three 6 Mafia’s 2000 hit, “Sippin’ On Some Syrup.” One early Juicy J track has been re-sampled so many times that it was named the “most influential rap song of 2018” by Rolling Stone. Since Three 6 Mafia’s Oscar win in 2006, Juicy J has worked in the television and music industries. Both appear on “Lane Switch,” the 2021 track by Skepta, Pop Smoke, and A$AP Rocky.

JORIS M. RAY

A Memphis native and product of Shelby County Schools (SCS), where he is now the director, Ray has diligently served the district for more than 23 years in various roles from executive leadership to the classroom.

He has been instrumental in improving the lives and academic futures of thousands of SCS students, no matter which neighborhood they call home. Successes include implementing a game-changing process that ensures all students have an opportunity to be properly identified for the Creative Learning in a Unique Environment (CLUE) program and creating the Continuous Improvement Zone to offer support to schools removed from the state’s Priority list. He also achieved the monumental task of transforming SCS into a 1:1 digital device district by placing technology into the hands of every student.

BILL RHODES

When the head audit partner at Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young) was tired of the audit team losing inter-department golf competitions, he saw All-American golfer Bill Rhodes swing a club and hired him as an intern. That kickstarted a career which saw Rhodes become the youngest president of a Fortune 500 company, AutoZone, at just 39. He oversees the nation’s leading auto parts retailer and distributor, a $14.4 billion company (fiscal

If an artist’s job is to change and beautify the world, few have had a bigger impact on Memphis than Richardson. The Fulbright Scholar taught at the University of Memphis while co-founding Crosstown Arts. He spearheaded the effort to renovate the abandoned 1.5 million-square-foot Sears building in Midtown. Crosstown Concourse has become a unique hub for the community and a national example of creative re-use. Richardson received the Innovation Award from Inside Memphis Business and the John S. Wilder Rebuild Tennessee Award for his efforts.

BEVERLY ROBERTSON As president of the Greater Memphis

Chamber, Robertson draws together collaborators to showcase the city as a business destination as well as a place for existing businesses to thrive. Through partnerships, she aims to increase jobs, encourage training, and make the most of the city’s four-R assets: road, river, rail, and runway. She is also principal of TRUST Marketing, with more than 30 years’ experience in public and community relations, communications, strategic planning, and research. Robertson led the National Civil Rights Museum for more than 17 years, raising $43 million for an expansion of the museum as well as a capital and endowment campaign. In 2010, NCRM received recognition as one of the top 10 national treasures by USA Today.

KENNETH ROBINSON In February 2015, Robinson was

named president and CEO of United Way of the Mid-South, serving Shelby County and seven surrounding counties in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, after serving as a volunteer and former board member with the organization for more than 20 years. Robinson is former pastor and CEO of St. Andrew AME Church, where he spearheaded the Circles of Success Learning Academy, one of Tennessee’s first charter schools, and molded the church into an entity responsible for $22 million of new investment in South Memphis. He is also the former Tennessee Commissioner of Health and served as advisor to Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell.

GAYLE ROSE

When she was studying clarinet in Iowa, Rose surely never imagined she would play so many key roles in Memphis. Among them: founder and CEO of EVS Corporation, a cloud backup and disaster recovery company headquartered in Memphis; chair of the Rose Family Foundations; and past board chair of the Memphis Symphony. In 2012, she received the CEO of the Year Award from Inside Memphis Business and has been named Humanitarian of the Year by Diversity Memphis. Rose was internationally recognized in 2007 with the Changing Face of Philanthropy Award from the Women’s Funding Network. She is also well-known for helping to land the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team and co-founding the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis. In 2010, she founded Team Max, a grassroots, virtual volunteer organization honoring the memory of her late son.

MATT ROSS-SPANG

From the moment he stepped into the fabled Sun Studios at age 14, Matt Ross-Spang knew his home was behind the boards. First as an intern, then as chief engineer at Sun, he helped restore Sam Phillips’ base

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Who’s Who to its former glory. His first project as an independent producer, Jason Isbell’s Something More Than Free, won him a Grammy. He would go on to win a second Grammy with Isbell. John Prine loved working with Ross-Spang so much he gave him a Cadillac. He has remixed Elvis Presley and recorded Al Green’s first new songs in 15 years. He is currently about to open his own, custom-built studio in Crosstown Concourse, helping put Memphis back in its rightful place as the center of the recording world.

the university’s doctoral-degree health science colleges.

He is an internationally recognized researcher and author, notably in the fields of chronic renal failure and dialytic therapy. His honors include the Distinguished Service Award from the National Kidney Foundation of America and the Clinician-Scientist Award from the American Heart Association.

ELIZABETH ROUSE As president and CEO of

Shadyac has worked to promote fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The organization is supported by more than 11 million active donors and volunteers. Under his leadership, ALSAC has become the top healthcare charity in the country and the top not-for-profit healthcare brand, at its peak hosting more than 31,000 fundraising activities held annually in all 50 states, including the FedEx St. Jude Classic and St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. Recent awards include being named 2016 CEO of the Year by Inside Memphis Business and receiving the 2017 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

ArtsMemphis, Rouse oversees the support of 70 organizations and hundreds of artists. During her 15-year tenure in various roles, ArtsMemphis has allocated $45 million, started funding individual artists, and implemented a more equitable grant-making structure that supports more organizations, enabling more arts experiences for Memphians. ArtsMemphis has elevated its role as connector for the arts sector by helping arts organizations navigate the impacts of covid-19, rework business plans, create virtual arts experiences, and develop reopening protocols.

DAVID RUDD Entering his eighth (and final) year

as president of the University of Memphis, Rudd has overseen record-breaking improvements in retention and graduation rates. Efforts include a new division of Student Success, need-based funding and LiFE: Learning Inspired by FedEx, which offers eligible FedEx employees potentially tuition-free degrees online. New developments include the R. Brad Martin Student Wellness Center, Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center, Hunter Harrison Memorial pedestrian bridge, Memphis football indoor practice facility, Scheidt Family Music Center, Larry Finch Plaza, the Madison Academic High School on the Lambuth campus, and funding for the STEM Research and Classroom Building that will break ground next year. Rudd will step down in May 2022 and return to a faculty role after a year’s sabbatical abroad.

TAMI SAWYER

Elected in 2018 to the Shelby County Commission, Sawyer chairs Education and serves District 7 (Midtown and Binghamton). She is recognized as a prominent social justice activist, and is chair of the Memphis NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and the leader of #Takeemdown901, which spearheaded the drive to purge the city of Confederate memorials. She is the recipient of the Ebony Power 100 Award and is a frequent writer and commentator on racial justice for such news outlets as CNN and Huffington Post and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. and Links, Inc. Sawyer was a candidate for Memphis mayor in 2019 on serious reform ticket and is currently pursuing a master’s in communication at her alma mater, the University of Memphis, with a focus on race & gender rhetorical studies.

STEVE SCHWAB

Chancellor of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center since 2010, Schwab is CEO of the statewide UTHSC system that spans campuses in Memphis, Knoxville, Nashville, and Chattanooga, and oversees all six of

RICHARD SHADYAC JR. As president and CEO of ALSAC,

JACK SHANNON With Christian Brothers University

seeking to provide higher-level education and boost development of economically challenged areas, Shannon brings a track record in education and revitalization.

Before his tenure at Montclair State University prior to CBU, he served as president/CEO of East Baltimore Development Co., which led a large urban redevelopment initiative.

In a prior position at the University of Pennsylvania, he orchestrated the “West Philadelphia Initiatives,” a neighborhood redevelopment plan that received the 2003 Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence.

KEVIN SHARP The Linda W. and S. Herbert Rhea Director of The Dixon Gallery and Gardens since 2007, Sharp has contributed to more than 25 books on American and French art and organized more than 100 exhibitions. The Dixon showcases important works of art, hosts dozens of education programs, and maintains a 17-acre garden.

Under Sharp’s leadership, the Dixon offers free admission for the remainder of 2021, many in-person exhibitions, programs, and events, and a continuing commitment to neighborhood and community.

RYAN SILVERFIELD Few college football coaches

forced a monthlong shutdown after a season-opening victory (against Arkansas State in an empty Liberty Bowl), but the team rebounded for a 7-3 regular-season record and a win over Florida Atlantic in the Montgomery Bowl, the program’s first bowl victory in six years.

LINN SITLER

Her 30-plus years as head of the Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission have witnessed major Hollywood productions as well as the nurturing of local filmmakers. Past feature films and TV series she’s wrangled as the world’s longest-tenured film commissioner include Bluff City Law, Brian Banks, Sun Records, Hustle & Flow, Mystery Train, The Firm, The Rainmaker, The People vs. Larry Flynt, 21 Grams, and My Blueberry Nights. Sitler set in motion one of the first local film incentives in the country decades ago and still continues with city funding incentives for Memphis filmmakers. Her collaborative industry workshops train local emerging film/TV professionals, and she’s been recognized for her innovation by the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis and for her work’s impact Downtown with her name and “duck print” in the sidewalk outside The Peabody.

DARRELL SMITH As executive director of the World Golf

Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, Smith oversees the annual PGA Tour event that brings the world’s finest golfers to TPC Southwind. One of four annual WGC events in the world, the tournament moved to Memphis from Akron, Ohio, in 2019.

(Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas won the first two Memphis events.) The 2021 tournament will be played August 5-8.

Smith’s career with the local tournament began in 2005.

FREDERICK W. SMITH

Nobody delivers like the founder, chairman, and CEO of FedEx Corporation. His $79 billion global transportation, business services, technology, and logistics company is a vital economic engine in the Memphis region with a worldwide impact. Since founding FedEx in 1971, he has advocated for regulatory reform, free trade, and open skies agreements for aviation worldwide. FedEx is the region’s largest employer, with a local workforce of more than 30,000 and a global workforce of more than 570,000. A Marine in the late 1960s, Smith has been named to the Aviation Hall of Fame, and won the Circle of Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation.

KATIE SMYTHE

A native Memphian, Smythe returned to Memphis after a career as a professional dancer and have experienced the start of their career in quite the way Silverfield has at the University teaching artist in Minneapolis, New York, and Los Angeles. of Memphis. On the bright side, his first She founded New Ballet Ensemble and School in 2002 to teach excellence in dance while bridging racial and game as head coach was the biggest contest in the program’s history: economic barriers. Several graduates have gone on to professional dance careers, notably including the 2019 Cotton Bowl (the Tigers lost to Penn State weeks after Charles “Lil Buck” Riley. Her eclectic work has drawn international attention. In 2014, New coach Mike Norvell Ballet received the National Arts and Humanities departed for Florida Youth Program Award at the White State). But then in 2020, Silverfield House for its work in Orange found himself Mound, and Smythe was named leading the largest the Tennessee Governor’s School of group of athletes the Arts Teacher of the Year in 2019. on campus In 2020, she was the recipient of under pandemic the Thomas W. Briggs Foundation conditions. A Community Service Award. covid-19 covid outbreak Ryan Silverfield Linn Sitler PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY UM PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY SC FILM COMMISSION in the program

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Who’s Who

JACK SODEN When more than 21 million people come

to your home (invited, of course), you must be doing something right. Soden has been CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. ever since Priscilla Presley asked him to develop a business plan for Graceland. Since it opened to the public in 1982, the King of Rock-and-Roll’s former estate has evolved into one of the nation’s premier tourist attractions, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe and generating an estimated $200 million annual economic impact in Memphis. In 2016/2017, Graceland undertook the greatest enhancement and expansion in its history, including The Guest House at Graceland (a $92 million resort hotel) and Elvis Presley’s Memphis (a multi-gallery entertainment complex). Last year it added the 80,000-square-foot Graceland Exhibition Center.

SUSAN STEPHENSON AND CHIP DUDLEY What does

a good partnership get you? For Stephenson and Dudley, that collaboration yielded Independent Bank, one of the largest banks in Shelby County. Founded in 1998, the institution holds more than $1 billion in total assets and $142 million in capital. Each credits their partnership for taking Independent to the heights it’s reached. Dudley previously served as president, chairman, and CEO of Boatmen’s Bank of Arkansas (the largest bank in the state), while Stephenson became the first female chairman of a Tennessee bank when she led Boatmen’s Bank of Tennessee. Now, the two share leadership of Independent Bank, which provides a complete line of financial services, with a specialty in automobile lending throughout the Southeast.

JIM STRICKLAND The mayor of Memphis was elected in

2015 over incumbent A C Wharton, then handily reelected in 2019 over multiple challengers, seeing through his imaginative Memphis 3.0, a recasting of strategic plans for Memphis city government. A former two-term councilman and two-time council chairman, Strickland campaigned on triple themes of public safety, blight eradication, and governmental accountability, under the slogan “Brilliant with the Basics.” He responded to community pressure by devising a successful strategy for removing statues of Confederate leaders from prominent locations Downtown.

Much occupied in recent years in conciliating disparate ideas for renovating Tom Lee Park, he has also floated the idea of finding an alternative power supplier to TVA.

TINA SULLIVAN

Executive director of the Overton Park Conservancy since 2012, Sullivan has more than a decade of experience in parks management. Sullivan has been overseeing OPC’s Park-Wide Master Plan, which involves making the park equitable for all Memphians while honoring historic and present uses of the park. Sullivan left Memphis in 1989 after high school, and upon her return in 2009, she was impressed with the way the community had come to view its green spaces.

MARK SUTTON Named chairman of

International Paper in 2014 and CEO in 2015, Sutton first joined IP in 1984 as an

electrical engineer with a paper mill in Pineville, Louisiana, later moving to Thilmany, Wisconsin, as mill manager. He then transferred overseas and was named vice president and general manager of European corrugated packaging operations in 2002, where he oversaw operations across seven countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Sutton relocated to Memphis in 2005 and escalated quickly within the company through several VP roles.

GINA SWEAT Appointed director of the Memphis Fire

Department in January 2016, Sweat is the first woman to lead the department. Her career began in 1992 as a firefighter/EMT and she worked through the ranks of the department, earning promotions to driver (1995), fire lieutenant (1998), battalion chief (2001), and division chief (2008). She is a graduate of Freed-Hardeman University, where she also played basketball, and earned a master’s degree in strategic leadership from the University of Memphis in 2013. Under her leadership, the Memphis Fire Department earned a Class 1 Public Protection Classification rating in 2019 (the highest possible rating, held by fewer than 1 percent of fire departments in the nation).

CARLA THOMAS The daughter of Memphis legend

Rufus Thomas, Carla was instrumental in putting Stax Records on the map. She and her father cut “Cause I Love You” there, a regional hit in 1960. She followed up with the song “Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes),” and the two songs cinched Stax’s focus on rhythm and blues. Thomas went on to create many more hits for the label. In 1993 she was awarded the Pioneer Award in honor of her musical achievements. She has continued to perform and record.

She was most recently featured on the Valerie June track, “Call Me A Fool,” nominated for Song of the Year at the 2021 Americana Honors and Awards.

WENDI THOMAS

MLK50 started in 2017, founded by Thomas as a one-year project to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by producing journalism that benefited the poor and oppressed citizens of Memphis. Instead, journalist Thomas’ dream has become a permanent, major media outlet for the Bluff City. She received the 2018 Journalist of the Year Award at the Journalism and Women Symposium, and the 2019 Best Practices Awards from the National Association of Black Journalists.

Her 2019 investigative probe, “Profiting From The Poor,” took first place from the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Seldon Ring Award, and led to Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare canceling $12 million in debt for former patients and raising the minimum wage of their employees. MLK50 is now partnering with ProPublica to bring Memphis stories to an international audience.

STEPHEN THRELKELD

Gina Sweat

PHOTOGRAPH BY LARRY KUZNIEWSKI

You might recognize Dr. Threlkeld’s face from the news, or the magazines, or the papers from the last year. That’s because the infectious disease specialist was, and continues to be, a

key figure in Memphis’ COVID-19 response. But his battles against disease stretch back much further. After graduating from the University of Alabama medical school and completing post-grad training at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, he returned to Memphis to join his brother’s practice, Threlkeld Infectious Disease. Threlkeld currently acts as the infectious disease consultant for the cardiac transplant team and the ECMO (extra corporeal membrane oxygenation) team at Baptist, where he helped set up proper social-distancing protocols and equip hospitals for larger influxes of patients.

His initiatives to improve hospital workflow targeted improved safety for both staff and patients, as well as pushing innovations like telemedicine.

PAT KERR TIGRETT A beacon of style worldwide,

Tigrett is a force in hometown issues as well. An active member of the Memphis in May board, she is a patron of the city’s musical traditions, an entrepreneur, a collector, and a philanthropist, and of late she has been a major voice in the debate over riverfront development. She is chairman and CEO of Pat Kerr, Inc., a couture design firm, and founder of the Memphis Charitable Foundation, the umbrella organization for the Moonshine Ball, Blues Ball, Jingle Bell Ball, and Nutcracker Ball benefiting Memphis music, children, and the arts. Her international client list includes royalty (literally). Kensington Palace featured the Pat Kerr Royal Collection, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death. Tigrett was one of 20 collectors worldwide featured in the exhibition.

HENRY TURLEY

He is the real-estate renaissance maker in Memphis. With Jack Belz, Turley developed the upscale Harbor Town residential and commercial community on Mud Island, the low- and middle-income Uptown residential development, and South Bluffs, where he, a native Memphian, lives. He is leading revitalization efforts in Jackson, Tennessee, with Healthy Community, along with the $55 million redevelopment of Central Station in the South Main Arts District into a multipurpose complex. His most recent project is Orleans Station, ten acres (primarily residential) that will connect the UT Health Science Center with Victorian Village and The Edge district. In 2018 Turley received a Distinguished Service Medal for his “inspired vision” from Rhodes College, home of the Lynne and Henry Turley Memphis Center, which offers programs focusing on the human experience in the Mid-South.

SHERRY TURNER As the inaugural vice president

for strategic initiatives and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at Rhodes College, Turner brings breadth and depth of experience as a college administrator to her alma mater. She is responsible for helping Rhodes bring to life the ambitious goals outlined in its strategic plan and providing executive leadership in the development and implementation of the college’s first comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion plan. Turner formerly served as the director of institutional success and support for the United Negro College Fund, CEO of the Atlanta University Center Consortium, vice president for student affairs at Spelman College, and a faculty member and administrator at Mount Holyoke College.

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Jesse has become a leader in the area's architectural and landscape lighting market. He makes time to attend national conferences, where he is introduced to advancements in lighting, as well as other products. Mid South Night Lights is the Greater Memphis Area’s premier architectural and landscape lighting firm.

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In 2021 Turner became the first major potential candidate for Mayor of Memphis in 2023, appointing an official exploratory committee for the office.

He is a partner in the law firm of Bruce-Turner PLLC. A second-term county commissioner, first elected in 2014, Turner served a pivotal term as commission chair for 201819. He is also president of the local branch of the NAACP and of Memphis Greenspace, Inc., the nonprofit that took control of several Downtown parks in 2017 and purged them of Confederate monuments. He served as chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party from 2009 to 2013.

Turner earned his bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he graduated magna cum laude and was Phi Beta Kappa.

MICHAEL UGWUEKE

As president and CEO of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Ugwueke steered the six-hospital, $2 billion healthcare system to a straight-A quality and safety performance according to industry watchdog The Leapfrog Group. Ugwueke joined MLH in 2007 and became president and CEO in 2017. National honors include Modern Healthcare’s 2012, 2018, and 2020 Top 25 Minority Executives in Healthcare and the Baldrige Foundation’s 2021 Harry S. Hertz Leadership Award, recognizing role-model leaders that encourage and empower others to achieve performance excellence. He completed his bachelor’s degree at Shaw University, master’s in public health at Emory University, and doctorate in health administration at the Medical University of South Carolina. Ugwueke serves on multiple boards including the Tennessee Business Leadership Council and National Civil Rights Museum.

AMY WEIRICH Appointed district attorney general of

Shelby County in 2011 by Governor Haslam, Weirich won the office in her own right in 2012 and was re-elected to a full eight-year term in 2014. She has maintained her standing despite numerous controversies, including official rebukes from the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and the state Board of Professional Responsibility. The first woman to hold the job in Shelby County, Weirich helped create the Multi-Agency Gang Unit (MGU), a federal, state, and local law enforcement unit, has pioneered rehabilitation efforts for violent offenders. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and a law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.

KIRK WHALUM

As the saxophonist on Whitney Houston’s classic “I Will Always Love You,” Whalum toured with both Houston and Luther Vandross for years, a prime example of the musicianship cultivated in the Memphis gospel milieu. He grew up in the Olivet Baptist Kirk Whalum

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Who’s Who Church, where his father was a prominent minister for 30 years. Whalum is now back in his hometown, and he’s brought a more globally aware perspective with him, reinventing Memphis as a true city of the world.

Nowhere is that more apparent than on his 2019 release, Humanité (Artistry Music) and the accompanying film, Humanité: The Beloved Community.

MICHAEL WIGGINS Named president of Le Bonheur

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The new president of the National Civil Rights Museum has decades of working in education, philanthropy, executive management, and program development, as well as strategic planning and partnership building. He taught at Rhodes College, his alma mater, as a history professor and was a senior-level administrator there for 23 years. His 2000 doctorate in African-American history is from the University of Illinois.

Wigginton has written numerous articles and essays on African-American social and labor history and has served on many civic boards, including the museum’s.

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As president and CEO of BRIDGES since 2018, Wilson helps teach young people necessary skills for leadership, problem-solving, and team-building. She’s overseen the launch of the Youth Action Center, a hub for youth and adult collaboration aimed at bringing youth into community level decision-making. Last August, she initiated the Coalition for Youth Mental Health, a group of youth advocates, youth-serving organizations, mental health professionals, and healthcare systems experts, to use community data to design, implement, and advocate for improved social and emotional wellness and increased access to mental health services for youth. A native Memphian, Wilson holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from George Washington University.

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Paul Young

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R E D I S C OV E R

M E M PH I S

Music

Sonic Temples

The resurgence of Memphis’ classic recording studios.

BY ALEX GREENE

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ince 2018, a singular nocturnal vision has greeted anyone looking out over the Mississippi River from Memphis: The arches and spans of the Hernando de Soto Bridge come to life with choreographed light. Among the programmed, dancing flashes, the rows of vertical cables supporting the roadway of the giant M are sometimes lit sequentially from bottom to top in an ever-bouncing pattern, the green in the lower portions rising to red in the upper third. It looks exactly like the audio meters of a recording console, pulsing to an unheard music, peaking in red when the beat gets hot.

It’s an appropriate metaphor for what’s happening on real production consoles all over the city these days. A local industry that many thought peaked half a century ago is now pulsing red once more more. The comeback has been built largely on the way contemporary producers honor the classic approach to recording — one that made this city a music-business capital from the 1950s until the mid-1970s.

Once upon a time, Memphis was synonymous with recording.

Beginning in 1950 with Sam Phillips’ Memphis Recording Service (where Sun Records was based), and followed by Royal Studios (one of the oldest continuously operated spaces of its kind in the world), then Phillips Recording, Stax Records, American Sound Studio, and Ardent Studios, the Bluff City was the place to make records. And now, as Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, current co-owner of Royal Studios, recently noted, “It’s shifting back to the way it used to be, when we were a recording destination.”

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his is no small feat in an age when, thanks to quantum leaps in digital technology, setting up a home recording studio is both viable and affordable. And certainly many of the more recent hits Memphis is now known for were created on home rigs. Before rising to their current level of celebrity, Three 6 Mafia could build masterful tracks in bedrooms, combining samples and drum machines completely “in the box,” i.e., on the computer screen.

A microphone might only come into play when a vocalist entered the room. To this day, DJ Squeeky, the architect behind decades of hits by 8Ball & MJG, Young Dolph, and others, works from a small, nondescript office space in the suburbs.

Many other studios are also making a mark — a highly polished, bright and shiny, musical mark — with spaces that are decidedly not “vintage,” from IMAKEMADBEATS’ home studio to Made

PHOTOGRAPH CREDITS: TOP IMAGE BY ABRAHAM ROWE | BOTTOM IMAGE COURTESY ROYAL STUDIOS

above: A recent recording session with Cedric Burnside at Royal Studios. below: Boo Mitchell and Willie Mitchell with Boo’s son, Uriah, in the Royal control room in 2008.

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PHOTOGRAPH CREDITS: INSET PHOTO BY ALEX GREENE, COURTESY THE GRAMMY MUSEUM | BOTTOM IMAGES COURTESY PHILLIPS RECORDING STUDIO

In Memphis Entertainment’s state-of-the-art, almost futuristic multiroom facility.

But lately, something else is at play. Perhaps as a reaction to the highly controlled sounds of mostly virtual production, recording artists and engineers have taken a renewed interest in the basics, where live bands set up in large, finely sculpted rooms, sometimes recording to that ancient throwback, reel-to-reel tape. In designing new studios, local engineers now strive to emulate the classic spaces of yore.

Scott Bomar learned the ropes of recording in such spaces, working as either an artist or an engineer at Sam Phillips Recording Studio (often with the great Roland Janes), as well as at Ardent and Royal, before establishing his own Electraphonic Recording.

He now creates soul and rock records and fi lm scores that sound like they could have been made decades ago. His words echo Mitchell’s feeling that Memphis is once again a recording destination.

“More and more people are starting to move here from other places.” he says. “It seems like Memphis is one of the last affordable music cities in America to live in. People have gotten outpriced in Nashville, New York, and L.A. Plus, there are a lot of magical spaces in Memphis. Sam Phillips, Royal, Ardent. It’s hard to record something in any of those rooms and not get what you’re looking for.

They’re just magical.”

Terry Manning suggests the same. He’s been involved in engineering and producing records since the ’60s, when he helped put the then-unknown Ardent Studios on the map as a second studio for Stax recording artists, among others (read the story of how he mixed Led Zeppelin III there in our November 2020 issue). Lately, Ardent is often celebrated as the birthplace of a little band called Big Star.

“It makes everything so much easier to have a good recording space,” Manning says. “You have to know a lot more to do well in a smaller space, or with samples.

Analog tapes and the big consoles with tubes and transformers and outboard gear, and large spaces, all help ameliorate things. It helps cover up any deficiencies. In a big studio, the good sound almost came out on its own, with the great equipment and the big rooms and the great players. You didn’t have to do as much.

They did it for you.”

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alking into any of the smaller, classic studios, one can hear what he means. Clap your hands, or play a chord, and you’ll hear a certain “live” quality, yet without the barrage of echoes that make anything recorded in your living room sound clamorous. Balancing a room’s “live” and “dead,” or echo-less, qualities is a tricky thing. In 1949, when the young Sam Phillips first rented the space that became Memphis Recording Service, he painstakingly sculpted that balance, laying in a linoleum floor tempered with acoustic ceiling tiles hung in a distinctive V pattern of his own design (which he used again when designing the larger Phillips Recording in 1960). As quoted in Peter Guralnick’s biography, Phillips said he strived for a room “where it would sound real — R-EA-L — when it went into the microphone.”

Many of the renowned spaces in Memphis have struck such a balance.

Both Royal and Stax (the latter a museum now) were repurposed from old cinemas, and the sloping floors where moviegoers sat lend a unique sound to both. As Boo Mitchell notes of Royal, “It is not textbook studio design. Because it’s on a slope, the ceiling’s lower in the front part and gets taller as you go back. That sloping floor gives it a cooler sonic characteristic. The drums are usually set up in the shortest part of the room and the other instruments are further back, so the drums always have that tight quality. The drum sound is very distinct at Royal.”

Such live-ness can pay off when recording a group playing all at once in the room. Local artists John Paul Keith and Don Bryant, who have both recorded vintage-sounding LPs at Electraphonic, have parlayed

“More and more people are starting to move here from other places. It seems like Memphis is one of the last affordable music cities in America to live in. People have gotten outpriced in Nashville, New York, and L.A. Plus, there are a lot of magical spaces in Memphis.

Sam Phillips, Royal, Ardent.

It’s hard to record something in any of those rooms and not get what you’re looking for. They’re just magical.”

— Scott Bomar ELECTRAPHONIC RECORDING

inset: This mixer, which Willie Mitchell bought for only $20, was used in the tracking of all of Al Green’s hits on Hi Records. below left: Sam’s son, Jerry Phillips, at the Sam C. Phillips Recording Studio bar. below: The control room at Phillips.

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Music

above: Matt Ross-Spang shows off the new studio at Crosstown Concourse. below: Terry Manning recording Big Star’s Chris Bell at Ardent in the ’70s.

such an approach into that elusive quality of “sounding like a record.” As Bomar puts it, “That’s what you’re going for. I’ll be talking to all my other engineer buddies about a specific piece of gear, trying to describe it, but then you’ll go, ‘You know, man, it just makes it sound like a record.’”

In fact, it’s a sound quality that producers have been chasing for decades. As outlined in a new book, It Ain’t Retro: Daptone Records & The 21st-Century Soul Revolution, by Jessica Lipsky (Jawbone Press), a growing preference for the warmth and immediacy of old records led the founders of Brooklyn’s Daptone Records to suss out how to make those sounds themselves. Most famous for Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, the label pioneered a resurgence in studio techniques that, in Memphis at least, never really went away.

That partly explains how producer Mark Ronson ended up at Royal. Having worked with Daptone in crafting Amy Winehouse’s most classic-sounding singles (e.g., “Back to Black”), he was well-versed in tracks that “sounded like a record.” But, as Mitchell relates, “A lot of people know about Royal, but once they come there, it changes the game. Mark and [co-producer] Jeff Bhasker [were trying] to find the next great soul singer. And when they stopped in Memphis, and actually came into Royal, they just freaked out about Pop’s MCI console, which is another one of those magical pieces of gear.”

When I discovered it, Ardent felt like some audio utopian’s space station, with its parquet floors, automated mixing boards with “flying faders,” and an inner courtyard garden.

op” would be Boo’s grandfather and recording mentor, the late Willie Mitchell, who raised him as a son. He made Royal what it is, crafting hundreds of hits for the likes of Al Green and Anne Peebles in the 1960s and ’70s. As showcased in an exhibit devoted to Royal at the Grammy Museum in Cleveland, Mississippi (running until September 5th), much vintage gear dating back to the ’40s or ’50s is still in use at the studio today, such as the microphone into which Al Green sang all his hits. “All of that stuff was handmade back in the day,” says Mitchell. “Like Mic #9. That mic would have been made in the late ’40s. It’s an RCA 77 DX ribbon mic.”

In the end, Ronson, Bhasker, Mitchell, and singer Bruno Mars made the most of Royal when they recorded the formidable “Uptown Funk” there, among other tracks. Named Record of the Year at the 2016 Grammy Awards, it certainly showed the staying power of “sounding like a record.”

In a sense, the success of “Uptown Funk” marked a turning point in the world’s renewed and still-rising interest in Memphis studios. Yet Ardent Studios only continued to grow and flourish through any fallow periods others may have felt. The little studio, started in the teenaged John Fry’s parents’ garage, became a major player in the 60s, and only became more major in the ’70s, ’80s, and beyond — racking up more than 70 gold and platinum records.

When I discovered it, Ardent felt like some audio utopian’s space station, with its parquet floors, automated mixing boards with “flying faders,” and an inner courtyard garden. Manning, who helped design the 1972 building with Fry, Rick Ireland, and Welton Jetton, attributes the extensive use of wood to “John and Welton, more than anyone. And wood does have a sound. It sounds warmer, if you would, than concrete.

It’s live but not overly live.”

Ardent was the first Memphis studio I encountered, but it soon led me to others. In 1988, a friend who worked there (and had just engineered R.E.M.’s Green) invited me over to record some tracks and introduced me to another visitor that day: Doug Easley. Soon after that, his own Easley-McCain studio, started in partnership with Davis McCain in the early 1990s, would, along with Ardent, become a key linchpin in the Memphis recording tradition, bridging the heyday of 50 years ago with this century. Using a structure built in 1967, their studio was the first in Memphis built from the ground up, with a large, high-ceilinged tracking room, floors floating on springs, and precisely calibrated echo chambers. Originally dubbed “American East” by Chips Moman of the now-defunct American Sound Studios (hitmakers for the likes of Neil Diamond and the Box Tops), it had fallen into disuse until Easley-McCain set up shop. (The facility operates today as American Recording Studio, run by David Gicking and Brad Dunn).

It’s been 20 years since the Detroit band The White Stripes recorded their platinum album White Blood Cells at Easley-McCain Recording, and its success may have marked the studio’s zenith. That album, though, was just the capstone of years of indie bands working there, including Pavement, Wilco, Sonic Youth, Cat Power, and Guided By Voices, not to mention many renowned local groups. Still, for Doug Easley, the appeal of his

PHOTOGRAPH CREDITS: TOP IMAGE BY JAMIE HARMON. BOTTOM IMAGE COURTESY ARDENT STUDIO

“P

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Music studio at the time remains a mystery.

“We just tried to capture what they did. They called it lo-fi. I don’t know why. It made no sense. It still doesn’t.

I think we just passed a certain cool test. It was when the big boys didn’t acknowledge us so much. We weren’t legit — because this music wasn’t legit. Memphis was that far behind. We got opened up to that stuff through the Memphis underground scene, like Tav Falco and Alex Chilton and Jim Dickinson. And that planted the seeds for me to exist. It wasn’t mainstream. In Memphis, we weren’t important.”

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t was a far cry from “Uptown Funk,” but certain threads connect Easley-McCain with Royal, Phillips, Ardent, Sun, and others: a reliance on the tracking space itself, inviting full bands to play live in the room; a respect for the chemistry between those musicians; and an openness to equipment that many once considered obsolete in the march of technological progress.

Easley-McCain carries on today as part of the New School Media complex, and the space they once occupied is now called American again, but their most lasting impact may have been on the musicians, producers, and engineers who once made records there (myself included). Scott Bomar may be the best example, as he reflects on launching his early band, Impala.

“Definitely Impala started me on a quest for getting certain sounds,” he says. “When we’d record, we were trying to capture these sounds we heard on these ’50s and ’60s records. We would go to Phillips to make a record, then go to Easley-McCain to make a record, back and forth.”

Such a legacy is informing new studios being built in the city today. Toby Vest counts Easley-McCain as a major inspiration for starting High/Low Recording in 2014, which he and co-owner Pete Matthews have recently moved into a freshly renovated, customized building on Lamar Avenue. “Easley-McCain was the first place I ever worked,” says Vest, “and it was a huge influence on me. When I walked in there, I felt like, ‘This is my place.’ Around every corner there was a little box with stuff in it. Like, ‘What’s underneath this lamp? Oh! It’s a timpani.’ I loved that aspect of it.

It felt like everything was up for grabs. There were no rules. So I was going for that old Easley-McCain feel.

We have a lot of toys.”

Working with a smaller space than, say, Phillips, High/Low is necessarily modeled chiefly on rooms like the Memphis Recording Service, still functioning as Sun Studio in the evenings when the tourists have cleared out. And they’re not the only ones who’ve learned from the house that Sam built. Matt RossSpang started at Sun as a teenager, then worked his way to becoming a freelance engineer and producer, primarily based out of Phillips but working at Ardent as well.

Having earned a couple of Grammys along the way, he’s now designed his own studio in Crosstown Concourse, called Southern Grooves, drawing inspiration from all three of those older studios. As Ross-Spang puts it, “I kinda stole from all my Memphis heroes.”

Yet another newcomer on the studio scene is Memphis Magnetic Recording, founded by producer/engicontin u ed on page 129

Explore the sounds of these studios further with these exemplary albums and compilations.

ARDENT

B i g S ta r , #1 Record (Ardent, 1972) Z . Z . T o p , Eliminator (Warner Bros., 1983) R . E . M . , Green (Warner Bros., 1988) S t e v e E a r l e , Copperhead Road (UNI, 1988) T h r ee 6 M a f i a , The End (Prophet Entertainment, 1996) Va r i o u s , Thank You Friends: The Ardent Records Story (Big Beat, 2008) C at P o w e r , The Greatest (Matador, 2006) J u l i e n B a k e r , Turn Out the Lights (Matador, 2017)

EASLEY-MCCAIN

Pav eme n t , Wowee Zowee (Matador, 1995) S o n i c Y o u t h , Washing Machine (DGC, 1995) T h e G r i f t e r s , Ain’t My Lookout (Sub Pop, 1996) T h e J o n S p e n ce r B l u es E x p l o s i o n , Now I Got Worry (Matador, 1996) T h e W h i t e S t r i p es , White Blood Cells (Sympathy for the Record Industry, 2001) Re i g n i n g S o u n d , Time Bomb High School (In the Red, 2002) T i m o t h y P r u d h o mme , With the Hole Dug (Smells Like Records, 2002)

ELECTRAPHONIC

C y n d i L a u p e r , Memphis Blues (Downtown Music, 2010) D o n B r ya n t , You Make Me Feel (Fat Possum, 2020) Re i g n i n g S o u n d , A Little More Time With Reigning Sound (Merge, 2021)

HIGH/LOW

R o b J u n g k l a s , Blackbirds (Madjack, 2017) C h r i s M i l a m , Meanwhile (Namesake, 2020) M a r k E d g a r S t u a r t [f o r t h c o m i n g]

MEMPHIS MAGNETIC

M o r g a n J a mes , Memphis Magnetic (Hedonist, 2020) L o v e l i g h t O r c h es t r a [f o r t h c o m i n g]

PHILLIPS RECORDING

J o h n P r i n e , Pink Cadillac (Asylum, 1979) T h e C r a m p s , Songs The Lord Taught Us (I.R.S., 1980) [mixed at Ardent] J a s o n & t h e S c o r c h e r s , Fervor (Praxis, 1983) R andy & the R adiant s , Memphis Beat: The Sun Recordings, 1964-1966 (Big Beat UK, 2007) M a r g o P r i ce , All American Made (Third Man, 2017)

ROYAL

A l G r ee n , I’m Still in Love with You (Hi, 1972) W i l l i e M i t c h e l l , The Best of Willie Mitchell (Hi, 1972) A n n Peeb l es , I Can’t Stand The Rain (Hi, 1974) Va r i o u s , Hi Records: The 45’s Collection (Demon, 1999) De L a S o u l , Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (Tommy Boy, 2000) W u -Ta n g C l a n , A Better Tomorrow (Warner Bros., 2014) and Once Upon a Time in Shaolin (self-released, 2015)

M a r k R o n s o n , Uptown Special (RCA, 2015) C e d r i c B u r n s i d e , I Be Trying (Single Lock, 2021)›

MEMPHIS RECORDING SERVICE [ SUN STUDIO ]

H o w l i n g ’ w o l f , Memphis Days (Bear Family, 1989) Va r i o u s A r t i s t s , The Sun Records Story (Charly, 2007) J e r r y Lee Le w i s , The Essential Jerry Lee Lewis: The Sun Sessions (Sony Legacy, 2013) E lv i s P r es l ey , A Boy from Tupelo: The Complete 1953 to 1955 Recordings (Sony Legacy, 2017) Va r i o u s A r t i s t s , Red Hot: A Memphis Celebration of Sun Records (Americana Music Society, 2017)

J o h n n y C a s h , The Original Sun Albums 1957-1964 (Charly, 2020) L o s Psyc h o s i s , Rock and Roll Dreams (Black and Wyatt, 2021) C I T Y G U I D E / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 45

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R E D I S C OV E R

M E M PH I S

Sports

Reason to Cheer

Memphis sports carried on through pandemic conditions and offered plenty to celebrate when we gather again.

BY FR A NK MURTAUG H

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first glance at the photo and the subliminal reaction is the same for each of us: Man in flight. In a game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls at FedExForum on April 12th, Ja Morant discovered an opening along the baseline and he did what only a few basketball players on the planet can approximate. Yep, he took flight.

Photographer Joe Murphy managed to capture the NBA’s 2020 Rookie of the Year — and all nine other players on the court — in one of the most electrifying snapshots in Memphis sports history. And what a metaphor that photo represents for the state of things in the local sports scene today.

In the image, the stands are dotted with fans, but only a precious few, each of them wearing a mask as continued protection from the spread of the coronavirus, a contagion that all but shut down sports — game, set, and match in tennis parlance — 13 months earlier. Every player with the significant exception of Morant is grounded and, also significant, every other player is gazing at Morant. For this moIf Michelangelo could ment in captured rise for the purpose of time, teammates painting a basketball and opp onents were basketba l l game, Murphy’s photo fans, too. And then from April 12th would there’s Morant himbe his template. self, right arm fully cocked, ready to slam that orange sphere through a basket hopelessly vulnerable to the midair fury. If Michelangelo could rise for the purpose of painting a basketball game, Murphy’s photo from April 12th would be his template. As for the rest of Memphis sports, just like Morant in the picture, we are rising, if one leap (giant or small) at a time.

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s last year’s City Guide hit Memphis mailboxes in August 2020, local teams and events were stirring to life … but with “an abundance of caution,” four words we learned would frame any activity during a pandemic that has now taken more than 600,000 American lives. Justin Thomas won the World Golf Championships – FedEx St. Jude Invitational on August 2nd, but with nary a spectator at the 18th green. There was no need for ropes to divide players from a gallery of fans, making TPC Southwind silently

surreal for such a major sporting event.

The NBA — and thus our Grizzlies — resumed the 2019-20 season in late July, after a shutdown of nearly five months. Playing in a bubble of isolation and covid-restricted protocols in Orlando, the Griz lost six of their final eight games, then lost a “play-in” contest to the Portland Trail Blazers, missing the playoffs for a third straight season. But there was less disappointment at the season’s end (in mid-August) than there was hope for a franchise now fueled by a star with an impossibly high ceiling of potential.

Morant and friends — minus Jaren Jackson Jr., a significant loss due to knee surgery — returned to action two days before Christmas for what would be a 72-game 202021 season. The NBA’s second-youngest team, the Grizzlies stumbled out of the gate, losing six of their first eight games before reeling off a seven-game winning streak (one shy of the franchise record). In his fourth season, swingman Dillon Brooks emerged as the team’s defensive clamp while averaging 17.2 points (second only to Morant’s 19.1). Center Jonas Valančiūnas — once the trade piece that sent Grizzlies icon Marc Gasol to Toronto — averaged a career-high 17.1 points and finished third in the NBA with 12.5 rebounds per game.

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Sports

In a rarity, both University of Memphis basketball (above) and football (below) ended their pandemic-restricted seasons with victories.

Penny Hardaway’s squad brought home the 2021 NIT championship, and the gridiron group won the Montgomery Bowl, the program’s first postseason win since 2014.

All the individual numbers added up to a 38-34 regular-season record and eighth-place finish in the Western Conference. Which again tasked the Grizzlies with winning “playin” games — two of them — to qualify for the playoffs. With 23 points and 23 rebounds from Valančiūnas, Memphis beat San Antonio at FedExForum, then two nights later toppled the Golden State Warriors in California, clinching the franchise’s first postseason berth in four years with an overtime upset of the league’s scoring champion, Steph Curry. (Morant scored 35 points, only four shy of Curry’s total.)

In two do-or-die games, the Grizzlies eliminated franchises that have won eight NBA championships since 1999. Alas, a best-of-seven matchup with the West’s top-seeded Utah Jazz proved too steep a hill to climb, the Griz falling in five games.

Perhaps best of all, fans again appeared in NBA arenas by the time the 2021 playoffs began, an indication that much more than exciting basketball awaits the next time Ja, JV, and Triple-J take the f loor together.

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es, the city’s lone big-league franchise endured a pandemic season of stops and starts, but it wasn’t quite as unsettled as the 2020-21 academic year for college sports. The complexities of “bubble” life in and around football programs (with Division I rosters of more than 80 players) and basketball facilities made the next week’s big game merely a rumor until it was actually played.

After taking over as head coach of the

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University of Memphis football team under the brightest lights in the program’s history — the 2019 Cotton Bowl — Ryan Silverfield wasn’t even allowed to stage a spring game after colleges closed their campuses in March. Making matters worse, the team lost a pair of stars — receiver Damonte Coxie and running back Kenneth Gainwell — when players were given the choice to opt-out for a season under severe covid restrictions. Quarterback Brady White returned, though, for a final season (as a Ph.D. candidate, no less) and toppled the school’s records for passing yardage (he finished his career with 10,690) and touchdown passes (90) that had stood for 16 years. Better yet, he established a new Tiger quarterback record with 28 career wins and helped Memphis (8-3) win its first bowl game in six years, a 25-10 victory over Florida Atlantic in the Montgomery Bowl.

As for coach Penny Hardaway’s Tiger basketball squad, the stops and starts of covid-related schedule interference made for an uneven PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY UNIVERSIT Y OF MEMPHIS ATHLETICS

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Sports winter. The team found itself with a record of 6-4 on New Year’s Day, but then didn’t play a game for more than two weeks due to positive covid tests (within the Memphis program or that of an opponent). Transfers Landers Nolley and DeAndre Williams became centerpieces, even among a group of sophomores (Lester Quinones, Boogie Ellis, D.J. Jeffries) that arrived at the U of M as one of the topranked classes in the country.

The squad finally found a groove when the calendar turned to February, securing six straight wins before losing at ninth-ranked Houston — a team bound for the Final Four — on a desperation heave at the buzzer. (The Tigers lost to the Cougars again six days later in the American Athletic Conference tournament, this time by only two points.) A 16-8 record left Memphis without a dance ticket for the NCAA tournament, now a painful seven-year drought. But any basketball — particularly during a pandemic — is better than no basketball, so Hardaway accepted a bid to a reduced (32-team) National Invitation Tournament, to be played entirely at two arenas (“bubble” conditions) in north Texas.

And the Tigers returned to Memphis champions. Over the course of nine days in late March, Memphis beat Dayton, Boise State, Colorado State, and Mississippi State to earn the program’s second NIT title.

Ellis scored 23 points to lead the way in the title tilt against the Bulldogs. The four wins gave Hardaway a third consecutive 20-win season, though the principal goal of reaching — and advancing in — the NCAA tournament must wait another year. If the Tigers do play in the 2022 Big Dance, they’ll do so without Ellis or Jeffries, two of the four rotation players who elected to transfer or enter the NBA draft after the NIT trophy presentation. Among the new additions for what should be a much more conventional 2021-22 season are Johnathan and Chandler Lawson (the latter a transfer from Oregon).

The Lawson brothers played at East High School for Hardaway and helped the Mustangs to a state title in 2018. They’ll become the third and fourth Lawson brothers to suit up in blue and gray.

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as “normal” returned to Memphis sports? If you judge by fireworks at AutoZone Park — the home of our Triple-A Redbirds hosted three such nights around the Fourth of July — we’re considerably closer. Pregame guitar-smashing has resumed for 901 FC home games, faux violence (with a musical twist) as “normal” as professional soccer in this town can hope to achieve.

And yes, the World Golf Championships are back for a third year at TPC Southwind.

When a PGA star sinks one with his sand wedge? In 2021, he’ll hear a crowd roar.

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R E D I S C OV E R

M E M PH I S

Faith

An Ecumenical Call to Action

Memphis Theological Seminary continues its tradition of community involvement.

BY JON W. SPARKS

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he spiritual soul finds no shortage of challenges. Living life through faith is an ongoing project, whether for individuals or institutions, and one of Memphis’ leaders who want to make it count is Dr. Jody Hill, the ninth president of the Memphis Theological Seminary (MTS).

The seminary is more than a place to dispense learning. It has sought to be a meaningful part of the community since coming to Memphis in 1964. Although affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, MTS’ ecumenical approach from the start opened its doors to all denominations. It also secured a place in Memphis history as one of the first predominantly white schools in Memphis to admit Black students.

And as the turbulent 1960s unfolded, staff, faculty, and students were actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement.

Its mission is “to educate and sustain men and women for ordained and lay Christian ministry in the church and the world through shaping and inspiring lives devoted to scholarship, piety, and justice.”

Hill says, “It’s what we like to call practical theology. There’s nothing wrong with a deep-rooted educational journey for those who are going to do Ph.D. work in education, but the history of this institution has

really been to prepare leaders for the church to truly serve whatever needs there are within the local community in congregations.”

This approach to service and ecumenicism is the very character of MTS. “Being ecumenical means to celebrate the unity of the church, that we are one, and that certainly is evident here,” Hill says. “We have in our 200 students about 25 different denominations educated here.

That’s really cool.”

He notes that one student doing circuit preaching throughout north Mississippi might be in the same classroom as a person doing inner-city gang ministry in Memphis. “Learning from each other and growing from each other is what excites me about the mission of MTS,” Hill says. “Whether it be race, denominational affiliation, political views, it’s been a melting pot of God’s church. We’ve tried to embrace that with diversity, a great sense of unity of celebrating the one we held in common or what we hold in common more than you think it might be. That’s so welcoming in the world right now.

In this world, there is so much division and upheaval and so much of a lack of humility in some circles on how we respond to the world’s problems.” He quotes MTS New Testament professor Mitzi Minor: “We’re committed here to have discussions, not arguments.”

HIS JOURNEY

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ill has led the seminary since January 2020, but he will tell you that his was not the most direct route.

“I grew up in Falkner in north Mississippi and attended the Cumberland Presbyterian church there, Mount Zion,” he says. “I wrestled with the call to ministry even as young as high school and then went to college at Ole Miss. My pastor said I ran with the devil for about five years in college.”

Hill was drifting from the faith, but realized that aimlessness

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY CALVIN L. LEAKE / DREAMSTIME

Memphis Theological Seminary has occupied the historic Joseph Newburger House since 1964.

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couldn’t last. He and his wife, Monya, were newlyweds and he our vision, and to do that, I needed to do a lot of listening.” knew he had to get back to the church. “We needed this for our Hill was ready with questions to help find the right direction to marriage if we were going to build a life,” he says. “It was kind of move the seminary. With whom and how does MTS partner? How like a prodigal son story. I had disowned my roots of the faith, my will it be a good steward of what it has and develop better practices? relationship with God. But there was a welcoming, not only just “One area we felt we could do more is enhancing our partnership with to receive me back, but a running to me as the father did in that the Black church,” he says. “How do we better serve? What are things story of the prodigal son with love and grace and forgiveness. So we can do together? How do we bring leaders together to ask those began a growth and appreciation for God’s grace and wanting to questions? That’s going to transcend denominations.”

Through it all, it is essential to have an understanding of the chalshare that with others, to just tell the stories of how my life had been made better through faith and God’s love.” lenges facing Memphis. Hill remembers a conversation with Ruby He came to MTS in 1996, aiming for and getting a Master of Wharton, with whom he served on the MTS board. “She told me, ‘The Divinity degree, although not exactly sure what would come of it. “But hope for Memphis is the church.’ And I see that hope because I see I wasn’t going to be a pastor,” he says. that we still embrace a willingness “Five years later, I was a pastor and for the church and faith to be part of served in full-time pastoral ministry the solutions of whatever we face. It’s about five years.” always been a part of Memphis’ spirit, But Hill’s journey was far from and I think it will continue to be.” over. He moved to the St. Louis area Hill notes that 57 percent of the in 2004 and worked with a road student body now is Black. “There is construction company, but was still no MTS without the Black church tonagged by the thought that there day,” he says. “We realize that, and we was more to life than “just getting say that, and we need to communicate all you can.” He started doing interim that with our actions too. One thing work with the Presbyterian Church that we’re beginning is a commitment (USA) even as he continued with to establish a center of Black church road construction. Eventually the studies here at the seminary. We want business end of things suffered from to better serve this community by a poor economy. “I started trying to enhancing the ministry of the Black figure out what am I going to do now church that is so prevalent. They’ve that I’m grown up?” he says. been such a gift to us, and we want Dr. Jody Hill: “How do we better serve?”

He had skills in fundraising that he to be a gift back.” used while on boards or with agenThe details are being worked out cies. From 2008 to 2013 he was on the MTS board doing just that, but it’s a high priority for Hill and MTS. “We’re in the process of discerning with local pastors and leaders to determine what that need but he hadn’t done it professionally. In 2015, he went to work for Blue Mountain College in north Mississippi as development director and looks like,” he says. “We understand how important the church in vice president for community relations, with a focus on building regeneral, and specifically the Black church is to the future of Memphis.” lationships beyond the campus.

One of the strengths of MTS is bringing people together. “If we’re Hill had developed an interest in strategic planning studies and just committed to unity and a philosophical or theological perspecdecided to enter the new strategic leadership degree program at tive, well, that’s good, but why can’t we apply that in a practical New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. “Beyond just strategic way in the work we do on the streets and in the sanctuaries?” Hill asks. “That’s a gift that MTS does provide — for faith leaders to planning,” he says, “it’s understanding and trying to embody leadership qualities in our everyday life and applying those into the future, be open to that. If we can experience that unity here, theologically, trying to embrace a vision for the institution or the body you serve philosophically, then why can’t we apply that practically within and embracing those tools to help you do that.” our churches too?”

If that can successfully translate into action, then Hill sees a bright future for the seminary and, by extension, spiritual life in Memphis.

MEMPHIS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY nd now he was on his way to having a singular mix The impact of MTS has long been felt by contributions from its alumni. of experience and academic training that would take him to the “Our graduates really do display how, as an institution, we serve this president’s office at the seminary. Hill jokes: “I have an M.Div. from city in so many ways beyond the sanctuary,” he says.

MTS, a Doctor of Ministry degree from a Baptist seminary, and To name a few: Grammy winner Kirk Whalum; Keith Norman, credentials in the PCUSA church, so people can’t nail me down — I’m vice president of government affairs at Baptist Memorial Health Care all over the place.”

Corporation; Tish Towns, chief administrative officer at Regional That mixed bag of qualities turned out to be what the MTS board One; Todd Richardson, a University of Memphis professor and key was looking for. Fundraising was a key element as was strategic thinkfigure behind the redevelopment of Crosstown; the Rev. Lisa Andering. The challenge of a strategic plan would address how a seminary son who started Room in the Inn in Memphis, and then the many makes it in a world where attendance and interest in mainline churchspiritual leaders in churches around town, from pastors to chaplains serving St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. es were shrinking. “How are we going to do seminary differently?”

Hill says, “and we have to do it differently if we’re going to survive.

“Ten years from now,” wonders Hill, “are we still educating and We need to plan how do we not only just exist, but thrive in the next sustaining men and women for ordained and lay Christian ministry generation of equipping leaders in ministry.” in the church? Are we good stewards of those resources sustaining He would often be asked what his vision was for MTS. “Where are them financially, as well as preparing them educationally, as well as being leaders? Will we continue to be a voice for unity in our city and you going to take this place?” people would wonder. “But if I come church? That’s what I want to see then — continuing to help people here with my vision and it’s only my vision,” he notes, “that’s not going enhance those partnerships and to serve this city that we all love.” to serve the institution or the church or the community. It has to be

PHOTOGRAPH BY JON W. SPARKS

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R E D I S C OV E R

M E M PH I S

Dining

RIKO’S KICKIN’ CHICKEN — HOT WINGS

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can think of many ways to make a wing, but a combo of excess dripping sauce and a crispy exterior that’s barely holding in the juicy, tender meat might be the perfect combination. If that’s the threshold, Riko’s Kickin’ Chicken hasn’t led me astray yet.

Mariko and Tiffany Wiley know the wing business inside and out, having operated both food trucks and a brick-and-mortar establishment. And the scent of freshly baked wings while waiting for an order convinces customers to come back even before they’ve opened a box. Wings will forever be my comfort food, and the ones at Riko’s always seem to be surprisingly large and plump (seriously, where do they get these chickens?).

Traditional hot sauce brings the heat when I’m in the mood for traditional, evenly coated among all the wings in that tightly packed styrofoam container. The classic sauce keeps things fiery, but not too much so.

A more savory appetite calls for lemon pepper, while honey gold is quintessential Memphis. And when it’s time to really crank things up, Hot X is just the thing.

SWEET GRASS / NEXT DOOR — BADASS NACHOS

Memphis Mainstays

A buffet of classic local dishes that bring comfort no matter what.

BY SAMUEL X. CICCI, MICHAEL DONAHUE, AND ABIGAIL MORICI

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t’s been a long and uncertain year and a half since the initial stay-at-home order was put in place to keep Memphians safe. With things gradually opening back up, it’s a testament to the strength of our dauntless food industry throughout this year and last, with chefs, managers, servers, and staff putting in every ounce of creativity, spirit, and grit that had transformed Memphis’ dining scene into a truly exceptional experience all around. Through the humid summers and dreary winters of the still-ongoing pandemic, restaurants worked overtime to make sure the dishes that we love were available to provide a spark. And more often than not, there were a few places that we kept turning back to. Compiled from many of our magazine staffers, these are our Memphis Mainstays: the calming and comforting plates that we always counted on to brighten up our tables.

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ine dining is, well, fine — but sometimes the day calls for something just a bit messier from your neighborhood bar. In Cooper-Young, chef Ryan Trimm at SweetGrass / Next Door has the solution. The confidently titled “badass nachos” certainly live up to their moniker, presenting a heaping pile of in-house goodness.

All the toppings in Trimm’s nachos are made from scratch. The chili and cheese sauces meld together at the bottom of the plate for a unique savory injection to prop up the meal, along with a healthy dollop of tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, sour cream, onions, peppers, and cilantro. But the real cherry on top, if you will, is the brisket, smoked in-house and stacked atop the staggering pile. It’s tender enough to pull apart with a fork (or hands), and is the coup de grace for this surprisingly photogenic take on a classic.

Our intrepid Memphis Flyer reporter Toby Sells swears by the badass nachos, constantly turning to them for culinary comfort during the darkest days of the pandemic.

“Messy as hell, but so good!” is his ringing endorsement.

And while it’s tempting to just dive right in, here’s a tip: Take some time to spread all the fixings around. That way, if you’ve ordered a plate to share, one person can’t just take all the most fully loaded nachos for themselves.

PHOTO CREDITS: TOP LEFT BY JUSTIN FOX BURKS | ABOVE RIGHT BY SAMUEL X. CICCI

Riko’s Kickin’ Chicken co-owner Tiffany Wiley

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GLOBAL CAFÉ — TACO TUESDAY

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aco Tuesday should be a feder al holiday, in my opinion. But for now, I heed the siren’s call from Crosstown Concourse’s Global Café food hall and social enterprise.

During a year working from the dull colors and dim lighting of my apartment, Tuesdays provided a joyous respite when I was feeling stir-crazy. A few quick clicks would bring a platter of general manager Juan Viramontes’ street-style tacos to my door (free delivery), soft and small tortillas covered in spiced chicken, beef, carnitas, or even black beans when the vegan mood strikes. And that’s before mentioning the option to add on freshly baked chips and salsa plus an extremely loaded margarita which, I assure my colleagues, was only consumed after work hours.

It was delicious, not too filling, and always a welcome sight during the work week. Global Café’s tacos are an easy and approachable dish no matter when they’re ordered, but the Taco Tuesday special was just the remedy when things looked bleak. They say it’s the simple things in life, and tacos certainly ticked that box. Global Café was there for me during the pandemic, and for so many more people as well — constantly raising money to provide food to those who couldn’t afford it or putting together boxes for hardworking medical professionals.

One friend recounted a story from the Memphis snowstorm of 2021, when his family had no water and their vehicles were snowed in. They ordered a large family platter and drinks from Global Café. Juan pulled up in a giant truck decked out in snow chains, they tell me, with food and water aplenty. Above and beyond, indeed.

SLIM & HUSKY’S PIZZA BEERIA — PIZZA (AND CINNAMON ROLLS)

PHOTO BY JUSTIN FOX BURKS

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ast year, Slim & Husky’s exploded onto the Memphis pizza scene, when owners Clint Gray, Derrick Moore, and Emanuel Reed brought their fast-casual gourmet pizza concept over from Nashville and set up shop on Union Ave. The art- and music-themed enterprise is a hub for culture and community, but on the dining side of things, Slim & Husky’s offers up a doughy canvas to design as you please with toppings ranging from conventional pepperoni to salmon.

And their in-house recipes are nothing to sniff at. Meat-lovers are covered with the Cee No Green, a hearty amalgamation of ground beef, pepperoni, bacon, Canadian bacon, and Italian sausage.

On the f lip side, Nothing But A “V” Thang rakes in the vegetables accompanying vegan pepperoni and vegan cheese.

But slow down, pizza fans. No trip to Slim & Husky’s is complete without an order of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls. And we’re not just talking regular ol’ rolls. Sure, that’s an option, but branch out with the Ninja Tartle, slathered in green apple sauce and a jalapeño cream cheese glaze, or the Cookie Monsta, with white chocolate sauce and Oreo and peanut butter crumbles. Our favorite? A softer fruity sweetness is captured in the Halle Berry, blueberry sauce with a fresh lemon glaze.

SABOR CARIBE — PATACONES

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uch of my pandemic time was spent scrolling the internet to see what new restaurant looked like a good bet, and one name that kept popping up was Sabor Caribe, a small Venezuelan establishment on Madison Ave. Arepas are always good, but the first thing that caught my eye were the patacones – or crazy plantains. Using two deep-fried slices of the banana-esque fruit on a sandwich instead of bread? Why hadn’t I thought of that before? The idea intrigued me enough that I was immediately hopping into my vehicle for a food adventure.

Well, I’ve since seen the light. The two crispy slices of patacones prepared by journalist-turned-restaurateur César González make a perfect platter, which I usually order with shredded chicken, mixed all up in a slaw-like cabbage mix and cheese. The crunchy, and mildly sweet, exterior gives it a flavor beyond conventional lunch fare without overstepping. And with a dash of spicy sauce added in, that simply elevates the dish yet again.

It’s that simple: Plantains are better than sliced bread.

above: Global Café’s Taco Tuesday special pairs well with a signature cocktail and a side of plantains.

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Dining

MUDDY’S — CUPCAKES

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hen your day or your week has gone sour, sometimes Muddy’s Bake Shop has the perfect treat, whether it’s iconic cupcakes, pies, cookies, or cakes. Each week, the bakery offers a new set of flavors for those in need of something exciting, along with their everyday menu for creatures of habit.

Of those everyday items, the Truman Capote is a personal go-to — chocolate with vanilla icing — a classic combination that never fails to satisfy a sweet tooth. But the Plain Jane (vanilla + vanilla) or the Prozac (chocolate + chocolate) never fails either. You really can’t make a wrong decision at Muddy’s; every cupcake is moist, fluff y cake topped with creamy, buttery icing, capped with fun sprinkles and served with a smile that can turn a day around.

This past year, Muddy’s consolidated into one location on Broad Avenue, but owner and founder Kat Gordon has plans to expand, with a new food truck, and (covid-permitting) reinstated in-person baking classes, which are now offered virtually. In the meantime, though, you can walk in and shop in-person, Thursdays-Saturdays, or pre-order online (a good idea since they sell out at an impressive speed). A staple in the Memphis community and named one of Southern Living’s The South’s Best Bakeries 2021, Muddy’s is a delightful treat. – Abigail Morici

TSUNAMI — ROASTED SEA BASS AND BACON-WRAPPED DATES

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ho doesn’t love bacon? Wrap it around anything and Americans will come running for even just a little taste. But put that kind of power into the hands of one of the best chefs around, and it’s just too much to pass up.

Many of our magazine staffers have talked up Ben Smith’s bacon-wrapped dates appetizer at Tsunami as a mainstay during 2020 and beyond. The five sweet-tast-

SOUTHALL CAFÉ — OMELETTES AND TATER TOTS

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reakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Southall Café certainly takes that to heart with its chef-driven, Mexican-American-themed dishes. But some of our colleagues couldn’t stop talking about a simple, yet beloved, side dish: the tater tots. The crispy golden starch almost feels like it will melt in your mouth and makes for an excellent accompaniment to any of Southall’s meals.

But tots alone won’t cut it, even if you just pop them in one after another. In lieu of a breakfast hash, why not pair them with some of the café’s breakfasts? You can’t go wrong with any of the omelettes. Start with a Memphis/French connection with the Bluff Omelette, cramming in caramelized Bluff City Fungi with chives, queso fresco, and, of course, creme fraiche.

But my personal favorite is the Southall Omelette, looping in smoked gouda and beef carnitas (housecured ham is also an option). Southall may occasionally change its menu, but it has a few constants: Always expect some excellent fusion twists, and those crispy golden tots sure aren’t going anywhere.

PHOTO CREDITS: TOP LEFT BY JUSTIN FOX BURKS | TOP RIGHT BY MAX MALCOLMS | MIDDLE RIGHT COURTESY SOUTHALL CAFÉ

above: Muddy’s Bake Shop has no shortage of tasty treats to satisfy a sweet tooth. top right: Tsunami’s roasted sea bass, served on black Thai rice with soy beurre blanc, has been on the menu for over 20 years. middle right: The Bluff Omelette stands on its own, but mix it up with a side order of Southall Café’s crispy tater tots.

ing dates are expertly wrapped in crispy – yet not too crunchy – bacon, poised on a bed of soft cabbage, and accentuated with a light, sweet chili sauce. It’s simplicity in the hands of one of Memphis’ most highly regarded chefs, and it works wonders.

If that’s just the start, let’s mention the roasted sea bass on black thai rice, which has had over a two-decade run on the menu. Rich and creamy butter coupled with soy sauce make for an incredible taste. Perhaps one only bested by bacon-wrapped dates? That’s up to you.

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Dining so simple, an orange glob tucked neatly into one of the Palace’s tubular plastic takeout containers. But the heady mix of garlic, ginger, tomatoes, onion, and a secret blend of curry spices makes for an irresistible sauce placed over a bed of basmati rice cooked to the perfect level.

Fill out your table with vegetable samosas or pakoras, or raita, or the onion bhaji. Still having trouble deciding? India Palace’s lunchtime buffet is the way to go.

PHO BINH — LEMONGRASS TOFU

M DINO’S GRILL — RAVIOLI

PHOTO CREDITS: TOP LEFT BY MICHAEL DONAHUE | BOTTOM RIGHT BY CHRIS MCCOY

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never really cooked much before the pandemic, but ate out almost every night. During the lockdown, I made pasta dishes with canned salmon, chicken, and sardines, and I got very creative, thanks to balsamic vinegar, and poppy and celery seeds. In fact, I began to think the different shapes of pasta — rigatoni, farfalle, and macaroni — had their own unique taste.

I made and ate dinner more than 350 times during the pandemic. But I did have a special go-to-treat: the ravioli at Dino’s Grill. My order included the large serving of ravioli, double Texas toast, and Dino’s incredible made-in-house tiramisu.

I have no idea how much sodium is in Dino’s ravioli, but I feel it’s healthier than other ravioli dishes. Dino’s ravioli is made with chicken and spinach, which are both good for you. And it’s delicious.

And it was fun to see fellow mask-wearers Mario Grisanti and his dad, Rudy, when one or the other brought my order out to my truck. The Grisantis told me how the chicken ravioli came about. His great grandfather, Frank Benedetti, made it that way at his old State Café at Beale and Main, according to Mario. “I guess it was because beef was a lot more expensive during the Depression than chicken was,” Rudy says. “That’s just his old recipe, and that’s the way we’ve always made it.” – Michael Donahue

uch ink has been spilled about Pho Binh’s lemongrass tofu by many writers, and for good reason. The Vietnamese restaurant’s signature dish might just be the closest thing mere mortals can come to tasting ambrosia, the fabled delicacy of the Greek gods that could grant immortality. Through the good times and bad, lemongrass tofu has been there as either one of many delectable options at the famed lunch buffet, or as a comforting takeout order.

Back in December, the owners faced a scare when several members of the family were hit with covid-19, but they rallied safely with the full support of the community. It’s a humble establishment, and at its core, comfort is something that Pho Binh has always provided. Memphians from all walks of life pass through the doors just for a little taste, and it’s a safe bet that there will always be a familiar face there.

Lemongrass tofu was always an easy choice for a much-needed boost. But how important is the food and the institution? Pho Binh recently announced that they’d be raising their prices as ingredient costs rose, and nobody cared. In fact, the many comments that flew in were all ones of support. I could talk more about the restaurant’s most popular dish, but I don’t need to. You know how good the lemongrass tofu is, and you know that you’re going back for more.

above left: Dino Grisanti (right) and his son, Mario, serve a bowl of tasty ravioli. below: Pho Binh’s lemongrass tofu needs no introduction.

INDIA PALACE — CHICKEN CURRY

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surfeit of soul-soothing dishes are on the menu at India Palace, which can mean placing an order ratchets up the anxiety. The fear of missing something amazing on their long list of Indian fare is very real, whether that’s spicy chicken vindaloo, the rich spinach and cubed cheese of palak paneer, or even the rasmalai dessert’s chunks of cottage cheese in a milk sauce. But when the choice is too much to bear, turn to one of the staples: chicken curry.

It is, in essence, a snapshot of traditional South Asian cuisine. It looks C I T Y G U I D E / A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • 55

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Rising tourism numbers this summer have been a boon for Central Station and other local hotels.

To Good Health and Hospitality

Memphis hotels tackle uncertainty and brace for a future that looks full of demand.

BY SAMUEL X. CICCI

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALEX SHANSKY / MEMPHIS TOURISM

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ake a stroll through Downtown Memphis on the weekends, and it almost looks like the city is back to normal. That might not be quite true, but there’s no doubt that the summer months of 2021 have seen waves of people frequenting restaurants, bars, and other events. And they aren’t all locals. After months of isolation and pent-up frustration, people are looking to travel, and Memphis’ leisure market is one of the best Mid-South destinations.

That’s a good thing for the hospitality and tourism sectors, both big drivers of the Memphis economy. They’ve had plenty of experience putting health and safety protocols into place to create safe environments for guests and are preparing for an influx of tourism. But as hotels reopen and try to satisfy growing demand, plenty of hurdles remain.

REBUILDING THE NUMBERS

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t’s a long road back to peak levels of Memphis travel numbers. So what’s the benchmark when it comes to tourism? For many industry professionals, the high volume of travelers that cities nationwide saw in 2019 is a key metric. Memphis was no exception to that rule. “That year, we had over 30 million people come to Memphis,” says Memphis Tourism president and CEO Kevin Kane.

“And last year, we saw that fall to just a little

over 5 million visitors. That’s a 60 to 70 percent drop in visitors, so for now, what we need to work on is getting that number back up to those double-digit visitor numbers, and then grow it back to where we were in 2019.”

But compared to the rest of the country, Memphis is currently doing well thanks to a robust leisure scene. And without a historical reliance on big conventions, many of the small boutique hotels in the city have been able to get by.

“Places like New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles are struggling,” says hotel consultant Chuck Pinkowski, owner of Pinkowski & Company. “And that’s because they have a large percentage of convention demand that wasn’t possible during the pandemic. Some of these big cities were truly devastated, with occupancy percentages down into the twenties.

But that’s not as much of an issue here, since that’s not our focus. Memphis, and some of the areas around here, are coming back well.”

With people cooped at home for well over a year, many are starting to feel the itch to get away. For Memphis’ hospitality industry, that’s been a boon in the first half of 2021.

Holiday weekends, in particular, have seen visitor rates soar. The 4th of July weekend alone saw a 10 percent bump over the national average for Memphis visitors. The month of June recorded almost 50,000 travellers come through Memphis International Airport, the biggest number the city has seen since the last month of 2019.

“For many of my client properties, the occupancy numbers are higher in June 2021, at

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Hospitality/

forward, but with the covid-19 least, than they were in 2019,” says situation far from resolved, hotel Pinkowski. “Leisure travel is comoperators will need to be flexible ing back with a vengeance.” when they encounter obstacles. “I But the big surge really started think you’re going to see things in the second week of March 2021, differ from market to market when spring breakers around the based on local health guidelines,” country cut loose. “We started seesays White. “But a big change will ing a real uptick in hotel occupanKevin Kane be a broader focus on internal cy, Beale Street, and restaurants programming — like our Hu. Roof bar or the from out-of-towners,” says Kane. “But we havnew Lucy’s casual cafe — because we won’t en’t really seen that slow down. Normally you have lulls before Memphis in May, and then it necessarily know what restrictions might look ebbs and flows through the doldrums of sumlike outside.” mer. But all we’ve seen is it grow, grow, grow.

And pandemic travel has seen some othIt has remained strong from that second week er operational changes that both hotels and of March and through July.” customers are growing accustomed to. Many To build on increased travel, Tennessee establishments cut down on the frequency of Governor Bill Lee’s Tennessee on Me camhousekeeping services, unless specifically repaign — which provides a $250 flight voucher quested, to reduce the number of people ento visitors who book a two-night package at tering a room. “Some people don’t necessarily select Tennessee hotels — hopes to boost the make their bed or wash their towels every number of travelers to the state even higher. day,” says Pinkowski. “And customers didn’t But it remains to be seen how much of the revwant extra people coming into their rooms during the pandemic. So what some hotels reenue accrued from the effort will be funnelled alized is that this was expense-saving in terms to Memphis. of labor and supply costs.”

“The voucher will pay for itself if people Pinkowski also points to what he calls “vancome here,” says Kane. “And it will generate ity creep.” That’s the inclusion of additional tax revenues that we hope to see. I’m looking incentives to remain competitive with other forward to people that were maybe thinking hotels, such as expanding the quality of serabout going to St. Louis, Little Rock, or the Smokies changing their mind and coming here, thinking, ‘Hey, the flight voucher means we’ve got extra money to spend in Memphis.’

We’re excited about it.”

vices like complimentary breakfast. While pre-covid saw an increasing number of options, safety protocols saw breakfast meals reduced to bundles of pre-packaged items, like a fruit bar and an apple. “Those hotels will still offer some sort of complimentary breakfast,” he explains, “but it probably won’t be near the level we saw previously. With other things like complimentary cocktails, those were cut, and we may not see that come back at all. These are all cost-saving measures after hotels took such a big hit.”

One of the biggest remaining challenges, though, is staffing. The hotel industry, like the hospitality industry in general, is facing a much-reported labor shortage. As a result, many hotels are unable to run at maximum occupancy due to a lack of available staff members. And even significantly raised pay scales haven’t quite been enough to bridge the gap.

“Call any manager in Memphis,” says Pinkowski, “and I guarantee they’ll say they can’t find the labor to staff the hotel at normal levels.”

According to Kane, the scenario in Memphis is that a hotel that can easily sell, say, 400 rooms a night will only be able to operate 300. “That’s kind of the growing pain we’re facing right now as we reopen. On the flip side, there are plenty of high school kids getting their first jobs in the industry

BACK IN BUSINESS

he strong number s a nd a healthy tourism scene have seen some hotels open their doors for the first time, and convinced others to reopen for business. The Hu. Hotel in Downtown Memphis closed when the pandemic first hit, but hotel leadership felt the time was right to make a comeback. General manager Joe White says it’s down to a combination of factors. “On our end, we’ve seen that we’re able to operate safely,” he says. “And on the customer side, we’ve seen that the general public wants to visit. Weekend leisure travel is alive and well, and I’d say after being pent up, plenty of people are kind of ‘revenge traveling’ to make up for lost time.”

But hotels won’t simply go back to business as usual, not after one of the biggest health crises that the industry has faced. Health and safety are key pillars for success going

A refreshed Hu. Hotel is reopening in August.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY HU. HOTEL

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at a much higher pay rate than is get the Loews Hotel there to help normal. And many places have attract big businesses, and I know to hire these kids with no expeKevin is working real hard to make rience so they have enough peothat happen.”

When corporations do finally ple to run. All the major cities are decide to resume travelling, the dealing with this right now.”

Renasant Convention Center will White and the Hu. Hotel are be waiting to accommodate them. currently onboarding new emChuck Pinkowski In the business world, sometimes ployees in preparation for the all it takes is the first domino to fall for the rest August relaunch, but he agrees that recruitto follow suit. But after seeing lower expenses ment is harder than it has been for a while. due to reduced travel costs, will they resume “It’s a very competitive marketplace right normal service? now,” he says. “The expectation on the asso“Corporate America kind of follows the ciate side has changed. They want to make leader,” says Kane. “They probably saw the sure their employer is committed to a safe travel and entertainment budget and were and healthy workspace, that there is PPE drawn to the bottom line in 2020 since they available, protocols in place, and monitoring didn’t travel as much. But as soon as one finds programs that measure how we’re enacting that it lost a big account because someone those protocols.” else made the effort to meet with a compaAnother factor could be unfortunate timny president and win that business over at a ing. According to June’s ADP National Emconference or trade show, you’ll start to have ployment Report, the country’s private sector them view it differently again. Someone spent added 692,000 jobs, with 332,000 of those pomoney to build the bottom line and build a resitions coming in the hospitality and leisure inlationship.” dustry. But with hotels all vying for the same New technology like Zoom calls will undiminished pool of workers for the peak summer months, the competition is fierce, and not doubtedly keep a place in a post-covid world, all are going to make the hires they need. Coubut it won’t completely replace many of the practices that were in place before. Kane still pled with health risks and, for some families, believes Memphis and the larger industry is a lack of available childcare, and it may take a little longer for hotels to be fully operational.

at least months away from businesses going all in on travel again, especially with international travel much more restricted. But on the local level, the Renasant Convention Center has already landed its first major client, and it’s a Fortune 500 to boot. AutoZone announced that it had booked the convention center to host its national sales meeting this coming September, which will bring around 3,000 attendees to Memphis and generate an estimated $2 million economic impact for the area.

And that’s just the start. “We’ve had a lot of meeting planners looking at the building,” says Kane. “We’re really getting back to what we do. We’ve got a few events in the pipeline that will bring in tens of thousands of attendees.”

So what’s the prognosis for Memphis hospitality? It’s not safe to give out a clean bill of health just yet. Continued high rates of tourism require a complete health and safety buy-in from visitors, residents, and companies, with plenty of additional challenges along the way. But barring another lockdown, it looks like the worst has passed, and the city is on track to get where it wants to be. “We’re going to continue to see things that will generate a lot of impact for the city,” says Kane. “There’s a lot of demand, and that will boost Memphis as we look towards the future.”

CONVENTION KICKOFF

RENDERING COURTESY LRK / MEMPHIS TOURISM

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ourism and leisure numbers are looking up, but the last piece of the puzzle for Memphis to hit that 2019 benchmark is when large businesses and corporations recommit to traveling. And while in the past Memphis hasn’t had to rely on conventions to bring extra dollars to the city, the $200 million modernization of the Renasant Convention Center is poised to make a big impact.

The onset of covid-19 scuppered what should have been a triumphant initial launch of the center, but the finished product stacks up to other convention centers around the country. “It’s really something to be inside it and see the difference, the way they’ve opened up the exterior walls and all the glass to see the river and be able to overlook Downtown,” says Pinkowski. “And what they’ve done with the meeting space, it’s just really high quality and is extremely competitive with other cities. The city can be really proud of what we’re done with that building. The next step is to

The revitalized Renasant Convention Center boasts flexible space and river views.

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Hospitality

above: Inside the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid, the Big Cypress Lodge offers a variety of meeting options.

Meanwhile, the $200 million renovation of the Renasant Convention Center provides ample opportunities to invite large-scale meetings and conventions to Memphis.

Venue Menu 2021

Your guide to some of the top business event and meeting locations in Memphis.

COMPILED BY SAMUEL X. CICCI AND ABIGAIL MORICI

A

fter 18 most unusual months, as many of us traded our dress shoes for slippers and conference rooms for Zoom rooms, the business world is ready to get back to basics. While virtual meetings are much more commonplace now and are likely here to stay, nothing beats old-fashioned face-to-face interaction. And when you’re aiming to host thousands of guests, well, a camera’s just not going to cut it. Some of the best and brightest minds have created a wealth of options in the Bluff City to host their next gathering, whether it’s a small meeting at a boutique hotel, or an enormous conference at Memphis’ shiny new Renasant Convention Center. Our 2021 Inside Memphis Business Venue Menu has both new and familiar faces, but all featured in the following pages are some of the best places to host your next corporate event.

CASINOS

1st Jackpot Casino Tunica Corporate meetings. Conference rooms for up to 30 guests.

866-422-5597. 1450 Bally Blvd. Tunica Resorts, MS, 38664.

1stjackpot.com

Fitz Tunica Casino and Hotel Corporate events and meetings. Up to 7,500 sq. ft. available.

662-363-8259; crieger-peffer@fitzgeraldstunica.com. 711 Lucky Lane. Robinsonville, MS fitzgeraldstunica.com

Gold Strike Casino Resort Meetings and special events. 30,000 sq. ft., 15-1,170 guests.

662-357-1373; mmyers@mgmresorts.com. 1010 Casino Center Dr., Tunica Resorts, MS goldstrike.com

Hollywood Casino & Hotel Tunica Corporate events and meetings. Up to 14,000 available sq. ft. for 25-1,200 guests. 662-357-7883; jennifer. hall@pngaming.com. 1150 Casino Strip Resort Blvd.

Robinsonville, MS hollywoodcasinotunica.com

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Horseshoe Casino and Hotel Meetings and special events. Banquet rooms and live entertainment spaces. 300-10,000 sq. ft., 10-1,400 guests.

855-633-8238; meet@caesars.com. 1021 Casino Center Dr., Robinsonville, MS caesars.com

EVENT VENUES

Annesdale Mansion

Corporate events. Up to 17,000 available sq. ft., 250-300 guests. Val Bledsoe: 901-490-9460; val@annesdalemansion.com. 1325 Lamar Ave. annesdalemansion.com

Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel

The Atrium at Overton Square

Corporate events, meetings, and conferences. 9,000 available sq. ft. for 10-1,000 guests. 662-363-4461.

777 Isle of Capri Pkwy., Lula, MS

Corporate events and meetings. Space for 175 seated guests, up to 250 standing. In-house catering and bar services available. 901-213-4514; events@memphiseventgroup.com.

2105 Madison Ave.

isleofcaprilula.com

Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall Corporate events. 1,050-5,040 sq. ft., 12-400 guests. 662363-0711. 1477 Casino Strip Resort Blvd. Robinsonville, MS samstowntunica.com

Southland Park Meetings and large corporate events. 16,000 sq. ft., 30-600 guests. 870-400-4855. 1550 Ingram Blvd, West Memphis, AR

theatriummemphis.com

Cadre Building Corporate, formal, and nonprofit events. 36,000 sq. ft., space for 350 seated guests, 1,000 standing. 901-779-1501; betsy.mckay@cadrebuilding.com. 149 Monroe Ave. cadrebuilding.com

southlandpark.com

Fogelman Executive Conference Center & Hotel Corporate events and conferences. 35,000 available sq. ft., 15-1,500 guests. 901-678-5410; conferences@ memphis.edu. 330 Innovation Dr. (Conference Center); 3700 Central Ave (Hotel). memphis.edu/conferences

The Great Hall & Conference Center Corporate events and conferences. Up to 8,675 available sq. ft. 60-800 guests. 901-757-7373; ianslinger@germantowntn.gov. 1900 S. Germantown Rd. thegreathallevents.com

La Place Ballroom Corporate and special events. Up to 5,500 available sq. ft. 10-650 guests. Catering available. Tarmeckla Douglas: 901-340-0144; tarmeckladouglas@yahoo.com.

4798 Summer Ave. laplaceballroom.com

The Meeting Center of Collierville Meetings and conferences. Variety of room options. Seating for up to 15 guests. 901-861-6304; info@tmccollierville.com.

340 Poplar View Ln. E. #1 tmccollierville.com

Minglewood Hall Corporate events and fundraisers. Up to 13,000 available sq. ft. Up to 1,600 guests. 901-312-6058 ext. #1107; info@minglewoodhall.com. 1555 Madison Ave. minglewoodhall.com

New Daisy Corporate and special events, fundraisers, and trade shows.

Full theater setup for 500-1,100 guests. 901-525-8981; info@newdaisy.com. 330 Beale St. newdaisy.com

Premiere Palace Ballroom Corporate events. 2,500 sq. ft. ballroom for up to 400 guests. 901-527-5660; info@premierepalace.com.

629 Monroe Ave. premierepalace.com

Propcellar Corporate events. Versatile warehouse space for up to 100 guests. 901-654-6737; hello@propcellar.com.

2585 Summer Ave. propcellar.com

Rumba Room

COLLEGES

Christian Brothers University Meetings and events. Classroom, banquet rooms, and auditorium space for 25-500 guests. 901-321-3525; jlenz@cbu.edu. 650 E. Parkway S. cbu.edu

Rhodes College Meetings, lectures, and special events. Scheduling and College Events Office: 901-843-3888. 2000 N. Parkway. rhodes.edu

University of Memphis Conferences and events. Up to 210,000 available sq. ft., up to 1,000 guests. Conference and event services: 901-6785000; conferences@memphis.edu. 365 Innovation Dr. memphis.edu/conferences

The Columns

memphisrumba.com

Tower Center

Corporate events. Up to 20,000 sq. ft., 200-800 guests. 901552-4732; catie@resourceentertainment.com. 40 S. Main St.

Conferences, meetings, and events. Up to 10,000 available sq. ft., 6-600 guests. 901-767-8776; celkins@ towercentermemphis.com. 5100 Poplar Ave. #3300.

Esplanade

Woodland Hills Event Center

Corporate events and conferences. 14,000 available sq. ft., 10-700 guests. 901-753-3333; info@esplanadememphis. com. 901 Cordova Station Ave.

Corporate events. Multiple room options, with 50-1,000 guests. 901-754-2000. 10000 Woodland Hills Dr., Cordova.

resourceentertainment.com

esplanadememphis.com

FedEx Event Center Corporate events. 272-7,700 sq. ft., 20-800 guests. 901-2227280; events@shelbyfarmspark.org. 6903 Great View Dr. N. shelbyfarmspark.org

towercentermemphis.com

woodlandhillseventcenter.com

Woodruff-Fontaine House Corporate events. Variety of room options for 30-200 guests. 901-526-1469; j.cooper@woodruff-fontaine. org. 680 Adams Ave. woodruff-fontaine.org

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICHARD MCGUIRE / DREAMSTIME

Rhodes College

Small corporate events. Tables and private rooms available on a limited basis. 901-523-0020; edgarmendez71@gmail. com. 303 S. Main St.

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03 2018

project location size project type

6263 Poplar Towers Memphis, TN 110,000 sf Office - Renovation

100 Peabody Place, Memphis, TN 38103 • 901.260.7370 • www.belzdesignbuild.com

©Jeffrey Jacobs Photography

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Big Cypress Lodge

HOTELS

Arrive Hotel

Corporate meetings. Up to 1,000 sq. ft. 901-235-2718; memphis@arrivehotels.com. 477 S. Main St. arrivehotels.com/memphis

Big Cypress Lodge

SIT DOWN A GAMBLER

RISE A LEGEND

Corporate events, conferences, and meetings. Variety of room and outdoor options for 10-800 guests.

901-620-4652; concierge@big-cypress.com. 1 Bass Pro Dr. Big-cypress.com

Canopy Hotel Meetings. 450 sq. ft. boardroom for up to 10 guests.

901-479-1001. 164 Union Ave. hilton.com

Comfort Inn–Downtown Meetings. 1,250 sq. ft. for up to 132 guests. 901-526-0583.

100 N. Front St. choicehotels.com

Courtyard by Marriott–Downtown Court Square Meetings and corporate events. 3,756 available sq. ft.

12-125 guests. 901-522-2200. 75 Jefferson Ave. marriot t.com

Courtyard by Marriott–Germantown Small meetings. 200 sq. ft. for up to eight guests.

901-751-0230. 7750 Wolf River Blvd. marriot t.com

Crowne Plaza Downtown Must be 21 years or older to gamble or attend events. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2021, Caesars License Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Corporate events and meetings. 8,686 available sq. ft., up to 257 guests. 901-525-1800; info@cphotelmemphis.com.

300 N. Second St. ihg.com/crowneplaza

Corporate events and meetings. 15,000 available sq. ft., up to 800 guests. 901-362-6200; hnelson@cphmemphis.com.

2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd. ihg.com/crowneplaza

Performing

rts

& conference center

WE’LL MAKE YOUR Concerts - Live Theatre - Rentals EVENT A SUCCESS

Conferences. Meetings. Performances. Receptions.

3663 Appling Rd. | Bartlett TN, 38133 | 901-385-6440 | BPACC.org BPACC.org / 901.385.6440

Curio by Hilton at Central Station Corporate events and meetings. Up to 6,572 sq. ft. 10-500 guests. 901-524-5247. inquire@centralstationmemphis. com. 545 S. Main St. hilton.com

Doubletree Hilton (Downtown) Corporate events and meetings. 6,252 available sq. ft., 5-400 guests. 901-528-1800. 185 Union Ave. hilton.com

Doubletree Hilton (Sanderlin) Corporate events and meetings. 6,000 available sq. ft., 8-300 guests. 901-696-6703; 5069 Sanderlin Ave. hilton.com

PHOTOGRAPH BY CALVIN L. LEAKE / DREAMSTIME

Crowne Plaza East Memphis

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Hospitality

/ VENUE MENU

Welcoming

Faith Creekmore Price, M.D. Providing personal, compassionate and comprehensive care to women of all ages. My goal is to make sure that my patients are well informed and assist them in making excellent health choices.

The Peabody Embassy Suites Memphis Corporate events and meetings. Up to 3,000 sq. ft., 15-200 guests. 901-684-1777. 1022 S. Shady Grove Rd. embassysuites3.hilton.com

Guest House at Graceland Robin Taylor, MD • Judi L. Carney, MD • Candace D. Hinote, MD Dominique Butawan-Ali, MD • Paul D. Neblett, MD Mary Katherine Johnson, MD • Thomas D. Greenwell, MD 6215 Humphreys Boulevard, Suite 100 • Memphis, TN 38120 901.747.1200 • midsouthobgyn.com

Corporate events and conferences. 22,000 available sq. ft., up to 1,200 guests. 1-800-238-2000; ghagsales@ guesthousegraceland.com. 3600 Elvis Presley Blvd. guesthousegraceland.com

Hampton Inn & Suites Memphis–Beale Street Corporate events and meetings. 1,200 available sq. ft.

Up to 50 guests. 901-260-4000. 175 Peabody Pl. hilton.com

Hilton (Ridge Lake Blvd.)

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Our hope is that neither you, nor anyone close to you, need information about divorce. The reality is that you probably know someone who needs this information so they can make the best decisions about divorce.

Aboutdivorce.com

www3.hilton.com

Hilton Garden Inn (Downtown) Corporate events and conferences. Up to 1,278 sq. ft.

10-70 guests. 901-528-1540. 201 Union Ave. hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com

Holiday Inn (Downtown) Corporate events and meetings. 425-3,456 sq. ft., 12-300 guests. 901-526-2001. cateringmemdn@isquarecap. com. 160 Union Ave. hisdowntownmemphis.com

Holiday Inn (University of Memphis) Social and corporate events and conferences. 14,244 available sq. ft., 15-1,500 guests. 901-678-5423; kbrown@holidayinnuofm.com. 3700 Central Ave. ihg.com

Holiday Inn Express (Medical Center Midtown) Small meetings. Meeting rooms available for small groups as available. 901-276-1175; hiemgm@1stcarolina.net.

1180 Union Ave. ihg.com

Hotel Indigo

Rice Law Firm@ricelaw.com 901-526-6701

Corporate meetings and events. 560-720 sq. ft., up to 50 guests. 901-527-2215. info@downtownmemphishotel.com.

22 North B.B. King Boulevard. ihg.com

Hu. Hotel Corporate events and meetings. 476-2,052 sq. ft., 15-315 guests. 866-446-3674; info@huhotelmemphis.com.

79 Madison Ave. huhotelmemphis.com

PHOTOGRAPH BY JDP PHOTO / DREAMSTIME

Divorce is a bad choice,

Corporate events and meetings. Up to 30,000 available sq. ft. for up to 1,600 guests. 901-684-6664.

939 Ridge Lake Blvd.

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RECENT EVENTS HAVE CHANGED

planning RECENT EVENTS HAVE CHANGED

travel RECENT EVENTS HAVE CHANGED

Incentives RECENT EVENTS HAVE CHANGED

all events WE’LL HELP YOU FILL IN THE BLANKS.

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leoevents.com 901.766.1836

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Hospitality

/ VENUE MENU

Hyatt Centric on Beale Street Meetings and conferences. Up to 9,000 available sq. ft. 10-560 guests. 901-444-3232; MEMCT-RFP@hyatt.com. 33 Beale St. hyat t.com

Hyatt Place Memphis (Primacy Pkwy.)

Meetings. Up to 1,170 sq. ft., 20-50 guests. 901-680-9700; alyse.purdy@hyatt.com. 1220 Primacy Pkwy. memphisprimacyparkway.place.hyat t.com

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham–Downtown Corporate events and meetings. 800 sq. ft., 5-55 guests.

901-522-2383. 310 Union Ave. wyndhamhotels.com

Marriott Memphis East Corporate events and meetings. 22,553 available sq. ft., 8-300 guests. 901-682-0080. 5795 Poplar Ave. marriot t.com

Peabody Hotel Corporate events, meetings, and conferences. 80,000 available sq. ft. 10-2,000 guests. 901-529-4000. 149 Union Ave. peabodymemphis.com

River Inn - River Hall Corporate events and meetings. Banquet hall, meeting room, and terrace options for up to 120 guests. 901-260-3333 ext.

2105; events@riverinnmemphis.com. 50 Harbor Town Sq. riverinnmemphis.com

Sheraton Memphis (Downtown) Corporate events and meetings. 276-4,692 sq. ft., 10-414 guests. 901-527-7300. 250 N. Main St. marriot t.com

Staybridge Suites Small meetings. 800 sq. ft. available for small business meetings. 901-322-6560. 1070 Ridge Lake Blvd. ihg.com

Springhill Suites Court Square Corporate events and meetings. 625-2,300 sq. ft., 20-150 guests. 901-522-2100. 85 W. Court Ave. marriot t.com

Westin Memphis Beale Street With ten locations across the Memphis area, Healthcare Realty is the go-to source for

Corporate events and meetings. 320-3,040 sq. ft. 8-300 guests.

901-334-5900. 170 Lt. George W. Lee Ave. marriot t.com

LARGE VENUES

Agricenter International on Baptist Memorial Hospital campuses.

A variety of locations and levels of build-out provide move-in ready suites, time-share space and the ability to build to suit.

It’s your move.

Corporate events and trade shows. Variety of small and large venues, ranging from 4,800-86,000 sq. ft. 901-757-7777; info@agricenter.org. 7777 Walnut Grove Rd. agricenter.org

Beale Street Landing Large corporate events. Large outdoor space, with capacity up to 5,000+ guests. 901-504-4229. 251 Riverside Dr. part ymemphis.com

Cannon Center for the Performing Arts Large corporate events and conferences. Large theater-capacity events with 2,100 seats. 901-576-1224. 255 N. Main St. thecannoncenter.com

FedExForum Large corporate events and meetings. Large stadium with a variety of venue options for 30-17,500 guests. 901-205-1522; jolson@fedexforum.com. 191 Beale St. fedexforum.com

Landers Center Large corporate events, conferences, and meetings. Multiple venue options, from 468-17,010 sq. ft., 30-1,888 guests.

662-280-9120; jcrews@landerscenter.com. 4560 Venture Dr., Southaven, MS. landerscenter.com

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Kroc Center Corporate events and meetings. Conference and hall space for between 12-100 guests. 901-729-8031; events@ krocmemphis.org. 800 E. Pkwy. S. krocmemphis.org

POWERED BY cityCURRENT

Memphis Botanic Garden Heartbreak Hotel at Graceland Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Large corporate events. Large stadium and fairgrounds with variety of venue options for 125-58,325 guests. 901-729-4071; thomas_carrier@spectraxp.com. 335 S. Hollywood St. thelibert ybowlstadium.com

Renasant Convention Center Large corporate events, meetings, conferences, and trade shows. Large hall with over 300,000 available sq. ft. of meeting, exhibit, and pre-function space. 901-576-1200.

255 N. Main St. memphistravel.com

PUBLIC

AutoZone Park Corporate events and meetings. Indoor and outdoor venues available. Capacity depends on venue.

901-722-0257. 200 Union Ave. memphisredbirds.com

Bartlett Performing Arts & Conference Center Corporate events and small meetings. Smaller room options or auditorium for 75-350 guests. 901-385-6440. 3663 Appling Rd., Bartlett, TN. bpacc.org

Blues Hall of Fame Corporate events. Entry-level and ground-level spaces for 100-300 guests. 901-527-2583 ext. 13. elizabeth@blues.org.

421 S. Main St. blues.org

Brooks Museum of Art Corporate events and meetings. Meeting and reception options for 20-400 guests. 901-544-6222. 1934 Poplar Ave. brooksmuseum.org

Cotton Museum Corporate events. 3,200 sq. ft. for up to 150 guests. 901-5317826; rentals@memphiscottonmuseum.org. 65 Union Ave. memphiscot tonmuseum.org

Crescent Club Corporate events and meetings. 540-1,500 sq. ft., 8-200 guests. 901-684-1010 ext. 408. 6075 Poplar Ave., Suite 909. mycrescentclub.com

Dixon Gallery and Gardens

PHOTOGRAPH BY TONY BOSSE / DREAMSTIME

Corporate events and meetings. Pavilion and auditorium options for 20-250 guests. 901-761-5250 ext. 101; scatmur@dixon.org. 4339 Park Ave. dixon.org

Elvis Presley’s Graceland Corporate events and meetings. Multiple indoor and outdoor facilities for small and large gatherings. 901-4736005. 3734 Elvis Presley Blvd. graceland.com

Halloran Centre Corporate events, meetings, private parties, special events.

1,011-3,500 sq. ft., 45-361 guests. 901-529-4276; adams@orpheum-memphis.org. 225 S. Main St. orpheum-memphis.com

Corporate events. Variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for 2-600 guests. 901-636-4106; rentals@ memphisbotanicgarden.com. 750 Cherry Rd. mbgrentals.com

Memphis Zoo Corporate and special events. Indoor and outdoor spaces for up to 3,000 guests. 901-333-6571. 2000 Prentiss Pl. memphiszoo.org

Mirimichi Corporate events. Indoor and outdoor venues for 10800 guests. 901-259-3800. 6195 Woodstock Cuba Rd., Millington, TN. mirimichievents.com

Metal Museum Corporate events. First floor of the Library building for small meetings; terrace and tented outdoor areas for 300-800 guests. 901-774-6380; rentals@metalmuseum.org.

374 Metal Museum Dr.

GROWTHcurrent is an e-learning g and online personal development platform platfo fo f rm that gives you access to exclusive virtual events and online Q&A sessions with global thought leaders, national guest speakers and industry experts, along with learning modules, success secrets and more.

metalmuseum.org

National Civil Rights Museum Corporate events and meetings. Conference rooms and auditorium for up to 300 guests. 901-521-9699 ext. 2439; cmbaye@civilrightsmuseum.org. 450 Mulberry St.

New GROWTHcurrent Modules Added Weekly

civilrightsmuseum.org

Opera Memphis Corporate events. 1,450-5,400 sq. ft. lobby and hall spaces. 901-202-4536; info@operamemphis.org.

6745 Wolf River Pkwy. operamemphis.org

The Orpheum Theatre Corporate events. Small rooms and main auditorium available for 70-2,300 guests. 901-529-4234; brown@ orpheum-memphis.com. 203 S. Main St. orpheum-memphis.com

Playhouse on the Square Corporate events and meetings. Auditorium and meeting facilities for 12-347 guests. 901-937-6473; bailee@ playhouseonthesquare.org. 66 S. Cooper St. playhouseonthesquare.org

Ridgeway Country Club Corporate events. Indoor and outdoor spaces for between 200-350 guests. 901-853-2247 ext. 106; bernadetteslavin@ ridgewaycountryclub.com. 9800 Poplar Ave. ridgewaycountryclub.com

Rock ’n’ Soul Museum Corporate events and conferences. Museum exhibit included. 850-8,500 sq. ft., 60-300 guests. 901-205-2536; pam@memphisrocknsoul.org. 191 Beale St. Also offers Memphis Music Hall of Fame Museum for receptions and corporate events. 2,500 sq. ft. 30-100 guests. memphisrocknsoul.org

Stax Museum Corporate events. Museum space available for 10-450 guests. 901-942-7685; denetra.gee@soulsvillefoundation. org. 926 E. McLemore Ave. sta xmuseum.com

TPC Southwind Corporate events and meetings. Membership is not required.

580-1,952 sq. ft. 30-120 guests. 901-259-1835. AprilDoby@ pgatourtpc.com. 3325 Club at Southwind. tpc.com

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Hospitality

/ VENUE MENU

University Club of Memphis

It’s the perfect app for financial check-ups.

Time is precious to medical specialists.

That’s why our Triumph Business App is the perfect way to quickly check in with your finances between patient check-ups. Use it to monitor transactions, transfer funds, and even pay bills.

It’s available for download at triumphbank.com/businessmobilebanking

Corporate events and meetings. Variety of indoor and outdoor spaces for 12-450 guests. 901-772-3760; banquets@ucmem.com. 1346 Central Ave. ucmem.com

Victory Ranch Corporate events. Outdoor team-building experiences for businesses. 901-338-7093; harrison@victoryranch.org.

4330 Mecklinburg, Bolivar, TN. victoryranch.org

West Memphis Eugene Woods Civic Center Corporate events and meetings. Meeting rooms available for up to 1,000 guests. 870-732-7597; khamilton@citywm.com.

212 West Polk Ave., West Memphis, AR. explorewestmemphis.com

RESTAURANTS

B.B. King’s Blues Club

Corporate events. Club available for rent, with room for 25-400 guests. 901-202-9114. 143 Beale St. bbkings.com

Bounty on Broad Corporate events. Upstairs and downstairs availability for up to 80 standing guests. 901-410-8131; emmie@partymemphis. com. 2519 Broad Ave. bount yonbroad.com

Capital Grille Corporate events. Private dining rooms for 12-50 guests.

901-683-9291. 6065 Poplar Ave.

Welcome to Triumph. Let’s talk growth.

thecapitalgrille.com

Char Restaurant Corporate events and meetings. Woodland and Bluff rooms can seat up to 14 and 48 guests, respectively. 901-848-4009. private.dining.memphis@charrestaurant.com.

431 S. Highland St. memphis.charrestaurant.com

Carolina Watershed Corporate events. Outdoor spaces for 140-300 guests. 901-2076172. watershedmemphis@gmail.com. 141 E. Carolina Ave. carolinawatershed.com

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Corporate events. Private rooms available for 25-65 guests.

901-761-6200. 6245 Poplar Ave. flemingssteakhouse.com

Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House

DO GOOD. BETTER. 901.726.5725 momentumnonprofit.org We help Mid-South nonprofits succeed.

Corporate events. Private dining and event rooms for up to 80 guests. 901-328-2233; hpettyjohn@folksfolly.com.

551 S. Mendenhall. folksfolly.com

Lafayette’s Music Room Corporate events. Various rental options for 12-325 guests. 901202-9114. sales@lafayettesmusicroom.com. 2119 Madison Ave. lafayet tes.com

Loflin Yard Corporate events, weddings, and special events. Indoor bar and outdoor private and semi-private areas available. 901290-1140; info@loflinyard.com. 7 W. Carolina Ave. loflinyard.com

Railgarten Corporate events. Indoor bar, diner, and outdoor patio and yard sections for 16-2,500 guests. 901-504-4342. info@ railgarten.com. 2166 Central Ave. railgarten.com

Southall Cafe Corporate meetings and events. Up to 88 guests inside, 66 covered patio outside. 901-230-8121; kim.cherry@cherrypr. com. 669 S. Mendenhall. southallcafe.com

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Serving Memphis for 50 Years Watkins Uiberall, PLLC is proud to have served Memphis and the surrounding area for the past 50 years. With 85 team members, Watkins Uiberall has become the largest locally owned certified public accounting firm in Memphis. In an era of mergers and acquisitions by regional and national firms, it has successfully maintained a local identity through community involvement and an ongoing commitment to long-term client relationships. The firm’s history of achievements is based entirely on the strength of its founding principles, core values, commitment to client and community service, and a thriving company culture.

The firm recognizes that its client relationships are the driving force behind its mission and is dedicated to cultivating those relationships by continuing to treat clients

like family. Members of the firm strive to deliver an exceptional client experience by maintaining the highest standard of quality and customer service that exceeds client expectations. The firm focuses on the continual education and training of its professional teams and assists clients in keeping abreast of current accounting and regulatory issues.

Through a continual focus on hiring and retaining the best professionals, the firm has successfully transitioned the founding leadership of the firm to the next generation of leaders bringing innovation to the tradition of delivering exceptional services in the Memphis and surrounding markets. Firm services include auditing and attestation, tax compliance and planning, business accounting, and consulting. The firm

specializes in the performance of governmental, nonprofit and employee benefit plan attest services as well as tax consulting for closely held businesses, trusts, and estates.

The firm has built a reputation for delivering customized and industry-specific advice and enhancing the competitiveness of its clients in the marketplace.

Preemptively establishing and perfecting the usage of work-from-home technology prepared the firm to face the unforeseen circumstances of 2020 and empowered the firm to serve its clients throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Utilizing the latest in technological advances has served the firm well ensuring that firm professionals have the tools to effectively deliver client services.

Demonstrating a culture of

trust, firm senior leadership solicits input from all levels of the company in decisions that shape the firm and recognizes that fostering a positive work culture leads to the continued success of the firm. Every effort is made to promote a work environment that recognizes the various talents of all team members, ultimately resulting in both individual and firm-wide success.

The success of Watkins Uiberall for the past 50 years is a testament to an unwavering standard of excellence, constant dedication to clients, and a thriving company culture. The firm is grateful to have served its clients and the communities of the Mid-South for 50 years and looks forward to providing the same level of integrity and exceptional service in the future.

Providing the Mid-South with accounting and business consulting services since 1971. www.wucpas.com | Memphis, TN: (901) 761-2720 | Tupelo, MS: (662) 269-4014

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ELVIS PRESLEY’S GRACELAND Graceland offers more than 100,000 square feet of event space throughout its campus — including more than 20 unique spaces to entertain and delight your guests. From the Graceland Soundstage to the Guest House Grand Ballroom, our venues are flexible and accommodating to events of all sizes, whether a small, private ceremony or a large-scale reception.

Elvis Presley’s Memphis Entertainment Complex allows guests to take in the rock ‘n’ roll experience while enjoying music, food, and fun! At Presley Motors, guests can enjoy dinner and drinks surrounded by more than 10 of Elvis’ automobiles, including Elvis’ iconic pink Cadillac!

The Graceland Soundstage, one of Graceland’s most popular and versatile spaces, has hosted everything from corporate meetings, conferences, trade shows exhibitions, sporting events, concerts and more.

The space offers three large projection screens, a large expandable stage, full sound and lights, dressing rooms, and a concession area.

The Guest House at Graceland resort hotel hosts 430 spacious rooms with a king or two queen beds and 20 themed

specialty suites. The Grand Ballroom, at almost 11,000 square feet, is the hotel’s largest meeting space, divisible into five separate meeting rooms. The hotel is also home to a 464-seat theater with stadium seating and state-of-the-art amenities.

The Graceland Exhibition Center, opened in 2019, is the most recent expansion to the Graceland campus. With its four bays of almost 10,000 square feet each and 18,000+ square foot adjacent concourse, the possibilities for this space are endless.

From an event with the flair of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll — to a blank canvas on which you can create your own atmosphere, we offer a turnkey solution for planning — from the venue to on-site catering. Come let Graceland rock your next event.

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Elvis Presley’s Graceland offers multiple event spaces to have your next special event: 1. Presley Motors Automobile Museum: Surround your guests with more than 10 of Elvis’ Automobiles while enjoying dinner

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SPECIFICATIONS

Elvis Presley’s Memphis can accommodate up to 3,000 guests. The Graceland Exhibition Center has 60,000 square foot of space for groups up to 3,000+. The Guest House at Graceland offers more than 22,000 square feet of space accommodating groups of up to 1,100.

CATERING: Graceland Events & Catering has pre-designed menus to choose from or can customize any menu.

BARTENDERS: Full bar services available.

PRESENTATIONS: Full-service audio and video setup and services available.

CAPACITY:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION LOCATION:

Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis

CONTACT: Graceland Events — 866.757.7007, 901.473.6005, events@graceland.com WEBSITE: PartywithElvis.com and GuestHouseGraceland.com

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and drinks.

2. Graceland Soundstage: Our most versatile space, offering projection screens, expandable stage, sound, lights and more!

3. The Guest House at Graceland Grand Ballroom: The hotel’s largest

meeting space, with the option to divide into five separate meeting rooms.

4. Elvis Presley’s Memphis: Space for a progressive cocktail reception or dinner; or incorporate in our “street” area as well.

5. Graceland Exhibition Center Concourse: Over 18,000 square feet, featuring four separate food bays and abundant space for additional bars. © EPE. Graceland and its marks are trademarks of EPE. All Rights Reserved.

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MEMPHIS BROOKS MUSEUM OF ART The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art is a serene, modern space to host special events that create lasting memories. Centrally located and open in Overton Park, Memphis’ museum boasts a convenient location easily accessible from all parts of Memphis.

Bring your corporate team to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art for a unique cultural experience during your next meeting. This artistic space is the perfect location to inspire new ideas and creative solutions.

Artistic. Distinctive. Intimate.

The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art creates a spectacular, unique backdrop for any event.

From small and intimate to lavish, think of your museum for your next holiday party, wedding, reception, board meeting, corporate event or team outing. The Hohenberg Auditorium comfortably seats 250 guests and provides a professional setting for staff retreats, general sessions or

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presentations and is fully equipped with all your technology needs. The Terrace Room, with its sleek design and panoramic windows, invites you onto the outdoor terrace for a breathtaking view of Overton Park. The spacious Dunavant Rotunda or an intimate gallery setting are perfect for surrounding your event with Memphis’ collection of worldclass art. Memphis’ art museum is a perfect setting for private gatherings or unique corporate events.

SPECIFICATIONS

Rotunda: Standing Reception Capacity, 250, Seated Dinner Capacity, 120, and Theater Style Capacity, 250 Terrace Room: Patio (fully tented), Standing Reception Capacity, 120, Seated Dinner Capacity, 100 (10 tables of 10), 72 (with existing patio furniture), and Theater Style Capacity, 100 Hohenberg Auditorium: Auditorium Seating, 250 CATERING AND BARTENDERS: The Brooks is happy to connect you with our preferred vendors for catering and bartending.

PRESENTATIONS: Full Service A/V Available CAPACITY:

You Belong at the Brooks.

To book your event at the Brooks, email Maggie Bowles at Maggie.Bowles@ Brooksmuseum.org or call 901.544.6200.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION LOCATION:

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1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104. Open in Overton Park

CONTACT: Maggie Bowles at Maggie.Bowles@Brooksmuseum.org or call

901.544.6200 WEBSITE: brooksmuseum.org

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1. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art 2. Hohenburg Auditorium 3. Memphis Brooks Museum of Art 1916 Grand Entrance 4. Meeting Room in the Terrace Room 5. Dunavant Rotunda

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1. Founders Park 2. Grassy Knoll 3. Boarding House 4. Lorraine Atrium & Lobby 5. Hooks-Hyde Hall (auditorium seating)

6. Links Education & Cultural Center 7. Hooks-Hyde Hall (social event) 8. Ford Motor Company Theatre

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THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM The National Civil Rights Museum is a national treasure which brings to life some of the most significant episodes in American history. This beautiful and historic site offers an elegant and stimulating environment for special events.

T he mus eu m of fer s a selection of spaces to suit small to large events. Whether business, social, educational or informational, the museum is an ideal setting that resonates with guests on any occasion.

Coupled with a group tour, the museum experience offers a distinctly authentic backdrop for diversity training and human resource workshops or enlightenment for educational or social organizations.

Hooks-Hyde Hall is a multipurpose area that can be configured to accommodate up to 340 guests. This immaculate room is large enough to host a conference, have a lively reception, a film screening, performance, town hall, panel or a special consciousness-raising program. This room is well lit with great recessed lighting and windows for a beautiful natural light. The state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities include two full retractable screens for any digital presentations or film screenings.

The Links Education & Cultural Center and Library is a fully carpeted, colorful space with a modern design that seats up to 100 people with 20 in the library. It’s the ideal space for school groups in a classroom setting, but can also be the best fit for special events such as small parties, group meetings or private greenroom during outdoor events. It includes flat screens and AV capabilities.

The ideal place for an intimate f ilm screening, lecture or discussion is the 130-seat Ford Motor Company Theater. The theater has an 18’ x 8’ accessible stage and is fully equipped with AV capabilities and a large,

floor-to-ceiling screen.

The museum’s State of Tennesseee Gallery typically houses its changing exhibits.

At times, it is available for a special experience within an exhibit.

The Atrium, in the heart of the Lorraine entrance, is not only a transitional space but a welcoming sight to behold with the monumental “Movement to Overcome” sculpture. It provides an ideal space for welcoming guests, socializing at highboys and small bars, or enjoying musical combos and hors d’oeuvres.

Add some depth to any occasion by hosting an event on any of the three levels of the Boarding House, the former boarding house. Surrounded by facts and artifacts, this historic space will add that unique touch to an event while stimulating curiosity and conversation.

Looking for a beautifully meaningful space for an outdoor event? The museum façade is staged in the retro 1960s era so that it viscerally transports guests to a period of power f u l change and enlightenment. Used for largeand small-scale outdoor events, the Courtyard, Founders Park and Grassy Knoll areas can accommodate thousands of event-goers and can be outfitted to match many event needs.

Guests can appreciate both the downtown neighborhood vibe and the iconic backdrop of the museum. Whether during the day or under the stars at night, this area can add wonder and excitement to a concert, festiva l , reception , mea l function and/or public forum.

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9. Open Courtyard

SPECIFICATIONS HOOKS HYDE HALL

7,500 square feet

CAPACITY: 340 PRESENTATIONS: Large, flexible floor plan, presentation A/V, staging, kitchen/prep.

FEDE X ATRIUM & LOBBY

10,000 square feet

CAPACITY: 100 PRESENTATIONS: Open floorplan plus alcove.

FORD MOTOR THE ATRE

10,000 square feet

CAPACITY: 130 PRESENTATIONS: Stage (8’ x 18’) full A/V with projector.

LINKS EDUCATION CENTER

10,000 square feet

CAPACITY: 60 PRESENTATIONS: Classroom seating up to 50.

BOARDING HOUSE

2,345 square feet

CAPACITY: 200 PRESENTATIONS: Classrooms seating.

VISITOR PARKING LOT

29,700 square feet

PRESENTATIONS: 118 parking spaces or custom seating configuration.

FOUNDERS PARK

9,234 square feet

PRESENTATIONS: Custom seating configuration for large event, A/V, stage rental.

COURT YARD (IN FRONT OF BALCONY)

5,100 square feet

PRESENTATIONS: Custom seating configuration for large event, A/V, stage rental.

GRASSY KNOLL (ABOVE LEGACY TUNNEL)

2,640 square feet

PRESENTATIONS: Custom seating configuration for medium event, A/V, stage rental.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION LOCATION: 450 Mulberry Street, Memphis, TN 38103 CONTACT: uniquespaces@civilrightsmuseum.org or 901.521.9699 WEBSITE: civilrightsmuseum.org

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P R E M IE R M E E T IN G & E V E N T FAC IL I T IE S 1. Halloran Centre: The Halloran Centre offers more than 39,000 square feet of space to accommodate gatherings of various sizes.

2. Orpheum Theatre: Infuse your event with a dash of Broadway glamor in one of the Orpheum’s historic, elegant spaces.

3. Orpheum Theatre Auditorium: Host an unforgettable event on the very stage where generations of stars have performed.

4. Halloran Centre Lobby: The Gerber Taylor Capital Advisors Lobby offers bright modern fixtures and sleek open space, perfect for any event.

5. For over 90 years Orpheum Theatre Lobby with its crystal chandeliers and sconces, antique mirrors, and an ornate cathedral ceiling, the Orpheum Theatre’s Grand Lobby exudes vintage glamour.

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THE ORPHEUM THEATRE AND THE HALLORAN CENTRE P ut you r e v ent c enter s t age w it h t he Orpheum Theatre Group’s beautiful venues: the Orpheum Theatre and the Halloran Centre.

Just steps away from some of Downtown’s finest hotels and attractions, the historic Orpheum Theatre is one of the Mid-South’s most celebrated venues. Your event will be timeless, complemented by ornate detail, crystal chandeliers, and gold-leaf accents. The Orpheum Theatre offers a variety of spaces for an event of any size, each with distinct 1920s appeal.

From an intimate gathering in the Grand Lobby to the high-ceilinged elegance of the 2300-seat auditorium, the Orpheum Theatre captures classic Memphis charm.

Next door to the Orpheum, the Halloran Centre is among the newest additions to Downtown Memphis.

With sleek architecture and contemporary accents, this

facility offers modern character that can’t be replicated. Let your imagination take over using flexible floor plans that can be easily adapted to suit your needs. The Halloran Centre caters to events of any size, from a 40-seat meeting in the luxurious Board Room overlooking South Main to a lavish reception for 350 in the Gerber Taylor Capital Advisors Lobby. You can also seamlessly combine rooms to maximize your guest count.

Both venues offer state-ofthe-art audio/visual equipment, flexible catering options, and can arrange bar service and housekeeping on your behalf.

Make your vision a reality.

Explore the Orpheum Theatre Group’s event spaces online at Orpheum-Memphis.com.

“For over 90 years, guests have been making memories at the corner of Main and Beale.

Let us help shape yours.”

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SPECIFICATIONS CAPACITY: Flexible spaces that can handle from 10 to 2,300 guests PRESENTATIONS: State-of-the-art sound and lighting available ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ORPHEUM THEATRE: Joy Brown, brown@orpheum-memphis.com or

901.529.4234 HALLORAN CENTRE: Sara Adams, adams@orpheum-memphis.com or

901.238.7062 WEBSITE: Orpheum-Memphis.com

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RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER Have You Seen the New Renasant Convention Center?

Around the world, Memphis connotes iconic swagger and revolutionary creativity. Now, the city has a convention center to match.

Memphis’ new Renasant Convention Center debuted its transformation in January 2021 following a two-year, $200 million modernization project. While the total space — 300,000 square feet — is similar to the Cook Convention Center, that’s about as far as the comparisons go.

By now, you’ve likely seen the Renasant’s glass façade along Front Street, a preview of what awaits inside: floor-to-ceiling windows bathing the venue in natural light and Memphis views.

“We opened up the west side of the building so you can see the Mighty Mississippi rolling by. At sunset, the Riverview Terrace [an outdoor space on the venue’s west side] has particularly stunning views,” says Dean Dennis, Renasant Convention Center’s General Manager.

Further accentuating its location, the Renasant now features five riverfront meeting rooms.

The venue’s presence along Main Street is also being completely reimagined, starting with a public concourse that will enhance its connection to greater Downtown. Enter from Main Street and you’ll be greeted by Ben Butler’s suspended sculpture inspired by the Mississippi. On the next 3

level, a glass-walled board room cantilevers over Main Street.

Throughout the venue, public art celebrates local creativity, from a bold mural mixing Memphis symbols by Kong Wee Pang and Jay Crum, to a dynamic equalizer-inspired light installation by Kaleob Elkins and Franklin Wallace.

Meeting spaces were designed for ultimate flexibility, considering input from event planners. The showpiece is a 118,000-square-foot, columnfree exhibit hall — the largest in the region — surrounded by ballrooms, secondary event spaces, breakout rooms, and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. Hotel-quality furnishings and finishes impart a modern, Memphis style. And, the venue is GBAC STAR™ accredited through the Global BioRisk Advisory Council, its team actively working with groups to create COVID-safe meeting plans.

The reimagined Renasant Convention Center, set in a city already popular with event planners for its central location, affordability, and legendary allure, is helping to cultivate Memphis’ reputation as the boutique meetings destination of the South. Since January 2021, 30 events have been hosted or scheduled, resulting in a projected 60,000 room nights for the city.

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SPECIFICATIONS: CAPACITY: Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center offers over 300,000 sq. ft.

of flexible meeting space. With a 118,000-sq.-ft. Exhibit Hall, 28,000-sq.-ft.

Grand Ballroom and 46-plus breakout rooms, we can accommodate groups from 10 to 10,000 attendees.

CATERING: The Sheraton Memphis Downtown is the exclusive food-andbeverage provider for Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center.

BARTENDERS: Full-bar service is available through our exclusive food-andbeverage provider, The Sheraton Memphis Downtown.

PRESENTATIONS: Full-service audio and video setup and services are available.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: LOCATION: 255 N. Main St., Memphis, TN 38103 CONTACT: WEBSITE:

info@memphisrcc.com, 901.576.1200 renasantconventioncenter.com

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1. Main Street Elevation Rendering — photo by LRK 2. Board Room Rendering — photo

by LRK 3. Parking Level Concourse Mural

by Kong Wee Pang and Jay Crum — photo by Greg Campbell

4. Renasant Convention Center at night — photo by Running Pony 5. 118,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall — photo by Greg Campbell 6. Riverview Terrace Rendering — photo by LRK

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The Office

Roquita Coleman-Williams – KPower Global Logistics KPower’s newest executive raises both inclusivity and the bottom line.

BY J O N W. S PA R K S

Her passion is DEI — diversity, equity, and inclusion — and she has worked closely with companies to make those practices happen.

“It’s my belief that people can be taught to bring DEI to life in their profession,” she says, “by choosing what matters to you and to remain intentional about that in everything you do, not just your work.”

Williams got into logistics during 10 years at UPS, where she refined her logistics expertise and mentoring. And then Canadian National Railway (CN) contacted her.

“I was pretty skeptical,” she says. “Why would a railroad be interested in someone who sold trucking? But they had a vision for broadening their business and having someone look at the supply chain from end to end.

And that’s when I got into international logis-

F

or Roquita Coleman-Williams, a place to work is more than just a space. It’s a reflection of who she is as a sales and marketing leader.

And as it is with leaders, you cannot give a simple description of what she does or who she is (although she describes herself as “hard-headed”). At 44, she’s been in logistics as a career. But Williams uses that as a platform not only to boost a bottom line, but to improve lives.

tics, getting stuff from Asia, controlling how it navigates, which ports you use, and really digging into a company’s supply chains in a way that made my job very meaningful. But it also allowed many opportunities to do things in a way that was more inclusive.”

She worked for a Florida-based rail line last year, and this year has joined up as executive vice president of partnership development with KPower Global Logistics and partner company Phoenix Assurance Pharmaceutical, two big players in the coordination and movement of goods and products in and out of Memphis.

Beyond that, she’s a speaker — including doing

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JON W. SPARKS

“I WAS BORN PREMATURELY, SO I WAS A LITTLE-BITTY PERSON. LIFE MEANT THAT, FOR ME TO EXIST AND TO THRIVE, I HAD TO BE DIFFERENT AND TO LOOK AT THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND TO BE ABLE TO CHALLENGE WHAT’S CONSIDERED THE STATUS QUO.”

above left: Roquita ColemanWilliams called on interior designer Laquita Tate to create a home office that would be a “space that reflected both my personality and my work.” Artwork includes pieces by Monica Lewis, and Williams wears jewelry from IV by David.

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Some of her office’s elements come from Stock&Belle, IV by David, and artist Monica Lewis. And the space itself is well-lit, visually intriguing, balanced from any angle, and without even a suggestion of clutter. “I wanted a space that reflected both my personality and my work,” Williams says.

“Prior to the pandemic, I didn’t have an office because I was never home,” she says. “I worked at CN rail for 13 years, commuting to Toronto for seven of those years. And then I moved to another railroad in Jacksonville and was commuting back and forth there.

So this is the first time in my professional career that I’ve been able to actually be in an office space.”

And since — thanks to covid — it’s not in a commercial space, she was determined to make it “reflect who I am and what I stand for.

So I’m very proud of this space and even more so finding a local person on Instagram, of all places, who was able to bring it to life for me.”

So why does she call herself hard-headed?

She thinks it was from the very beginning when she weighed less than three pounds at birth. “I was born prematurely, so I was a little-bitty person. Life meant that, for me to exist and to thrive, I had to be different and to look at things in a different way and to be able to challenge what’s considered the status quo. That’s where it starts and it amplified itself over time.”

Seeing what needs to be done, and then going ahead and doing it is, she says, a challenge for any emerging leader. “I don’t care whose responsibility it is,” Williams says. “It may be procurement’s responsibility to have diversity and supplier relationships, but if I have an opportunity to make a relationship with the Black Business Association to facilitate that, or to make things move a little faster, that’s what I’m going to do. That’s what it comes to: seeing something that needs to be done and having the desire to do it, whether it’s your responsibility or not.”

a TEDx talk — and has served on the boards of the Memphis Area Transit Authority, Memphis in May, and was the first Black president of the Memphis World Trade Club.

But having a dedicated office has eluded her until this year. The space is in her residence on Mud Island, a bedroom that was used for storage and is now an office. And she has transformed it with extra care and attention.

Interior designer Laquita Tate (a local who Williams found on Instagram) handled the decor and it is chock full of local, global, and HUBZone items that remind Williams of the work she’s doing in DEI.

above: A mayoral appointment to the Memphis Area Transit Authority, an Inside Memphis Business leadership feature from 2016, and a Scratch the World travel map.

The Thrive pillow was a gift from the Total Woman Summit where Williams was a speaker and the other pillows came from a women-owned shop in Africa.

center: Items include a giraffe from Africa, a vase from Belize, driftwood from Thistle Farms in Nashville, more art by Monica Lewis, and candlestick holders from a boutique in Franklin, Tennessee.

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Improving the Health and Well-Being of Tennesseans and the Global Community As the state’s primary academic, health care institution, UTHSC remains dedicated to caring for the citizens of Tennessee and beyond, and training the next generation of health care leaders.

uthsc.edu

DISCOVER THE BROTHERHOOD AT CBHS.ORG • OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY, OCT. 24 AT 2PM

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R E D I S C OV E R

M E M PH I S

Education

Schools of Thought

A mural by @alivepaint (2017) at Booker T. Washington High School in South Memphis.

Our annual guide to assist parents find the right educational environment for their child.

SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS OPTIONAL PROGRAMS

EDITED BY KALENA MCKINNEY

MURAL BY @ALIVEPAINT | PHOTOGRAPH BY CALVIN L. LEAKE / DREAMSTIME

A

strong body and strong mind are the most important things any parent can provide for their child. In Memphis, families are lucky because our city offers such a wealth of educational options. On these pages we list public, private, and independent schools, along with colleges and universities in the region.

Let’s hope for an A+, wherever they go.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS Private schools are not funded by the state and must fund operations by charging tuition, though many private schools offer some form of financial aid. Schools are typically run by an independent body (a school board, the Catholic Diocese, etc.), and as they are exempt from state oversight and mandated testing, faculty have the freedom to choose their own standards and educational approach. While the majority of private schools in Memphis have a religious affiliation, there are a number of non-religious schools focusing on a wide variety of methodologies and approaches. The Memphis

Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) and the Catholic Diocese of Memphis represent a large number of private schools in Memphis. Various tuition and fees.

Check school websites for details.

MUNICIPALITY SCHOOL SYSTEMS A number of communities in Shelby County manage their own school systems. Residents who live in Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, or Millington can opt to attend one of these schools. Go to the town websites for further information.

SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS scsk12.org • 416-5300 Shelby County Schools (SCS) is the largest public school system in Tennessee and among the 25 largest systems in the nation. SCS operates more than 200 schools in the city of Memphis and in unincorporated and reserve areas of Shelby County.

The district includes traditional, optional, iZone, and charter schools under their umbrella. Traditional are the zoned schools any student can attend according to home residence. Optional are similar to magnet schools in other cities and have varying academic achievement requirements. iZone are schools on the state’s priority list working to improve test scores. Charter schools are tuition-free and operate independently from the SCS district. All of these schools are listed at the SCS website.

You can start your research in this article and visit scsk12. org for more detailed information about each school.

160 S. Hollywood, Room C106, 38112 • 416-5338 • https://www.scsk12.org/optional/ Optional schools offer a world of choices to students. SCS has two optional programs: schools that use the schoolwithin-a-school approach (optional program and traditional classes) and those that are optional only (meaning all students participate in the program). In the following profiles, optional programs are described, and optional only schools are designated with an asterisk (*). *Balmoral-Ridgeway Elementary School 5905 Grosvenor Ave., 38119 • 416-2128 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ balmoralridgeway-es • International Baccalaureate (IB) World School Primary Years Programme. Balmoral Ridgeway promotes education of the whole child with a one-of-akind global education.

Bellevue Middle School 575 S. Bellevue Blvd., 38104 • 4164488 • Grades: 6-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/bellevue-ms • The Enriched Academics/College Preparatory program prepares students for secondary and post-secondary education with enriched language arts, mathematics, and science classes. Art, music, and robotics/STEM classes available.

Bolton High School 7323 Brunswick Rd., 38002 • 416-1435 • Grades: 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/bolton-hs • The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme provides an internationally accepted education which opens the way for graduating students looking for higher education.

Automotive technology and agri-STEM classes are available.

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Brownsville Road Elementary School 5292 Banbury, 38135 • 416-4300 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ brownsvilleroad-es • The Enriched Academics/International Studies program provides students with advanced multicultural educational opportunities and teaches students problem-solving skills to guide them to be self-sufficient.

Central High School 306 S. Bellevue Blvd., 38104 • 416-4500 • Grades: 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/140 • The College Preparatory program promotes college-readiness with honors and AP courses. Central also offers outstanding arts and athletic programs.

Colonial Middle School 1370 Colonial Rd., 38117 • 416-8980 • Grades: 6-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/38 • With a central focus on arts, academics, and athletics, Colonial offers creative and performing arts classes, enriched academics, and exploratory classes.

Cordova Elementary School 750 Sanga Rd., Cordova, 38018 • 416-1700 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ Domain/39 • Enriched Academics encourages students to develop and expand artistic, athletic, musical, and media skills with rigorous classes, academic competitions, STEM clubs, athletics, computer education, and art & music classes.

Cordova Middle School 900 Sanga Rd., Cordova, 38018 • 4162189 • Grades: 6-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/41 • Cordova Middle provides a stimulating learning experience for students interested in computer and environmental sciences. Extracurricular and after-school activities include robotics and STEM programs. The school also has indoor and outdoor environment-based learning labs.

Craigmont High School 3333 Covington Pike, 38128 • 416-4312 • Grades: 9-12 • scsk12.org/craigmonthigh • Craigmont High boasts a college preparatory program, International Studies Optional Program, Robotics Club, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Junior Chapter, and more; it caters to a wide range of abilities and needs from special education to honors/advanced placement and dual enrollment.

Craigmont Middle School 3455 Covington Pike, 38128 • 4167780 • Grades: 6-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/42 • The only International Studies middle school in West Tennessee, Craigmont Middle prepares students for higher education by encouraging problem-solving skills and critical thinking while increasing global awareness. *Cummings School 1037 Cummings, 38106 • 416-7810 • Grades: K-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/46 • The Mathematical Minds (DM3) program emphasizes learning of mathematics and integrates these lessons into other areas of the curriculum. Cummings also serves as a laboratory school for LeMoyne-Owen College and is provided innovative teaching and learning strategies by the Center for Urban Education (CUE). *Delano Elementary 1716 Delano, 38127 • 416-3932 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/202 • The computer/ technology program facilitates a learning experience that utilizes a variety of innovative technological tools. The school also offers a variety of extracurricular activities including pom pom, school newspaper, Arts and Crafts Club, and more. *Double Tree Elementary School 4560 Double Tree, 38109 • 416-8144 • Grades: PreK-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ Domain/125 • As a modified Montessori/Technology school, Double Tree provides a Montessori approach for K-2nd grade and an emphasis on technology for grades 3-5.

Douglass High School 3200 Mt. Olive Rd., 38108 • 416-0990 • Grades: 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/126 • The Public Service and Communication Arts program helps students develop 21st century skills. Students are taught traditional and core academics while having the opportunity to take honors and AP classes as well as career and technical education courses. *Douglass Elementary School 1650 Ash St., 38108 • 4165946 • Grades: *K-5, 6-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ Domain/129 • The Chess and Public Service programs aim

to provide opportunities that enrich students with an advanced curriculum.

Downtown Elementary School 10 North Fourth St., 38103 • 4168400 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/128 • The Enriched Academics/Social Studies program takes advantage of its unique urban location by using Downtown Memphis as a “living laboratory.” Students take frequent field trips to historical, educational, and cultural sites; and guest speakers from nearby businesses and organizations stop in to speak with the students. A variety of in-school enrichment classes and after-school tuitionbased activities are offered.

East High School 3206 Poplar, 38111 • 416-6160 • Grades: 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/83 • East High and its T-STEM Academy encourage students’ growth by emphasizing problem-based learning, professional learning, college and career readiness, and by increasing partnerships with industry, university, and community partnerships to support STEM education.

Germantown Elementary School 2730 Cross Country Dr., 38138 • 416-0945 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12. org/Domain/169 • The Enriched Academics/International Studies program teaches students global and community awareness. Students also receive a number of opportunities through a learning garden, French classes, side-by-side concert with Memphis Symphony Orchestra, art expression experiences, partnerships with Germantown Middle and High School, and CLUE classes for gifted students.

Germantown Middle School 7925 C.D. Smith Rd., 38138 • 4160950 • Grades: 6-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/92 • The Enriched Academics/College Preparatory, STEM, and World Languages (Latin, French, and Spanish) programs provide every student numerous challenging, educational opportunities; and an array of specialized clubs and extracurricular activities keep students engaged.

Germantown High School 7653 Old Poplar Pike, 38138 • 4160955 • Grades: 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/91 or /scs/high/germantown/IB.html • Germantown’s International Baccalaureate College Preparatory program sets students up for success in the future and is recognized globally. The Creative and Performing Arts program continuously garners national recognition for achievements.

Grahamwood Elementary School 3950 Summer Ave., 38122 • 416-5952 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ Domain/96 • The Enriched Academics program encourages students to be productive and well-rounded by providing a safe, diverse, and academically challenging environment.

Havenview Middle School 1481 Hester Ln., 38116 • 416-3092 • Grades: 6-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/18 • The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program offers rigorous academic concepts while exposing students to real-life experiences to further develop social and intellectual skills. *Idlewild Elementary School 1950 Linden Ave., 38104 • 4164566 • Grades: K-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/66 • Idlewild provides a diverse and academically invigorating curriculum that combines enriched science, technology, art, and music. *John P. Freeman Optional School 5250 Tulane Rd., 38109 • 4163156 • Grades: 1-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/67 • The Enriched Academics/College Preparatory program prepares students to succeed globally by instilling rigorous academic practices and by encouraging using a growth mindset and building meaningful relationships.

Keystone Elementary School 4301 Old Allen Rd., 38128 • 4163924 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/70 • ECO: Educating Children Through the Outdoors is Keystone’s central focus, where students receive an enriched education in outdoor classrooms (gardens, pond, “grow rooms,” and amphitheatre) and science and computer labs.

Kingsbury High School 1270 N. Graham, 38122 • 416-6060 • Grades: 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/73 • With its Global Health Studies: Applied Health Science and Health

Science Policy program, Kingsbury prepares students for college with a focus in the healthcare industry. *Maxine Smith STEAM Academy 750 E. Parkway S., 38104 • 416-4536 • Grades: 6-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ Domain/154 • The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program is designed to engage students and provide a rigorous curriculum. *Oak Forest Elementary School 7440 Nonconnah View Cv., 38119 • 416-2257 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ Domain/105 • With its International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme, Oak Forest provides an enriched and globally recognized education.

Overton High School 1770 Lanier Ln., 38117 • 416-2136 • Grades 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/110 • The Creative and Performing Arts program fosters students’ development of talents in the performing arts with programs in vocal and instrumental music, jazz, orchestra, dance, drama, visual arts, broadcasting, and creative writing.

Peabody Elementary School 2086 Young Ave., 38104 • 4164606 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/77 • Enriched Academics/International Studies. A multicultural melting pot, Peabody incorporates international studies in its enriched academics program.

Ridgeway High School 2009 Ridgeway Rd., 38119 • 416-1802 • Grades: 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/183 • International Baccalaureate World School (IB). Ridgeway provides a course of study that is acknowledged worldwide for its rigorous curriculum.

Ridgeway Middle School 6333 Quince, 38119 • 416-1588 • Grades: 6-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/184 • The International Baccalaureate World School Middle Years Programme strives to encourage students to become independent thinkers and risk-takers who are internationally-minded.

Riverwood Elementary School 1330 Stern Ln., Cordova, 38016 • 416-2310 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ Domain/186 • The Environmental Science and Community Service program encourages students to be community and environmentally conscious. *Rozelle Elementary School 993 Roland, 38114 • 416-4612 • Grades: K-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/189 • Creative and Performing Arts. Instructors at Rozelle use the arts to teach academic subjects and develop individual skills.

Sherwood Elementary School 1156 Robin Hood, 38111 • 4164864 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/118 • The Academic Enrichment Through the Arts program provides a challenging curriculum with an emphasis through the arts. Students are required to read classic literature, books, solve problems, and develop writing skills. The program is further enriched by involvement from Arts Memphis, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and Dixon Gallery and Gardens.

Snowden School 1870 N. Parkway, 38112 • 416-4621 • Grades: 1-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/121 • Snowden’s Enriched Academics/College Preparatory program offers STEM courses while also stressing academics, arts integration, athletics, and social development. *Springdale-Memphis Magnet Elementary School 880 N. Hollywood, 38108 • 416-4883 • Grades: 1-5 • https:// schools.scsk12.org/Domain/135 • Exploratory learning provides a science-driven curriculum and an innovative learning environment with interactive trips, labs, and fairs.

Treadwell Elementary School 3538 Given, 38122 • 416-6130 • Grades: K-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/56 • The Dual Language Immersion program boasts a bilingual education and a culturally diverse environment. Englishspeaking students are paired with students who speak other native languages to be immersed in a one-of-a-kind foreign language educational experience. *Vollentine Elementary School 1682 Vollintine, 38107 • 4164632 • Grades: K-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/79 • Science Exploration: Scholars Tackling Academic Rigor

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Scientifically (STARS) program offers a technological learning environment that is geared towards science discovery.

Whitehaven Elementary School 4783 Elvis Presley Blvd., 38116 • 416-7431 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ Domain/162 • The Enriched Academics program provides students academic instruction in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Whitehaven High School 4851 Elvis Presley Blvd., 38116 • 416-3000 • Grades: 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ Domain/163 • The College Preparatory/Business and Finance programs prepare students for college with a broad range of classes that include business/finance and advanced placement courses.

White Station High School 514 S. Perkins, 38117 • 416-8880 • Grades: 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/160 • Ranked on Newsweek’s list of top high schools in America, White Station High School provides a College Preparatory program that prepares students for college readiness with classes in science, mathematics, medicine, law, education, business, computer science, and public/social service.

White Station Middle School 5465 Mason, 38120 • 416-2184 • Grades: 6-8 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/161 • The College Preparatory program offers an academically stimulating curriculum in a state-of-the-art facility with English, math, science, social studies, fine arts, and world languages courses.

William Herbert Brewster Elementary 2605 Sam Cooper, 38112 • 416-7150 • Grades 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/ Domain/164 • The Enriched Academics/M.A.S.T. program is designed to prepare students to excel by emphasizing enriched learning in math, art, science, and technology.

Smart boards, computer workstations, interactive science lab, visual arts room, and interactive science lab.

Willow Oaks Elementary School 4417 Willow, 38117 • 416-2196 • Grades: 1-5 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/165 • The Enriched Academics Through the Arts and Technology program prepares students for middle and high school with a curriculum that exceeds state performance standards in reading, math, science, social studies, computer technology, and the arts.

Wooddale High School 5151 Scottsdale, 38118 • 416-2440 • Grades: 9-12 • https://schools.scsk12.org/Domain/191 • College Preparatory and Aviation/Tourism programs are designed to train students in specialized fields that include aviation, robotics, and information technology. Students have the opportunity to work on or finish their Federal Aviation Administration’s private pilot certificates.

IKEA · ROLEX · POUILLY-FUISSE’ · PINK FLOYD · TIFFANY · PRINCE · SHINNECOCK HILLS · ROLLEIFLEX · TYCOON FIN-NOR · PAPPY VAN WINKLE · HINCKLEY · LED ZEPPELIN · OREGON DUCKS · STRADIVARIUS · BUGATTI · GODIVA · WALDORF · BACCARAT · WIMBLEDON · NANTUCKET · THE RITZ · GO DADDY · TWIGGY · SCUBA · ROLLS ROYCE · COMMANDER’S PALACE · TAVERN ON THE GREEN · THE STRAND · FEDEX · CHANEL · THE BEATLES · VEUVE CLICQUOT · BVLGARI · HENREDON · THE ROLLING STONES · MAYO CLINIC · SEA BISCUIT · PIAGET · GUCCI · STEUBEN · SWAROVSKI · THE KINKS · SECRETARIAT · APPLE · JOE’S STONE CRAB · HASSELBLAD · PRADA · IKEA · ROLEX · POUILLY-FUISSE’ · PINK FLOYD · TIFFANY · PRINCE · SHINNECOCK HILLS · ROLLEIFLEX · TYCOON FIN-NOR · PAPPY VAN WINKLE · HINCKLEY · LED ZEPPELIN · OREGON DUCKS · STRADIVARIUS · BUGATTI · GODIVA · WALDORF · BACCARAT · WIMBLEDON · NANTUCKET · THE RITZ · GO DADDY · TWIGGY · SCUBA · ROLLS ROYCE · COMMANDER’S PALACE · TAVERN ON THE GREEN · THE STRAND · FEDEX · CHANEL · THE BEATLES · VEUVE CLICQUOT · BVLGARI · HENREDON · THE ROLLING STONES · MAYO CLINIC · SEA BISCUIT · PIAGET · GUCCI · STEUBEN · SWAROVSKI · THE KINKS · SECRETARIAT · APPLE · JOE’S STONE CRAB · HASSELBLAD · PRADA · IKEA · ROLEX · POUILLY-FUISSE’ · PINK FLOYD · TIFFANY · PRINCE · SHINNECOCK HILLS · ROLLEIFLEX · TYCOON FIN-NOR · PAPPY VAN WINKLE · HINCKLEY · LED ZEPPELIN · OREGON DUCKS · STRADIVARIUS · BUGATTI · GODIVA · WALDORF · BACCARAT · WIMBLEDON NANTUCKET · healthcare THE RITZ · GO DADDY · TWIGGY · SCUBA · “This is ·personalized served with ROLLS ROYCE · COMMANDER’S PALACE · TAVERN ON THE GREEN · THE STRAND · FEDEX · gloves and· aBVLGARI flourish.”

CHANEL · THE BEATLES white · VEUVE CLICQUOT · HENREDON · THE ROLLING STONES · MAYO CLINIC · SEA BISCUIT · PIAGET · GUCCI · STEUBEN · SWAROVSKI · THE KINKS “The best service I have ever had · SECRETARIAT · APPLE · JOE’S STONE CRAB · HASSELBLAD · PRADA · IKEA · ROLEX · from· aTIFFANY medical group.”

POUILLY-FUISSE’ · PINK FLOYD · PRINCE · SHINNECOCK HILLS · ROLLEIFLEX · TYCOON FIN-NOR · PAPPY VAN WINKLE · HINCKLEY · LED ZEPPELIN · OREGON DUCKS · “A wonderful experience around…”

STRADIVARIUS · BUGATTI · GODIVA · WALDORF all · BACCARAT · WIMBLEDON · NANTUCKET · THE RITZ · GO DADDY · TWIGGY · SCUBA · ROLLS ROYCE · COMMANDER’S PALACE · TAVERN ON THE GREEN · THE STRAND · FEDEX · CHANEL · THE BEATLES · VEUVE CLICQUOT · BVLGARI · HENREDON · THE ROLLING STONES · MAYO CLINIC · SEA BISCUIT · PIAGET · GUCCI · STEUBEN · SWAROVSKI · THE KINKS · SECRETARIAT · APPLE · JOE’S STONE CRAB · HASSELBLAD · PRADA · IKEA · ROLEX · POUILLY-FUISSE’ · PINK FLOYD · VIRGIN GALACTIC · PETERBILT · DICKIES · LI & FUNG · SPEEDO

Unusual name?

(Maybe, but we seem to be in good company.)

CHARTER SCHOOLS IN MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from their school districts. Each school follows its own mission while adhering to state-required education standards. Charters serve as an alternative to families seeking a public school education but in a smaller, academically enriched environment.

Arrow Academy of Excellence 645 Semmes, 38111 • 207-1891 • arrowacademyofexcellence.org • Grades: K-3 Aspire Public Schools Memphis 3210 Raleigh-Millington Rd., 38128 • 646-6516 • aspirepublicschools.org • Grades: PK-8 Aurora Collegiate Academy 4841 Summer Ave., 38122 • 2494615 • auroracollegiate.org • Grades: K-5 Bluff City High School 4950 Fairley Rd., 38109 • tn.greendot. org/bchs • 730-8169 • Grades: 9-12 City University School - Boys Preparatory and Girls Preparatory 1475 East Shelby Dr., 38116 • 755-2219 • cityuniversityschool. org • Grades: 6-8 for boys & girls City University School of Independence 1475 East Shelby Dr., 38116 • 775-2219 • cityuniversityschool.org/school-ofindependence • Grades: 9-12

Laurelwood | 4576 Poplar Ave. | Memphis, TN 38117 901.701.7010 |

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Jim Holloway

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Education

SMALL SCHOOL, BIG FAITH, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES!

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4530 POPLAR AVE — MEMPHIS 2130 W POPLAR AVE — COLLIERVILLE FLEETFEETMEMPHIS.COM

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Cornerstone Prep-Lester Campus 320 Carpenter St., 38112 • 416-3640 • cornerstoneprepmemphis.org • Grades: K-5/ Capstone Education Group, Achievement School District Cornerstone Prep-Denver Elementary 1940 Frayser, 38127 • 416-3640 • cornerstoneprepmemphis.org • Grades: PK-5/ Capstone Education Group, Achievement School District Crosstown High School 1365 Tower Ave., 38104 • 401-5500 • crosstownhigh.org • Grades: 9-10 (first 9th-grade class started August 2018) DuBois Consortium of Charter Schools 4443 Germantown Rd., 38125 • 509-6190 • http://duboisccs.org/ • Grades: K-12 Fairley High 4950 Fairley Rd., 38109 • 730-8160 • tn.greendot.org/fairley • Achievement School District • Grades: 9-12 Freedom Preparatory Academy Elementary & Middle Westwood, 778 Parkrose Rd., 38109 • 881-1149 • freedomprep.org • Achievement School District • Grades: PK-5 & 6-8 Freedom Preparatory Academy High 5132 Jonetta St., 38109 • 259-5959 • freedomprep.org • Grades: 9-12 Gateway University 6165 Stage Rd., Bartlett, 38134 • 501-7940 • guschools.org • Grades: 9-12 Gestalt Community Schools 3175 Lenox Park Blvd. #410, 38115 • 213-5161 • gestaltcs.org • Various campuses • Grades: K-12 Granville T. Woods Academy of Innovation 3824 Austin Peay, 38128 • 308-2051 • gtwacademy.com • Grades: K-8 Kaleidoscope School of Memphis 110 N. Court Ave., 38103 • 623-1888 • ksmemphis.org • Grade 6-8 KIPP: Memphis Collegiate Schools kippmemphis.org • 7 schools • Grades: K-12 Leadership Preparatory Charter School 4190 Elliston Rd., 38111 • 512-4495 • leadmemphis.org • Grades: K-8 Memphis Academy of Health Sciences High School 3925 Chelsea Ave. Ext., 38108 • 382-1441• mahsmiddleandhigh. org • Grades: 9-12 Memphis Academy of Health Sciences Middle School 3608 Hawkins Mill Rd., 38108 • 213-4123 • mahsmiddleandhigh. org • Grades: 6-8 Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering 1254 Jefferson Ave., 38104 • 333-1580 • discovermase.org • Grades: 6-12 Memphis Business Academy Elementary School 2450 Frayser Blvd., 38127 • 353-1475 • mbacharterschools. org • Grades: K-5 Memphis Business Academy Middle & High School 3306 Overton Crossing, 38127 • 357-8680 • mbacharterschools. org • Grades: 6-12 Memphis College Prep Elementary School 278 Greenlaw Ave., 38105 • 620-6475 • memphiscollegeprep.org • Grades: K-5 Memphis Delta Prep 1237 College St, 38106 • 251-1010 • memphisdeltaprep.org • Grades: K-5 Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory 168 Jefferson St., 38103 • 4740955 • grizzliesprep.org • Grades: 5-8 Memphis RISE Academy 5050 Poplar, Suite 1714, 38157 • 3039590 • memphisrise.org • Grades: 6-12 Memphis School of Excellence 4450 S. Mendenhall, Suite #1, 38141 • 367-7814 • sememphis.org • Grades: 6-12 Memphis STEM Academy 2450 Frayser Blvd., 38127 • 353-1475 • memphisbusinessacademy.com/stem • K-4 Pathways in Education 3156 N. Thomas St., 38127 • 353-4999 • tn.pathwaysineducation.org • Grades: 9-12 Promise Academy 1346 Bryan St., 38108 • 324-4456 • hollywood.promiseacademy.com • Grades: K-5 Soulsville Charter School 1115 College St., 38106 • 261-6366 • soulsvillecharterschool.org • Grades: 6-12 Southern Avenue Charter Elementary School 2221 Democrat Rd., 38132 • 743-7335 • southernavecharterschools. org • Grades: K-5 STAR Academy 3260 James Rd., 38128 • 387-5050 • staracademycharter.org • Grades: K-6 Veritas College Preparatory Charter School 690 Mississippi Blvd., 38126 • 526-1900 • veritascollegeprep. org • Grades: 5-8 Vision Prep 260 Joubert Ave., 38109 • 775-1018 • visionprep. org • Grades: K-5

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Woodland combines small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and personalized instruction to help grow your child’s success.

Call 901-685-0976 to schedule a tour, or email admissionswoodlandschool.org.

A co-ed, 2-year-old – 8th grade independent school in the heart of East Memphis. woodlandschool.org ©2019 Woodland Presbyterian School. All rights reserved.

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A RT I S T. CHEERLEADER. S C I E N T I S T. She gets to be all of these things at Harding.

Schedule a Tour SR. K–GRADE 12 (1100 Cherry Road)

6 WEEKS–JR. K

(1106 Colonial Road)

901-767-4494 | HARDINGLIONS.ORG

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Education PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN MEMPHIS AND THE REGION A host of independent schools provide families with a range of educational choices. Special needs schools are here, too. (Note: Tuition and fees may adjust from time of printing.)

Our mission is to provide a superior educational experience for girls age 2 years old through 12th grade that will encourage and enable each student to reach her individual potential. St. Mary’s promotes the development of honest, compassionate, and confident girls and young women who excel not only in academics but also in athletics, the arts, community service, and leadership.

60 Perkins Extended | Memphis, TN | (901) 537-1405 | www.stmarysschool.org St. Mary’s does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnic or national origin in admission or in any other activities or programs of the School.

Transform your life

and our city.

Volunteer. Find year-round opportunities to serve. Learn

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Bornblum Jewish Community School 6641 Humphreys Blvd., 38120 • 747-2665 • bornblum.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: K-8th • Tuition: Kindergarten - $9,200; 1-8 - $11,000 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 108/ 6:1 • Religious affiliation: Jewish • Before- and afterschool care: yes Briarcrest Christian Schools *76 S. Houston Levee, Eads, 38028 • 765-4600 • briarcrest.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 2 yrs.-12th • Tuition: $5,000.00 – $17,100.00 • Enrollment at end of 2020-2021 school year: 1,607; Studentfaculty ratio: 11:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational Christian • Before- and after-school care: yes Christ Methodist Day School 411 S. Grove Park, 38117 • 6836873 • choosecmds.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: 2K-6th • Tuition: $2,600-$13,675 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 540/9:1 • Religious affiliation: Christian • Before- and after-school care: yes Christ the King Lutheran School 5296 Park, 38119 • 682-8405 • ctkschool.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 18 mos.-8th • Tuition: $8,500 - $8,950 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 220/5:1 • Religious affiliation: Christian • Special Ed classes: PLUS, Discoveries, Horizons, Honors • Before- and after-school care: yes Christian Brothers High School 5900 Walnut Grove, 38120 • 261-4900 • cbhs.org • Student body: male • Grades: 9th12th • Tuition: $14,850 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 730/12:1 • Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic • Before- and after-school care: no Collegiate School of Memphis 3353 Faxon Ave., 38122 • 5918200 • collegiatememphis.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: 6th-12th • Tuition: $12,800 - $13,000 • Enrollment/ student-faculty ratio: 365/12:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational Christian • Before- and after-school care: after-school only Evangelical Christian School Main Campus *7600 Macon Rd., 38018 • 754-7217 • ecseagles.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: 6th-12th • Tuition: $6,200-$16,800 • Enrollment/ student-faculty ratio: 850/7:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational Christian *Additional Location: 1920 Forest Hill-Irene • 754-4420 • Grades: Little Eagles (age 2)5th • Before- and after-school care: yes Fayette Academy 15090 Hwy. 64, Somerville, 38068 • 4653241 • www.fayetteacademy.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK3-12th • Tuition: $3,975-$8,325 • Enrollment/ student-faculty ratio: 600/15:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational Christian • Before- and afterschool care: yes First Assembly Christian School 8650 Walnut Grove, Cordova, 38018 • 458-5543 • facsmemphis.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK3-12th •Tuition: $5,954-$11,677 (resourcesparks/student services additional fee) • Enrollment/ student-faculty ratio: 500/10:1 • Religious affiliation: interdenominational Christian • Before- and afterschool care: yes Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School 246 S. Belvedere, 38104 • 278-0200 • gslschool.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 2-8th • Tuition: $5,370-18,970 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 450/9:1 • Religious affiliation: Episcopal • Before- and after-school care: yes Harding Academy 1100 Cherry Rd., 38117 • 767-4494 • hardinglions.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Sr. K-12th • Tuition: $11,795–$16,495 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 650/7.5:1 • Religious affiliation: Christian • Beforeand after-school care: yes • *Additional Locations: Little Harding, 8350 Macon Road, 38018 • 767-4494 • Grades: Age

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Education

THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PATH TO SUCCESS At St. Benedict, we know that each student is unique - in how they learn and where their interest lies. From traditional college prep and AP courses, to the prestigious Capstone track, to the PLUS and For One Programs for those with learning challenges, we have a pathway to success for everyone. Visit us and get started on yours today.

CATHOLIC. COED. COLLEGE PREP. WWW.SBAEAGLES.ORG | ADMISSIONS@SBAEAGLES.ORG

Where every child belongs

Coed | Age 2 - Grade 8 | Midtown Memphis Apply today at www.gslschool.org

18 mos.-Jr. K • Little Harding, 1106 Colonial, 38117 • 767-2093 • Grades: Age 6 weeks-Jr. K Hutchison School 1740 Ridgeway, 38119 • 761-2220 • hutchisonschool.org • Student body: female • Grades: Age 2-12th grade • Tuition: $5,300-$23,650 • Enrollment: 825; early childhood, 9:1 • Religious affiliation: nonsectarian • Before- and after-school care: yes Immanuel Lutheran School 6319 Raleigh LaGrange, 38134 • 388-0205 • ilsmemphis.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK3-8th • Tuition: $7,250 - $7,750 • Enrollment: 120 • Religious affiliation: Lutheran • Before- and afterschool care: yes Lamplighter Montessori School 8563 Fay Rd., 38018 • 901-751-2000 • lamplighterschool.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 18 mos.-8th • Tuition: $7,200$15,700 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 140/5:1/12:1 • Religious affiliation: nonsectarian • Before- and afterschool care: yes Lausanne Collegiate School 1381 W. Massey, 38120 • 474-1000 • lausanneschool.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK2-12th • Tuition: $12,200 - $24,580 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 845/7:1 • Religious affiliation: nonsectarian • Before- and after-school care: yes Macon Road Baptist School *11015 Hwy. 64, Arlington, 38002 • 290-5555 • maconroadbaptist.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: K3-12th • Tuition: $7,000-$9,400 • Enrollment/ student-faculty ratio: 350 for all locations/12:1 • Religious affiliation: Baptist • Before- and after-school care: yes Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South 390 S. White Station, 38117 • 682-2400 • mhafyos.org • Grades: PK-12th/co-ed (PK3-8th), female (9th-12th), male (9th-12th) • Tuition: $7,376-$19,553 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 215/4:1 • Religious affiliation: Jewish • Before- and afterschool care: after only Maria Montessori School 740 Harbor Bend Rd., 38103 • 527-3444 • mariamontessorischool.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 18 mos.-8th • Tuition: $8,600-$10,000 • Enrollment: 121 • Religious affiliation: none • Before- and after-school care: no Memphis Junior Academy 50 N. Mendenhall, 38117 • 683-1061 • memphisjunioracademy.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK-10th • Tuition: $598-$816/month • Enrollment/ student-faculty ratio: 63/15:1 • Religious affiliation: Seventh-day Adventist • Before- and after-school care:yes Memphis University School 6191 Park, 38119 • 260-1300 • musowls.org • Student body: male • Grades: 7th-12th • Tuition: $22,260 (need-based assistance avilable) • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 655/7:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational • Before- and after-school care: after only New Hope Christian Academy 3000 University St., 38127 • 358-3183 • newhopememphis.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 3 years-6th • Tuition: $12,500 (financial assistance available and need-based on a sliding scale) • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 400/11:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational Christian • Before- and after-school care: after only, K-6th Northpoint Christian School 7400 Getwell Rd., Southaven, MS, 38672 • 662-349-3096 • www.ncstrojans.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK3-12th • Tuition: $6,950-$10,325 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 995/5:1 • Religious affiliation: Christian • Before- and after-school care: yes Presbyterian Day School 4025 Poplar, 38111 • 842-4600 • pdsmemphis.org • Student body: male • Grades: Age 2 years-6th • Tuition: $5,700-$21,920 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 500/9:1 • Religious affiliation: Presbyterian • Before- and after-school care: yes Rossville Christian Academy 280 High St., Rossville, 38066 • 853-0200 • rossvillechristian.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Preschool-12th • Tuition: $5,650-$8,350 (financial aid available) • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 318/14:1 • Religious affiliation: Interdenominational Christian • Before- and after-school care: yes

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I never stopped solving for x.

Briarcrest students are taught to embrace any challenges life may bring and use them to grow academically and spiritually.

Learning never stops.

OPEN HOUSES: Oct. 19 - Elementary

Untitled-1 1

|

Oct. 28 - Middle/High

|

briarcrest.com

|

901.765.4600

7/13/21 1:48 PM

Education

The Answer is YES!

Do you want your child to receive an education that sets the foundation for success?

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Two-Year-Old Program Grades PK(3’s) through 8

Enroll today!

2100 North Germantown Parkway • Cordova, TN 38016 901-388-7321 • www.sfawolves.org

Musicals. Comedies. Dramas. Join us for our celebratory 2021-22 season.

Eleven shows on two stages. Centrally located and newly renovated, experience the best of what Theatre Memphis has to offer.

St. Agnes Academy/St. Dominic School 4830 Walnut Grove, 38117 • 767-1356 • saa-sds.org • Student body: St. Agnes, female; St. Dominic, male • Grades: 2K-12th (girls), 2K-8th (boys) • Tuition: $4,510-$18,475 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 775 (combined; 2018-2019)/10:1 • Religious affiliation: Catholic • Before- and after-school care: yes St. Benedict at Auburndale High School 8250 Varnavas at Germantown Pkwy., Cordova, 38016 • 260-2840 • sbaeagles.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: 9th-12th • Tuition: $12,000-$12,600 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 500/16:1 • Religious affiliation: Catholic • Before- and after-school care: no St. George’s Independent School Collierville Campus, 1880 Wolf River Blvd., Collierville 38017 • 457-2000 • sgis.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK-5th Germantown & Memphis locations • Grades: 6-12 at Collierville • Tuition: $9,690-$22,990 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 1115 (all locations)/9:1 • Religious affiliation: Episcopal • Beforeand after-school care: yes (PK-8th) *Additional Locations: Germantown Campus, 8250 Poplar, 38138 • 261-2300 • Grades: PK-5th; Memphis Campus, 3749 Kimball Avenue, 38111 • 261-3920 • Grades: PK-5th St. Mary’s Episcopal School 60 Perkins Extd., 38117 • 537-1405 • stmarysschool.org • Student body: female • Grades: Age 2 yrs.-12th • Tuition: $3,750-$23,950 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 818/8:1 • Religious affiliation: Episcopal • Before- and after-school care: after only Tipton-Rosemark Academy 8696 Rosemark, Millington, 38053 • 829-6536 • tiptonrosemarkacademy.net • Student body: co-ed • Grades: K2-12th • Tuition: $3,774-$10,078 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 550/15:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational Christian • Before- and after-school care: yes Trinity Christian Academy 10 Windy City Rd., Jackson, TN, 38305 • 731-668-8500 • tcalions.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 6 weeks-12th • Tuition: $6,075 - $10,500 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 650/9:1 • Religious affiliation: Christian, Interdenominational • Before- and after-school care: yes (including holidays) University School of Jackson 232 McClellan Rd., Jackson, TN, 38305 • 731-664-0812 • usjbruins.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 6 wks.-12th • Tuition: $4,180-$11,140 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 1,030/13:1 • Religious affiliation: nondenominational • Before- and after-school care: after-school care and summer daycare Westminster Academy 2520 Ridgeway Rd., 38119 • 380-9192 • wamemphis.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: JK-12th • Tuition: $7,435-$14,119 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 433/6:1 • Religious affiliation: Classical Christian • Beforeand after-school care: yes West Memphis Christian School *1101 N. Missouri St., West Memphis, AR, 72301 • Elementary Campus • 870-7350642 • wmcs.com • Student body: co-ed • Grades: K-12 • Tuition: $5,700-$7,500 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 175/9:1 • Religious affiliation: Christian • Before- and after-school care: yes *Additional Location: Middle School and High School, 1101 N. Missouri Street • 870-400-4000 • Grades: 4th-12th Woodland Presbyterian School 5217 Park, 38119 • 685-0976 • woodlandschool.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 2 years-8th • Tuition: $4,180-$15,250 (tuition assistance available) • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 340/7:1 • Religious affiliation: Presbyterian • Before- and afterschool care: yes

SCHOOLS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS Schools for children with a variety of learning challenges.

630 Perkins Extended @ Southern Avenue • 901.682.8323 • theatrememphis.org

Bodine School 2432 Yester Oaks Dr., Germantown, 38139 • 754-1800 • bodineschool.org • Serves students with dyslexia and dyslexia-related reading differences. • Grades: 1st-6th • Tuition: check with office; financial aid available • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 83/10:1 • Religious affiliation: none • Before- and after-school care: yes

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Concord Academy 4942 Walnut Grove, 38117 • 682-3115 • concord-academy.org • Serves students with learning and social disabilities • Grades: 6th-12th • Tuition: $12,339-$12,922 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 65/7:1 • Religious affiliation: none • Before- and afterschool care: yes Harwood Center *Business office: 8500 Walnut Grove Rd, Cordova, 38018 • 584-8281 • harwoodcenter.org • Provides support and education for young children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disabilities. Provides ABA Services ($50-$90/hour - offers insurance). • Ages 18 mos.-6 years • Tuition: $380-$940/month • Student-faculty ratio: 1:3 (education department)/1:1 (ABA department) *Locations: 8500 Walnut Grove, 38018 • 680 Hanley St., 38114 • 3796 Frayser-Raleigh Rd., 38128 Madonna Learning Center 7007 Poplar, Germantown, 38138 • 752-5767 • madonna-learning.org • Individualized educational services for special needs children and adults. Students represent all disabilities, including Down syndrome, developmental and learning disabilities, sensory processing disorders, and other learning challenges. Ages: 4-30 • Grades: flexible levels, ungraded classrooms • Tuition: $13,800, financial aid available • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 43/6:1 • Religious affiliation: none • Before- and afterschool care: yes Memphis Oral School for the Deaf 7901 Poplar, Germantown, 38138 • 758-2228 • mosdkids.org • At Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, children who are deaf and hard of hearing are learning to listen and talk. MOSD offers a “Sound Beginnings” Infant-Family Training program for children ages birth-3, “Sound Transitions” for children ages 1-3, and MOSD Preschool serves children ages 2-5 with hearing loss. Through small class instruction, daily speech therapy, daily listening therapy, and onsite audiological services, children learn to listen and talk.

Phoenix School for Creative Learning 2404 Arthur Rd., Germantown, 38138 • 757-4360 • thephoenixschool. net • Offers individualized, arts-based learning for students with average or above-average I.Q. who have ADD/ADHD, high-functioning autism, or other learning disabilities. Social skills therapy is part of the program. • Grades: 1st-12th • Tuition: $10,900 • Financial aid: limited • Enrollment: 28 • Religious affiliation: none • Accredited by the TN State Department of Education • Before- and after-school care: check with school Shady Oaks School 2000 N. Germantown Pkwy., Cordova, 38016 • 737-3355 • shadyoaksmemphis.com • Offers special, individualized instruction for students with ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities.

Classes are held in a positive environment with individualized reading, math, and phonics designed to build self-confidence and prepare students for traditional classroom learning. Well-rounded curriculum including Spanish, & music • Grades: ages 7-14 (ungraded classrooms) • Tuition: $10,500 • Financial aid: limited • Religious affiliation: nondenominational Christian St. Francis of Assisi PLUS Program 2100 Germantown Pkwy., Cordova, 38016 • 388-7321 • sfawolves.org • Coeducational school that offers educational experiences for children in grade 2-8 with additional programs for advanced students and our PLUS Program for students in grades 2-8 with a diagnosed learning difference such as ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, Aspergers, and processing disorders. Curriculum utilizes developmentally appropriate techniques and activities designed to academically challenge students and prepare them to enter a college-preparatory program for high school.

Students are provided with weekly art, music, band, chorus, Spanish, Library, STEM, and twice weekly physical education.

Education

WHERE ARE THE READY YOUNG MEN? w

They are just boys now, but one day their well-furnished minds will light our future.

For Boys in Grades 7-12 l musowls.org

Memphis Children’s Clinic is all about

Knowledge. Quality. Compassion. Continuity.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY

“THANK YOU” for choosing us in the 2021 Top Docs.

Visit us today at

www.memphischildrens.org

whitehaven 901.396.0390

germantown/collierville

901.755.2400

bartlett 901.379.0092

kirby/hickory hill 901.795.9193

southaven 662.349.2555

olive branch 662.890.0158

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Education CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OF MEMPHIS

Memphis Magazine’s

THE 2021

FACE OF

REPRODUCTIVE

MEDICINE

CREATING FAMILIES TOGETHER Fertility Associates of Memphis is the only state-of-the-art practice providing comprehensive reproductive health care to couples of the Mid-South and beyond … treating patients struggling with infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss and reproductive disorders. Our highly specialized team utilizes cutting edge techniques including in vitro fertilization with laser blastocyst biopsy, preimplantation genetic diagnosis and fertility preservation. Our compassionate physicians, board-certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, have been bringing dreams to life for over 25 years.

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A HOUSE-SOLD NAME IN MEMPHIS! Alta Simpson, CRS

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CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MEMPHIS 373-1219 • cdom.org

The Catholic Diocese of Memphis, through its department of education, administers schools in the Memphis area, serving students in pre-K through 12th grade. The Catholic Diocese of Memphis has partnered with Compass Community Schools charter network to continue operation of six former locations of the Jubilee Catholic Schools Network, which closed its doors after the 2018-2019 school year. These schools provide an educational option for families in economically challenged neighborhoods.

To learn more about each school, go to cdom.org to link to the school website. Please contact the individual schools for tuition rates and additional information.

Christian Brothers High School 5900 Walnut Grove, 38120 • 261-4900 • cbhs.org • Student body: male • Grades: 9th-12th • Tuition: $14,450 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 765/13:1 • Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic • Before- and afterschool care: no Compass Community Schools 61 N. McLean Blvd., 38104 • 6187422 • compassmemphis.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: K-12 • Six locations: Berclair (K-8) - 3880 Forrest Ave., 38122; Binghampton (K-8) - 2540 Hale Rd., 38112; Frayser (K-8) 3690 Thomas St., 38127; Hickory Hill (K-7) - 3572 Emerald St., 38115; Midtown (7-12) - 61 N McLean, 38104; Orange Mound (K-7) - 2718 Lamar Ave., 38114 Holy Rosary School 4841 Park, 38117 • 685-1231 • http://www. holyrosarymemphis.org/ • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK2-8th • Tuition: $5,680-$7,940 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 454/11:1 • Before- and after-school care: yes Immaculate Conception Cathedral School 1669 Central Avenue, 38104 • 725-2710 • http://www.myiccs.org/ • Grades: PK-8 • Tution: $8,775 - $9,275 • Student body: lower, coed; upper, female Incarnation Catholic Preschool 360 Bray Station Rd. Collierville, 38017 • 901-861-5414 • Ages 1-5 • Enrollment 160 • Before and aftercare care: yes Our Lady of Perpetual Help School 8151 Poplar, Germantown, 38138 • 753-1181 • https://www.olphowls.org/ • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK-8th • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 215/1:11 • Before- and after-school care: yes St. Agnes Academy/St. Dominic School 4830 Walnut Grove, 38117 • 767-1356 • saa-sds.org • Student body: St. Agnes, female; St. Dominic, male • Grades: 2K-12th (girls), 2K-8th (boys) • Tuition: $4,510-$18,475 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 775 (combined; 2018-2019)/10:1 • Religious affiliation: Catholic • Before- and after-school care: yes St. Ann School - Bartlett, 6529 Stage Rd., 38134 • 386-3328 • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK-8th • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 200+/18:1 • Before- and after-school care: yes St. Benedict at Auburndale High School 8250 Varnavas at Germantown Pkwy., Cordova, 38016 • 260-2840 • sbaeagles.org • Student body: co-ed • Grades: 9th-12th • Tuition: $12,000-$12,600 • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 654/16:1 • Religious affiliation: Catholic • Before- and after-school care: no St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, 2100 N. Germantown Pkwy., Cordova, TN 38016 • 901-388-7321 • https://www. sfawolves.org/ • Student body: co-ed • Grades: Age 2-8th • Enrollment/student-faculty ratio: 430/14:1 • Before and after school care: yes St. Louis School 5192 Shady Grove Rd., 38117 • 255-1900 • https://stlouismemphis.org/ • Student body: co-ed • Grades: PK3-8th • Tuition: $5,100 - 8,200 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio:532/15:1 • Before- and after-school care: yes St. Paul Catholic School 1425 E. Shelby Dr., 38116 • 346-0862 • http://www.stpaulschoolmemphis.com/ • Student body: coed • Grades: PK3-8th • Tuition: $5,700 • Enrollment/studentfaculty ratio: 220/22:1. Before- and after-school care: call.

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M E M PH I S

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BEYOND THE ORDINARY

THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AT RHODES COLLEGE IS ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY. LOOK BEYOND THE WORLD-CLASS ACADEMICS; LOOK BEYOND THE NATIONAL RANKINGS; LOOK BEYOND THE STORIED HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE, AND YOU’LL SEE WE’RE PURSUING SOMETHING GREATER: AN EDUCATION THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO LIVE A LIFE OF EXPLORATION.

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Giuliana Hofheins ’22 Major: Physics

“The amount of opportunities and support I’ve received from the Rhodes Department of Physics and Society of Physics Students organization is immeasurable. Our close-knit department has been vital to my experience, with professors and students alike forming a community where we have the confidence and encouragement to achieve at the highest level.”

Rhodes College physics major Giuliana Hofheins ’22 is co-founder of Rhodes’ Aerospace Engineering Club and president of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) at Rhodes.

Hofheins, who is also pursuing a minor in mathematics, authored proposals that resulted in the Rhodes SPS chapter receiving two research awards to be used toward building RHOK-SAT, a 10x10x10-centimeter satellite that will be launched by NASA between 2022 and 2025.

NASA TO LAUNCH RHODES-DESIGNED SATELLITE INTO SPACE READ THE STORY

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2021 College Guide

Why Go To College?

F

PHOTOGRAPH BY VADIMGOZHDA / DREAMSTIME

or new college students, transitioning into the next phase can be scary and somewhat shaky, albeit exciting. Between choosing the right school, deciding on the right career path, and adjusting to an unfamiliar environment filled with new peers, professors, and surroundings, the college experience can be difficult to adapt to. Once acclimated, however, students can begin to explore their interests while learning valuable skill sets, and they will often find the college experience and the journey to adulthood to be gratifying and fulfilling.

Receiving a degree is a rite of passage, and it will set graduates up for success in life after school. Graduates are more likely to find steady employment and receive higher income than their counterparts who did not receive a college education. The graphic shown below, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, displays the correlation between education level and average earnings for people ages 25 and older in 2020.

4 • MEMPHISMAGA ZINE.COM • AUGUS T 202 1 / COLLEGE GUIDE

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SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, Annual Average 2020

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MEMPHIS

This is what it means to do college to the fullest.

Life at the UofM is yours to create and define. It’s your connection point to research, discovery and opportunities. Every Me + Memphis journey unfolds a little differently and might not even be what you expected. It’ll be even better — unlocking more potential than you ever thought possible.

memphis .edu | Driv en by Doi ng.

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2021 College Guide

Preparing for College

C

hoosing a career path at a young age is never easy — sometimes, it can take years to decide. Because of this fact, it might be wise to think about college majors as early as middle school.

Middle-schoolers can use this time to develop skills and interests by becoming involved in extracurricular activities as well as by practicing good study habits. By mastering

these skills early, when children reach high school, they will be ready to finalize college plans by preparing for standardized tests, maintaining high GPAs, applying for colleges and scholarships, and more. Read below for a detailed step-by-step preparedness list that both the prospective college student and parents can consult to ensure optimal college readiness.

MIDDLE SCHOOL J

unior high school is a time for feeling out skills and interests. Becoming involved in extracurricular school or community activities can help with that. Students are encouraged to develop strong study habits and test-taking adeptness. Parents should maintain in-depth communication with their child and his or her teachers, while actively saving for the child’s education.

PARENTS:

◗ Think about college as an important part of your future.

Discuss your thoughts and ideas with your family and with people at school. ◗ Start saving for college if you haven’t already. ◗ Take challenging and interesting classes to prepare for high school. ◗ Ask your parent or guardian to help you research which high schools or special programs will most benefit your interests. ◗ Develop strong study habits. ◗ Do your best in school and on standardized tests. If you are having difficulty, don’t give up — get help from a teacher, tutor, or mentor. ◗ Become involved in school- or community-based activities that let you explore your interests and learn new things. ◗ Speak with adults, such as your teacher, school counselor, librarian, relatives, or family friends, who you think have interesting jobs. Ask them, “What do you like about your job?” and “What education did you need for your job?”

◗ Continue saving for your child’s college education. If you have not opened a savings account, learn about the tax advantages of saving and find a link to a clearinghouse of state college savings plans. ◗ Talk to your child about his or her interests and help match those interests with a college major and career. ◗ Help your child develop good study habits, such as finishing all work before going on social media or playing computer games. ◗ Stay in contact with your child’s teachers and counselors so that they can let you know about any changes in your child’s behavior or schoolwork. ◗ Keep an eye on your child’s grades on tests and report cards, and help him or her find tutoring assistance, if necessary.

PHOTOGRAPH BY RAHADIAN PERWIRANEGARA / DREAMSTIME

STUDENTS:

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A small-town university for

people with

BIG DREAMS! Schedule a tour at

utm.edu/tour.

Griffin Gallimore

‘18 Arlington High School Graduate

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2021 College Guide /

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE — CONTINUED

HIGH SCHOOL I

t’s time to get serious about planning for college if you haven’t already. Students should be diligent with their schoolwork and grades, since maintaining a high grade point average (GPA) during this time will increase the chances for scholarships. Ask about taking more challenging courses and start actively searching for the college you’d like to attend. This will be a time for taking course-required standardized tests, applying for admission to colleges that interest you, and applying for any and all available scholarships. Parents should encourage their children to explore their academic and extracurricular interests while taking on new responsibilities outside of school.

STUDENTS: ◗ Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Most colleges require four years of English, at least three years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), three years of mathematics, and three years of science, and many require two years of a foreign language. Round out your course load with classes in computer science and the arts. ◗ Get involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests. Consider working, volunteering, and/or participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses, such as music, arts, or science. Remember — it’s quality (not quantity) that counts. ◗ Ask your guidance counselor or teachers what advanced placement courses are available, whether you are eligible, and how to enroll in them. ◗ Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s career search tool to research your career options ◗ Start a list of your awards, honors, paid and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Update it throughout high school. ◗ Learn about managing your money.

PARENTS: ◗ Talk to your child about college plans as if he or she will definitely go to college. ◗ Keep an eye on your child’s study habits and grades — stay involved. ◗ Encourage your child to take advanced placement or other challenging classes. ◗ Add to your child’s college savings account regularly, and make sure you are fully aware of the provisions of the account.

10TH GRADE STUDENTS: ◗ Meet with your school counselor or mentor to discuss colleges and their requirements. ◗ Consider taking a practice Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) or check out the ACT Aspire exam “sandbox.” (Be sure to check which colleges may no longer require these tests for admission. Many are moving to “test-optional” admissions.)

◗ Plan to use your summer wisely: Work, volunteer, or take a summer course (away or at a local college). ◗ Go to career information events to get a more detailed look at career options. ◗ Research majors that might be a good fit with your interests and goals.

PARENTS: ◗ Find out whether your child’s school has college nights or financial aid nights. Plan to attend those events with your child. ◗ Help your child develop independence by encouraging him or her to take responsibility for balancing homework with any other activities or a part-time job.

11TH GRADE STUDENTS:

ALL YEAR ◗ Explore careers and their earning potential in the Occupational Outlook Handbook (bls.gov/ooh). ◗ Learn about choosing a college and find a link to the free college search tool (studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-college/ choosing-schools). ◗ Go to college fairs and college-preparation presentations by college representatives.

FALL ◗ Take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). You must take the test in the 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.

SPRING ◗ Register for and take exams for college admission. The standardized tests that many colleges require are the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require. Many colleges are making these tests optional for admission. ◗ Use the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search (careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch) to find scholarships for which you might want to apply. Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN GRYTSKU | DREAMSTIME

9TH GRADE

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GET READY TO EXPERIENCE THE BEST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE ADMISSIONS.MSSTATE.EDU Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution.

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PREPARING FOR COLLEGE — CONTINUED

SUMMER BEFORE 12TH GRADE

12TH GRADE

STUDENTS:

STUDENTS:

◗ Create a username and password called an FSA ID that you’ll use to confirm your identity when accessing your government financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. Note: You must create your own FSA ID; if your parent creates it for you, that’ll cause confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process. ◗ Narrow down the list of colleges you are considering attending. If you can, visit the schools that interest you. ◗ Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines. ◗ Decide whether you are going to apply under a particular college’s early-decision or early-action program. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements. ◗ Begin working on essays for admissions, update your resume, and think about the best candidates for letters of recommendation.

PARENTS: ◗ Create your own FSA ID if you don’t have one yet. (The FSA ID is a username and password that you’ll use for such purposes as signing your child’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid.) Note: You must create your own FSA ID. If your child creates it for you, or if you create your child’s, that’ll cause confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process. ◗ Take a look at your financial situation and be sure you’re on the right track to pay for college. ◗ Talk to your child about the schools he or she is considering.

Ask why those schools appeal to your child and help him or her clarify goals and priorities. ◗ Attend college fairs with your child, but don’t take over the conversation with the college representatives. Just listen and let your child do the talking. ◗ Take your child to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session. ◗ Make sure your child is looking into or already has applied for scholarships. ◗ Ask your employer whether scholarships are available for employees’ children.

ALL YEAR: ◗ Work hard all the way to graduation — second-semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility. ◗ Stay involved in after-school activities and seek leadership roles if possible.

FALL: ◗ As soon as possible after its October 1st release, complete and submit your FAFSA form at fafsa.gov, along with any other financial aid applications your chosen school(s) may require.

You should submit your FAFSA form by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early February. ◗ After you submit the FAFSA form, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within three days to three weeks. This document lists your answers to the questions on your FAFSA form and gives you some basic information about your aid eligibility. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor. ◗ Meet with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements. ◗ If you haven’t done so already, register for and take the standardized tests required for college admission. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require. ◗ Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions and pay close attention to deadlines. ◗ Well before your application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you’re applying.

SPRING: ◗ Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll. ◗ Review your college acceptances and compare the colleges’ financial aid offers. ◗ Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you. In fact, getting to know your financial aid staff early is a good idea no matter what — they can tell you about deadlines, other aid for which you might wish to apply, and important paperwork you might need to submit. ◗ When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1st.

PARENTS: ◗ Work with your child on filling out the FAFSA. Further checklist items and additional college preparedness information can be found at studentaid.ed.gov.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID TONELSON / DREAMSTIME

2021 College Guide /

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step into a

O F

M I N D

deltastate.edu | 1.800.GO.TO.DSU

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2021 College Guide

HOPE for Tennessee Students

◗ Apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at fafsa.gov. Applications must be received

by September 1st for fall semester or February 1st for spring and summer semesters. Early application is recommended. ◗ Have been a Tennessee resident for at least one year prior to the application date. ◗ Graduate from a Tennessee eligible high school. Exceptions may be granted to Tennessee residents who meet certain criteria, including those who graduate from high schools located in bordering out-of-state counties. ◗ Enroll in one of the eligible Tennessee public colleges, universities, or private colleges (see below). ◗ Entering freshmen must achieve a minimum of a 21 ACT (or minimum of 1600 on the SAT), exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests or have an overall weighted minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA). Please note that because of Covid-19, many colleges have waived the requirement for standardized testing, such as the ACT or SAT. Check with the colleges you hope to attend for specific requirements. Also check with act.org for testing dates in the fall. ◗ If required, ACT/SAT exams must be taken on a national test date or state test date prior to the first day of college enrollment after high school graduation. The ACT residual test and the ACT Superscore are not accepted. ◗ Must enroll within 16 months following high school graduation at any post-secondary institution. Enrollment at an ineligible

TENNESSEE EDUCATION LOTTERY PROGRAM ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS Aquinas College (003477) Austin Peay State University (003478) Baptist Health Sciences University (034403) Belmont University (003479) Bethel University (003480) Bryan College (003536) Carson-Newman University (003481) Chattanooga State Community College (003998) Christian Brothers University (003482) Cleveland State Community College (003999)

Columbia State Community College (003483) Cumberland University (003485) Dyersburg State Community College (006835) East Tennessee State University (003487) ETSU - School of Pharmacy (E01254) Fisk University (003490) Freed-Hardeman University (003492) Hiwassee College (003494) Jackson State Community College (004937) John A. Gupton College (008859) Johnson University (003495) King University (003496) Knoxville College Lane College (003499) Lee University (003500)

The traditional HOPE Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors who meet the minimum requirements. The need-based HOPE Aspire supplemental award is available to those whose family’s adjusted gross income is $36,000 or less. The General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS), also known as the HOPE Merit, is a merit-based supplemental award.

The traditional HOPE Scholarship is awarded to entering college freshmen who meet the following requirements: post-secondary institution during the 16 months will make the student permanently ineligible. The HOPE Scholarship can be renewed annually if requirements continue to be met. Qualifying recipients who attend four-year or two-year institutions with on-campus housing can receive up to $1,750 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore and up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior.

Students who qualify for the HOPE Scholarship but decide to attend an out-of-state regionally accredited institution will not receive the award; however, if the student transfers back to a HOPE-eligible institution in Tennessee, the student may receive the award if he/ she has met all academic and non-academic requirements while attending the out-of-state institution. Visit tn.gov/collegepays for more information.

Prospective students are encouraged to do their research and apply for all available scholarships and grants for which they qualify. Begin with filling out the FAFSA, which is used by colleges across the country to determine the amount of financial aid to award to students.

In addition to standard need- and merit-based awards, many schools offer scholarships based on academic achievement, area of study, and other more specific criteria. When choosing a school, be sure to ask about all available financial aid, what’s needed to qualify, and respective deadlines. While many students are eligible for an unsubsidized Stafford Loan regardless of income or circumstances, loans should be taken out only if necessary.

LeMoyne-Owen College (003501) Lincoln Memorial University (003502) Lipscomb University (003486) Martin Methodist College (003504) Maryville College (003505) Memphis College of Art (003507) Middle Tennessee State University (003510) Milligan College (003511) Motlow State Community College (006836) Nashville State Community College (007534) Northeast State Community College (005378) Pellissippi State Community College (012693) Rhodes College (003519)

Roane State Community College (009914) South College (004938) Southern Adventist University (003518) Southwest Tennessee Community College (010439) Tennessee State University (003522) Tennessee Technological University (003523) Tennessee Wesleyan University (003525) Trevecca Nazarene University (003526) Tusculum College (003527) Union University (003528) University of Memphis (003509) University ofTennessee, Chattanooga (003529)

University of Tennessee, Knoxville (003530) University of Tennessee, Martin (003531) University of Tennessee Health Science Center (006725) University of the South (003534) Vanderbilt University (003535) Volunteer State Community College (009912) Walters State Community College (008863) Watkins College of Art and Design (031276) Welch College (030018)

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREY POPOV / DREAMSTIME

Y

ou may have everything for college prepared — where you’re going, your roommate, your major, but you may be struggling with the financial part of your preparations.

If your college savings can’t quite cover the costs of tuition, there are solutions to assist in your journey. One such solution for many Tennessee residents attending eligible instate institutions is the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program.

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at t h e

University of Mississippi

WE ARE DEVOTED to l i f e - lo n g l ea r n i n g an d acad em i c suc c e ss .

admissions.olemiss. edu

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BUILD YOUR LEGACY.

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2021 College Guide

Financing for College

W

e spend a lot of time helping students and families learn about our academic programs, student and residential life, and outcomes as well as answering the popular ‘can I get in’ question,” says Megan Starling, director of admission at Rhodes College. “It is so important that students and families also consider financial fit early and often as they are getting to know more about schools on the college list.”

But, she assures, “There are lots of tools that institutions can use to ensure affordability for their students, even if the initial price tag seems out of reach.”

These tools include scholarships, grants, and loans. “Scholarships are merit-based awards offered by individual institutions for academic, extra-curricular, and even athletic achievement,” Starling says. “While this form of funding can often represent the greatest amount of money awarded, the application requirements and criteria used will vary widely from school to school. Earning a big scholarship at one school doesn’t ensure any scholarship at another school.” Students can also look into third-party organizations for supplemental scholarships, though these scholarships are typically less lucrative and can be more competitive. “Fastweb.org provides a free, comprehensive list,” Starling says.

In addition to scholarships, students can apply for federal, need-based aid via FAFSA, which opens on October 1st at fafsa.gov.

Elizabeth Romagni, director of financial aid at Christian Brothers University, suggests that students fill out FAFSA forms as soon as possible. Late applications for financial aid are usually met with a firm “no,” and Romagni says, “Several states have a deadline set based on when the FAFSA is filed and filing a FAFSA late may cause a student to miss out on some of the grants.” Grants are, as Romagni says, “free money.”

In addition to grants, FAFSA may offer loans, which unlike grants, must be paid back.

“Federal loans can be subsidized, where the government pays the interest while the student attends school, or unsubsidized, where the student is responsible for the interest as it accrues during their time in school,” Romagni explains. “Federal loans start repayment six months after a student graduates, falls below part-time, or withdraws.”

“Loans can also be personal or private from a college’s preferred lender list,” Romagni continues. “Private/personal loans will be subject to the repayment determined by the lender and may require cosigners or specific income levels.” And though accruing debt can be worrisome, Romagni reminds, “Loans also lend the opportunity to invest in the student’s dream and delay paying for everything at once. By stretching out the payments, it can be an affordable way to attend the college where a student wants to go.”

Should a student pursue loans, both Romagni and Starling insist on the importance of responsible borrowing. “Borrowers need to be conscious of how much debt they will be undertaking and also be careful to not borrow more than what they need,” Romagni says.

“The best advice is from the financial aid counselor at the college who will go over the options and guide the student to the best option.”

After all, financial aid counselors are there to help, so as Starling says, “Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions, even if you think you should know the answer. There is no such thing as a dumb question when it comes to understanding how to pay for college.” Students can also ask about opportunities for work study or campus positions that could grant additional aid.

Equally important, though, Starling says, “There might be a difference between what a family wants to pay for college and what they can pay for college.

Financial aid is intended to make a school affordable based on what the family can pay.” Even so, when in doubt, apply for financial aid because institutions also use FAFSA and CSS profiles to determine institutional (i.e. non-federal) financial awards. “Schools can’t do their part to help if you don’t follow their recommended process,” says Starling.

Should something come up that might be a roadblock to financing for college, Romagni says, “Once a student is starting college or is in college, speak to the financial aid office about any changes to income or family because there may be additional assistance available and steps that the aid counselor can guide a student and their family through.”

In the meantime, Starling says, “I encourage families to talk with each other very early in the process to set honest and realistic expectations about the college budget — this can be an uncomfortable conversation if money is not typically discussed with children. However, students that go into their college search with eyes wide open about who will be paying for college and what is considered affordable will prevent greater heartache once financial offers arrive.”

ILLUSTRATION BY VAVOZYAN | DREAMSTIME

BY ABIGAIL MORICI

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SCO IS PROUD OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS WE MAKE TO OUR COMMUNITY. As Tennessee’s only optometry college, Southern College of Optometry attracts more than 500 of the nation’s top optometry students to Memphis each year. These outstanding interns join SCO’s 60 faculty members in helping 60,000 patients see better each year at: • The Eye Center on the SCO campus, • SCO’s FocalPoint location inside Crosstown Concourse, • University Eyecare on the University of Memphis campus, and • Aboard our MobilEYES unit.

SCO’s faculty, students, and residents are proud to carry out our mission as we train eye doctors and help Memphians see better.

1245 Madison Av., Memphis, TN 38104

SCHEDULE AN EYE EXAMINATION TODAY AT ONE OF OUR OUTSTANDING CLINICAL LOCATIONS.

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eyecentermemphis.com

uofmeyecare.com

7/17/21 6:34 PM

2021 College Guide

Mental Health and the College Application Process Mental health should be a student’s priority before, after, and during the application process.

T

he college application process can be overwhelming with deadlines to make, essays to write, and decisions to decide — all on top of balancing school, work, and life. But as Megan Starling, director of admission at Rhodes College, says, “Keeping up with courses, college applications, and extracurricular activities are all important during senior year, but so is enjoying the many fabulous memories and experiences that are only associated with this final year of high school.”

So to alleviate some of the application stress, Beth Gerl, vice president for student development and campus life at Christian Brothers University, suggests that a student should start the college search in their junior year, rather than waiting until senior year. Gerl encourages students to communicate with their high school counselors, to complete inventories of interest, and if possible, to tour campuses to get a sense of what kind of environment might suit their needs and wants. “Stop and spend time thinking about what’s important to you,” she says.

Starling adds that students should also utilize the summer before senior year to get a head start on the application process by creating a resume, starting application essays, and considering (and even asking) teachers to write letters of recommendation. “Many applications open as early as August 1st. … Designate a regular time each week to spend on college-related needs, so college doesn’t overtake life or dinner conversations,” she says. “Keep a spreadsheet that can be pre-populated with school deadlines now. For all that mail arriving at the house, keep a physical folder for each school where deadlines can be displayed clearly on the front.”

In the meantime, students should not neglect their passions, even if they don’t intersect with career or major interests. “Many students pursue and continue certain courses and activities in hopes of impressing colleges and universities,” Starling says. “The truth is — we want students to pursue a level of difficulty in class that still allows them to enjoy it. We want students to be

internally motivated to participate in activities.”

Because of this, Gerl recommends a student to dig into the admissions pages online and see “what is this college going to take into account in regards to my work.” Admissions decisions vary from institution to institution and are based on so many different factors that are often out of the student’s control, so she says, “We all have different needs. We need to find opportunities to fit our needs.” When on the college search, students should look into what organizations, programs, and even scholarship opportunities a campus offers to continue their passions, especially since being able to pursue something that’s enjoyable can give a student a break from schoolwork, open opportunities for friendship, and can boost a student’s happiness and success.

“As a college administrator, my number-one priority is addressing mental health because it impacts everything,” Gerl says. “It could be short-term, long-term, sudden, or something that’s been ongoing but hasn’t been brought up yet.” With this in mind, it’s also important for students, even if they’ve never struggled with their mental health, to know and utilize their support systems — whether that be working with a high school counselor during the application process or reaching out to potential institutions to see what resources are available. “Mental health shouldn’t be a roadblock; taking these steps are positive,” she adds. “If a student has had depressive issues in high school [addressed or unaddressed], it’s not going away in college. So it’s important to know the support system.”

And if a student has struggled with their mental health before — something that has become more common at the onset of the pandemic — “colleges and universities are interested in enrolling real students, not just resumes and high-achieving transcripts,” Starling says, “so don’t be afraid to lean into the personal growth and development that was experienced even in the face of pandemic-related [or mental health-related] setbacks.”

“Students are given a voice to communicate these setbacks on their applications with the addition of special questions on the Common and Coalition Applications,” she continues. “We have seen this open-ended space used to discuss the difficulties of remote learning, the disappointment of learning that special opportunities were canceled, and the financial and health challenges faced by students and families.”

As for what parents should do to help their student, Gerl suggests finding out who on campus they can call if they are concerned for their child. Most importantly, though, Gerl encourages parents to talk openly with their child about mental health and offer support where they can by checking in, supporting their student’s decision to seek professional help if applicable, and emphasizing that, as Gerl says, “We are constantly evolving, and this is a very complex but exciting process. There will be bumps in the road along the way, but there are support systems in place.”

Overall, though, both Starling and Gerl agree that, as Starling says, “Staying healthy and happy in the midst of the stresses of senior year and college applications should be the priority.”

ILLUSTRATION BY OLGA KLYUSHINA / DREAMSTIME

BY ABIGAIL MORICI

16 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M • A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 / C O L L E G E G U I D E

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THE UNIVERSITY FOR

your calling At Baptist Health Sciences University, we know your decision to become a health care professional is more than a career choice – it’s a higher calling. And we know a lot about answering a call. We’re built on a legacy of faith, healing and academic excellence. That’s why we offer hands-on learning in clinical settings, an expanded curriculum, and more advanced degrees, with one tuition rate regardless

BaptistU.edu 1003 Monroe Ave., Memphis, TN 38104 866-575-2247 | 901-575-2247

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of where you’re from. We offer one of the most affordable health sciences education opportunities in the region. Widely respected, one tuition rate and close to home.

7/13/21 1:29 PM

2021 College Guide

Colleges and Universities Moore Tech

7111 Southcrest Parkway, Southaven, MS (38671) | 662-469-5387 memphis.belhaven.edu ENROLLMENT: 150 FACULTY: 1 full-time, 30 adjunct TUITION: $250/credit hour (undergraduate, military), $405/credit hour (undergraduate, non-military); $375/credit hour (graduate, military), $535-$575/credit hour (graduate, non-military, depending on program) HOUSING: N/A

1200 Poplar Avenue (38104) | 726-1977 Williamrmoore.org ENROLLMENT: 320 full- and-part-time students FACULTY: 16 full-time, 8 adjunct TUITION: $2,150/trimester (Full-time Day Student); $1,315/trimester (Half-time Day Student); $980/trimester (Night Student); $3,500/trimester (Automotive Service Technology); $320 additional/trimester for Associate Degree Candidates; $225/ trimester (Welding Lab Fee); $150 for first trimester only for Welding Kits; $225/trimester (Machining Lab Fee) HOUSING: N/A

The College at Mid-America

Northwest Mississippi Community College

2095 Appling Road, Cordova (38016) | 901-751-8453 collegeatmidamerica.com ENROLLMENT: 200 FACULTY: 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio TUITION: $330/credit hour (traditional), $330/credit hour (online) HOUSING: $347-$367/month (dorms), $577-$765/month (apartments)

SENATOBIA CAMPUS - MAIN CAMPUS

Belhaven University - DeSoto

Christian Brothers University 650 East Parkway South (38104) | 321-3000 cbu.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,747 (Fall 2020) FACULTY: 105 full-time (Fall 2018) TUITION: $17,410/semester, $1,280/credit hour (fall 2021) HOUSING: $3,310-$6,620/semester

Gould’s Academy PARK PLACE CAMPUS: 1203 Ridgeway Road, Suite 203

(38119) | 767-6647 BARTLETT CAMPUS: 8000 U.S. Highway 64, Suite 108

(38133) | 842-1772 gouldsacademy.com ENROLLMENT: 240 (combined) FACULTY: 38 (combined) TUITION: Cosmetology, $18,650 (includes books, kits, and fees); Barber School, $18,650 (includes books, kits, and fees); Esthetics, $13,075 (includes books, kits, and fees); Nail Tech, $9,950 (includes books, kits, and fees); Instructor, $5,650 (includes books, kits, and fees) HOUSING: N/A

LeMoyne-Owen College 807 Walker Avenue (38126) | 435-1000 loc.edu ENROLLMENT: 835 FACULTY: 50 full-time, 60 part-time TUITION: Full-time (12-18 credit hours) $5,388; part-time (fewer than 12 credit hours) $449 per credit hour; overtime (credit hours greater than 18); $449 per credit hour; summer school $449 per credit hour HOUSING: Double occupancy (two beds/roommate) $1,800; Single occupancy $2,200; Single occupancy of a double room $3,600; Meal plan (required for all dorm residents) $1,250

4975 Highway 51 N., Senatobia, MS (38668) | (662) 562-3200 DESOTO CENTER CAMPUS

5197 W.E. Ross Parkway W., Southaven, MS (38671) | (662) 342-1570 LAFAYETTE-YALOBUSHA TECHNICAL CENTER CAMPUS

1310 Belk Drive, Oxford, MS (38655) | (662) 236-2023 northwestms.edu ENROLLMENT: 7,003 (combined, Fall 2020) FACULTY: 204 (full-time); 107 (part-time) TUITION: $1,600/semester (full-time, in-state student); $2,800/ semester (full-time, out-of-state student); $50 registration fee and $45 technology fee (mandatory fees) HOUSING: $750-$1,100/semester (Senatobia campus only)

Rhodes College 2000 North Parkway (38112) | 843-3700 (Admission) rhodes.edu ENROLLMENT: 2,010 FACULTY: 200 TUITION AND FEES: $50,600/year + $310 activity fee (2021-2022) HOUSING: $11,934/year (room and board, 2021-2022)

Southwest Tennessee Community College 737 Union (38103) / 5983 Macon Cove (38134) | 333-5000 southwest.tn.edu ENROLLMENT: 7,811 (Fall 2020) FACULTY: 30:1 student-to-faculty ratio TUITION: $168 (plus fees)/credit hour or $2,171.50/term (in-state); $692 (plus fees)/credit hour or $8,459.50/term (out-of-state); subject to change, visit southwest.tn.edu/cashier/tuition. htm for current info. A $35 maintenance fee will be assessed for each hour over 12 credit hours. Nursing and Allied Health students will be charged a $20 per credit hour program fee.

HOUSING: N/A

Union University Germantown campus - 2745 Hacks Cross Road (38138) | 759-0029 uu.edu/germantown ENROLLMENT: 650 FACULTY: 29 TUITION: program specific; visit uu.edu/germantown for more information HOUSING: N/A

PHOTOGRAPH BY IMAGERY MAJESTIC | DREAMSTIME

LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

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BE EXCELLENT. BE EQUIPPED.

BE TRANSFORMED.

Maybe you’re an undergraduate student looking for an academically excellent, Christ-centered university. Maybe you’re a working adult in Memphis looking to complete your bachelor’s degree, earn your graduate degree or prepare yourself for ministry. Whatever the case, Union University offers options in Jackson, or through our Memphis locations in Germantown and the Memphis College of Urban and Theological Studies in Midtown.

At Union University, you’ll be transformed by the renewing of your mind and be prepared for wherever God has called you to serve.

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY TODAY AT

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uu.edu OR uu.edu/memphis

BE TRANSFORMED

7/17/21 6:28 PM

2021 College Guide /

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES CONTINUED

University of Memphis 3720 Alumni Avenue (38152) | 678-2000 memphis.edu COLLIERVILLE CENTER: 215 W. Poplar, Collierville (38017) | 678-5515 MILLINGTON CENTER: 6500 Navy Road, Millington (38053) | 678-4171 ENROLLMENT: 22,205 (Fall 2020) FACULTY: 974 full-time TUITION: $4,956/$6,876/$8,796 (undergraduate, 12 hours, resident/non-resident/international per semester); $5,970/$7,890/$9,810 (graduate, 10 hours, resident/ non-resident/international per semester) (2020-2021) HOUSING: $4,660-$6,700/year (residence halls); $5,380$7,400/year (apartments/townhouses); $7,700-$8,880/year (student family housing)

LEARN ABOUT OUR TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATION EXPERIENCES AT MEMPHIS’ ONLY HBCU. Scan the QR code to learn more.

University of Memphis - Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law 1 N. Front Street (38103) | 678-2421 memphis.edu/law ENROLLMENT: 310 (Fall 2020) FACULTY: 25 TUITION: In-state tuition for year: $19,218 (based on 30 credit hours). In-state tuition for one semester: $9,609 (based on 15 credit hours). Out-of-state annually: $24,008 (based on 30 credit hours). Out-of-state for one semester: $12,004 (based on 15 credit hours) HOUSING: $10,425/year (estimate)

LeMoyne-Owen College 807 Walker Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38126 901-435-1000 www.loc.edu

University of Mississippi - DeSoto

MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES. MAJOR EXPERIENCES. MAJOR COMMUNITY.

5197 W.E. Ross Parkway, Southaven, MS (38671) | 662-342-4765 olemiss.edu/desoto ENROLLMENT: 500 FACULTY: 21 full-time, 42 part-time/adjunct TUITION: $4,467/$12,888 (full-time undergraduate, in-state/ non-resident); $4,468.50/$12,890.25 (full-time graduate, in-state/non-resident) HOUSING: N/A

Visible Music College 200 Madison Avenue (38103) | 381-3939 visible.edu ENROLLMENT: 241 FACULTY: 27 TUITION: $20,000/year flat rate for three years for BA (includes books; no fees); $7,500 for certificate; $10,000 for MA HOUSING: $6,000/year (room and board) (100% internship and job placement. 100% of students receive some scholarship. 12 campus sites globally)

Webster University - Memphis Naval Support Activity

millsaps.edu/visit

5750 Essex Street, Room 7144, Millington, TN (38054) | 873-1531 webster.edu/memphis memphis@webster.edu ENROLLMENT: 200 FACULTY: 20 TUITION: $650/semester hour for civilians, $380/semester hour for military and First Responders; online: $780/semester hour for civilians, $470/semester hour for military HOUSING: N/A

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BELHAVEN UNIVERSITY DESOTO CAMPUS IS OPEN! CLASSES ON CAMPUS ARE FORMING NOW

BUILD YOUR LEGACY in on e o f 1 6 academ i c p rog rams

Download your viewbook at

outreach.olemiss.edu/legacy

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CL

AS S O F

2020

B U SI N ESS M A N AG E M E N T

Bring Your Vision

JO RG E M AYO RG A F ROM S O U T H AV E N , M I SS .

We are here and ready to serve you.

Call us (662) 253-8366 or visit gobelhaven.com/opencampus

Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

7/17/21 6:32 PM

2021 College Guide /

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES CONTINUED

MEDICINE Baptist Health Sciences University

DO More good for the organizations and causes you value. More good for the communities that benefit from your generosity. More good for your financial plan, with professional, strategic fund management.

The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis brings it all together, so you can give where giving does more good. For everyone.

1003 Monroe Avenue (38104) | 575-2247 BaptistU.edu ENROLLMENT: 890 (total) FACULTY: 67 TUITION: $463/undergraduate credit hour; $663/graduate credit hour HOUSING: $1,524 double occupancy, $2,520 single occupancy/trimester

Concorde Career College 5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 132, Memphis, TN (38137) | 901-881-2694 7900 Airways Boulevard, Suite 103, Southaven, MS (38671) | 662-597-1131 concorde.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,394 (Memphis); 345 (Southaven) FACULTY: 35:1 student-to-faculty ratio (Memphis); 33:1 student-to-faculty ratio (Southaven) TUITION: Varies by program; visit concorde. edu/disclosures HOUSING: N/A

Methodist Healthcare Education Program

MORE

Methodist University Hospitals Schools of Radiologic and Imaging Sciences 1265 Union Avenue (38104) | 516-8099 methodisthealth.org RADIOLOGIC SCIENCE SCHOOL TUITION: $6,000 plus books/year ($12,000 for

2-year program) ADVANCED MEDICAL IMAGING INTERNSHIP PROGRAM TUITION: $1,000/3 months DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY PROGRAM TUITION: $10,500 plus books/15 months

Southern College of Optometry

GOOD

1245 Madison Avenue (38104) | 722-3200 sco.edu ENROLLMENT: 539 FACULTY: 59 TUITION: varies for regional students (for more information, visit www.sco.edu/tuition-and-fees), $39,058/ year (non-regional) HOUSING: N/A

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center 910 Madison Avenue (38163) | 448-5500 uthsc.edu ENROLLMENT: 3,188 (statewide, Fall 2020) FACULTY: 1,806 permanent and temporary (statewide, fall 2020) TUITION: $4,515-$18,016.50/semester (in state); $8,666$34,562.50/semester (out of state) (for more information go to uthsc.edu/finance/bursar/fees.php) HOUSING: N/A WHERE GIVING DOES MORE GOOD | CFGM.ORG

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Come See Where It Happens Visiting our beautiful campus gives you a firsthand view of the exceptional learning spaces where your growth takes shape. You’ll meet the professors who will help you and the campus community that inspires the best in each of us.

Mississippi College is a place of growth-growth from who you are to who you’ll become. This growth isn’t possible without mentors, intentional friendships, and education that propels you forward, from passion to purpose.

15,000

$

LESS PER YEAR THAN THE AVERAGE PRIVATE UNIVERSITY

Make a plan to visit today admissions@mc.edu | 601.925.3800 | mc.edu

Reach your calling with a master’s degree in Bible, ministry, or theology.

Take your ministry deeper with a Doctor of Ministry degree.

Join a spiritual community on a small, graduate-studentonly campus.

Pace yourself. Most HST students study part time.

Scholarships available for qualified students.

Apply online today! hst.edu/apply T

1000 Cherry Road Memphis, TN 38117

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Text 901-300-3995

Email HSTAdmissions@hst.edu

Voice 901-432-7750

Web hst.edu/apply

7/19/21 6:32 PM

2021 College Guide /

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES CONTINUED

RELIGIOUS COLLEGES AND SEMINARIES

Memphis Magazine’s

THE 2021

FACE

Bethel University 325 Cherry Avenue, McKenzie, TN (38201) | 731-352-4000 bethelu.edu ENROLLMENT: 3,119 FACULTY: 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio TUITION: $15,750 full-time/academic year (undergraduate); $490/credit hour part-time (undergraduate); $510/credit hour (MS in Criminal Justice); $613/credit hour (MBA); $503/credit hour (MA in Education); $12,500/semester (Physician Assistant) HOUSING: Double: $5,590-$5,814/year; Private: $7,206$7,482/year (varies by dorm)

OF

INSURANCE & SURETY

Harding School of Theology 1000 Cherry Road (38117) | 432-7750 hst.edu ENROLLMENT: 161 (Fall 2020) FACULTY: 7 full-time TUITION: $702/credit hour HOUSING: $570-$785/month

Memphis Theological Seminary 168 E. Parkway South (38104) | 334-5891 memphisseminary.edu ENROLLMENT: about 217 FACULTY: 10 full-time TUITION: $610 per credit hour, scholarships available HOUSING: N/A

Mid-South Christian College 3097 Knight Road (38181) | 375-4400 midsouthchristian.edu ENROLLMENT: 30 FACULTY: 11 full-time TUITION: $240/credit hour + $1,000 in fees HOUSING: $900/semester (+ $800 for food service)

OUT OF TOWN TODD DYSON & LOUIS CLAY 866 RIDGEWAY LOOP ROAD • MEMPHIS, TN 38120 (901) 767-3600 • WWW.CLAYANDLAND.COM

This is more than a Dumpster — This is moreIt than — It is atoCommitment is aa Dumpster Commitment Recyclingto Recycling

Arkansas State University Mid-South (ASU MidSouth) 2000 W. Broadway Avenue, West Memphis, AR (72301) | 870-733-6722 asumidsouth.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,203 (Fall 2020) FACULTY: 117 (40 full-time, 77 adjunct) TUITION: $95/credit hour (in-county), $115/credit hour (metro area) HOUSING: N/A

Belhaven University

Everyday is Earthis Day at EBOX. Areat weEBOX. on your job?

Everyday Earth Day

Are we on your job?

901-850-9996

901-850-9996

1500 Peachtree St., Jackson, MS (39202) | 601-968-5940 belhaven.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,000 (traditional; does not include online) FACULTY: 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio TUITION: $13,325/semester HOUSING: $4,400-$5,750/semester (room and board)

Belmont University 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN (37212) belmont.edu

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"Experience A Difference"

662-655-4868

www.advanceddentaltmj.com

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7/17/21 6:24 PM

2021 College Guide /

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES CONTINUED ENROLLMENT: 8,200

WHAT WE TREAT

FACULTY: 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio TUITION: $38,240/year HOUSING: $13,240/year

Birmingham-Southern College 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, AL (35254) | 1-800-523-5793 bsc.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,176 FACULTY: 110 full-time, 10-20 adjunct TUITION: $20,100/semester (includes required fees) HOUSING: $13,600/year (room and board)

Delta State University 1003 W. Sunflower Road, Cleveland, MS (38733) | 1-800-GOTODSU deltastate.edu ENROLLMENT: 2,999 (2020-2021) FACULTY: 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio TUITION: $4,095/semester (full-time undergraduate), $341/credit hour (part-time undergraduate); $4,095 (full-time graduate), $455/credit hour (part-time graduate) HOUSING: $2,167.50 -$3,672/semester

Harding University 915 East Market Ave., Searcy, AR (72149) | 501-279-4000 harding.edu ENROLLMENT: 4,621 FACULTY: 340 TUITION: $21,690/year ($723/hour) (undergraduate) HOUSING: $4,068/year

John Brown University 2000 W. University Street, Siloam Springs, AR (72761) | 479-524-9500 jbu.edu ENROLLMENT: 2,343 FACULTY: 81 full-time, 76 adjunct TUITION: $28,924/year (with fees) HOUSING: $9,544/year

Lyon College 2300 Highland Rd., Batesville, AR (72501) | 870-307-7000 lyon.edu ENROLLMENT: 662 FACULTY: 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio TUITION: $29,450 (+ $964 fees) HOUSING: $5,760 (+ $4,970 meal plan)

Mississippi College

Visit

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www.memphismagazine.com

200 S. Capitol Street, Clinton, MS (39058) | 601-925-3800 mc.edu ENROLLMENT: 5,059 FACULTY: 218 (2019-2020) TUITION: $20,302 HOUSING: $10,100

Mississippi State University 75 B.S. Hood Road, Mississippi State, MS (39762) | 662-325-2323 msstate.edu ENROLLMENT: 22,386 (Fall 2020) FACULTY: 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio

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21-LAG-0849-Memphis Magazine Ad 9x10.875_4 shows copy.pdf

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presents

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october 21

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7/21/21 11:32 AM

2021 College Guide /

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES CONTINUED TUITION: $9,220/year (in-state), $24,900/year (out-of-

state) for 2021-2022 HOUSING: $10,630/year for 2021-2022 (average room &

board, required for freshman)

Samford University 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL (35229) | 205-726-2011 samford.edu ENROLLMENT: 5,729 (Fall 2020) FACULTY: 14:1 ratio TUITION: $35,360/year (full-time, undergraduate; Fall 2021) HOUSING: $11,260/semester

Philander Smith College 900 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Dr., Little Rock, AR (72202) | 501-375-9845 philander.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,000 FACULTY: 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio TUITION: $12,864 HOUSING: $8,250

Tennessee Tech University 1 William L. Jones Drive, Cookeville, TN‎ (38505) | 931-372-3101 tntech.edu ENROLLMENT: 10,177 (Fall 2020) FACULTY: 647 TUITION: $9,060/year HOUSING: $5,760-$9,040/year (based on resident hall style selected)

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204 East College Street, Athens, TN (37303) | 1-844-PickTWU twcnet.edu ENROLLMENT: 1,081 (Spring 2021) FACULTY: 66 full-time, 73 part-time (2019-2020) TUITION: $26,590/year (undergraduate); $27,340/ year (traditional nursing); $9,242/semester (dental hygiene) HOUSING: $8,400-$10,240/year (including meal plan)

University of Alabama 801 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa, AL (35487) | 205-3486010 / 901-201-7460 michelek.bama@ua.edu ua.edu ENROLLMENT: 38,103 (Fall 2019) FACULTY: 1,528 full-time, 499 part-time TUITION: $10,780/year (in-state), $30,250/year (out-ofstate) (2020-2021) HOUSING: $6,000-$9,000 (2020-2021)

University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR (72701) | 479-575-2000 uark.edu ENROLLMENT: 27,562 FACULTY: 1,203 (full-time); 361 (part-time) TUITION: $252.28-$801.87/credit hour (undergraduate), $430.69-$1,228.93/credit hours (graduate) HOUSING: $5,650/semester (includes boarding)

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Lyon College

L

yon College prepares its students for success and leadership, and the proof is in the results. Ninety-nine percent of Lyon graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of their graduation. Lyon has the #1 private biology program in Arkansas, the #1 Bar Exam score in the state, and an acceptance rate into medical school that is more than double the national average.

Students benefit from the college’s award-winning faculty, small class sizes, and extensive alumni network. Still not convinced? U.S. News & World Report named Lyon a 2021 “Best College” and ranked it a top performer in social mobility.

Students prepare for the future, and they have a great, unique college experience while they do it. Did you know Lyon College is the closest pet-friendly college to Memphis and the only one in Arkansas? Located in Batesville, Ark., Lyon is nestled in the heart of the Ozarks and has ample outdoor opportunities. With the College’s extensive outdoor program, students have the opportunity to kayak on the Buffalo River, go for a bike ride through Batesville’s historic downtown district, and hike on the College’s hiking trails!

Come see for yourself why Lyon College is the right choice for you at lyon.edu/visit.

“U.S. News & World Report named Lyon a 2021 Best College and ranked it a top performer in social mobility.”

NAMED A 2021

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2021 College Guide /

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES CONTINUED

University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)

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The University of Southern Mississippi

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118 College Drive, Hattiesburg, MS (39406) | 601-266-1000 usm.edu ENROLLMENT: 14,606 (Fall 2020) FACULTY: 629 (full-time); 165 (part-time) TUITION: $4,448/semester (in-state); $5,448/semester (out-of-state) HOUSING: $2,240-$3,568/semester (room); $1,825$2,050 (meal plan)

University of Tennessee, Knoxville Knoxville, TN (37996) | 865-974-1000 utk.edu ENROLLMENT: 30,559 FACULTY: 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio TUITION: $13,264/$31,684 (undergraduate, in-state/outof-state per year); $13,380/$31,798 (graduate, in-state/out-of-state per year); $20,168/$38,842 (law, in-state/out-of-state per year); $14,956/$27,638 (law flexible schedule, in-state/ out-of-state per semester); $29,336/$56,602 (veterinary medicine, in-state/out-of-state per year) HOUSING: $12,500 (average)

The University of Tennessee at Martin 554 University Street, Martin, TN (38238) | 731-881-7020 utm.edu ENROLLMENT: 7,100 (Spring 2021) FACULTY: 301 full-time (2020-21) TUITION: $9,748/year (in-state, undergraduate, 2020-21), $15,788/semester (out-of-state, undergraduate 2020-21) HOUSING: $6,248/year (Ellington and Browning Hall, double occupancy), 2020-21

Vanderbilt University 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville (37235) | 615-322-7311 vanderbilt.edu ENROLLMENT: 12,309 full-time, 1,228 parttime (2020-2021) FACULTY: 4,358 full-time, 425 part-time TUITION: $54,840 (undergraduate, 2021-2022) HOUSING: $18,376/year (2021-2022)

Webster University 470 E. Lockwood Avenue, Webster Groves, MO (63119) | 800-981-9801 webster.edu ENROLLMENT: 9,717 FACULTY: 195 full-time, 737 adjunct (combined) TUITION: $28,500/year HOUSING: $2,350-$7,800/semester

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Music M U S IC c o n t i n u e d f r o m p a g e 4 5 neer Scott McEwen, formerly based in Nashville, and studio designer Bob Suffolk. Suffolk has decades of experience, cutting his teeth on studio design in the ’80s while renovating Trident Studios in London. Having seen and heard such rooms, he’s committed to keeping the qualities of a well-designed recording space alive. “Our studio is brand-spanking new,” he says, “although it’s done in what I call a purpose-built vintage style.”

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Our trained staff can help you with planning, designing and memorializing the life of your loved one. We are sensitive to the needs and feelings of the families we serve, which is very important in the selection process. While cemetery memorials are still our primary focus, our product offerings have grown to include cornerstones, commemorative plaques, brick fundraisers, commercial signage, civic monuments, cremation urns, cemetery inscriptions, and monument cleaning.

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Scott McEwen & Bob Suffolk at Memphis Magnetic Recording.

McEwen, for his part, is another Easley-McCain fan who made good. “I love Doug Easley’s work,” he says. “I used to live with Mark Ibold, the bass player for Pavement. So I was listening to the records Doug and Davis McCain were making, and I realized Sonic Youth and Jon Spencer and all these guys were going to Memphis. I loved Doug’s work from afar. I feel like he put Memphis back on the map, for my generation.”

Ultimately, it may well be that the city’s sense of community and continuity itself has played the most critical role in today’s recording renaissance. Recalling recent sessions for Scott Bomar’s soundtrack to Dolemite Is My Name, steeped in the sounds of the ’70s, Mitchell notes how much it was in keeping with the old ways of making records.

“It was a truly Memphis-centric project,” he says, “because you had Scott Bomar from Electraphonic, Kevin Houston, me, and we used Matt Ross-Spang’s microphones. So it was a bunch of cool Memphis engineers coming together to make this thing happen. It’s just like it was when my dad was doing stuff in the ’60s and ’70s. He’d go to American and play on records, go to Stax and play on records. Everybody rotated, you know?”

For Mitchell, that’s the true secret of the Memphis sound: “Memphis has such a powerful spirit that, if you come here and make a whole record, you’ve captured some of that. It affects you.”

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R E D I S C OV E R

M E M PH I S

Nightlife

Our Annual Guide to Memphis Nightlife Is Back!

Need a refresher after all that time spent indoors? Get back out there with our suggestions for places to go when the sun goes down.

BY ABIGAIL MORICI

A

fter more than year at home together, separation anxiety can be difficult to overcome, but your sofa and Netflix account will be okay if you take a break from bathing in blue light and step into the streets of Memphis, where a different kind of energy has settled over the city. Whether you saddle up in your favorite booth to sip on a draft or let the bass of live music shake your bones, Memphis is ready to welcome you back to its nightlife.

The bright lights of Beale Street beckon.

ABSINTHE ROOM — If you haven’t quite adjusted your eyes to daylight or loud noises after hibernating in your indoor cocoon, this pool and billiard hall on Beale will soothe your soul with its quiet and cozy atmosphere until its 4 a.m. closing time. 166 Beale ALCHEMY — This Cooper-Young lounge is perfect for those looking to sip on a cocktail, munch on some snacks (maybe even share if you’re willing to part with a bite), and catch up with co-workers, friends, neighbors, or a date. 940 S. Cooper ALEX’S TAVERN — Serving up ice-cold beer and perfectly flavored Greek burgers, Alex’s is a laid-back and friendly home away from home for its loyal customer base. For fear of sounding trite, I won’t quote the Cheers theme song, but that’s what comes to mind when you step into Alex’s. 1445 Jackson BOSCOS — A longtime resident of Overton Square, Tennessee’s first brewpub can satisfy any craving with its assorted menu — pizza, tacos, shrimp and grits — and, of course, the many options of hand-crafted beer to pair with your meal. Be sure to check out their seasonal offerings; they won’t let you down. 2120 Madison

IMAGE CREDITS: TOP PHOTO BY ANTHONY ANEESE TOTAH JR. / DREAMSTIME | BOTTOM PHOTO BY ALEX SHANSKY / MEMPHIS TOURISM

Debbie Litch: Thinking Outside the Box.

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Nightlife BRASS DOOR IRISH PUB — Behind the Door, a timeless space awaits, with gleaming aged wood, century-old tiled floor, antique lamps, and charming Irish collectibles. Whether you stop in for just a drink or stay for hours, it’s hard to tell whether you’re in Ireland or Memphis — or somehow both. 152 Madison

BROOKHAVEN PUB & GRILL — With trivia nights, dartboards, live music, and sports games playing on the many TVs, this East Memphis pub knows how to entertain you while serving great food and a wide array of drink options. 695 W. Brookhaven Circle CAROLINA WATERSHED — Four fluted metal grain silos house this restaurant and bar, surrounded by picturesque greenery and two waterfalls. The cool and neutral tones of the Watershed’s decor match the laid-back vibe of its indoor/outdoor experience. The Watershed serves cocktails, wine, and craft beers. 141 E. Carolina

THE CASUAL PINT — This Highland Row bar and beer garden has an impressive selection of beer — on tap, bottled, and canned. But don’t be overwhelmed by its many, many beers; the staff is happy to help you decide, and you can always sample a few with a flight or a build-yourown six-pack to-go. 395 S. Highland CELTIC CROSSING — I’ve never heard of a dull moment at this Cooper-Young neighborhood bar, where the calendar is jampacked with live music, bingo, trivia, and sports viewing. Perhaps the lack of dull moments here can also be attributed, to Celtic’s drink menu, with a huge selection of whiskey and other Irish pub staples, like Harp and Guinness. 903 S. Cooper

CITY MARKET DOWNTOWN — Just a hop, skip, and jump away from AutoZone Park, the Orpheum, and other Downtown destinations that you’ve missed going to, this little corner store has local beer on tap at bargain prices — only $2.99 a pint! 66 S. Main

PHOTOGRAPH BY KAREN PULFOER FOCHT

THE COVE — Drink up, me hearties! And cast away your worries at this nautical-themed bar, where fresh oysters and specialty cocktails go hand-inhand. 2559 Broad

DRU’S — Entertainment abounds at this little LGBTQ+ bar, where karaoke and drag shows take over the night and prove that nothing really beats live entertainment alongside friends with drinks in hand. 1474 Madison

Neglected for years, the South Main Arts District today offers shops, galleries, and restaurants.

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Nightlife

LUCCHESI’S BEER GARDEN — This hidden gem in East Memphis serves up gyros, beer, and a good time, topped with some of the friendliest and most welcoming service out there. 84 S. Reese

MINGLEWOOD HALL — Though this music

Musicians Dale Watson and Celine Lee entertain at Hernando’s Hide-A-Way.

FLYING SAUCER DRAUGHT EMPORIUM — You know how the little alien guys in Toy Story stand in amazement while staring at the Claw? Well, the Flying Saucer’s gigantic selection of beer on tap deserves that kind of reaction — truly, mind-blowing. 130 Peabody Place; 1400 N. Germantown Pkwy.

GLOBAL CAFÉ — The thought of the international cuisine at this food hall is enough to make my mouth water, but their drink menu, oh my, it’s gorgeous.

Quite literally, gorgeous — have you seen their Mango-rita that’s topped with a mango cut into the shape of a flower?

1350 Concourse #157

GRAY CANARY — At the Gray Canary inside Old Dominick Distillery, every dish, dessert, and cocktail is a piece of art, created with love and a passion for exciting flavors. 301 S. Front

glorious Chicken Sh*t Bingo, where patrons buy a numbered ticket and wait for the chicken to, uh, poop on a numbered mat. If your ticket matches the lucky square, my friend, you’ve just earned yourself a prize. 3210 Old Hernando Rd

JERRY LEE LEWIS’ CAFE & HONKY TONK

PAULA & RAIFORD’S DISCO — Break out

— This Beale Street bar will transport you to Bourbon Street with its live music and French Quarter-style exterior and courtyard patio — not to mention its New Orleans inspired menu, which of course, has its own Memphis flare. 310 Beale

LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM — This

HALF SHELL — The world is your oyster

lamps and no overhead lights, this tiny Madison Avenue dive’s delightfully weird vibes haven’t dampened, even in the midst of a pandemic. 1702 Madison

too classy for your night’s plans, then the Hide-A-Way’s chickens are the feathered friends you’re looking for. Every Sunday, one of the chickens plays a part in the

your inner Victorian past-self at this mansion-turned-nightspot, where distinctly eclectic interior decor adds to the magical ambience at every floor.

Open till the spirits go to sleep, the Lounge has a cocktail menu that is just as unique as the collection of antiques inside. 679 Adams

Strip, Newby’s is an oldie but a goodie, with its friendly atmosphere, live music, and pool hall as well as the fully stocked bar and extensive beer selection.

539 S. Highland

historic bar In Overton Square is back to rocking and is rolling out the best local artists and some national ones, too.

Grab a cocktail or a can of domestic and settle in for a great time. 2119 Madison

WORLD FAMOUS HERNANDO’S HIDE-AWAY — If The Peabody ducks are a bit

MOLLIE FONTAINE LOUNGE — Channel

HI TONE — Concerts, comedy shows, poetry slams, and inexpensive drinks always bring in a fun crowd at the Hi Tone, which makes for a quintessentially Memphis experience that can’t be recreated in the confines of your home.

412-414 N. Cleveland

GROWLERS — Concertgoers, sports fans, and pool and dartboard fanatics alike can enjoy themselves at this bar. Plus, its location across the street from Overton Park makes it a great spot for pre- or post-Levitt Shell shows. 1911 Poplar at this classic neighborhood bar with a stunning seafood menu. 688 S. Mendenhall; 7825 Winchester

venue has yet to reopen (as of July), both the 1884 Lounge and B-SIDE offer a taste of what’s to come when Minglewood Hall officially returns. It’ll be worth the wait. 555 Madison

LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE — Lit only by

THE LIQUOR STORE — This charming and quaint bar/restaurant offers breakfast all day, refreshing cocktails, and delightful service. Try one of their gorgeous seasonal cocktails; you won’t be disappointed. 2655 Broad

NEWBY’S — A highlight of the Highland

those dancing shoes (buried somewhere in the back of your closet after over a year of no use) and boogie on down to Paula & Raiford’s Disco, where an illuminated dance floor awaits your company.

Be prepared to stand in line, but at least, you won’t have to be online for this social gathering. 14 S. Second

THE PEABODY — The lobby bar at The Peabody doesn’t wing it when it comes to their elegant and tasty cocktails, served against the backdrop of the historic building and the famous Duck March. I bet those ducks have missed seeing guests in their hotel as much as you’ve missed seeing people in the wild. 149 Union RAILGARTEN — Right in the heart of Midtown, this neighborhood playground — wait, I mean bar — has it all: hammocks, yard games, and live music. Oh, and I can’t forget the tasty cocktails. 2166 Central

THE REC ROOM — Jesse Davis called this arcade-themed bar “a bar-cade” when he compiled this list in 2019, and I’m afraid I can’t top that punny moniker.

At the Rec Room, you can sip on a local draft and celebrate your wins or mourn your losses as you play one of the bar’s many video games. 3000 Broad

RP TRACKS — A go-to spot for University of Memphis students and professors, this bar and restaurant has one of the most vegetarian-friendly menus in Memphis.

The barbecue tofu nachos sounds like something that shouldn’t work, but trust me, it does. 3547 Walker

RUMBA ROOM — At this Downtown club, you’re sure to keep your heart rate up and burn a few calories because this place is all about non-stop dancing with live salsa bands, dance lessons, and high-energy atmosphere. If you need a little something to loosen up your joints and inhibitions, the Rumba Room has the perfect set of tropical cocktails for you. 303 S. Main

SOUTH OF BEALE — As South Main Trolley Night art walks and shows at the Orpheum are starting back up, South of Beale is the perfect spot to enjoy a tasty bite and drink before or after your return to the social scene. 361 S. Main

WESTY’S — With recipes perfected over decades, the food at Westy’s is always delicious, even after midnight, so pull up a seat and grab a drink to enjoy your time at this Memphis institution. 346 N. Main

WILD BILL’S — This real-deal blues bar is a bucket-list kind of place, and if we’ve learned anything from the past year, there’s no time like the present to make these kinds of memories. So head on over to Wild Bill’s, order a 40-ounce beer, and take in the Southern soul of this place. 1580 Vollintine

YOUNG AVENUE DELI — The pimento-cheese fries pair perfectly with any beer you may choose from the wide selection at this Cooper-Young bar and restaurant, where happy vibes and good times thrive. 2119 Young

ZEBRA LOUNGE — Let the piano of this swanky Overton Square watering hole lure you inside, where you can relax and sip on a cocktail or two. 2114 Trimble Place

PHOTOGRAPH BY KAREN PULFOER FOCHT

LOFLIN YARD — Dreamers can escape reality at Loflin’s, where barrel-aged cocktails, rustic decor, and its very own meandering creek bring the kind of serenity needed these days. 7 W. Carolina

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special advertising section

SCENE DINING 2021

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Old-fashioned pizza house with a lovely comfortable atmosphere where the staff has you feeling like you are in their pizza home. Delicious hot pizzas overflowing with toppings of your choice. Appetizers, salads, spaghetti,catfish, cheeseburgers, Philly cheese steaks, Broadway whole wings, daily plate lunch specials, and more. Located in Memphis’ Broad St. Arts District and look out, Memphis ... NOW a second location at 629 South Mendenhall at Poplar. Legendary Pizza since 1977. Call-in orders are welcomed!

Huey’s has been serving up “Blues, Brews, & Burgers” in the Bluff City since 1970. More than 50 years later, this family-owned business has since expanded to nine locations across the greater Memphis area and northwest Mississippi. Proudly recognized as the Best Burger in Memphis for more than 35 years, Huey’s menu features 13 distinct burger choices, a variety of delicious sandwiches, and more. Check out the full menu, locations, hours, merchandise, and more at hueyburger.com.

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2006 Madison Ave • 901.726.1873 • mollyslacasita.com Molly’s La Casita has been voted one of the Best Mexican restaurants and Best Margarita for 38 years. The fun menu includes enchiladas, fajitas, burritos, vegetarian meals, sandwiches, shrimp tacos, grilled red snapper tacos and a pleasing children’s menu. Save room for dessert and be sure not to miss out on our World Famous Molly’s Margaritas! Open MondayThursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Happy hour is 3 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday; and Margarita Monday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Mulan Asian Bistro mulanbistro.net Mulan Asian Bistro has been rated No. 1 in Memphis for over 5 years and is the only Chinese restaurant serving authentic Szechuan Cuisine! Now serving you from three locations: Midtown, East Memphis, and Collierville/ Germantown area. Let us cater your family gathering, wedding or anniversary party. Try our newest signature item: Charcoal Roasted Duck!

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To advertise in the February 2022 Scene Dining please contact Margie Neal at: 901.521.9000 or margie@memphismagazine.com.

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The Memphis Dining Guide

FISHBOWL AT THE PYRAMID—Burgers, fish dishes, sandwiches, and more served in a unique “underwater” setting. Bass Pro, 1 Bass Pro Drive, 2918000. B, L, D, X, $-$$ FLIGHT RESTAURANT & WINE BAR— emphis magazine offers this curated restaurant listing as a service Serves steaks and seafood, along with such specialties as to our readers. Broken down alphabetically by neighborhoods, this directory does bison ribeye and Muscovy duck, all matched with appronot list every restaurant in town. It does, however, include the magazine’s “Top 50” choices priate wines. 39 S. Main. 521-8005. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ FLYING FISH—Serves up fried and grilled versions of shrimp, of must-try restaurants in Memphis, a group that is updated every August. Establishments crab, oysters, fish tacos, and catfish; also chicken and burgers. 105 open less than a year are not eligible for “Top 50” but are noted as “New.” This guide also S. Second. 522-8228. L, D, X, $-$$ includes a representative sampling of other Bluff City eating establishments. No fast-food GOOD FORTUNE CO.—Authentic handcrafted noodles, ramen, and dumplings. Opening in July. 361 S. facilities or cafeterias are listed. Restaurants are included regardless of whether they advertise Main. 561-306-4711. L, D, $-$$ in Memphis magazine; those that operate in multiple locations are listed under the neighborhood THE GRAY CANARY—The sixth restaurant from of their original location. This guide is updated regularly, but we recommend that you call chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, offering small ahead to check on hours, prices, or other details. Suggestions from readers are welcome; please plates and entrees cooked on an open flame. Oysters, octopus, and hearty steaks are among the menu options at this contact Samuel X. Cicci at scicci@contemporary-media.com. eatery in Old Dominick Distillery. Closed Mon. 301 S. Front. 4666324. D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ CAPRICCIO GRILL ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE—Offers DOWNTOWN GRECIAN GOURMET TAVERNA—Serves traditional prime steaks, fresh seafood (lobster tails, grouper, mahi mahi), favorites like spanakopita, pastitso, moussaka, and hand-rolled pasta, and several Northern Italian specialties. 149 Union, The 117 PRIME—Restaurateurs Craig Blondis and Roger Sapp team dolmathes, as well as lamb sliders and pita nachos. Closed Mon. Peabody. 529-4199. B, L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$$ up with Chef Ryan Trimm to recreate the traditional American 412 S. Main. 249-6626. L, D, X, $ CAROLINA WATERSHED—This indoor/outdoor eatery, set steakhouse. Serving oysters on the half shell and a variety of surf GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS FRIED around silos, features reimagined down-home classics, including and turf options. 117 Union. 433-9851. L, D, WB, X, $-$$$ CHICKEN—Serves chicken with signature spicy batter, fried green tomatoes with smoked catfi sh, a buttermilk fried ALDO’S PIZZA PIES—Serving gourmet pizzas along with homemade beans, slaw, and pies. 310 S. chicken sandwich, burgers, and more. Closed Mon.-Thurs. 141 E. — including Mr. T Rex — salads, and more. Also 30 beers, Front. 527-4877; 215 S. Center St. (Collierville). 853-6005; 2965 N. Carolina. 321-5553. L, D, WB, $-$$ bottled or on tap. 100 S. Main. 577-7743; 752 S. Cooper.

Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 373-9111; 730 S. Mendenhall. 767CATHERINE & MARY’S—A variety of pastas, 725-7437. L, D, X, $-$$ 2323; 505 Highway 70 W., Mason, TN. 901-294-2028. L, D, X, MRA, $ grilled quail, pâté, razor clams, and monkfish are among THE ARCADE—Possibly Memphis’ oldest cafe.

HAPPY MEXICAN—Serves quesadillas, burritos, chimithe dishes served at this Italian restaurant in the Chisca.

Specialties include sweet potato pancakes, a fried peanut changas, vegetable and seafood dishes, and more. 385 S. Second.

272 S. Main. 254-8600. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ butter and banana sandwich, and breakfast served all 529-9991; 6080 Primacy Pkwy. 683-0000; 7935 Winchester.

CHEF TAM’S UNDERGROUND CAFE—Serves day. 540 S. Main. 526-5757. B, L, D (Thurs.-Sat.), X, MRA, $ 751-5353. L, D, X, $ Southern staples with a Cajun twist. Menu items include totchoes, AUTOMATIC SLIM’S—Longtime Downtown favorite HU. DINER—An extension of Hu. Hotel, diner serves such jerk wings, fried chicken, and “muddy” mac and cheese. Closed specializes in contemporary American cuisine emphasizing local dishes as country-fried cauliflower, cornflake-fried chicken, and Sun. and Mon. 668 Union Ave. 207-6182. L, D, $ ingredients; also extensive martini list. 83 S. Second. 525-7948. L, octopus and grits. 3 S. Main. 333-1224. L, D, X, $-$$ CHEZ PHILIPPE—Classical/contemporary French D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ HU. ROOF—Rooftop cocktail bar with superb city views serves cuisine presented in a luxurious atmosphere with a BACKLOT SANDWICH SHOP—Big sandwiches, toasts with a variety of toppings including beef tartare with cured seasonal menu focused on local/regional cuisine. The breakfast bowls, and build-your-own-biscuits for breakegg, cognac, and capers or riced cauliflower with yellow curry, crown jewel of The Peabody for 35 years. Afternoon tea served fast, lunch, and an early supper. 265 S. Front St. 509-8612. currants, and almonds. Also salads, fish tacos, and boiled peanut Wed.-Sat., 1-3:30 p.m. (reservations required). Closed Sun.-Tues.

B, L, D, $ hummus. 79 Madison. 333-1229. D, $ The Peabody, 149 Union.

529-4188.

D, X, MRA, $$$$ BARDOG TAVERN—Classic American grill with Italian HUEY’S—This family-friendly restaurant offers 13 CIMAS—It’s breakfast tacos, shrimp and grits, chilaqinfluence, Bardog offers pasta specialties such as Grandma’s NJ different burgers, a variety of sandwiches, and delicious uiles verdes, and plenty of other Southern and LatinMeatballs, as well as salads, sliders, sandwiches, and daily specials. soups and salads. 1927 Madison. 726-4372; 1771 N. American twists at the Hyatt Centric. 33 Beale St. 73 Monroe. 275-8752. B (Mon.-Fri.), L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$ Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 754-3885; 444-3232. B, L, D, $-$$$ BEDROCK EATS & SWEETS—Memphis’ only PaleoDINING SYMBOLS 77 S. Second. 527-2700; 2130 W. Poplar COZY CORNER—Serving centric restaurant, offering such dishes as pot roast, waffles, (Collierville). 854-4455; 7090 Malco Blvd. up ribs, pork sandwiches, enchiladas, chicken salad, omelets, and more. Closed for dinner B — breakfast (Southaven). 662-349-7097; 7825 chicken, spaghetti, and more; Sun. 327 S. Main. 409-6433. B, L, D, X, $-$$ Winchester. 624-8911; 4872 Poplar. 682L — lunch also homemade banana pudding. Closed BELLE TAVERN—Serving elevated bar food, including a 7729; 7677 Farmington Blvd.

Mon. 745 N. Parkway and Manassas.

D — dinner butcher board with a variety of meats and cheeses, as well as daily (Germantown). 318-3030; 8570 Highway 527-9158. L, D, $ SB — Sunday brunch specials. 117 Barboro Alley. 249-6580. L (Sun.), D, MRA, $ 51 N. (Millington). 873-5025. L, D, CURFEW—An elevated sports BEN YAY’S GUMBO SHOP—Spiritual successor to DejaVu, WB — weekend brunch X, MRA, $ bar/American tavern concept by offering fresh and authentic Creole staples. 51 S. Main St., 779-4125.

X— wheelchair accessible HUSTLE & DOUGH BAKERY Top Chef contestant Fabio Viviani L, D, X, $-$$ MRA — member, Memphis & CAFE—Flaky, baked breakfast at the Canopy Memphis Downtown hotel.

BISHOP—Ticer and Hudman’s newest venture at the Central Restaurant Association goodness every day with fresh pastries, 164 Union Ave. B, L, D, X, $-$$ Station Hotel features upscale dishes in a French brasserie style. 545 sandwiches, and more at Arrive Hotel. $ — under $15 per person without EVELYN & OLIVE—Jamaican/ S. Main St., 524-5247. L, D, X, $$-$$$ 477 S. Main St., 701-7577. B, L, X, $ Southern fusion cuisine includes such drinks or desserts BLEU—This eclectic restaurant features American food with ITTA BENA—Southern and dishes as Kingston stew fish, Rasta $$ — under $25 global influences and local ingredients. Among the specialties are Cajun-American cuisine served here, Pasta, and jerk rib-eye. Closed for a 14-oz. bone-in rib-eye and several seafood dishes. 221 S. Third, $$$ — $26-$50 conveniently located above B.B. King’s lunch Sat. and all day Sun.-Mon. 630 in the Westin Memphis Beale St. Hotel. 334-5950. B, L, D, WB, X, $$$$ — over $50 Blues Club on Beale St.; specialties are Madison. 748-5422. L, D, X, $ MRA, $$-$$$ duck and waffles and shrimp and grits, FAM—Casual Asian restaurant serves BLUEFIN RESTAURANT & SUSHI LOUNGE—Serves along with steaks, chops, seafood, and pasta. 145 Beale St. 578sushi rice bowls, noodle bowls, sushi rolls, and spring rolls. Closed Japanese fusion cuisine featuring seafood and steak, with 3031. D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ Sun. 149 Madison; 521 S. Highland. 701-6666. L, D, X, $ seasonally changing menu; also a sushi bar. 135 S. Main. 528-1010.

FELICIA SUZANNE’S—Southern cuisine with KING & UNION BAR GROCERY—Classic Southern L, D, X, $-$$ low-country, Creole, and Delta influences, using favorites including catfish plate, pimento cheese, po-boys, chicken BRASS DOOR IRISH PUB—Irish and New-American regional fresh seafood, local beef, and locally grown & waffles. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with cocktails cuisine includes such entrees as fish and chips, burgers, shepherd’s foods. Entrees include shrimp and grits. Closed Sun. and Mon. A served with flair and favorite Memphis beers. Locally made pie, all-day Irish breakfast, and more. 152 Madison. 572-1813. L, D, Downtown staple at Brinkley Plaza, 80 Monroe, Suite L1. 523confections available in the grocery. 185 Union Ave. 523-8500. B, SB, $-$$ 0877. L (Fri. only), D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ L, D, $-$$

BY THE BREWERY—Breakfast and lunch café, FERRARO’S PIZZERIA & PUB—Rigatoni and tortellini KOOKY CANUCK—Offers prime rib, catfish, and burgers, with a focus on Southern-style biscuits, salads, and are among the pasta entrees here, along with pizzas (whole or including the 4-lb. “Kookamonga”; also late-night menu. 87 S. soups. 496 Tennessee St. 310-4341. B, L, $ by the slice) with a variety of toppings. 111 Jackson. 522-2033. L, Second. 578-9800; 1250 N. Germantown Pkwy. 1-800-2453 L, D, CAFE KEOUGH—European-style cafe serving quiche, paninis, D, X, $ X, MRA, $-$$$ salads, and more. 12 S. Main. 509-2469. B, L, D, X, $

A Curated Guide to Eating Out

M

We celebrate our city’s community table and the people who grow, cook, and eat the best Memphis food at M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O M / F O O D 134 • M E M P H I S M A G A Z I N E . C O • A U G U S T 2 0 2 1 / C I T Y G U I D E

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(This guide, compiled by our editors, includes editorial picks and advertisers.)

7/12/21 12:33 PM

LITTLE BETTIE—New Haven-style pizzas and snacks from the Andrew-Michael team at Wiseacre’s Downtown location. 398 S. B.B. King Blvd. 334-9411. L, D, $-$$ THE LITTLE TEA SHOP—Downtown institution serves up Southern comfort cooking, including meatloaf and such veggies as turnip greens, yams, okra, and tomatoes.

Closed Sat.-Sun. 69 Monroe. 525-6000, L, X, $ LOCAL—Entrees with a focus on locally sourced products include lobster mac-and-cheese and rib-eye patty melt; menu differs by location. 95 S. Main. 473-9573; 2126 Madison. 725-1845. L, D, WB, X, $-$$ LOFLIN YARD—Beer garden and restaurant serves vegetarian fare and smoked-meat dishes, including beef brisket and pork tenderloin, cooked on a custom-made grill. Closed Mon.-Tues. 7 W. Carolina. 249-3046. L (Sat. and Sun.), D, MRA, $-$$ LONGSHOT—Chef David Todd has something for everyone with a wide variety of international fusion dishes, and a side of shuffleboard. 477 S. Main. D, $-$$ THE LOOKOUT AT THE PYRAMID—Serves seafood and Southern fare, including cornmeal-fried oysters, sweet tea brined chicken, and elk chops. 1 Bass Pro Dr. 620-4600/291-8200. L, D, X, $-$$$ LUNA RESTAURANT & LOUNGE—Serving a limited menu of breakfast and lunch items. Dinner entrees include citrus glaze salmon and Cajun stuffed chicken. 179 Madison (Hotel Napoleon).

526-0002. B, D (Mon.-Sat.), X, $-$$$ MACIEL’S—Entrees include tortas, fried taco plates, quesadillas, chorizo and pastor soft tacos, salads, and more.

Downtown closed Sun. 45 S. Main. 526-0037, X, MRA, $ THE MAJESTIC GRILLE, DBA COCOZZA—It’s red sauce, all the time in the Majestic Grille space on Main.

Variety of Italian dishes for curbside and takeout orders. 145 S. Main. 522-8555. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ McEWEN’S—Southern/American cuisine with international flavors; specialties include steak and seafood, sweet potato-crusted catfish with macaroni and cheese, and more. Closed Sun., Monroe location. 120 Monroe. 527-7085; 1110 Van Buren (Oxford). 662-234-7003. L, D, SB (Oxford only), X, MRA, $$-$$$ MESQUITE CHOP HOUSE—The focus here is on steaks, including prime fillet, rib-eyes, and prime-aged New York strip; also, some seafood options. 5960 Getwell (Southaven). 662-890-2467; 88 Union. 527-5337; 3165 Forest Hill-Irene (Germantown). 249-5661. D, SB (Germantown), X, $$-$$$ MOLLIE FONTAINE LOUNGE—Specializes in tapas (small plates) featuring global cuisine. Closed Sun.-Tues. 679 Adams Ave. 524-1886. D, X, MRA, $ MOMMA’S ROADHOUSE—This diner and dive at Highway 55 serves up hot and crispy fried chicken wings, among other solid bar food options. 855 Kentucky. 207-5111. L, D, MRA, $ THE NINE THAI & SUSHI—Serving authentic Thai dishes, including curries, as well as a variety of sushi rolls. Closed for lunch Sat. and Sun. 121 Union. 208-8347. L, D, X, $-$$ PAULETTE’S—Presents fine dining with a Continental flair, including such entrees as filet Paulette with butter cream sauce and crabmeat and spinach crepes; also changing daily specials and great views. River Inn. 50 Harbor Town Square.

260-3300. B, L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ PEARL’S OYSTER HOUSE—Downtown eatery serving seafood, including oysters, crawfish, and stuffed butterfly shrimp, as well as beef, chicken, and pasta dishes. 299 S. Main. 522-9070; 8106 Cordova Center Dr. (Cordova). 425-4797. L, D, SB, X, $-$$$ PONTOTOC LOUNGE—Upscale restaurant and jazz bar serves such starters as alligator filet fritters; entrees include Mississippi pot roast with jalapeño cornbread and tagliatelle with braised beef. 314 S. Main. 207-7576. D, X, $-$$ RAW GIRLS—Raw and hot plant-based food alongside cold-pressed juices made from seasonal, locally grown sources. Closed Sun. 150 Peabody Pl., Suite 118. 207-5463. B, L, D, $-$$ REGINA’S—New Orleans-inspired eatery offering po’boys, Cajun nachos topped with crawfish tails, catfish platters, oysters, and more.

Closed Mon. 60 N. Main. 730-0384. B, L, D, SB, X, $-$$ RENDEZVOUS, CHARLES VERGOS’—Menu items include barbecued ribs, cheese plates, skillet shrimp, red beans and rice, and Greek salads. Closed Sun.-Mon. 52 S. Second. 523-2746. L (Fri.-Sat.), D, X, $-$$ RIZZO’S DINER—Chorizo meatloaf, lobster pronto puff, and lamb belly tacos are menu items at this upscale diner. Michael Patrick is among the city’s best chefs. 492 S. Main. 304-6985. L (Fri.-Sat.), D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$

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The Memphis Dining Guide

SABOR CARIBE—Serving up “Caribbean flavors” with dishes from Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. Closed Sunday.

662 Madison. 949-8100. L, D, X, $ SAGE—Restaurant and lounge features daily lunch specials and tapas with such dishes as braised short ribs, teriyaki pulled pork, and the Sage burger made with Angus beef, avocado mash, fried egg, and flash-fried sage. 94 S. Main. 672-7902. L, D, WB, X, $-$$ SILLY GOOSE LOUNGE—Gourmet, wood-fired pizzas and hand-crafted cocktails at this Downtown restaurant and lounge.

150 Peabody Place, Suite 111. 435-6915. L, D, X, $ SLEEP OUT LOUIE’S—Oyster bar with such specialties as chargrilled Roquefort oysters and gulf oysters on the half shell with Prosecco mignonette; also serves flatbread pizzas and a variety of sandwiches. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 111. 707-7180. L, D, X, $ SOUTH MAIN SUSHI & GRILL—Serving sushi, nigiri, and more. 520 S. Main. 249-2194. L, D, X, $ SOB—Elevated gastropub that serves favorites like general Tso’s cauliflower or duck fried rice. 345 S. Main. 526-0388. L, D, WB, X, $-$$ SPINDINI—Italian fusion cuisine with such entrees as woodfired pizzas, Gorgonzola-stuffed filet, and fresh seafood; large domestic whiskey selection. 383 S. Main. 578-2767. D, X, $$-$$ SUGAR GRITS— Who said breakfast has to be in the morning? The Westmorelands offer grits and other breakfast goodness all day long, in addition to other Southernstyle lunch and dinner options. 150 Peabody Pl., Suite 111.

249-5206. B, L, D, $-$$ SUNRISE MEMPHIS—From the owners of Sweet Grass and Central BBQ. Serves breakfast all day, including house-made biscuits, frittatas, kielbasa or boudin plates, and breakfast platters.

670 Jefferson. 552-3144. B, L, X, MRA, $ TERRACE—Creative American and Continental cuisine includes such dishes as filet mignon, beef or lamb sliders, chicken satay, and mushroom pizzetta. Rooftop, River Inn of Harbor Town, 50 Harbor Town Square. 260-3366. D, X, MRA, $$ TEXAS DE BRAZIL—Serves beef, pork, lamb, and chicken dishes, and Brazilian sausage; also a salad bar with extensive toppings. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 103. 526-7600. L (Wed.-Fri.), D, SB, X, $$-$$$ TUG’S—Famous for New Orleans gumbo, fabulous burgers, fried thin catfish, and specialty pancakes. Now serving Grisanti Crafted Pizza. 51 Harbor Town Square. 260-3344. B, L, D, WB, X, $$-$$$ THE VAULT—Oysters, shrimp beignets, flatbreads, stuffed cornish hen, and Smash Burger featured on “Late Nite Eats” are among the dishes offered at this Creole/Italian fusion eatery. 124 G.E. Patterson. 591-8000. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$ WESTY’S—Extensive menu includes a variety of wild rice dishes, sandwiches, plate lunches, and hot fudge pie. 346 N. Main.

543-3278.L, D, X, $

MIDTOWN (INCLUDES THE MEDICAL CENTER) ABYSSINIA RESTAURANT—Ethiopian/Mediterranean menu includes beef, chicken, lamb, fish entrees, and vegetarian dishes; also a lunch buffet. 2600 Poplar. 321-0082. L, D, X, $-$$ ALCHEMY—Southern fusion, locally grown cuisine features small and large plates; among the offerings are pan-seared hanger steak, quail, and lamb chops; also handcrafted cocktails and local craft beers. 940 S. Cooper. 726-4444. D, SB, X, $-$$ ART BAR—Inventive cocktails feature locally foraged ingredients; snacks include house-cured salt & vinegar potato chips and herb-roasted olives. Closed Mon. 1350 Concourse Avenue #280.

507-8030. D, X, $ BABALU TACOS & TAPAS—This eatery dishes up Spanishstyle tapas with Southern flair; also taco and enchilada of the day; specials change daily. 2115 Madison. 274-0100; 6450 Poplar, 410-8909. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$ BACK DO / MI YARD—A revamped patio space behind The Beauty Shop features rotisserie meats and fishes via Brazilian-style outdoor grill. Dinner Wednesday-Saturday, weather permitting.

966 S. Cooper, 272-7111. D, X, $$ BAR DKDC—Features an ever-changing menu of international “street food,” from Thai to Mexican, Israeli to Indian, along with specialty cocktails. 964 S. Cooper. 272-0830. D, X, MRA, $ BAR KEOUGH—It’s old-school eats and cocktails at the new Cooper-Young neighborhood corner bar by Kevin Keough. 247 Cooper St. D, X, $ BAR-B-Q SHOP—Dishes up barbecued ribs, spaghetti, bologna; also pulled pork shoulder, Texas toast barbecue sandwich, chicken sandwich, and salads.

Closed Sun. 1782 Madison. 272-1277. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$

BARI RISTORANTE ENOTECA—Authentic Southeastern Italian cuisine (Puglia) emphasizes lighter entrees. Serves fresh fish and beef dishes and a homemade soup of the day. 22 S. Cooper.

722-2244. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ BARKSDALE RESTAURANT—Old-school diner serving breakfast and Southern plate lunches. 237 S. Cooper. 722-2193. B, L, D, X, $ BAYOU BAR & GRILL—New Orleans fare at this Overton Square eatery includes jambalaya, gumbo, catfish Acadian, shrimp dishes, red beans and rice, and muffalettas. 2094 Madison. 2788626. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$ BEAUTY SHOP—Modern American cuisine with international flair served in a former beauty shop. Serves steaks, salads, pasta, and seafood, including pecancrusted golden sea bass. Perennial “Best Brunch” winner. Closed for dinner Sunday. 966 S. Cooper. 272-7111. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ BELLY ACRES—At this festive Overton Square eatery, milkshakes, floats, and burgers rule. Burgers are updated with contemporary toppings like grilled leeks, braised tomatoes, and sourdough or brioche buns. 2102 Trimble Pl. 529-7017. L, D, X, $ BOSCOS—Tennessee’s first craft brewery serves a variety of freshly brewed beers as well as wood-fired oven pizzas, pasta, seafood, steaks, and sandwiches. 2120 Madison. 432-2222. L, D, SB (with live jazz), X, MRA, $-$$ BOUNTY ON BROAD—Offering family-style dining, Bounty serves small plates and family-sized platters, with such specialties as chicken-fried quail and braised pork shank. 2519 Broad. 410-8131. L (Sat. and Sun.), D (Mon.-Sat.), SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ BROADWAY PIZZA—Serving a variety of pizzas, including the Broadway Special, as well as sandwiches, salads, wings, and soul-food specials. 2581 Broad. 454-7930; 627 S. Mendenhall.

207-1546. L, D, X, $-$$ CAFE 1912—French/American bistro owned by culinary pioneer Glenn Hays serving such seafood entrees as seared sea scallops with charred cauliflower purée and chorizo cumin sauce; also crepes, salads, and onion soup gratinée.

243 S. Cooper. 722-2700. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ CAFE BROOKS BY CITY & STATE—Serving grab-and-go pastries, as well as lunch items. Menu includes soups, salads, and sandwiches, such as the Modern Reuben and Grown-Up Grilled Cheese. 1934 Poplar (Memphis Brooks Museum of Art). 544-6200. B, L, X, $ CAFE ECLECTIC—Omelets and chicken and waffles are among menu items, along with quesadillas, sandwiches, wraps, and burgers. Menu varies by location. 603 N. McLean. 725-1718; 111 Harbor Town Square. 590-4645. B, L, D, SB, X, MRA, $ CAFE OLÉ—This eatery specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine; one specialty is the build-your-own quesadilla. 959 S. Cooper.

343-0103. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$ CAFE PALLADIO—Serves gourmet salads, soups, sandwiches, and desserts in a tea room inside the antiques shop. Closed Sun. 2169 Central. 278-0129. L, X, $ CAFE SOCIETY—With Belgian and classic French influences, serves Wagyu beef, chicken, and seafood dishes, including bacon-wrapped shrimp, along with daily specials and vegetarian entrees. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 212 N. Evergreen. 722-2177. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ CELTIC CROSSING—Specializes in Irish and American pub fare. Entrees include shepherd’s pie, shrimp and sausage coddle, and fish and chips. 903 S. Cooper. 274-5151. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$ CENTRAL BBQ—Serves ribs, smoked hot wings, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken, turkey, nachos, and portobello sandwiches. Offers both pork and beef barbecue. 2249 Central Ave. 272-9377; 4375 Summer Ave. 767-4672; 147 E. Butler. 672-7760 ; 6201 Poplar. 417-7962. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ COMPLICATED PILGRIM—Quick serve coffee shop, bar, and restaurant all in one at The Memphian hotel. 21 S. Cooper St. 601-909-5820. B, L, D, $-$$ THE COVE—Nautical-themed restaurant and bar serving oysters, pizzas, and more. The Stoner Pie, with tamales and fritos, is a popular dish. 2559 Broad. 730-0719. L, D, $ THE CRAZY NOODLE—Korean noodle dishes range from bibam beef noodle with cabbage, carrots, and other vegetables, to curry chicken noodle; also rice cakes served in a flavorful sauce. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 2015 Madison. 272-0928. L, D, X, $ THE DOGHOUZZ—It’s both bark and bite at the Doghouzz, which pairs a variety of gourmet hot dogs alongside local craft beer and one of the city’s most extensive whiskey selections. Open

for lunch, dinner, and late-night. Closed Sunday. 1349 Autumn Ave. 207-7770. L, D, X, $ ECCO—Mediterranean-inspired specialties range from rib-eye steak to seared scallops to housemade pastas and a grilled vegetable plate; also a Saturday brunch. Closed Sun.Mon. 1585 Overton Park. 410-8200. L, D, X, $-$$ FARM BURGER—Serves grass-fed, freshly ground, locally sourced burgers; also available with chicken, pork, or veggie quinoa patties, with such toppings as aged white cheddar, kale coleslaw, and roasted beets. 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 175. 800-1851. L, D, X, $ FINO’S ITALIAN DELI & CATERING—The newly revived Fino’s offers the old favorites such as the Acquisto as well as a new breakfast menu. 1853 Madison. 272-FINO. B, L, D, X, $ FRIDA’S—Mexican cuisine and Tex-Mex standards, including chimichangas, enchiladas, and fajitas; seafood includes shrimp and tilapia. 1718 Madison. 244-6196. L, D, X, $-$$ GLOBAL CAFÉ—This international food hall hosts three immigrant/ refugee food entrepreneurs serving Venezuelan, Sudanese, and Syrian cuisines. Samosas, shawarma, and kabobs are among the menu items.

Closed Mon. 1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 157. L, D, X, MRA, $ GOLDEN INDIA—Northern Indian specialties include tandoori chicken as well as lamb, beef, shrimp, and vegetarian dishes. 2097 Madison. 728-5111. L, D, X, $-$$ GROWLERS—Sports bar and eatery serves standard bar fare in addition to pasta, tacos, chicken and waffles, and light options. 1911 Poplar. 244-7904. L, D, X, $-$$ HATTIE B’S—Fried chicken spot features “hot chicken” with a variety of heat levels; from no heat to “shut the cluck up” sauce. Sides include greens, pimento mac-and-cheese, and black-eyed pea salad.

596 S. Cooper. 424-5900. L, D, X, $ HAZEL’S LUCKY DICE DELICATESSEN—Jewish deli venture by Karen Carrier, serving up all manner of New York-style and kosher sandwiches. Takeout only. 964 Cooper St. 272-0830. L, $ HM DESSERT LOUNGE—Serving cake, pie, and other desserts, as well as a selection of savory dishes, including meatloaf and mashed potato “cupcakes.” Closed Monday. 1586 Madison. 290-2099. L, D, X, $ IMAGINE VEGAN CAFE—Dishes at this fully vegan restaurant range from salads and sandwiches to full dinners, including eggplant parmesan and “beef” tips and rice; breakfast all day Sat. and Sun. 2158 Young. 654-3455. L, D, WB, X, $ INDIA PALACE—Tandoori chicken, lamb shish kabobs, and chicken tikka masala are among the entrees; also, vegetarian options and a daily all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. 1720 Poplar.

278-1199. L, D, X, $-$$ INSPIRE COMMUNITY CAFE—Serving breakfast all day, in addition to quesadillas, rice bowls, and more for lunch and dinner. 510 Tillman, Suite 110. 509-8640. B, L, D, X, $ LAFAYETTE’S MUSIC ROOM—Serves such Southern cuisine as po’boys, shrimp and grits, and wood-fired pizzas. 2119 Madison.

207-5097. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$ LBOE—Gourmet burger joint serves locally sourced ground beef burgers, with options like the Mac-N-Cheese Burger and Caprese. Black bean and turkey patties available. 2021 Madison. 725-0770. L, D, X, $ THE LIQUOR STORE—Renovated liquor store turned diner serves all-day breakfast, sandwiches, and entrees such as Salisbury steak and smothered pork chops. Closed for dinner Sun.-Mon. 2655 Broad. 405-5477. B, L, D, X, $-$$ LITTLE ITALY—Serving New York-style pizza as well as subs and pasta dishes. 1495 Union. 725-0280; L, D, X, $-$$ MARDI GRAS MEMPHIS—Fast-casual establishment serving Cajun fare, including an etouffee-stuffed po’boy. Closed Mon.-Tues.

496 N. Watkins. 530-6767. L, D, X, $-$$ MAXIMO’S ON BROAD—Serving a tapas menu that features creative fusion cuisine; entrees include veggie paella and fish of the day. Closed Mon. 2617 Broad Ave. 452-1111. D, SB, X, $-$$ MEMPHIS PIZZA CAFE—Homemade pizzas are specialties; also serves sandwiches, calzones, and salads. 2087 Madison. 726-5343; 5061 Park Ave. 684-1306; 7604 W. Farmington (Germantown). 753-2218; 797 W. Poplar (Collierville). 861-7800; 5627 Getwell (Southaven). 662-5361364. L, D, X, $-$$ MIDPOINTE FROM EDGE ALLEY—Edge Alley’s sister cafe at the Ballet Memphis headquarters focuses on freshness for its breakfast, lunch, and happy hour tapas. Closed Sunday-Monday. 2144 Madison Ave. 425-2605. B, L, X, $ MOLLY’S LA CASITA—Homemade tamales, fish tacos, a vegetarian combo, and bacon-wrapped shrimp are a few of the specialties.

2006 Madison. 726-1873. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ PAYNE’S BAR-B-QUE—Opened in 1972, this family-owned barbecue joint serves ribs, smoked sausage, and chopped pork sandwiches with a standout mustard slaw and

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homemade sauce. About as down-to-earth as it gets. 1762 Lamar.

272-1523. L, D, $-$$ PARISH GROCERY—Shrimp? Roast beef? Oysters?

Whatever type of po’boy you want, the New Orleansthemed eatery has got it. Closed Monday. 916 Cooper St. 207-4347. L, D, X, $-$$ PIZZERIA TRASIMENO—Small pizzas baked in wood-fired clay ovens along with a selection of small salads. Menu is soon to include desserts, local beer on tap, and Umbrian wine. 1350 Concourse Ave., Suite 181. 308-1113. L, D. $ PHO BINH—Vietnamese, vegetarian, and Cantonese specialties include lemon tofu and spring rolls. Closed Sunday. 1615 Madison.

276-0006. L, D, $ RAILGARTEN—Located in a former rail station space, this eatery offers breakfast items, a variety of salads and sandwiches, and such entrees as short rib mac-and-cheese and fish tacos. Also serves shakes, malts, floats, and cream sodas. 2166 Central. 231-5043. B, L, D, $-$$ RED FISH ASIAN BISTRO—In the former Nineteenth Century Club building, serves sushi, teriyaki, and hibachi. Specialties include yuzu filet mignon and Chilean sea bass. 1433 Union. 454-3926; 9915 Highway 64 (Lakeland). 729-7581; 6518 Goodman (Olive Branch).

662-874-5254. L, D, X, $-$$$ RESTAURANT IRIS—French Creole-inspired classics, such as Gulf shrimp and rice grits congee served with lap chong sausage and boiled peanuts, are served at this newly remodeled restaurant owned by Chef Kelly English, a Food and Wine “Top Ten.” 2146 Monroe. 590-2828. D, X, $$-$$$ ROBATA RAMEN & YAKITORI BAR—Serves ramen noodle bowls and Yakitori skewers as well as rice and noodle dishes.

2116 Madison. 410-8290. L, D, X, $ SABROSURA—Serves Mexican and Cuban fare, including arroz tapada de pollo and steak Mexican. Closed Sun. 782 Washington.

421-8180. L, D, X, $-$$ SALT|SOY—Nick Scott and Brac McCarley team up to provide Southern and Asian-inspired dishes at this Japanese Izakaya. Closed Sunday, Monday. 2583 Broad Ave. 726-4444.

D, $$ SALTWATER CRAB—Offers an array of seafood dishes including boils with blue crab, crab legs, lobster tails, and more, and specialty sushi like the Dynamite or Royal King rolls, in addition to signature sangrias and cocktails. 2059 Madison Ave. 922-5202. L, D, X, $$ SAUCY CHICKEN—Specializes in antibiotic-free chicken dishes with locally sourced ingredients, with such items as hot wings and the Crosstown Chicken Sandwich, and a variety of house-made dipping sauces; also, seafood, salads, and daily specials. 1350 Concourse, Suite 137. 203-3838. L, D (Mon.-Fri.), $ THE SECOND LINE—Kelly English brings “relaxed Creole cuisine” to his newest eatery; serves a variety of po’boys and such specialties as barbecue shrimp, andouille shrimp, and pimento cheese fries. 2144 Monroe. 590-2829. L, D, WB, X, $-$$ SEKISUI—Japanese fusion cuisine, fresh sushi bar, grilled meats and seafood, California rolls, and vegetarian entrees.

Poplar/Perkins location’s emphasis is on Pacific Rim cuisine.

Menu and hours vary at each location. 25 Belvedere. 725-0005; 1884 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 309-8800; 4724 Poplar. 767-7770; 2130 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-0622; 2990 Kirby-Whitten (Bartlett).

377-2727; 6696 Poplar. 747-0001. L, D, X, $-$$$ STICKEM—Brick and mortar location for the popular food truck, which offers grilled meat on a stick. 1788 Madison.

Closed Sunday. 474-7214. L, D, X, $ STONE SOUP CAFE—Cooper-Young eatery serving soups, salads, quiche, meat-and-two specials; and daily specials such as Italian roast beef. Closed Monday. 993 S. Cooper. 922-5314. B, L, SB, X, $ SOUL FISH CAFE—Serving Southern-style soul food, tacos, and po’boys, including catfish, crawfish, oyster, shrimp, chicken, and smoked pork tenderloin. 862 S. Cooper. 725-0722; 3160 Village Shops Dr. (Germantown). 755-6988; 4720 Poplar. 590-0323. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ SWEET GRASS—Chef Ryan Trimm takes Southern cuisine to a new level. Low-country coastal cuisine includes such specialties as shrimp and grits. Closed Mon. Restaurant’s “sister,” Sweet Grass Next Door, open nightly, serves lunch Sat.-Sun. 937 S. Cooper. 278-0278. D, SB, X, $-$$$ TAMBOLI’S PASTA & PIZZA—Pasta-maker Miles Tamboli whips up Italian soul food with seasonal menus featuring dishes like crispy fried chicken or creamy bucatini with pecorino cheese.

Serves dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Pizza only menu after 9pm. 1761 Madison. 410-8866. D, X, $-$$ TAKASHI BISTRO—Fusion restaurant with an open kitchen that lets customers watch chefs prepare a variety of Japanese and Thai cuisine. 1680 Union Ave. Suite 109. 800-2936. L, D, $-$$.

TSUNAMI—Features Pacific Rim cuisine (Asia, Australia, South Pacific, etc.); also a changing “small plate” menu.

Chef Ben Smith is a Cooper-Young pioneer. Specialties include Asian nachos and roasted sea bass. Closed Sunday. 928 S. Cooper. 274-2556. D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ ZINNIE’S—Dive bar classic reopens with a makeover and signature Zinnaloni sandwich. 1688 Madison. 726-5004. L, D, X, $

SOUTH MEMPHIS (INCLUDES

PARKWAY VILLAGE, FOX MEADOWS, SOUTH MEMPHIS, WINCHESTER, AND WHITEHAVEN)

COLETTA’S—Longtime eatery serves such specialties as homemade ravioli, lasagna, and pizza with barbecue or traditional toppings. 1063 S. Parkway E. 948-7652; 2850 Appling Rd. (Bartlett).

383-1122. L, D, X, $-$$ CURRY BOWL—Specializes in Southern Indian cuisine, serving Tandoori chicken, biryani, tikka masala, and more. Weekend buffet. 4141 Hacks Cross Rd. 207-6051. L, D, $ DELTA’S KITCHEN—The premier restaurant at The Guest House at Graceland serves Elvis-inspired dishes — like Nutella and Peanut Butter Crepes for breakfast — and upscale Southern cuisine — including lamb chops and shrimp and grits — for dinner.

3600 Elvis Presley Blvd. 443-3000. B, D, X, $-$$$ DWJ KOREAN BARBECUE—This authentic Korean eatery serves kimbap, barbecued beef short ribs, rice and noodles dishes, and hot pots and stews. 3750 Hacks Cross Rd., Suite 101. 746-8057; 2156 Young. 207-6204. L, D, $-$$ THE FOUR WAY—Legendary soul-food establishment dishing up such entrees as fried and baked catfish, chicken, and turkey and dressing, along with a host of vegetables and desserts. Around the corner from the legendary Stax Studio. Closed Monday. 998 Mississippi Blvd. 507-1519. L, D, $ HERNANDO’S HIDEAWAY–No one cares how late it gets; not at Hernando’s Hideaway. Live music, killer happy hour, and plenty of bar fare at this South Memphis hang. 3210 Old Hernando Rd. 917-982-1829. L, D, $ INTERSTATE BAR-B-Q—Specialties include chopped pork-shoulder sandwiches, ribs, hot wings, spaghetti, chicken, and turkey. 2265 S. Third. 775-2304; 150 W. Stateline Rd. (Southaven).

662-393-5699. L, D, X, $-$$ JIM & SAMELLA’S—It’s a revolving menu of soul food delight from Chef Talbert Fleming, with anything from southern ribs to fried tamales. 841 Bullington Ave. 265-8761. L, D, X, $ LEONARD’S—Serves wet and dry ribs, barbecue sandwiches, spaghetti, catfish, homemade onion rings, and lemon icebox pie; also a lunch buffet. 5465 Fox Plaza. 360-1963. L, X, $-$$ MARLOWE’S—In addition to its signature barbecue and ribs, Marlowe’s serves Southern-style steaks, chops, lasagna, and more.

4381 Elvis Presley Blvd. 332-4159. D, X, MRA, $-$$ UNCLE LOU’S FRIED CHICKEN—Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for good reason: fried chicken (mild, hot, or home-style); jumbo burgers four patties high; strawberry shortcake, and assorted fruit pies. 3633 Millbranch. 332-2367. L, D, X, MRA, $

SUMMER/BERCLAIR/ RALEIGH/BARTLETT

ASIAN PALACE—Chinese eatery serves seafood, vegetarian items, dim sum, and more. 5266 Summer Ave. 766-0831. L, D, X, $-$$ ELWOOD’S SHACK—Casual comfort food includes tacos, pizza, and sandwiches. Specialties include meats smoked in-house (chicken, turkey, brisket, pork), barbecue pizza, and steelhead trout tacos. 4523 Summer. 761-9898. B, L, D, X, $ EXLINES’ BEST PIZZA—Serves pizza, Italian dinners, sandwiches, and salads. 6250 Stage Rd. 382-3433; 2935 Austin Peay.

388-4711; 2801 Kirby Parkway. 754-0202; 7730 Wolf River Blvd.

(Germantown). 753-4545; 531 W. Stateline Rd. 662-342-4544 (check online for additional locations). L, D, X, MRA, $ LA TAQUERIA GUADALUPANA—Fajitas and quesadillas are just a few of the authentic Mexican entrees offered here. A bona-fide Memphis institution.

4818 Summer. 685-6857; 5848 Winchester. 365-4992. L, D, $

The Memphis Dining Guide LOTUS—Authentic Vietnamese-Asian fare, including lemon-grass chicken and shrimp, egg rolls, Pho soup, and spicy Vietnamese vermicelli. 4970 Summer.

682-1151. D, X, $ MORTIMER’S—Contemporary American entrees include trout almondine, chicken dishes, and hand-cut steaks; also sandwiches, salads, and daily/nightly specials. A Memphis landmark since the Knickerbocker closed. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 590 N. Perkins. 761-9321. L, D, X, $-$$ NAGASAKI INN—Chicken, steak, and lobster are among the main courses; meal is cooked at your table. 3951 Summer.

454-0320. D, X, $$ PANDA GARDEN—Sesame chicken and broccoli beef are among the Mandarin and Cantonese entrees; also seafood specials and fried rice. Closed for lunch Saturday. 3735 Summer. 323-4819.

L, D, X, $-$$ QUEEN OF SHEBA—Featuring Middle Eastern favorites and Yemeni dishes such as lamb haneeth and saltah. 4792 Summer.

207-4174. L, D, $ SIDE PORCH STEAK HOUSE—In addition to steak, the menu includes chicken, pork chops, and fish entrees; homemade rolls are a specialty. Closed Sun.-Mon. 5689 Stage Rd. 377-2484.

D, X, $-$$ TORTILLERIA LA UNICA—Individual helping of Mexican street food, including hefty tamales, burritos, tortas, and sopes.

5015 Summer Ave. 685-0097. B, L, D, X, $

UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT (INCLUDES CHICKASAW GARDENS AND HIGHLAND STRIP)

A-TAN—Serves Chinese and Japanese hibachi cuisine, complete with sushi bar. A specialty is Four Treasures with garlic sauce. 3445 Poplar, Suite 17, University Center. 452-4477. L, D, X, $-$$$ THE BLUFF—New Orleans-inspired menu includes alligator bites, nachos topped with crawfish and andouille, gumbo, po’boys, and fried seafood platters. 535 S. Highland. 454-7771. L, D, X, $-$$ BROTHER JUNIPER’S—This little cottage is a breakfast mecca, offering specialty omelets, including the open-faced San Diegan omelet; also daily specials, and homemade breads and pastries. Closed Mon. 3519 Walker. 3240144. B, X, $ CHAR RESTAURANT—Specializing in modern Southern cuisine, this eatery offers homestyle sides, charbroiled steaks, and fresh seafood. 431 S. Highland, Suite 120. 249-3533. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ DERAE RESTAURANT—Ethiopian and Mediterranean fare includes fuul, or fava beans in spices and yogurt, goat meat and rice, and garlic chicken over basmati rice with cilantro chutney; also salmon and tilapia. Closed Monday. 923 S. Highland. 552-3992. B, L, D, $-$$ EL PORTON—Fajitas, quesadillas, and steak ranchero are just a few of the menu items. 2095 Merchants Row (Germantown).

754-4268; 8361 Highway 64. 380-7877; 3448 Poplar (Poplar Plaza).

452-7330; 1805 N. Germantown Parkway (Cordova). 624-9358; 1016 W. Poplar (Collierville). 854-5770. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ JOES’ ON HIGHLAND—Specializes in fried chicken and comfort sides such as warm okra/green tomato salad and turnip greens. Entrees include salmon patties and chicken-fried steak. Closed Mon. 262 S. Highland. 337-7003. L, D, X, $ MEDALLION—Offers steaks, seafood, chicken, and pasta entrees. Closed for dinner Sunday. 3700 Central, Holiday Inn (Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality). 678-1030. B, L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ OPEN FLAME—This authentic Persian and Mediterranean eatery specializes in shish kebabs as well as kosher and halal fare.

3445 Poplar. 207-4995. L, D, X, $ PLANT BASED HEAT—All of your favorite Southern-style recipes, but deliciously transformed into a vegan format. Specialties include the spicy fye junt burger, or the chopped n smoked bbq jackfruit sandwich. Closed Sun. 669 S. Highland St. L, D, $

EAST MEMPHIS

(INCLUDES POPLAR/ I-240) ACRE—Features seasonal modern American cuisine in an avante-garde setting using locally sourced products; also small plates and enclosed garden patio. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 690 S. Perkins. 818-2273. L, D, X, $$-$$$

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ANDALUSIA— Authentic Moroccan cuisine, including tagines, brochettes, and briouates. 5101 Sanderlin Ave., Suite 103. 236-7784. L, D, $-$$ AGAVOS COCINA & TEQUILA—Camaron de Tequila, tamales, kabobs, and burgers made with a blend of beef and chorizo are among the offerings at this tequila-centric restaurant and bar. 2924 Walnut Grove. 433-9345. L, D, X, $-$$ AMERIGO—Traditional and contemporary Italian cuisine includes pasta, wood-fired pizza, steaks, and cedarwood-roasted fish. 1239 Ridgeway, Park Place Mall. 761-4000. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ ANDREW MICHAEL ITALIAN KITCHEN— Traditional Italian cuisine with a menu from two of the city’s top chefs that changes seasonally with such entrees as Maw Maw’s ravioli. Closed Sun.-Mon. 712 W. Brookhaven Circle.

347-3569. D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ ANOTHER BROKEN EGG CAFE—Offering several varieties of eggs Benedict, waffles, omelets, pancakes, beignets, and other breakfast fare; also burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

6063 Park Ave. 729-7020; 65 S. Highland. 623-7122. B, L, WB, X, $ BANGKOK ALLEY—Thai fusion cuisine includes noodle and curry dishes, chef-specialty sushi rolls, coconut soup, and duck and seafood entrees. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. at Brookhaven location; call for hours. 715 W. Brookhaven Circle.

590-2585; 2150 W. Poplar at Houston Levee (Collierville). 854-8748.

L, D, X, $-$$ BENIHANA—This Japanese steakhouse serves beef, chicken, and seafood grilled at the table; some menu items change monthly; sushi bar also featured. 912 Ridge Lake Blvd. 767-8980.

L, D, X, $$-$$$ BLUE PLATE CAFÉ—For breakfast, the café’s serves old-fashioned buttermilk pancakes (it’s a secret recipe!), country ham and eggs, and waffles with fresh strawberries and cream.

For lunch, the café specializes in country cooking. 5469 Poplar.

761-9696; 113 S. Court. 523-2050. B, L, X, $ BROOKLYN BRIDGE ITALIAN RESTAURANT— Specializing in such homemade entrees as spinach lasagna and lobster ravioli; a seafood specialty is horseradish-crusted salmon.

Closed Sun. 1779 Kirby Pkwy. 755-7413. D, X, $-$$$ BRYANT’S BREAKFAST—Three-egg omelets, pancakes, and The Sampler Platter are among the popular entrees here.

Possibly the best biscuits in town. Closed Mon. and Tues. 3965 Summer. 324-7494. B, L, X, $ BUCKLEY’S FINE FILET GRILL—Specializes in steaks, seafood, and pasta. (Lunchbox serves entree salads, burgers, and more.) 5355 Poplar. 683-4538; 919 S. Yates (Buckley’s Lunchbox), 682-0570. L (Yates only, M-F), D, X, $-$$ CAPITAL GRILLE—Known for its dry-aged, hand-carved steaks; among the specialties are bone-in sirloin, and porcini-rubbed Delmonico; also seafood entrees and seasonal lunch plates. Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. Crescent Center, 6065 Poplar.

683-9291. L, D, X, $$$-$$$$ CASABLANCA—Lamb shawarma is one of the fresh, homemade specialties served at this Mediterranean/Moroccan restaurant; fish entrees and vegetarian options also available.

5030 Poplar. 725-8557 ; 7609 Poplar Pike (Germantown). 425-5908; 1707 Madison. 421-6949. L, D, X, $-$$ CIAO BELLA—Among the Italian and Greek specialties are lasagna, seafood pasta, gourmet pizzas, and vegetarian options.

Closed for lunch Sat.-Sun. 565 Erin Dr., Erin Way Shopping Center.

205-2500. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$ CITY SILO TABLE + PANTRY—With a focus on clean eating, this establishment offers fresh juices, as well as comfort foods re-imagined with wholesome ingredients. 5101 Sanderlin.

729-7687. Germantown: 7605 W. Farmington Blvd., Suite 2.

236-7223. B, L, D, X, $ COASTAL FISH COMPANY—Upscale offerings of international fish varieties utilizing styles ranging from Carribbean, East Coast, West Coast, Chinese, to Filipino, and more. 415 Great View Dr. E., Suite 101. 266-9000. D, X, $$-$$$ CORKY’S—Popular barbecue emporium offers both wet and dry ribs, plus a full menu of other barbecue entrees. Wed. lunch buffets, Cordova and Collierville. 5259 Poplar. 685-9744; 1740 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 737-1911; 743 W. Poplar (Collierville).

405-4999; 6434 Goodman Rd., Olive Branch. 662-893-3663. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ DAN MCGUINNESS PUB—Serves fish and chips, shepherd’s pie, burgers, and other Irish and American fare; also lunch and dinner specials. 4694 Spottswood. 761-3711; 3964 Goodman Rd. 662-890-7611. L, D, X, $

DORY—Chef David Krog whips up Southern specialties with classic French techniques and locally sourced ingredients. Current specialties include pork tenderloin, beef bourguignon, or cocoa-dusted chocolate truffles, with new weekly additions. 716 W. Brookhaven Circle. 310-4290. L, D, X, $$-$$$ ERLING JENSEN—For over 20 years, has presented “globally inspired” cuisine to die for. Specialties are rack of lamb, big game entrees, and fresh fish dishes. 1044 S. Yates. 763-3700. D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE—Serves wet-aged and dry-aged steaks, prime beef, chops, and seafood, including salmon, Australian lobster tails, and a catch of the day. 6245 Poplar. 761-6200. D, X, MRA, $$$-$$$$ FOLK’S FOLLY ORIGINAL PRIME STEAK HOUSE—Specializes in prime steaks, as well as lobster, grilled Scottish salmon, Alaskan king crab legs, rack of lamb, and weekly specials. 551 S. Mendenhall. 762-8200. D, X, MRA, $$$-$$$$ FORMOSA—Offers Mandarin cuisine, including broccoli beef, hot-and-sour soup, and spring rolls. Closed Monday. 6685 Quince.

753-9898. L, D, X, $-$$ FOX RIDGE PIZZA & GRILL—Pizzas, calzones, sub sandwiches, burgers, and meat-and-two plate lunches are among the dishes served at this eatery, which opened in 1979. 711 W. Brookhaven Circle 758-6500. L, D, X, $ FRATELLI’S—Serves hot and cold sandwiches, salads, soups, and desserts, all with an Italian/Mediterranean flair. Closed Sunday. 750 Cherry Rd., Memphis Botanic Garden. 766-9900. L, X, $ FRANK GRISANTI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT— Northern Italian favorites include pasta with jumbo shrimp and mushrooms; also seafood, filet mignon, and daily lunch specials.

Closed for lunch Sunday. Embassy Suites Hotel, 1022 S. Shady Grove.

761-9462. L, D, X, $-$$$ HALF SHELL—Specializes in seafood, such as king crab legs; also serves steaks, chicken, pastas, salads, sandwiches, a ”voodoo menu”; oyster bar at Winchester location. 688 S. Mendenhall.

682-3966; 7825 Winchester. 737-6755. L, D, WB, X, MRA, $-$$$ HEN HOUSE—Hybrid wine/cocktail bar and tasting room with plenty of cosmopolitan eats. Closed Sun. 679 S. Mendenhall. 499-5436. D, $-$$$ HIGH POINT PIZZA—Serves a variety of pizzas, subs, salads, and sides. Closed Monday. A neighborhood fixture. 477 High Point Terrace. 452-3339. L, D, X, $-$$ HOUSTON’S—Serves steaks, seafood, pork chops, chicken dishes, sandwiches, salads, and Chicago-style spinach dip. Famous for first-class service. 5000 Poplar. 683-0915. L, D, X $-$$$ LA BAGUETTE—An almond croissant and chicken salad are among specialties at this French-style bistro. Closed for dinner Sun. 3088 Poplar. 458-0900. B, L, D (closes at 7), X, MRA, $ LAS DELICIAS—Popular for its guacamole, house-made tortilla chips, and margaritas, this restaurant draws diners with its chicken enchiladas, meat-stuffed flautas, and Cuban torta with spicy pork. Closed Sunday. 4002 Park Ave. 458-9264; 5689 Quince.

800-2873. L, D, X, $ LIBRO AT LAURELWOOD—Bookstore eatery features a variety of sandwiches, salads, and homemade pasta dishes, with Italian-inspired options such as carbonara and potato gnocchi.

Closed for dinner Sun. 387 Perkins Ext. (Novel). 800-2656. B, L, D, SB, X, $-$$ LOST PIZZA—Offering pizzas (with dough made from scratch), pasta, salads, sandwiches, tamales, and more. 2855 Poplar. 5721803; 5960 Getwell (Southaven). 662-892-8684. L, D, X, $-$$ LYNCHBURG LEGENDS—This restaurant with a Jack Daniels’ theme and Southern cuisine serves such entrees as Bourbon Street salmon, buttermilk-fried chicken, and grilled steak and wild mushroom salad. DoubleTree Hotel, 5069 Sanderlin.

969-7777. B, L, D, X, $-$$$ MAGNOLIA & MAY—The family behind Grove Grill cooks up Southern-inspired casual dining at this country brasserie, with popular menu items like peach gazpacho and low country shrimp n’ grits. 718 Mt. Moriah Rd. 676-8100. D, $$-$$$.

MAHOGANY MEMPHIS—Upscale Southern restaurant offers such dishes as coffee-rubbed lamb chops and baked Cajun Cornish hen. Closed for dinner Sun. and all day Mon.-Tues. 3092 Poplar, Suite 11. 623-7977. L, D, SB, X, $-$$$ MARCIANO MEDITERRANEAN AND ITALIAN CUISINE—Veal Saltimbocca with angel-hair pasta and white

wine sauce is among the entrees; also steaks, seafood, and gourmet pizza. 780 Brookhaven Circle. 682-1660. D, X, $-$$ MAYURI INDIAN CUISINE—Serves tandoori chicken, masala dosa, tikka masala, as well as lamb and shrimp entrees; also a daily lunch buffet, and dinner buffet on Fri.-Sat. 6524 Quince Rd. 753-8755. L, D, X, $-$$ MELLOW MUSHROOM—Large menu includes assortment of pizzas, salads, calzones, hoagies, vegetarian options, and 50 beers on tap. 5138 Park Ave. 562-1211; 9155 Poplar, Shops of Forest Hill (Germantown). 907-0243. L, D, X, $-$$ MOSA ASIAN BISTRO—Specialties include sesame chicken, Thai calamari, rainbow panang curry with grouper fish, and other Pan Asian/fusion entrees. Closed Mon. 850 S. White Station Rd. 683-8889. L, D, X, MRA, $ NAM KING—Offers luncheon and dinner buffets, dim sum, and such specialties as fried dumplings, pepper steak, and orange chicken. 4594 Yale. 373-4411. L, D, X, $ NAPA CAFE—Among the specialties are miso-marinated salmon over black rice with garlic spinach and shiitake mushrooms.

Closed Sun. 5101 Sanderlin, Suite 122. 683-0441. L, D, X, MRA, $$-$$$ NEW HUNAN—Chinese eatery with more than 80 entrees; also lunch/dinner buffets. 5052 Park. 766-1622. L, D, X, $ ONE & ONLY BBQ—On the menu are pork barbecue sandwiches, platters, wet and dry ribs, smoked chicken and turkey platters, a smoked meat salad, barbecue quesadillas, Brunswick Stew, and Millie’s homemade desserts. 1779 Kirby Pkwy. 751-3615; 567 Perkins Extd. 249-4227. L, D, X, $ ONO POKÉ—This eatery specializes in poké — a Hawaiian dish of fresh fish salad served over rice. Menu includes a variety of poké bowls, like the Kimchi Tuna bowl, or customers can build their own by choosing a base, protein, veggies, and toppings. 3145 Poplar.

618-2955. L, D, X, $ OWEN BRENNAN’S—New Orleans-style menu of beef, chicken, pasta, and seafood; jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and crawfish etouffee are specialties. Closed for dinner Sunday. The Regalia, 6150 Poplar. 761-0990. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ PARK + CHERRY—The Dixon offers casual dining within the museum. Seasonal menu features sandwiches, like rustic chicken salad on croissant, as well as salads, snacks, and sweets. Closed for breakfast Sun. and all day Mon. 4339 Park (Dixon Gallery and Gardens). 761-5250. L, X, $ PATRICK’S—Serves barbecue nachos, burgers, and entrees such as fish and chips; also plate lunches and daily specials. 4972 Park. 682-2852. L, D, X, MRA, $ PETE & SAM’S—Serving Memphis for 60-plus years; offers steaks, seafood, and traditional Italian dishes, including homemade ravioli, lasagna, and chicken marsala. 3886 Park.

458-0694. D, X, $-$$$ PF CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO—Specialties are orange peel shrimp, Mongolian beef, and chicken in lettuce wraps; also vegetarian dishes, including spicy eggplant. 1181 Ridgeway Rd., Park Place Centre. 818-3889. L, D, X, $-$$ PHO SAIGON—Vietnamese fare includes beef teriyaki, roasted quail, curry ginger chicken, vegetarian options, and a variety of soups. 2946 Poplar. 4581644. L, D, $ PIMENTO’S KITCHEN + MARKET—Fresh sandwiches, soups, salads, and plenty of pimento cheese at this family-owned restaurant. 6540 Poplar Ave. 602-5488 (Collierville: 3751 S. Houston Levee. 453-6283). L, D, X, $ PYRO’S FIRE-FRESH PIZZA—Serving gourmet pizzas cooked in an open-fire oven, wide choice of toppings, and large local and craft beer selection. 1199 Ridgeway. 379-8294; 2035 Union Ave. 208-8857; 2286 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 207-1198; 3592 S. Houston Levee (Collierville). 221-8109. L, D, X, MRA, $ RED HOOK CAJUN SEAFOOD & BAR—Cajun-style array of seafood including shrimp, mussels, clams, crawfish, and oysters. 3295 Poplar. 207-1960. L, D, X, $-$$ RED KOI—Classic Japanese cuisine offered at this family-run restaurant; hibachi steaks, sushi, seafood, chicken, and vegetables.

5847 Poplar. 767-3456. L, D, X $-$$ RIVER OAKS—Chef Jose Gutierrez’s French-style bistro serves seafood and steaks, with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 5871 Poplar Ave. 683-9305. L, D, X, $$$ RONNIE GRISANTI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT— This Memphis institution serves some family classics such as Elfo’s Special and handmade ravioli, along with house-made pizza and fresh oysters. Closed Sun. 6150 Poplar, Suite 122. 850-0191. D, X, $-$$$

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RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE—Offers prime steaks cut and aged in-house, as well as lamb, chicken, and fresh seafood, including lobster. 6120 Poplar. 761-0055. D, X, $$$-$$$$ SALSA—Mexican-Southern California specialties include carnitas, enchiladas verde, and fajitas; also Southwestern seafood dishes such as snapper verde. Closed Sun. Regalia Shopping Center, 6150 Poplar, Suite 129. 683-6325. L, D, X, $-$$ SEASONS 52—This elegant fresh grill and wine bar offers a seasonally changing menu using fresh ingredients, wood-fire grilling, and brick-oven cooking; also a large international wine list and nightly piano bar. Crescent Center, 6085 Poplar. 682-9952.

L, D, X, $$-$$$ SOBEAST—Eastern branch of the popular South of Beale, featuring the restaurant’s traditional staples, as well as rotating special menu items. 5040 Sanderlin.

818-0821. L, D, SB, X, $-$$.

SOUTHALL CAFE—Locally sourced ingredients bolster a chef-driven menu offering breakfast and lunch classics. 669 S. Mendenhall. 646-5698. B, L, WB, X, $ STAKS—Offering pancakes, including birthday cake and lemon ricotta. Menu includes other breakfast items such as beignets and French toast, as well as soups and sandwiches for lunch. 4615 Poplar. 509-2367; 7704 Poplar (Germantown). 800-1951. B, L, WB, X, $ SUSHI JIMMI—This food truck turned restaurant serves a variety of sushi rolls, fusion dishes — such as kimchi fries — and sushi burritos. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Mon. 2895 Poplar.

729-6985. L, D, X, $ SWANKY’S TACO SHOP—Taco-centric eatery offers tortas, flatbreads, quesadillas, chimichangas, burgers, and more. 4770 Poplar. 730-0763; 6641 Poplar (Germantown). 737-2088; 272 S. Main. 779-3499. L, D, X, $ THREE LITTLE PIGS—Pork-shoulder-style barbecue with tangy mild or hot sauce, freshly made coleslaw, and baked beans.

5145 Quince Rd. 685-7094. B, L, D, X, $ TOPS BAR-B-Q—Specializes in pork barbecue sandwiches and sandwich plates with beans and slaw; also serves ribs, beef brisket, and burgers. 1286 Union. 725-7527; 4183 Summer. 324-4325; 5391 Winchester. 794-7936; 3970 Rhodes. 323-9865; 6130 Macon.

371-0580. For more locations, go online. L, D, X, $ VENICE KITCHEN—Specializes in “eclectic Italian” and Southern Creole, from pastas, including the “Godfather,” to hand-tossed pizzas, including the “John Wayne”; choose from 50 toppings. 368 Perkins Ext. 767-6872. L, D, SB, X, $-$$ WANG’S MANDARIN HOUSE—Offers Mandarin, Cantonese, Szechuan, and spicy Hunan entrees, including the golden-sesame chicken; next door is East Tapas, serving small plates with an Asian twist. 6065 Park Ave., Park Place Mall. 7630676. L, D, X, $-$$ WASABI—Serving traditional Japanese offerings, hibachi, sashimi, and sushi. The Sweet Heart roll, wrapped — in the shape of a heart — with tuna and filled with spicy salmon, yellowtail, and avocado, is a specialty. 5101 Sanderlin Rd., Suite 105. 421-6399.

L, D, X, $-$$ WOMAN’S EXCHANGE TEA ROOM—Chicken-salad plate, beef tenderloin, soups-and-sandwiches, and vegetable plates are specialties; meal includes drink and dessert. Closed Sat.-Sun. 88 Racine. 327-5681. L, X, $ ZAYDE’S AT THE J—Kosher options at the Memphis Jewish Community Center cafe include traditional New York-style dishes and Israeli fusion. 6560 Poplar Ave. 208-3495. L, D, $-$$

CORDOVA BOMBAY HOUSE—Indian fare includes lamb korma and chicken tikka; also, a daily luncheon buffet. 1727 N. Germantown Pkwy. 755-4114. L, D, X, $-$$ THE BUTCHER SHOP—Serves steaks ranging from 8-oz. filets to a 20-oz. porterhouse; also chicken, pork chops, fresh seafood. 107 S. Germantown Rd. 757-4244. L (Fri. and Sun.), D, X, $$-$$$ GREEN BAMBOO—Pineapple tilapia, pork vermicelli, and the soft egg noodle combo are Vietnamese specialties here. 990 N. Germantown Parkway, Suite 104. 753-5488. L, D, $-$$ KING JERRY LAWLER’S MEMPHIS BBQ COMPANY—Offers a variety of barbecue dishes, including brisket, ribs, nachos topped with smoked pork, and a selection of barbecue “Slamwiches.” 465 N. Germantown Pkwy., Suite 116.

509-2360. L, D, X, $

JIM ’N NICK’S BAR-B-Q—Serves barbecued pork, ribs, chicken, brisket, and fish, along with other homemade Southern specialties. 2359 N. Germantown Pkwy. 388-0998. L, D, X, $-$$ EL MERO TACO—This food truck turned restaurant serves up Mexican and Southern-style fusion dishes, including fried chicken tacos, chorizo con papas tacos, and brisket quesadillas. 8100 Macon Station, Suite 102. 308-1661.

Closed Sun.-Mon. L, D, WB, X, $ POKÉ WORLD—Serves up Hawaiian poké bowls filled with rice and diced, raw fish. Also offers Taiwanese bubble tea and rolled ice cream for dessert. 1605 N. Germantown Pkwy., Suite 111.

623-7986. East Memphis: 575 Erin Dr. 779-4971. L, D, $ SHOGUN JAPANESE RESTAURANT—Entrees include tempura, teriyaki, and sushi, as well as grilled fish and chicken entrees. 2324 N. Germantown Pkwy. 384-4122. L, D, X, $-$$ TANNOOR GRILL—Brazilian-style steakhouse with skewers served tableside, along with Middle Eastern specialties; vegetarian options also available. 830 N. Germantown Pkwy. 443-5222. L, D, X, $-$$$

GERMANTOWN BLUE HONEY BISTRO—Entrees at this upscale eatery include brown butter scallops served with Mississippi blue rice and herb-crusted beef tenderloin with vegetables and truffle butter. Closed Sun. 9155 Poplar, Suite 17. 552-3041. D, X, $-$$$ FOREST HILL GRILL—A variety of standard pub fare and a selection of mac-and-cheese dishes are featured on the menu.

Specialties include Chicken Newport and a barbecue salmon BLT. 9102 Poplar Pike. 624-6001. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$ GERMANTOWN COMMISSARY—Serves barbecue sandwiches, sliders, ribs, shrimp, and nachos, as well as smoked barbecued bologna sandwiches; Mon.-night all-you-can-eat ribs.

2290 S. Germantown Rd. S. 754-5540. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ KOHESIAN SOKO STYLE EATERY—Korean-American eatery serves up fusion-style dishes like bibimbap burgers or gochujang marinated loaded spicy pork nachos. 1730 S. Germantown Rd. 308-0223. L, D, X, $$ LAS TORTUGAS DELI MEXICANA—Authentic Mexican food prepared from local food sources; specializes in tortugas — grilled bread scooped out to hold such powerfully popular fillings as brisket, pork, and shrimp; also tingas, tostados. Closed Sunday. 1215 S. Germantown Rd. 751-1200; 6300 Poplar. 623-3882. L, D, X, $-$$ MOONDANCE GRILL—From the owners of Itta Bena and Lafayette’s. Serves steak cooked sous vide and seafood dishes including Abita-barbecued shrimp and pan-seared sand dab, in addition to an extensive wine and cocktail list. 1730 S. Germantown Road, Suite 117. 755-1471. L, D, X, $$-$$$ NOODLES ASIAN BISTRO—Serves a variety of traditional Asian cuisine, with emphasis on noodle dishes, such as Singapore Street Noodles and Hong Kong Chow Fun. 7850 Poplar, Suite 12.

755-1117. L, D, X, $ PETRA CAFÉ—Serves Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern sandwiches, gyros, and entrees. Hours vary; call. 6641 Poplar.

754-4440; 547 S. Highland. 323-3050. L, D, X, $-$$ ROCK’N DOUGH PIZZA CO.—Specialty and custom pizzas made from fresh ingredients; wide variety of toppings. 7850 Poplar, Suite 6. 779-2008. L, D, SB, X, MRA, $$ ROYAL PANDA—Hunan fish, Peking duck, Royal Panda chicken and shrimp, and a seafood combo are among the specialties. 3120 Village Shops Dr. 756-9697. L, D, X, $-$$ RUSSO’S NEW YORK PIZZERIA AND WINE BAR—Serves gourmet pizzas, calzones, and pasta, including lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo, scampi, and more. 9087 Poplar, Suite 111. 755-0092. L, D, WB, X, $-$$ SAKURA—Sushi, tempura, and teriyaki are Japanese specialties here. 2060 West St. 758-8181; 4840 Poplar. 572-1002. L, D, X, $-$$ SOUTHERN SOCIAL—Shrimp and grits, stuffed quail, and Aunt Thelma’s Fried Chicken are among the dishes served at this upscale Southern establishment. 2285 S. Germantown Rd. 7545555. D, SB, X, MRA, $-$$$ TAZIKI’S—Mediterranean-inspired dishes all made from scratch. 7850 Poplar Ave., Suite 26. 612-2713. East Memphis: 540 S. Mendenhall Rd. 290-1091. Bartlett: 7974 US-64. 203-0083. L, D, $ WEST STREET DINER—This home-style eatery offers breakfast, burgers, po’boys, and more. 2076 West St. 757-2191. B, L, D (Mon.-Fri.), X, $

The Memphis Dining Guide $-$$$

ZEN JAPANESE FINE CUISINE—A full sushi bar and plenty of authentic Japanese dishes, like Hibachi or Wagyu beef. 1730 S. Germantown Rd. 779-2796. L, D, X, X,

COLLIERVILLE CAFE EUROPE—From Italian chef Michele D’oto, the French, Spanish, and Italian fusion cuisine includes a variety of dishes like Rosette al Forno, fish ceviche, and sole meuniere. Closed Sun. 4610 Merchants Park Circle, Suite 571. 286-4199. L, D, X, $$-$$$$ CAFE PIAZZA BY PAT LUCCHESI—Specializes in gourmet pizzas (including create-your-own), panini sandwiches, and pasta. Closed Sun. 139 S. Rowlett St. 861-1999. L, D, X, $-$$ CIAO BABY—Specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza made in a wood-fired oven. Also serves house-made mozzarella, pasta, appetizers, and salads. 890 W. Poplar, Suite 1. 457-7457. L, D, X, $ COLLIERVILLE COMMISSARY—Serves barbecue sandwiches, sliders, ribs, shrimp, and nachos, as well as smoked barbecued bologna sandwiches. 3573 S. Houston Levee Rd. 9795540. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$ DAVID GRISANTI’S—Serving Northern Italian cuisine and traditional family recipes, like the Elfo Special, shrimp sauteed in garlic and butter, tossed with white button mushrooms and white pepper, and served over vermicelli with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Closed Sun. 684 W. Poplar (Sheffield Antiques Mall). 861-1777. L, D (Thurs.-Sat.), X, $-$$$ EL MEZCAL—Serves burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, and other Mexican cuisine, as well as shrimp dinners and steak. 9947 Wolf River, 853-7922; 402 Perkins Extd. 761-7710; 694 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 755-1447; 1492 Union. 274-4264; 11615 Airline Rd. (Arlington). 867-1883; 9045 Highway 64 (Lakeland). 383-4219; 7164 Hacks Cross Rd. (Olive Branch). 662-890-3337; 8834 Hwy. 51 N. (Millington). 872-3220; 7424 Highway 64 (Bartlett). 417-6026. L, D, X, $ EMERALD THAI RESTAURANT—Spicy shrimp, pad khing, lemongrass chicken, and several noodle, rice, and vegetarian dishes are offered at this family restaurant. Closed Sunday. 8950 Highway 64 (Lakeland, TN). 384-0540. L, D, X, $-$$ FIREBIRDS—Specialties are hand-cut steaks, slow-roasted prime rib, and wood-grilled salmon and other seafood, as well as seasonal entrees. 4600 Merchants Circle, Carriage Crossing. 8501637; 8470 Highway 64 (Bartlett). 379-1300. L, D, X, $-$$$ JIM’S PLACE GRILLE—Features American, Greek, and Continental cuisine. Closed for lunch Sat. and all day Sun. 3660 Houston Levee. 861-5000. L, D, X, MRA, $-$$$ MULAN ASIAN BISTRO—Hunan Chicken, tofu dishes, and orange beef served here; sushi and Thai food, too. 2059 Houston Levee. 850-5288; 2149 Young. 347-3965; 4698 Spottswood. 6098680. L, D, X, $-$$ OSAKA JAPANESE CUISINE—Featuring an extensive sushi menu as well as traditional Japanese and hibachi dining.

Hours vary for lunch; call. 3670 Houston Levee. 861-4309; 3402 Poplar. 249-4690; 7164 Hacks Cross (Olive Branch). 662-890-9312; 2200 N. Germantown Pkwy. (Cordova). 425-4901. L, D, X, $-$$$ RAVEN & LILY—Eatery offers innovative Southerninspired cuisine with such dishes as crispy shrimp and cauliflower salad, spiced lamb sausage and parmesan risotto, and bananas foster pain perdu. Closed Monday. 120 E. Mulberry. 286-4575. L, D, SB, X, $-$$ STIX—Hibachi steakhouse with Asian cuisine features steak, chicken, and a fillet and lobster combination, also sushi. A specialty is Dynamite Chicken with fried rice. 4680 Merchants Park Circle, Avenue Carriage Crossing. 854-3399. 150 Peabody Place, Suite 115 (Downtown). 207-7638 L, D, X, $-$$ WOLF RIVER BRISKET CO.—From the owners of Pyro’s Fire Fresh Pizza, highlights include house-smoked meats: prime beef brisket, chicken, and salmon. Closed Sun. 9947 Wolf River Boulevard, Suite 101. 316-5590. L, D, X, $-$$ ZOPITA’S ON THE SQUARE—Cafe offers sandwiches, including smoked salmon and pork tenderloin, as well as salads and desserts. Closed Sun. 114 N. Main. 457-7526. L, D, X, $

OUT-OF-TOWN BOZO’S HOT PIT BAR-B-Q—Barbecue, burgers, sandwiches, and subs. 342 Hwy. 70 (Mason, TN). 901-294-3400. L, D, $-$$ CATFISH BLUES—Serving Delta-raised catfish and Cajunand Southern-inspired dishes, including gumbo and fried green tomatoes. 210 E. Commerce (Hernando, MS). 662-298-3814. L, D, $ CITY GROCERY—Southern eclectic cuisine; shrimp and grits is a specialty. Closed for dinner Sunday. 152 Courthouse Square (Oxford, MS). 662-232-8080. L, D, SB, X, $$-$$$

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The Memphis Dining Guide COMO STEAKHOUSE—Steaks cooked on a hickory charcoal grill are a specialty here. Upstairs is an oyster bar. Closed Sun. 203 Main St. (Como, MS). 662-526-9529. D, X, $-$$$ ELFO GRISANTI’S NORTHERN ITALIAN CUISINE—Grisanti family classics like lasagna, homemade ravioli, garlic bread, and Northern Italian pizza.

Closed Sun. 5627 Getwell Rd. (Southaven, MS). 662-470-4497. L, D, X, $-$$ LONG ROAD CIDER CO.—Specializes in hard apple ciders made with traditional methods. Cafe-style entrees include black-eyed peas with cornbread and greens, chicken Gorgonzola pockets, cider-steamed sausage, and housemade ice creams.

Closed Sun.-Wed. 9053 Barret Road. (Barretville, TN). 352-0962.

D, X, $ MANILA FILIPINO RESTAURANT—Entrees include pork belly cutlet with lechon sauce, and shrimp and vegetables in tamarind broth; also daily combos, rice dishes, and chef specials.

Closed Sun.-Mon. 7849 Rockford (Millington, TN). 209-8525. L, D, X, $ MARSHALL STEAKHOUSE—Rustic steakhouse serves premium Angus beef steaks, seafood dishes, rack of lamb, and more. 2379 Highway 178 (Holly Springs, MS). 628-3556. B, L, D, X, $-$$$ MEMPHIS BARBECUE COMPANY—Offers spare ribs, baby backs, and pulled pork and brisket. 709 Desoto Cove (Horn Lake, MS). 662-536-3762. L, D, X, $-$$ CASINO TABLES BOURBON STREET STEAKHOUSE & GRILL AT SOUTHLAND CASINO RACING—1550 Ingram Blvd., West Memphis, AR, 1-800-467-6182 CHICAGO STEAKHOUSE AT THE GOLDSTRIKE—1010 Casino Center Dr., Robinsonville, MS, 1-888-24KSTAY /662-357-1225 FAIRBANKS AT THE HOLLYWOOD—1150 Casino Strip Blvd., Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-871-0711 JACK BINION’S STEAK HOUSE AT HORSESHOE—1021 Casino Center Drive, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-303-SHOE LUCKY 8 ASIAN BISTRO AT HORSESHOE—1021 Casino Center Drive, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-303-SHOE THE STEAKHOUSE AT THE FITZ—711 Lucky Ln., Robinsonville, MS, 1-888-766-LUCK, ext 8213 TWAIN’S STEAKHOUSE AT SAM’S TOWN TUNICA—1477 Casino Strip Resorts Boulevard, Robinsonville, MS, 1-800-456-0711

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NAGOYA—Offers traditional Japanese cuisine and sushi bar; specialties are teriyaki and tempura dishes. 7075 Malco Blvd., Suite 101 (Southaven, MS). 662-349-8788. L, D, X, $-$$$ PANCHO’S—Serves up a variety of Mexican standards, including tacos, enchiladas, and mix-and-match platters. 3600 E. Broadway (West Memphis, AR). 870-735-6466. 717 N. White Station. 685-5404. L, D, X, MRA, $ PIG-N-WHISTLE—Offers pork shoulder sandwiches, wet and dry ribs, catfish, nachos, and stuffed barbecue potatoes. 6084 Kerr-Rosemark Rd. (Millington, TN). 872-2455. L, D, X, $ RAVINE—Serves contemporary Southern cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, locally grown foods and a menu that changes weekly. Closed Mon.-Tues. 53 Pea Ridge/County Rd. 321 (Oxford, MS). 662-234-4555. D, SB, X, $$-$$$ SAINT LEO’S—Offering sophisticated pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and salads. A James Beard nominee for Best New Restaurant in 2017. 1101 Jackson (Oxford, MS). 662-234-4555. D, L, WB, $-$$ SNACKBAR—Billed as an intriguing mix of “French Bistro with North Mississippi Cafe.” Serving a confit duck Croque Monsieur, watermelon-cucumber chaat, pan-fried quail, plus a daily plate special and a raw bar. 721 N. Lamar (Oxford, MS). 662-236-6363.

D, $-$$$ WILSON CAFE—Serving elevated home-cooking, with such dishes as deviled eggs with cilantro and jalapeño, scampi and grits, and doughnut bread pudding. 2 N. Jefferson (Wilson, AR).

870-655-0222. L, D (Wed. through Sat. only), X, $-$$$

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THIS IS THE GREATEST CIVIL RIGHTS STORY EVER TOLD.

450 Mulberry Street Memphis, TN 38103

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R E D I S C OV E R

M E M PH I S

Local Media

These local sources make it easy to find out who, what, when, where, and why.

COMPILED BY JON W. SPARKS

W

hether you’re new to Memphis or a long-timer, the magazine you’re reading right now (whether in print or online) is one of the best sources of info about the Bluff City. Memphis has been describing the character of the Mid-South with long-form stories, features, and columns for more than 45 years.

We’re happy you’re reading us, and of course you should subscribe (it’s surprisingly inexpensive). There’s so much going on in Memphis these days, and we’re glad to share other sources that help tell you what’s happening.

Memphis magazine, edited by Anna Traverse Fogle, has other award-winning sibling publications here at Contemporary Media, Inc., a local company that Fogle leads. The free alternative weekly Memphis Flyer, under the new leadership of Jesse Davis, brims with news, politics, culture, and is the best local source of arts and entertainment info — look for it in racks and boxes all over town. CMI also publishes the free quarterly Memphis Parent magazine, shepherded

by Shara Clark, the definitive guide to

raising children in the Mid-South.

Here are other outlets, some requiring subscriptions, some free, and all covering issues in the region: The Commercial Appeal has been a dominant daily print newspaper here in one form or another since the nineteenth century. Owned by Gannett, it’s under the leadership of Mark Russell, executive editor.

The Daily Memphian, headed by CEO Eric Barnes, is a three-year-old locally owned online-only site with news of

Television, of course, brings you all the stories that have visuals, and you can find them at WREG-TV News Channel 3 (Ron Walter, president and general manager), WMC-TV ActionNews5 (Jonathan Mitchell, vice president and general manager), WHBQ FOX13 (Michelle Harper, vice president and general manager), and Local Memphis, which is ABC’s WATN-TV Channel 24 and CW’s WLMT-TV Channel 30 (Rick Rogala, president and general manager).

Also noteworthy is WKNO-TV Channel 10 (Charles McLarty, president & CEO), particularly its radio companion (FM 91.1) that offers arts coverage.

What makes Memphis “Memphis”? Blogs and websites galore document what’s going on around town. Naturally, we suggest you first check out the variety

of blogs on the Memphis Flyer site: news, politics, music, sports, food, film, arts, and more.

Josh Whitehead’s Crème de Memph showcases the design and history of Memphis. Historic Memphis, a labor of love by Gene Gill, delves into the city’s yesteryear in stories and photos. History buffs shouldn’t forget our very own eccentric but loveable Vance Lauderdale. And StoryBoard Memphis, published

by Mark Fleischer, offers a wide-ranging look at the city’s history within the context of today’s neighborhoods.

Other worthy sites include Choose901, a Memphis booster run by City Leadership, a nonprofit that aims to attract millennials to town. The useful site has, among other things, a thorough listing of things to do.

The I Love Memphis Blog is run by Holly Whitfield, maintained by Memphis Tourism, and is packed with people, places, lists, and ongoing events.

ArtsMemphis, led by Elizabeth Rouse, has a website with a solid arts/ entertainment calendar of events.

Political and economic issues get fresh examinations at Tom Jones’ Smart City Memphis, a part of Smart City Consulting, a public policy and planning group.

The Caramelized blog is a stylish food and lifestyle foray by Cara Greenstein into those things that make a good life better.

The award-winning Bigger Than Your Head blog by Fredric Koeppel is a wine lover’s necessity. It pulls corks but no punches in its look at wines and the winemaking industry.

Podcasts have been sprouting all over and we’ll point you to a few we like, including Memphis Flyer Radio (what people are talking about), Entrepreneurial Insights (interviews with savvy businesspeople), Extra Innings (entrepreneurial secrets with Jay Myers), The Daily Memphian Politics Podcast with Bill Dries, Grits and Grinds: Memphis Grizzlies with Keith Parish, and so many more. But this should get you started.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRISTIAN HORZ + IFEELSTOCK / DREAMSTIME

Say What?

general interest.

The Memphis New Tri-State Defender is one of the longest continuously published African-American newspapers in the Southern United States. Its print and online versions cover news, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. The executive editor is Karanja A. Ajanaku.

MLK50: Justice Through Journalism is an award-winning nonprofit digital news operation that tackles issues “on the intersection of poverty, power, and policy.” Led by founding editor Wendi C. Thomas, it’s been commanding attention since 2017.

Memphis Business Journal’s parent company, American City Business Journals, has some 40 other news sites. MBJ frequently updates online with breaking business news and it has a print edition. Joanna Crangle is market president and publisher.

Education-related information is available on Chalkbeat, a nonprofit group devoted to improving schools. It’s a national endeavor that focuses on seven regions, Tennessee being one of them.

High Ground News is a weekly digital publication that covers issues of importance to Memphis, including neighborhoods, corporate growth, innovation, and economic development.

Emily Trenholm is publisher and community engagement manager.

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