Neighborly Issue 3 | 2025

neighborly

in Memphis

At the Table

Savor the flavors of Memphis and meet the people behind some of the city’s most popular food destinations.

Discover the unique character and vibrant communities that make each part of the city special.

Mid-South School Guide

Road Trippin’

A Magazine About Life in Memphis

EDITORIAL DIRECTION

Jennifer L. Stripay, PhD

Mike O’Kelly

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Brittney Bryant

Sasha Steinberg

Kerry Goff

Meghan Stuthard

Brian O’Flynn

Joan Biddle

Matt Gaschk

CREATIVE DIRECTION

Ben Hampton

DESIGN

Rachel Byrd

Leena Xaypanya

ILLUSTRATION

Briana Williams

Annie White

PHOTOGRAPHY

Justin Veneman

Trey Clark

Ann-Margaret Hedges

Jere Parobek

Jake Hopkins

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Sean Fernandez

PREPARED BY

Strategic Communication, Education and Outreach (SCEO)

A Message from the CEO

IN THE SUMMER OF 2024 , I had the chance to join other St. Jude employees and their family members for a night of Memphis Redbirds baseball. From the first pitch by a 12-year-old St. Jude patient to the flashy fireworks finale, I was filled with pride, not only in the St. Jude community but also in this place we call home—Memphis, Tennessee.

Each one of our nearly 7,000 employees has a unique story about how they came to St. Jude. Many of them have comparable stories about how they have made the Mid-South their home. Some were already longtime Memphians, while others moved to Memphis from different parts of the U.S. or from countries across the globe—all in support of the St. Jude mission. This common purpose is evident in the 131 homeland flags that rest above the atrium of the Danny Thomas Research Center.

When I arrived at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 1986, I knew little about Memphis and the surrounding area. In the nearly four decades since, I’ve watched the city grow and prosper. St. Jude has also made tremendous progress and experienced remarkable growth during that time. We are in the midst of the St. Jude FY2022–2027 strategic plan, the guide to the largest expansion in the institution’s history. We have made tremendous strides toward this plan’s goals and are generating knowledge at a scale we’ve never seen. We are also growing our workforce, bringing in the best and brightest from different geographies, industries, and backgrounds. This diverse workforce makes St. Jude—and Memphis—a special place.

Although I’m a native of Michigan, I’ve lived in Memphis longer than anywhere. It’s where my wife and I raised our family, made lifelong friends, and built our lives. A common theme that you often hear about Memphis is that it’s

a big small town—where there’s a feeling of community and connection but also a diverse range of things to do and places to explore.

This edition of Neighborly magazine highlights St. Jude employees who spend their free time making new friends and rekindling their passions for recreation in a variety of sports and activities. Some have made connections in unexpected places. You’ll read about transplanted northerners who found a hockey league in the South, a lively kickball rivalry between St. Jude scientists and postdocs, and a vibrant local running community that has encouraged a new runner to participate in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend for the first time.

In these pages, you’ll discover more about Memphis events, read the latest on the local dining scene, see how Memphians are connecting to the community, and be inspired by those making a difference through their talents. I encourage you to read these stories and learn more about this community we call home.

Many of the places and activities featured in this edition are places my family and I also enjoy. As I share in the Recreational Sports section on Page 22, you can often find me on my bicycle traversing the hills and roads of Shelby County on the weekends. I have more in Memphis, and I hope these stories inspire you to explore Memphis more.

Sincerely,

President and CEO

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

BLUFF CITY

Dinner & Music Cruises on the Mighty Mississippi

Experience the stunning city skyline, delicious Memphis BBQ, live music, and unforgettable memories with every splash of the river.

Riverbeat Music Festival

Hosted by Mempho at Tom Lee Park, the festival features over 50 artists and bands, stunning views of the Memphis skyline, and a diverse lineup of music.

MoSH Exhibits

The Museum of Science and History (MoSH) offers a captivating experience with exhibits, films, and events covering everything from historical milestones to modern discoveries.

Orpheum Theatre

Broadway Shows

As one of Memphis’ premier cultural landmarks, the Orpheum Theatre features world-class performances, from timeless classics to Broadway hits, all within its elegant, vintage setting.

The annual summer festival celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with a colorful parade, live performances, art, food, and family-friendly activities, promoting equality, inclusion, and love.

Delta Fair and Music Festival

This annual event showcases the region’s culture with carnival rides, live music, a livestock show, and food vendors, offering a fun-filled experience for families and visitors.

Memphis Juneteenth Fest

This celebration honors African American history and freedom with music, food, art, and activities, blending entertainment and education to promote heritage, unity, and justice.

Zoo Boo

This family-friendly Halloween event at the award-winning Memphis Zoo offers trick-or-treating, themed activities, costume contests, and animal exhibits, making it a popular fall tradition.

The Summer Concert Series offers free live performances in a relaxed, open-air setting, showcasing diverse artists from classical to rock for all to enjoy.

Fourth of July Fireworks in Memphis

A variety of fireworks events throughout the area light up the skyline with a vibrant display offering a celebration with live music, food, and family activities.

St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend

The Memphis marathon weekend is the largest single-day fundraiser for St. Jude, featuring race events through Memphis’ iconic districts and St. Jude.

Starry Nights

This event brings the magic of the holidays to life with dazzling displays and photo spots, spreading joy to both kids and adults.

Graceland Holiday Lighting Ceremony

The annual holiday event at Elvis Presley’s iconic home features twinkling lights, live music, and festive tours, becoming a cherished tradition for families and fans.

Memphis Turkey Trot

The annual Thanksgiving Day 5K race in Midtown features a scenic route, live music, costumes, and a community atmosphere, promoting fitness and raising funds for local charities.

Firepit Fridays at Tom Lee Park

Bundle up and relax by a firepit on the Memphis riverfront, sipping hot chocolate, roasting s’mores, and enjoying holiday music.

Bluff City Kwanzaa Festival

Celebrate African American culture with music, dance, art, and community activities, honoring the seven principles of Kwanzaa and promoting unity, creativity, and pride.

Memphis Pride Fest

Overton Park Shell: Summer Concert Series

CITY BUZZ

Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival

The largest one-day crawfish festival outside Louisiana draws thousands to enjoy spicy crawfish, live music, family fun, and an annual Gumbo Cook-off.

Memphis Farmers Market

The weekly Memphis Farmers Market offers locally sourced produce and food while educating the community about the benefits of eating fresh and nutritiously.

South Main Trolley Nights

The last Friday of each month, the South Main Historic Arts District offers a lively celebration of art, culture, and entertainment, with shops and local food vendors.

Peabody Rooftop Parties

Crafts and Drafts

Africa in April

An annual celebration of the African continent’s rich heritage, history, and diversity, featuring music, art, cuisine, performances, and cultural exhibitions.

An annual premier PGA Tour event at TPC Southwind that features top golfers on a challenging course and combines world-class competition with community support.

Cooper Young Fest

Celebrating Memphis’ culture and creativity, this lively event features over 400 vendors, live music, food trucks, and local artists, making it one of the city’s most anticipated events.

Grand Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration

Kicking off the start of Chanukah, this community celebration features menorah lighting, music, dancing, and traditional treats.

The popular summer tradition offers stunning skyline views, live music, and refreshing cocktails atop the iconic Peabody Hotel for an unforgettable experience.

Summer Market

This lively outdoor event features local craft vendors, handmade goods, craft beer, live music, and a relaxed familyfriendly atmosphere.

Jones Orchard

Located in Millington, just outside Memphis, this family-owned farm offers fresh produce, a charming farmers market, and seasonal events, making it a popular spot.

Grind City Coffee Xpo

Featuring local coffee roasters, tastings, brewing demos, and educational sessions, this annual event is a must-attend for coffee enthusiasts to explore Memphis’ coffee culture.

King Day

This celebration honors the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with community service, and educational programs, promoting justice and equality.

Germantown Festival

Celebrate local culture with live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts, and family-friendly activities, during this fall season highlight.

Scare on the Square

This family-friendly Halloween event in Collierville features a haunted house, costume contests, trick-ortreating, and games, becoming a beloved community tradition.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

This classic college football event features top teams, along with pep rallies, and live music, making it a festive highlight of Memphis’ sports scene.

Lunar New Year

This celebration marks the lunar new year with cultural performances, food, and family activities, celebrating Asian heritage and themes of renewal and unity.

FedEx St. Jude Championship

BY THE NUMBERS

6,700

People employed at St. Jude*

Countries and homelands represented

40 BUILDINGS

With six additional buildings under construction as of 2025

$2 billion To grow and sustain St. Jude annually Forbes 2024 Top 10 America’s Best Employers for Women

391

Patients housed nightly+

20 St. Jude regional and transversal global programs

5K

Youth reached annually through STEMM programs

1.2 million Meals served each year in Kay Kafe, the hospital's main dining area

2.75 million Square feet for research, support, and treatment

*As of December 2024

+ (Non-local domestic and international)

Adventure starts here.

Big Cypress Lodge at The Pyramid

Memphis Zoo

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid is a one-stop shop for plenty of adventure and activities. Inside, families can find bowling, dining, arcade games, aquariums, swamps, live animals, shopping, and more. The Sky High Ride & Observation Deck experience includes a ride in the country’s tallest freestanding elevator to the top of the Pyramid for aerial views of Downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River. The Pyramid also houses Big Cypress Lodge, a unique wilderness camping hotel complete with treehouse retreats and cabins.

AMUSE:

The Adventure Museum

Prepared to be amazed and amused with a visit to The Adventure Museum. This state-of-the-art social gaming facility offers more than 35 games with over 100 levels of physical, mental, and skill-based fun. Games are designed for groups of two to six players. Groups of two to 20 players and large groups of over 20 people also are welcome. Birthday party packages are available. Walk-in visits are allowed. Advanced ticket purchases are encouraged, especially on nights and weekends. There is a 50% discount for ages 2-7.

Situated in the heart of Midtown, the Memphis Zoo is a family favorite yearround. Watch a spectacular sea lion show, feed giraffes, and visit over 3,500 animals. In summer, visitors can cool off at the splash park. The Memphis Zoo also hosts seasonal events like Zoo Boo, where little ghouls and goblins can enjoy Halloween-themed activities. In December, Zoo Lights features dazzling light displays, tasty s’mores, and an indoor ice-skating rink. A 2024 Newsweek readers’ choice poll named it the No. 2 zoo in the nation.

National Civil Rights Museum

The National Civil Rights Museum is in Downtown Memphis, at the former Lorraine Motel, where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated April 4, 1968. The museum provides the story behind the movement and shares how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom globally. Through interactive exhibits, historic collections, dynamic speakers, and special events, the museum offers visitors a chance to walk through history and learn more about a tumultuous and inspiring period of change.

Stax Museum of American Soul Music

Big River Crossing

Big River Crossing offers an exciting excursion across the Mississippi River. Spanning approximately one mile, it is the longest pedestrian bridge over the Mississippi River. Families can walk, bike, or skate across while enjoying elevated views of the downtown skyline, Mississippi River, and Arkansas plains. The midpoint of the bridge marks the Tennessee-Arkansas state line. After sunset, the bridge comes alive with an interactive light display that illuminates the path at night. Families can extend their adventure along the Big River Trail System in Arkansas.

As a recording studio turned independent label in the 1960s and 1970s, Stax changed the landscape of soul music and brought the Memphis sound to a worldwide audience. Stax produced hits from music giants like Otis Redding, Booker T. and the M.G.’s, and Isaac Hayes. Learn more about the history of soul music on an interactive tour with thousands of memorabilia and admire Isaac Hayes’ custom, gold-plated 1972 Cadillac Superfly.

High Point Climbing and Fitness

An unforgettable experience and welcoming community await at High Point Climbing and Fitness. Day passes and memberships are available at this fun-for-everyone facility, which offers rock climbing classes and clinics for all ages and skill levels, as well as yoga and fitness classes. In the Kid Zone, children ages 3 and up can enjoy a fun challenge while rock climbing safely under staff supervision. Spring break and summer camps are offered. Birthday party experiences can be reserved.

Malco Summer Drive-In

The good ol’ days are just a drive away to the Malco Summer Drive-In. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s Top 20 Best Things to Do in Memphis, it’s one of about 400 drive-in theaters in the U.S. The facility is open daily year-round on Summer Avenue near Interstate 240. It’s home to four large outdoor screens featuring a rotating list of timeless classics and new releases. Admission is $25 for a carload and includes double features. Bring your own refreshments or enjoy a variety of offerings at the concession stand.

PEOPLE OF ST. JUDE

NIKITHA NIMMAGADDA

Sr. Researcher, Hematology – Therapeutic Genome Engineering (TGEn) Laboratory

COMING TO ST. JUDE

I’m from Hyderabad, India. I was fresh out of college when I moved to the U.S. to work at St. Jude. My research mentor at Center for Stem Cell Research, India, did his postdoctoral fellowship at St. Jude. He shared his experience about the hospital, and that intrigued me to learn more.

I came to St. Jude in December 2021, and every day has been an incomparable experience. Since my first year of college, I had dreamed of doing research that has an impactful role in helping patients. It’s hard to get opportunities to do translational research, but it has been worth the wait to do that at St. Jude. On the research side, we’re focused on exploring delivery mechanisms and initiating clinical trials for treating sickle cell disease using gene therapy.

I’m extremely proud of the work I do that directly benefits the children and families I see in the hospital every day. Jonathan Yen, my supervisor, has a very modern, industrystyle way of running the lab where everyone gets cross-trained and supports each other while we also focus on our individual expertise. St. Jude has also been a great platform for working in collaboration with multiple labs within and outside campus.

GETTING INVOLVED

It was the holiday season when I arrived at St. Jude, and a co-worker connected me to stay with an Indian family as I settled into the area and learned about the city.

Chaithu Parupalli in our department was the president of the Telugu Association of Memphis (TAM).

Telugu is one language of India. Chaithu spoke about the organization, and I volunteered one or two times. I thought it would be a nice way to venture out, and it has been a great experience. We have a big organization here in Memphis, and I have met many people.

I serve as director of the youth committee, and we do all types of activities—cultural events, food drives, Run for Fun between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and a Holi/Easter event where kids can learn about our culture and have fun.

Within the walls of St. Jude, culture is part of our routine. We welcome people, have fun, and spread cultural awareness. I’m an inclusion advocate through the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office at St. Jude. Through our employee resource groups (ERGs), I’ve been able to share who I was to people around me. For our annual Heritage Fest event at St. Jude, I was part of a flash mob and connected with employees of other cultures.

LOVING MEMPHIS

The best part about Memphis? It’s warm, as the weather in the city is warm and the people are too. The cost of living helps me. Being in a smaller city helps me with commuting. People in Memphis are super nice and supportive. That has been my experience ever since I have been here. People just want to help each other, and they stand by you.

There are many activities I like to do in Memphis. I like going to parks like Shelby Farms and walking Beale Street. I live on Mud Island near St. Jude, and I like the experience of crossing the bridge to my home and seeing the sky in different colors. I cherish that view every day.

Nikitha Nimmagadda

For me, St. Jude + Memphis = comfort and diversity. I see myself here throughout my life. That’s the impact that the city and St. Jude have on me.

Memphis is a place where people can feel welcome and find a home, and I’ve found that.

MEMPHIS FAVORITES

Restaurants in Memphis

• Flight

• Mulan Asian Bistro

• Sunrise

Things to Do

• Walking in Shelby Farms

• Exploring Beale Street

• Memphis Zoo

Memphis Events

• Memphis in May

• India Fest and Delta Fair

• Germantown Charity Horse Show

Nikitha Nimmagadda joined St. Jude in December 2021.

HEART OF THE hus Tle

EXPERIENCE SPORTS IN MEMPHIS, FROM JOINING LEAGUES TO WATCHING LOCAL GAMES.

Memphis Grizzlies

WHEN MARC GASOL had his jersey retired by the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2023-24 season, the three-time All Star and 2012-13 Defensive Player of the Year had plenty to celebrate from his 13-year NBA career.

Before he watched his No. 33 jersey lifted into the rafters and displayed permanently in FedExForum, he first returned to St. Jude, where he was a regular visitor during his playing days and a Hoops for St. Jude Ambassador and a champion for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Gasol’s gesture encapsulates the relationship between two of the city’s most prominent staples.

Since the Grizzlies arrived in Memphis in 2001, players have come and gone – some for just one season and others for nearly their entire careers. One common thread every year has been a close relationship with St. Jude.

While the Hoops for St. Jude Month has brought the spotlight to the institution, the support from the Grizzlies comes throughout the season.

Coaches wear St. Jude pins on the sidelines and players visit St. Jude patients and families and host them at games and other events.

The relationship between the team and St. Jude embodies the essence of the Grizzlies, which is more than just a basketball team to the city it calls home and uses its platform to elevate local causes.

“Service is in our DNA at the Memphis Grizzlies,” said Abusheri Ohwofasa, vice president, Community Engagement and Executive Director of Foundation for the Grizzlies.

Before players suit up in a Grizzlies uniform, the team works with them to understand their background and passions. Through this process, they are matched with local organizations that fit their interests so they can be active participants in the community they call home.

Some players even come to Tennessee with organizations that they already support, and the Grizzlies work to enable and amplify their engagement.

“Memphis has been a special place for me as soon as I arrived here,” said NBA veteran and Grizzlies forward Luke Kennard.

There are three main pillars of the Grizzlies community efforts— education, health and fitness, and service. Each of their programs tie back to those cornerstones. Throughout the season, the staff works with players and adjusts their programs and schedules to ensure they always feel engaged and passionate.

“They tie it to their own experiences,” Ohwofasa said. “Every player has an influencer that has helped shape who they are.”

Just as the players have had mentors throughout their lives, the players are given a platform to be those same role models to fans.

To see the amount of love and care the people put into this city is incredible. The fans and people here have supported us year-round, and I am blessed to be able to give back to this community. — LUKE KENNARD

The Memphis Grizzlies Foundation champions mentorship in the community, touting 37 program partners throughout the city that support young people in Memphis.

In addition, the team holds its annual Season of Giving in December. Players “adopt” families in Memphis and treat them to a Christmas to remember, complete with gifts, tickets to a game, and a catered dinner at the arena.

“Our goal is to assure that those who we touch have that moment and experience,” Ohwofasa said. “It’s all about them.”

Grizzlies forward Luke Kennard, above, has found community in Memphis.

Striking a New Path

CHRIS BRIDGES, PATHOLOGY

efore joining the St. Jude Bowling League in spring 2024, I was a casual bowler. I’d been to different bowling alleys throughout Memphis with my family. While we didn’t roll high scores or show the proper form, we always had fun.

I first heard about the league from a colleague in the Department of Pathology.

The team was looking for fun team-building opportunities. When our team bowled for the first time at Billy Hardwick’s All-Star Lanes in East Memphis, I learned there are many talented individuals at St. Jude. They seemed so graceful in their approach, and that inspired me to find ways to enhance my game.

During my team’s third or fourth game, I noticed that I was standing differently when I approached the lane and released the ball. The results showed as my score improved. Strikes became more common.

The next time my family went bowling, my wife and daughters noticed the improvement in my game.

I’ve learned that bowling is a craft requiring a refined technique— prepare yourself, picture a positive outcome and let the ball go.

I’m looking forward to more seasons of the league. I’ve already purchased a new pair of shoes and hope to get my own ball.

Hitting the Ground Running

KETAKI SAOKAR, PSYCHOLOGY AND BIOBEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

ack in my home country of India, I ran some short distances as a college student, and that was the extent of my running background. When I joined St. Jude as an employee in 2023, I registered to run the 5K during St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend.

I joined a group of employee runners known as the St. Jude 50 who were running the marathon. In addition, our St. Jude Living Well team provided advice and tips as I prepared for the 5K. To train, I ran paths along the Mississippi River. On race day, it felt amazing to accomplish my goal while seeing the faces of St. Jude patients as I ran through the campus.

After my run, members of the St. Jude 50 encouraged me to try for a longer distance. Five months later, I completed my longest distance of 13.1 miles during the Great American River Run in Memphis.

And I’ve already signed up for my first marathon—the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon.

I also have enjoyed running on a four-mile trail with a local group known as the Trail Trippers. It’s a welcoming group of runners, from beginners to ultra marathoners.

For those interested in running, my advice is to get out there and give it a try.

You are a runner whether you run the entire race or do a combination of running and walking. It’s about being active and joining a supportive and inclusive Memphis running community is a fun way to do that.

Pedaling for Purpose

fter graduating with a chemistry degree from the University of Arkansas, Mo Mehr arrived in Memphis with a drive to help others.

“I wanted to do research and help patients. I like being part of things that involve helping kids, and that’s why I applied to work at St. Jude,” said Mehr, who came to St. Jude in 1989 to work in the lab of Australian immunologist and Nobel Laureate Peter Doherty. Since 2001, Mehr has worked as a scientist in the Pathology department.

Along with conducting lifechanging research as a St. Jude scientist, Mehr wanted to find purpose outside of work. In 2006, he joined the Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club to learn road bike skills, meet cycling-minded people and increase his motivation to ride. In doing all three, he’s found purpose in a place he enjoys calling home.

“I’ve been participating in the Memphis Hightailers group rides since joining. I was assisting and co-leading some of the club group rides before officially becoming a ride leader,” he said. “Joining a club like the Memphis Hightailers gives me motivation to participate in cycling events and competitions and to pursue health goals. I enjoy the companionship that comes from riding with a group of cyclists on new roads and routes and participating in club biking events. It’s a good way to experience social connection.”

Memphis Hightailers has served as a community for more than 2,000 cyclists. The club has more than 30 group rides all over Memphis, including Collierville, Germantown, Cordova, and Bartlett. Current and prospective members can see the different pace groups within the club on the Memphis Hightailers’ social media accounts.

Mehr started a riding group for Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons to complement group rides on the other days of the week.

“We always needed someone to step up to organize a bike ride from the East Memphis area,” he said. “I live in East Memphis and wanted to encourage and motivate more people to ride bikes, get fit, and stay healthy, so I started organizing and leading the Hump Day group ride and then the Saints & Sinners group ride.” Mehr enjoys putting the time and energy into being a ride leader, from keeping a close eye on the weather to looking out for his fellow Memphis Hightailers.

“When I notice another cyclist is trailing behind the group, I slow down and wait. We have people who ride with us who are not from Memphis. They come from other states looking for where to ride, and I want to make sure they have someone to ride with,” he said. “Being a ride leader is about making certain that everyone who attends the ride has a safe and enjoyable experience. It makes me feel good when I see more people riding bikes, and it gives me a new motivation and feeling of satisfaction.”

Crazy About Ice Hockey

hen Julianne Bryan, program director in the Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics at St. Jude, moved to Memphis in 2006, her Boston roots drew her south across the Tennessee state line to the Desoto Civic Center (DCC), in Southaven, Mississippi. Now known as the Landers Center, the rink was the home of the Mississippi RiverKings, a local minor league ice hockey team.

Since 2011, ice hockey players have flocked to the year-round ice rink in Olive Branch, Mississippi to compete in the Mid-South Ice House Adult Hockey League that Bryan helped develop. “There were initially four teams of former RiverKings, junior players and Division 1 college players,” Bryan said. “That grew into 11 teams at three levels before I handed it off to the Ice House Hockey Director. Last season we had 17 teams, which is almost more teams than we have ice for.” Bryan plays in the league and also coaches.

“I started playing at age 42, and I tell everybody, ‘If I can start playing at 42, anybody can play.’” The rink also offers skating and hockey lessons for both youth and adults.

The season kicks off each September, and Bryan looks forward to each new season and rejoining her teammates, many of whom are colleagues at St. Jude. This includes Brian Abraham, PhD, assistant faculty member in the Department of Computational Biology.

Abraham, a former high school ice hockey player in the Northeast, never lost the desire for the ice after moving to Memphis. “I hadn’t played anything organized since probably college,” he said. “But I’ve always brought my gear with me just in case something came up.”

Bryan and Abraham are joined by St. Jude colleagues Adam Durbin, MD, PhD, assistant faculty member in the Department of

Oncology, Information Services security analyst Aaron Hasty, and Charles Roberts, MD, PhD, director of the St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center and executive vice president. Their coach is David Dachille, a student in the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and former Virginia Tech ice hockey player.

The team has this fun inverted structure where you’ve got a graduate student coaching much more senior scientists, but we

all buy in

because we recognize what each person brings to the rink.

— BRIAN ABRAHAM

While Memphis is not known for ice hockey, this league offers those who grew up playing the sport a chance to recapture that feeling while allowing beginners to try it out in a fun, supporting and welcoming environment.

The joy of the sport is to be able to go out and play. And for Bryan, spreading that feeling to beginners is what it’s all about. “New players may have fallen 18 times. They may have never even touched the puck. But I’ll check in with them during the game and ask them what they think. They always respond saying, ‘it’s so much fun!’ I just say to them, ‘I know! Everyone should play!’”

W heels of Change

How Cycling Powers Leadership, Community, and Global Success

JAMES R. DOWNING, MD

ST. JUDE PRESIDENT AND CEO

No sport ignites my passion like cycling, and the vibrant cycling community in Memphis has only deepened my commitment.

I began cycling in my thirties, but only took up competitive racing when I took on the leadership role of scientific director. As president and CEO of St. Jude, cycling has provided both physical benefits and the mental break from the stress of my job. Whether it’s a race along the Mississippi River or a challenging group climb through Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, each ride represents tranquility, freedom, and camaraderie.

The Shelby Farms Greenline is a 10.65-mile rails-to-trails project, connecting urban neighborhoods to sprawling parks.

For those craving off-road adventures, Shelby Farms Park has more than 40 miles of natural surface trails, catering to mountain bikers. It also boasts a BMX track for riders of all levels.

Cycling has introduced me to a diverse and supportive community here in Memphis.

From group rides to cycling clubs, there’s a sense of camaraderie among us.

Whether you’re a competitive cyclist like me or just enjoy getting outside on a bicycle, there’s a route, group, or event for you and your family.

Clubs such as the Memphis Hightailers, Major Taylor Memphis Cycling Club, Grind City Cycling Club, and the Hernando Bicycle Club provide plentiful opportunities to find your community.

Memphis’ central location makes it easy for me to compete around the Southeast and beyond. In fact, I was able to travel easily to Jacksonville, Alabama, to qualify for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Masters World Championships. In August 2024, I proudly represented the United States in my age group at the international event in Denmark, placing 10th in the world in the individual time trial.

Whether I’m exploring new routes or participating in races, cycling is one of the many ways I have more in Memphis.

Fun Meets Forever

CASSIE SALL, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

laying sports has always been a big part of my life— basketball, softball, volleyball, and more. But as I grew older, it became harder to keep that competitive spirit alive.

Then came wiffle ball.

I was first introduced to the Memphis wiffle ball community in 2018 when I volunteered at Wifflestock, a two-day fundraiser tournament. The game is like baseball with some key differences—everyone pitches and bats, and there is no baserunning. Teams consist of three to five players.

In spring 2021, I joined a league with some friends. We’d never played, and we only knew a few people on other teams. The rules were tricky at first, but other players were welcoming and patient as we learned the game.

That fall, the commissioner announced a random team draft, meaning I would no longer play with my friends. We were disappointed but decided to stick with it. I was placed on a team with three seasoned players. We enjoyed hanging out, having a few drinks, and practicing together. Our season wasn’t spectacular, but we had so much fun.

Fast forward to today, and I’m in a wonderful relationship with one of those three random teammates.

We’re in the process of buying our dream home and planning a future together.

Lesson learned: Memphis has a lot of opportunities to help you get out of your comfort zone and meet new people.

I met several other St. Jude employees through wiffle ball. Getting to know your colleagues outside of work is so much fun.

Kicking

It

Up a Notch

As the setting summer sun casts an orange glow over Midtown Memphis, a stream of red, rubber kickballs rise to meet it – a consistent feature at certain times of year in this part of the city. The Memphis Kickball League entered its final series of games for the day. For two teams, it was the matchup they had been anticipating—the St. Jude Postdoctoral Association against the St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The postdocs brought the music, but the students brought a history of winning, coming off consecutive decisive victories.

Despite a defiant stand from the postdocs, the students got the win and bragging rights for another year. But the result was quickly an afterthought as the players relished the fact that they were happy to play together.

Jeremy Shaw, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Immunology at St. Jude, is a vocal proponent of the intramural opportunities available within the city. “Without this kickball league, many of us wouldn’t have the opportunity to hang out together,” he said. “It’s a great way to get some exercise, keep in contact and have a bit of fun too.”

A key feature of the league is its availability to everyone, including those who have never played the sport, or even any sport, before. The communal nature means all are welcome. This is not lost on St. Jude graduate student Dennis Voronin. “Our team is made up of all sorts of people, and students from every graduate cohort at St. Jude are welcome,” he said. “It’s a great way to relax together. People also bring their significant others to play or come to watch and just hang out. We make sure it’s an inclusive environment.”

Members of the league represent several areas throughout St. Jude, such as Meghan Stuthard,

a strategic planning associate in the Office of Strategic Planning and Decision Support. Stuthard has played in the league for years. As a former recruiter in Human Resources, she knows the importance of having outlets like kickball for new employees to feel comfortable in a new city.

“When people move here, they want to know that they’re going to have some level of camaraderie and find their people. Kickball is a great way to do that,” Stuthard said. “It’s low stakes, easy to learn, and to make friends. There are many tournaments around town where people can join during non-season games. That was my impetus for introducing new recruits to it.”

While the graduate students met the challenge of the postdocs for another year, the positivity and camaraderie of the occasion quickly cut through any sense of anguish or triumph. The teams agreed to play one more inning for fun, as the warm Memphis evening was met with a cool night breeze and the calls of “We’ll get you next time!”

Serving Up Camaraderie

HEN SCIENTIST

WJonathan Yen moved to Memphis in 2019 to work at St. Jude, he knew little about his new city. One of his first thoughts—where could he find a place to play tennis and renew his passion for the sport that he hasn’t played since childhood?

Yen found opportunities to take lessons and refine his skills through the Smashing Aces group in Germantown and through Tennis Memphis, but he sought a larger connection. He joined a flex league and met players and decided to create and captain various teams to bring Memphis transplants together. He then decided to form an intramural tennis league that included St. Jude employees.

Working with partners at the institution, Yen formed the St. Jude Tennis League in 2022. More than 100 people expressed interest in joining. Today, nearly 50 employees regularly play in events and attend practices during spring, summer and fall sessions.

“My goal was to get people who used to play tennis back into it or to get people who moved to Memphis a place to play because that’s the struggle I first had when I moved here,” said Yen, who serves as vice president on the board of the Memphis Tennis Association, which is the local Memphis branch of the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

The St. Jude league has been wildly successful. For over three years,

Yen has recruited colleagues to build competitive teams through the USTA. In early 2024, Yen’s team won the Tennessee state championship and followed it up with a victory at the USTA sectional championship, beating teams from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Two other employee teams also have won state titles.

St. Jude teams have advanced to state five times over that span, winning the Memphis city league in the process.

The spirit of community among St. Jude scientists, clinicians, and operations staff has been evident at the league’s Monday evening practices. Team members enjoy gathering at Leftwich Tennis Center in East Memphis to practice, share pointers, and have fun.

“This has been wonderful,” said Michael Vetro, director of St. Jude culinary operations.

“It’s one of the best things I’ve been a part of at St. Jude.”

Finding new social circles and new friends has been a benefit. We have fun and encourage one another. There’s a lot of camaraderie. — JONATHAN YEN

The St. Jude league offers two options—a competitive league for players of all skill levels and ages and a six-week beginners’ instructional session.

Jen Larkin, a clinical project manager in Neuro-Oncology, played tennis in high school. She joined the league three years ago after more than two decades away from the sport.

“I thought it was a great way to play more tennis and connect with other people at St. Jude who love to play tennis,” Larkin said.

Diego Hijano, associate member and medical director of Occupational Health at St. Jude, has played tennis since elementary school in his native Argentina.

He echoed Larkin’s thoughts about connection.

“I enjoy sharing an activity beyond work and connecting with employees who otherwise I may never meet,” he said.

Yen, who is an associate member and director of Therapeutic Genome Engineering in Hematology, is actively recruiting new employees to join the tennis league.

A CURE STARTS WITH CURIOSITY

At St. Jude, we’re driven by curiosity. We choose not to accept the status quo, but rather question why things can’t be better—for our patients, our researchers, and the world at large. Our fusion of bench and clinical research has a proven record of success, but it all begins with curiosity. If there’s something you’ve been searching for, we’ll find a way to find it together.

DERRICK CALHOUN

Certified Pharmacy Technician Specialist

Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

COMING TO ST. JUDE

I was born in Memphis and a large portion of my family lives here as well. I attended college at the University of Miami for two years, and I felt like everything in Miami moved so fast. Soon after college, I found myself back in Memphis because it feels like home and the city moves at a good pace. Now, I live in Downtown Memphis and enjoy everything the city offers. From the businesses and events right outside my front door to the nature trails in Shelby Forest, Memphis has something for everyone.

At St. Jude, I am building a substantial career. Honestly, when I applied for my first position at St. Jude, I didn’t expect to get a call. Though I was shocked when the recruiter called me, I was so excited.

I started as a level one pharmacy technician and now I’m a certified pharmacy technician specialist. I am more involved on the clinical operations side, so St. Jude has opened different avenues with much more experience with technology. For example, I am learning to work with IT, and my team encourages me to take classes on different subjects, like compounding, so I can continue learning and growing.

I find myself in the middle of innovation rather than the sidelines, and I’m on four committees in the pharmacy. It makes me feel like I’m right there in the center of making decisions with the team.

A GREAT PLACE FOR CHILDREN

My son and daughter have attended both private and public schools in Memphis and had enjoyable experiences at each school. My son is currently in college and my daughter is in elementary school. Beyond schools, there are so many places for families. For example, the newly renovated Tom Lee Park in Downtown, Shelby Farms, or Overton Park in Midtown are great places for the whole family. No matter where you are, there is always something to do.

I love walking to the farmers market near the Powerhouse Theater or catching a movie. Also, there are so many kid-friendly places to eat.

We have a rich culture of diversity here that I haven’t seen anywhere else, and it is affordable for families compared to other large cities.

MEMPHIS CITY LIFE

I have an excellent work/life balance. When I’m not working, it’s never hard to find something to do. I can leave work or walk out of my downtown home to attend a Grizzlies basketball game with my season tickets. Then, we have Redbirds baseball at AutoZone Park—there’s so much to do!

To build onto diversity, there are all kinds of heritage festivals that occur in and around Memphis, including Italian Festival, Africa in April, and Food Truck Festival, to name a few. I also like barbecue festivals, but I really enjoy the World Championship Hot Wing Contest and Festival.

If something is happening in Memphis, I’m probably there. I stay busy.

When you’re a part of something, it encourages you to push forward, and it feels like I’m making a difference. It’s great to be part of something as significant as the St. Jude mission and to live in a city that is welcoming and entertaining.

MEMPHIS FAVORITES

Restaurants in Memphis

• Any local eatery on Main Street

Nature

• Shelby Farms

Things to Do

• Grizzlies basketball

• Live music anywhere downtown (just follow your ears)

• Hot Wing Fest

DE RRICK CALHOUN

We have a rich culture of diversity here that I haven’t seen anywhere else, and it is affordable for families compared to other large cities.

• Playhouse on the Square

• Hattiloo Theatre

Derrick Calhoun loves the work/life balance he has found in Memphis.

Explore the many ways Memphis businesses are actively staying engaged with and supporting the community, fostering growth, collaboration, and opportunity.

Rooted Memphis

Collage Dance

VISIT BARBARA’S DANCEWEAR in East Memphis any afternoon, and you will find many young aspiring dancers trying on ballet shoes. The owner always asks where the students take dance lessons because she knows the specifications of each ballet school. One of the most frequent responses is “Collage.”

Collage Dance started 15 years ago in Memphis, when Artistic Director Kevin Thomas and Executive Director Marcellus Harper had the idea to bring their New York City dance company to the Mid-South. Neither is from Memphis, but once they arrived, they discovered something special about the city: a heart for dance.

The professional ballet company, Collage Dance Collective, has presented 14 seasons in Memphis. They also perform in other cities and lead master classes with local ballet students around the country.

But Collage is more than just a dance company. It is a bustling ballet conservatory for kids, a continuum for adult classes, and a creative aging program.

The dance school has classes for people ages 2 to 92, with offerings in ballet, jazz, flamenco, West African, modern, tap, and creative movement.

Adults with no experience can take a six-week course in tap, ballet, or jazz. At the end of the course, students are prepared to enter adult beginner classes.

Collage began in Memphis in a small space on Broad Avenue.

“Just a few years ago, we were in a space that was a little over 2,000 square feet, serving 250 kids, and busting at the seams,” Harper said.

In 2020, thanks to supporters, Collage constructed a new building. It sits at the corner of Tillman Street and Sam Cooper Boulevard in the Binghampton neighborhood, near the growing Broad Avenue Arts District. At night, commuters can see the structure lit up with many dancers practicing within. The new building is itself like a dance, with geometric shapes and an arch signifying movement. The facility is 22,500 square feet, featuring five studios, five dressing rooms, multiple lounges, interior and exterior courtyards, and a private parking lot. Each of the five dance studios within has a blue ceiling, the hue moving from lighter to darker as dancers become older and more advanced. The shades of blue also represent day going into night.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that this would be where we are today,” Harper said.

To celebrate dance and bring the city together, Collage hosts an annual festival in September on National Dance Day.

The free, family-friendly event includes performances by Ballet Memphis, the Joffrey Ballet, the Memphis Grizzlies Grizz Girls, Grind House Dance, and many others. Last year’s event featured 14 performances in 11 different styles of dance. The community enjoyed food trucks, music, and audience participation opportunities. Collage Dance’s importance to Memphis and the broader world of dance extends beyond the surface.

MARCELLUS HARPER & ANNE-CAROLYN BIRD

What is special about Collage is that we are committed to growing the art form. We are dedicated to increasing diversity in the art form.

“It is crucial that our arts organizations are representative of our community,” Development Director Anne-Carolyn Bird said. “Having a professional classical ballet company in Memphis that features a roster entirely composed of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) dancers is an indicator to all that Memphis is a progressive and welcoming city full of cultural opportunities for all its residents.”

As Collage Dance embarks on its 15th season, people of all ages are touched by what the organization brings to Memphis and beyond.

Crosstown Concourse

FOR NEARLY two decades, the large Art Deco style building formerly known as Sears Crosstown sat vacant on a sprawling site in Midtown Memphis. Situated near North Parkway and Cleveland, the once bustling building served as the distribution center for the Sears mail-order catalog from 1927 to 1993. Paint peeled from the walls, water dripped from holes in the ceiling and broken glass scattered the floors.

Most people thought the dilapidated building was a lost cause, but Todd Richardson, Crosstown Concourse CEO, saw potential. In 2009, Richardson, then an art history professor at the University of Memphis, was intrigued by the possibilities for the 1.5- million-square-foot building (about the size of the Empire State Building lying on its side).

After researching similar projects with a feasibility study team, Richardson and his business partner planned to build a vertical community anchored in art, music, education, and health care.

“The biggest obstacle was believability and getting people to see past an empty building,” Richardson said. “We worked on this project for two years before we even told anyone what we were doing.”

Thankfully, others also envisioned a new life for the building. Several partners, including St. Jude and ALSAC, the institution’s fundraising and awareness organization, committed to leasing space. Richardson publicly announced plans for the building in 2012.

Construction began in 2015, and the building officially opened in August 2017. The sprawling building includes 265 apartments, a public high school, restaurants, business offices, a YMCA, and Church Health clinic.

“There are 32 different entrances and exits in the building. That was intentional because we want it to be very porous, so you can come in and feel like it’s a place for you,” Richardson said.

Crosstown Concourse offers a variety of experiences and things to do—enjoy pastries from a bakery, shop the local grocery, grab a coffee or ice cream, and even sip a craft beer in the adjacent brewery. Visitors can also immerse

themselves in the art and culture of Memphis. A free art gallery displays work from local artists. The Memphis Listening Lab features thousands of records, CDs and unique pieces of music history, which are free to the public for listening and learning. For those interested in live music, guests can enjoy music performances on select nights at the Green Room at Crosstown Arts.

With 98% occupancy in the building, fully rented apartments, and 3,000 daily visitors, Crosstown Concourse is a Memphis success story.

Richardson said he’s proud that the project showed Memphians that it was possible to overcome obstacles and change the city for the better.

TODD RICHARDSON

“What I love about Memphis is that you can do anything here. If you get involved and you’re proactive, Memphis loves you back. In other cities, you don’t even know where to begin with a big idea. In Memphis, you’re one or two conversations away from making things happen,” Richardson said.

Now, Richardson said his focus goes beyond the walls of the building. He wants to continue the momentum in the surrounding community.

“The hope is that Crosstown Concourse is a pebble in the water that creates ripples of impact in the neighborhood,” Richardson said. “It’s been hugely impactful in this community, bridging the gap between Rhodes College and St. Jude on North Parkway.”

You never know what you’re going to get here, which I love. Both in terms of the community and the people who are here. You may experience a pop-up concert or a new art gallery.

Junior League of Memphis

GROWING UP in Jackson, Mississippi, Lori Evans often heard about the Junior League’s commitment to the community. The organization helped raise millions of dollars for a pediatric cancer clinic in Jackson and offered ACT prep for high school students.

When Evans became a member of the Junior League of Jackson in 2008, she was eager to join the group of women on a mission to elevate the city. She didn’t expect the Junior League to play a pivotal role in her life. Through the Junior League’s training courses and service opportunities, she sharpened her leadership skills. After moving to Memphis and transferring to the local league in 2016, Evans knew she wanted to use those skills to do more for the organization.

Walking through the Junior League of Memphis (JLM) headquarters, she admired the framed photos of past league presidents on the walls. Evans wondered how she could be president one day. Over the next few years, she reached out to past presidents and asked for advice.

“I wanted to be on the forefront of impacting change in Memphis,” Evans said.

In 2023, her dedication and persistence paid off—Evans was elected president of JLM. Evans, who is also the community engagement manager at Regional One Health, is proud to serve the Memphis community.

“I value the opportunity to accelerate positive change in the city and help develop the potential of women,” Evans said. “It’s an honor to work alongside some of the most amazing women in Memphis.”

For Evans, the genuine friendships and advancement of women continue to serve as her motivation. She’s proud to lead an organization that breaks down barriers and helps women succeed.

“I love the saying, ‘Empowered women empower women.’ When you see all these women in the room with their unique skills and backgrounds, you know they’re going to help make a difference,” Evans said.

For over 100 years, the organization has developed programs and partnered with other nonprofits in Memphis. In 2023, the JLM partnered with nonprofit organization Yellow House, which provides housing stability for single mothers. The JLM members did more than provide funds to purchase a house— they helped with the home’s renovations by painting walls and stripping floors.

“We aren’t afraid to roll up our sleeves and do the hard work to move our community forward,” Evans said. “Now, a mother and her two children have a home.”

Other JLM programs include Baptist Camp Good Grief, a summer camp for families coping with the loss of a loved one, and REACH Memphis, a college and career mentoring program for students.

With a unified vision and relentless determination, Evans said the organization is a beacon of hope in Memphis and beyond. The leagues span over 298 communities in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, and Kenya.

LORI EVANS

No matter where they live in the world, these women are championing for a cause to make their community a better place. That’s what I love about this network.

I’m proud to be part of the change in Memphis.

MEMPHIS-BASED company

Cxffeeblack is on a mission, through education and empowerment, to reclaim high-quality coffee as a part of Black culture. Owners Bartholomew Jones and Renata Henderson take the art of coffee roasting seriously. Both taught in the Memphis public school system before pursuing their growing interest in coffee, and they opened a coffee club in their neighborhood. Cxffeeblack is a community-oriented, multidisciplinary, education-based coffee company tucked away in a corner of the Highland Heights neighborhood. The husband-andwife team seeks to return coffee to its African roots and in the process create an equitable Black future. Founded in 2019, Cxffeeblack became a trailblazer in the coffee industry by creating an entirely all Black coffee supply chain from Ethiopia to Memphis and is the first of its kind in Memphis.

The shop sits among a strip of small businesses across from a neighborhood median that has a small white house with a porch and a red door facing the shop. People from the neighborhood gather on the porch in rocking chairs and start their day with a cup of coffee from Cxffeeblack.

If it is your first visit to Cxffeeblack, you receive an Ethiopian welcome and a free coffee. And the coffee is great as it is—a good cup of coffee doesn’t need the additional ingredients; it just needs more community conversation.

When Jones attended Wheaton College in Chicago, he would visit area coffee shops to find a place to gather with fellow students. He was looking for that “third place,” which was not work or home but embraced community and conversation. “It became sort of an obsession,” he said. “I wanted a separate, new experience when I was there.” Because of his searching and researching, Jones sees himself as a coffee anthropologist. Jones enjoys coffee, especially specialty coffees, and learned the science, history, and the art of it.

He studies coffee like some study wine.

The couple’s first date was in a coffee shop. At some point, Henderson bought an espresso machine, and they made a coffee space in their home. They later learned how to roast. As the desire for a coffee community grew, so did their need for more space, which was when they moved to their location on National Street. As the coffee club grew, a hiphop music scene also started to thrive. It was a very reciprocal, organic process between Black coffee and Black music.

Cxffeeblack is a space where everyone is welcome: “In some coffee shops, dogs are more welcome than children are. We wanted to change that situation for our space. It’s more of a coffee club than a coffee shop,” Jones said.

As Cxffeeblack has grown, so has their reputation for social activism. They were more popular nationally and internationally before they were known in Memphis. Henderson is the first Black female roaster in Memphis and was recognized for best roaster internationally in 2023.

The couple also created an all-Black supply chain with an

African exchange program where Americans go to Africa and Africans visit the U.S. to learn how to roast coffee and become internationally respected baristas.

In 2023, Cxffeeblack won the Sprudge Media Networks’ 14th Annual Sprudgie Award for Best Film in Coffee for its documentary, “Cxffeeblack to Africa,” which follows Cxffeeblack’s inaugural sojourn to Ethiopia. Cxffeeblack was also honored in 2024 as Global Notable Roaster of the Year and was the inaugural recipient of the Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity’s 2024 Innovator of the Year award.

Cxffeeblack has been featured in several media outlets and has collaborated with partners including Miir, Oatley, La Marzocco, NBA player Jae’Sean Tate of the Houston Rockets, and West African coffee entrepreneurs at the Black Star Line Festival.

BARTHOLOMEW JONES & RENATA HENDERSON

Coffee can do more than stimulate the minds of folks who consume it; we imagine it can stimulate the economy of the communities it’s in.

PEOPLE OF ST. JUDE

TERRY FLETCHER

Research

Facilities Manager

Facilities Operations and Maintenance

COMING TO ST. JUDE

I was 5 or 6 years old the first time I heard about Memphis. I was sitting on my grandmother’s porch in my original hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, with my cousins. My older cousin, Chuck, was a musician. He was strumming the guitar as he made up blues lyrics to make us younger cousins laugh.

Chuck often talked about moving to Memphis to further his music career.

Years later, I was serving in the United States Navy when I learned that my younger brother, Eugene, had been diagnosed with cancer and was going to St. Jude for treatment. On my first visit to see Eugene, I remember walking around the hospital’s campus, peering through the windows of the energy plant and seeing the same equipment that I was working with in the Navy.

Unfortunately, Eugene passed away from his illness before I came to work at St. Jude. But as it turned out, I wound up in Memphis, married to my wife, Carrie, a native of the city. It wasn’t long before I joined the facilities team at St. Jude in July 2000.

In the 24 years since, I’ve been a maintenance mechanic, power plant operator, night shift supervisor, and a facility manager. Today, I am research facilities manager, and I oversee the operations in all our research buildings.

It’s amazing to see how much St. Jude has grown, and how much it will continue to grow. A wonderful thing about St. Jude is our diversity. I think it’s important for us to celebrate that as much as we can. I’ve been involved with the hospital’s first employee resource group (ERG), the Military Support Resource Group, since its formation. In more recent years, I have been actively involved as an ally for our PRIDE and Black Employees and Allies Resource groups.

TERRY FLETCHER

CONNECTING WITH MEMPHIS

Memphis has a certain energy that’s hard for me to describe, but it’s something I feel. This city has a soul and a vibe.

There’s something for everyone here— whether it’s food, music, festivals, or the outdoors. One of my family’s favorite things is attending the free concert series in the summer and fall at the Overton Park Shell in Midtown. My kids grew up running up and down the hill in front of the stage and joining impromptu conga lines. Memories here, you can’t make them fast enough.

MEMPHIS FAVORITES

Restaurants in Memphis

• Curry and Jerk

• Chang’s House

• Bayou Bar and Grill

I also enjoy the outdoors, whether it’s finding a nearby lake to fish or taking my bicycle for a leisurely ride. One of my favorite memories of Memphis involves serving as a bike marshal for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2019, I was assigned to follow the runner who was the overall winner. What an honor it was to be the first person to tell him, “Congratulations.”

Memphis is the type of place that if you embrace it, it will embrace you.

Nature

• Fishing at local lakes

• Riding his bicycle across the area

• Hiking

Things to Do

People often ask me where I am from, and I don’t hesitate. I say, “I am from Memphis.” I grew up in North Carolina, but I am from Memphis. Memphis has made me one of its own.

Terry Fletcher enjoys a variety of Memphis events, including the concerts at the Overton Park Shell.

• Concerts at the Overton Park Shell

• Attending festivals (India Fest, Greek Fest, Crawfish Festivals)

• Goat Days in Millington

GREAT IDEAS FLOURISH HERE

When field-leading researchers meet world-class resources, anything is possible. That means any idea can go from mind to matter. From cancer and sickle cell disease to neurologic disorders and more, if there’s a problem out there, we aim to solve it. With you.

At Tablethe

Explore restaurants, dining experiences, and culinary events shaping the vibrant food scene in and around Memphis.

Soul & Spirits Brewery

The soulful sounds of Memphis and the Delta region are infused into the vibe of one of the city’s newest breweries: Soul & Spirits.

THE BREWERY’S co-founders, husband and wife Ryan Allen and Blair Perry, are former studio musicians with rich backgrounds in blues and soul. Both have a deep love and knowledge of music history. Each of the brewery’s more than 100 beers is named after a song, an artist, or is a play on beer terminology.

The beer menu reveals the obvious nod to local sounds. “Respect,” “Hound Dog,” and “Proud Meri” are just a few of the more recognizable beverages.

“It’s probably the most fun coming up with names of beers and being inspired by a song to create a beer,” Allen said.

“It’s almost a reverse way that I think a lot of brewers work. We think about the song first and what style of beer, what flavors are going to come along associated with that song and how they fit.”

Allen, who serves as brewmaster, tasted his first beer as a 22-year-old visiting Prague, Czech Republic. He later traveled to Germany, which ignited his passion for home brewing. He returned to Germany to earn his master brewer diploma and advanced cicerone certification.

Once the duo decided that opening a brewery was their dream, the next step was finding the right part of the country. Allen grew up in central Illinois while Perry was raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas, about 70 miles northwest of Memphis. Her family often made trips across the Mississippi River to visit Memphis. The couple agreed that the Bluff City offered the best chance to pursue their dream.

“We wanted to bring beer and music together. Memphis fit that perfectly,” said Perry, who serves as the brewery’s CEO. “Memphis has so much history and soul. I once heard a quote that said, ‘Memphis calls you, and it brings you back time and time again.’”

Soul & Spirits was named the Tennessee Brewery of the Year in 2022 and 2023.

While the name “Soul & Spirits” has many potential local ties and marketing possibilities, the name is inspired by a quote from a German professor at a Bavarian brewery: “Malt is the soul, hops is the spice, yeast the spirit, and water the body of beer.”

After a nearly 18-month construction delay due to the pandemic, Soul & Spirits opened in October 2021 at 845 North Main Street in the Uptown community north of downtown. It wasn’t long before the accolades began pouring in. Soul & Spirits was named the Tennessee Championship of Beers Brewery of the Year in both 2022 and 2023. In summer 2024, one of the brewery’s most popular beers—Hoochie Coochie IPA—won first place in The Memphis Flyer’s Beer Bracket Challenge.

The Soul & Spirits taproom is housed in a nearly 40,000-square-foot building that was originally a Westinghouse Electric production facility. The building was empty for nearly a decade before Allen and Perry renovated it.

The brewery has three distinct areas—the Beer Hall, Brewhouse Viewing Room, and the Low Tones Room, a space for smaller, quieter gatherings. Soulful sounds of Memphis’ music past fill the larger space. The brewery encourages a communal spirit—whether it’s friends gathering to play cards or board games, families enjoying an outing (sodas and seltzers are available), or dog owners stopping in for a beverage. The brewery also features a regular rotation of food trucks, and outside food is welcome.

Soul & Spirits is open six days a week. Throughout the year, the establishment hosts a variety of events to support the community, including a book fair, album fair, Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, and the Manes on Main Festival. Merchandise as well as albums are also available for purchase.

From the colorful beer can art mural to the gilded throne, the brewery’s vibe is soulful. In the back of the brewhouse, Allen is happy to share how the beer is made while nearby the wort ferments in 60-gallon tanks named for musical icons such as Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin.

“We love Memphis. There’s just something about it that’s hard to put into words. It’s the birthplace of Americana music that eventually spread to other areas and influenced other genres,” Perry said. “Even though I was not born and raised here, I still advocate for the city I chose. We chose Memphis because we saw the potential for Memphis as the next big thing.”

BLAIR PERRY & RYAN ALLEN

We like to think of it as an analog experience. There are no TVs and nothing to distract you from having a beer with your friends or family.

Beers are named for classic blues and soul songs and artists.

Kelly English

Chef Kelly English is an “insider” to creole, “low country” cooking, which he explains jokingly is “when you add tomatoes to everything.”

NAMED THE 2009 Food & Wine magazine “Best New Chef,” English is inspired by the familiar flavors from his childhood in southern Louisiana (and grandma’s cookbook). He incorporates that inspiration into each dish he cooks.

English grew up in Louisiana and then moved to Oxford, Mississippi, for college to study pre-law at the University of Mississippi. Like many who started in the restaurant industry, English started washing dishes and cleaning fish while taking classes. He shifted his interest to restaurants and pursued his passion for food at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, where he also studied abroad in France and Spain.

With culinary degree in hand, English returned to New Orleans to work with Chef John Besh in some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants. English fell in love with Memphis later in 2004 when he moved to head up one of Besh’s restaurants in Tunica, Mississippi. He considers Memphis his adopted city and in 2013, opened The Second Line in Midtown. “From cocktails to Gulf seafood to zeal for life, this is what everyday New Orleans really is. This is the bar I grew up in...it is New Orleans, we grow up in bars. This is my reference point for good food and good times,” he said.

English explained that he wanted to do something special when he moved to Memphis. “The more we grow, the more we become a part of the community and that is where I find inspiration between soul food and creole cooking,” he said. “I make dishes that are a part of a long tradition. Many times, those who created these recipes are overlooked. Rarely is credit given to the people who deserve it.”

Though his recipes are consistent and authentic, English also knows how to adapt to both local trends and the needs of his employees.

Chef Kelly English incorporates his childhood influences from southern Louisiana into his cuisine.

KELLY ENGLISH

My talent is food, so I am going to find ways to contribute to the community in as many ways as I can with the talents I have.

Restaurant Iris offers a Memphis take on classic creole dining.

The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. “The industry had to change quickly or perish, and I was not going to let that happen; so we adapted.”

English found a way to not only keep Restaurant Iris and The Second Line open, but he also kept Fino’s from the Hill open during the pandemic. He took ownership of Fino’s in 2019, and the Midtown location is thriving today.

English also appreciates the diversity of restaurants in Memphis and is an enthusiastic supporter of other establishments. For example, English explained how there is a large Vietnamese community in Memphis and the Banh Mi sandwich is a lot like a po boy sandwich: “It’s moments like this where you start to realize there are just as many similarities in our food preparation and

preferences as differences. Being a part of the larger community becomes about lifting everyone up and being proud of their own accomplishments.”

English says Memphis is about action— to be a part of the community in a meaningful way. Because Memphis has given him and his team so much, he feels compelled to give back.

One way English contributes to the community is through The Second Line’s Day of Warmth event every winter. The event provides those in need with free meals, winter coats, and care packages, and now different organizations in the city contribute.

Creating “great food for a great cause” is the way he approaches all his ventures.

The Kitchen Table

Brad Glover has been welcoming people around his kitchen table for a long time.

FIRST, IT was his wife, Alicia, followed shortly by his three children, and throughout it all, myriad friends and family. Finally, it was time to welcome the Memphis community to his kitchen table.

“Why not bring the kitchen table from my house and put it in the restaurant?” And that’s exactly what Glover, owner of the popular Arlington spot The Kitchen Table, did.

The Kitchen Table, a restaurant offering Southern cuisine with a twist, opened in the Memphis suburb in 2023. Glover is constantly thinking of new riffs on Southern classics, experimenting and tweaking each one, and ending up with new favorites like crawfish lasagna and kabobs plated alongside collard greens. “I’m going to do what I know best, and that’s Southern food,” Glover said.

Glover chose Arlington for its quaint, country feel, and potential for growth. The suburb has grown nearly 50% in the past 10 years but has maintained its small-town charm. “You have to think about growth when opening a restaurant,” Glover said. Feeding the citizens of Arlington, especially those new to the Memphis area, is his top priority. “I love being able to step out of the kitchen and talk to people,” he said.

Brad Glover's The Kitchen Table offers Southern cuisine with a twist.

The Kitchen Table caters to adults and families alike. There are games in the yard for kids and a jovial atmosphere for Arlington neighbors to mingle and make new friends. “I love to see people smiling while eating our food,” Glover said. “Putting a smile on people’s faces and seeing them enjoy the food, that’s what I want to do.” A bonus for kids? The Kitchen Table always has cotton candy available.

Even the staff buys into the family atmosphere. Glover’s son, Dylan, works at the restaurant, alongside other area highschool students who are learning about the importance of the local hospitality industry. Glover grew up in the restaurant scene in Memphis, moving from Italian to the bustling bars of Beale Street, from Memphis favorite Babalu to the rambling farmhouse that would become The Kitchen Table.

A native Memphian, Glover is eager to discuss some of his favorite local spots. In Arlington, he and his family enjoy shopping at S.Y. Wilson, followed by a laidback dinner at Brendalay Grill and maybe even a stop by Crave Sweets Bake Shop. “Their Strawberry Crunch Brownie will keep us coming back,” Glover said.

The Glovers have a favorite family activity in Memphis, too. “Hands down, it’s the Memphis Zoo,” he said. “Feeding the giraffes is a must every time!”

It’s not just the family-friendly activities and community atmosphere that appeal to his family. “Over the years, the food scene has flourished, and our passion for exploring new local eateries continues to grow,” Glover said. “It’s unique because of its grit and grind,” adding that the diversity in culture is one of Memphis’ many selling points. Glover’s beloved family kitchen table might only seat 14, but there is room for plenty throughout the rest of The Kitchen Table. “If you’re from Memphis, it will always be home. If you leave, Memphis will still be your home.”

BRAD GLOVER

You don’t have to do a lot; if you do it well, that’s all that matters.

The Kitchen Table is located in the Memphis suburb of Arlington.

Good Fortune Co.

Good Fortune Co. owners and chefs

Sarah Cai and Arturo Leighton want to change the restaurant industry.

AFTER WORKING in various restaurants over the years, they know the secret to a successful restaurant—the hardworking staff.

“We want to flip the restaurant industry on its head with an employee-focused concept,” Leighton said.

They opened Good Fortune Co. in the South Main area in downtown Memphis in 2021. To elevate the employee experience, Cai and Leighton provide benefits and equitable pay.

A 20% service charge is included on all checks, so all staff receive a portion of the daily sales. With employees invested in the restaurant’s success, Cai said there’s an incentive to offer impeccable customer service.

“When you walk in here, you can feel the energy. I think that comes from our team being generally happy,” Cai said.

As chefs, Cai and Leighton also wanted to set a new standard for restaurant food. While many restaurants use premade items to save time and money, they focus on producing everything handmade. “Everything but the plate,” Leighton said.

From the hand-ground spice blends to the sauce, nearly every element of a dish is crafted in Good Fortune’s kitchen. The menu features ramen with scratch-made noodles (playfully listed on the menu as “Noods”) nestled in homemade broth. Soup bases for the ramen take up to a month to prepare, infusing flavors of dried shiitake mushrooms and salty anchovies.

After moving from Memphis to China at age 13, Cai developed a love for cooking and gained a new appreciation for the intricacies of Asian cuisine.

Good Fortune Co. focuses on producing handmade meals with fresh ingredients.

ARTURO LEIGHTON & SARAH CAI

It’s wild for us to be nationally recognized after only three years. In Memphis, you can really take your talents and make a name for yourself.

“Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandma in Beijing and she taught me how to cook Chinese food. Making dumplings together, I realized that food is such a universal language,” Cai said.

Cai is onto something—the dumplings at Good Fortune transcend cultures and taste buds. With a Mexican flare, the birria dumplings include tender beef and melty mozzarella. In the restaurant’s version of a Chinese crab rangoon, dumplings are stuffed with crawfish and cream cheese then deep-fried to perfection and served alongside a homemade sweet chili dipping sauce.

In January 2024, Good Fortune gained national attention after being featured on the Food Network television series, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Host Guy Fieri said the dumplings were “dynamite” and applauded Good Fortune's creativity with the food.

After the show aired, the restaurant’s reach extended beyond the Mid-South. Leighton said sales increased by 20% and some guests drove over 700 miles to taste the food.

With Good Fortune’s success, Cai and Leighton found the sweet spot between exceptional food and satisfied staff. Good Fortune does not accept reservations, and there’s typically a line of hungry patrons waiting for dinner Wednesday through Sunday.

“We want to give Memphis what it deserves—a nice restaurant with hospitality and incredible food,” Leighton said. “Every day, we’re pushing to do better.”

Good Fortune Co. is located in the South Main area of downtown Memphis.

SideStreet Burgers

There’s nothing better than good food cooked by good people in a good community.

Mah also owns OB Pizza Co., located inside the Mississippi Ale House that is just down the street from SideStreet Burgers. The businesses are part of Old Towne Parish, the travel and leisure district of Olive Branch.

“It’s a nice, up-and-coming area,” Mah said. “A lot of people work here and live in Memphis, so our restaurant is just a 30- to 45-minute drive away.”

YOU’LL FIND all three at Jonathan Mah’s SideStreet Burgers in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Everything about this restaurant, from menu to atmosphere, has been built on community for more than a decade.

“I love helping the community I’m in and the people who work for me at both of my restaurants,” said Mah, a Mississippi-born chef who grew up in Memphis.

Mah’s early restaurant experience came while working in his father’s steakhouse. He earned a hotel and restaurant management degree from the University of Tennessee. Following graduation, Mah worked at the award-winning Chateau Elan Winery and Resort in Georgia and later gained corporate restaurant experience as a general manager. After 10 years, Mah returned to Memphis. He helped open and served as the first executive sous chef at Alchemy, a casual restaurant and bar in Midtown.

Around that time, Mah’s father was operating a restaurant in Olive Branch.

Jonathan Mah, chef and owner of SideStreet Burgers in Olive Branch, Mississippi

His father was planning to rent out and serve barbecue in another space down the road but instead encouraged Mah to open his own restaurant.

“When I finally came down to Olive Branch to check it out, I said, ‘You know what? Let’s do this,’” Mah said. “We came up with the concept for SideStreet and opened this location 12 years ago.”

So what was it about burgers? “There are a lot of places that serve burgers, so my goal was to do it better,” Mah said. “We went with burgers as our base, and throughout the years, I’ve thrown in some techniques I’ve learned along the way from my background at Alchemy and in fine dining. I also have enjoyed creating new sandwiches and other menu items and have named some after customers and employees.”

At SideStreet, “Laura’s Pollo Loco Quesadilla” is named after an employee who has worked at the restaurant for 12 years. The “‘Whatchu’ talkin’ ‘bout’ Patty Melt” is a reference to the catchphrase from the ‘80s sitcom Diff’rent Strokes

and pays homage to a loyal customer, Willis, who always ordered that sandwich. One of Mah’s newest burger creations, the Papa G, is named after a friend at the Ale House.

And then there’s the Korean-style sirloin, sriracha mayo and cilantro goodness of the Fat Panda, a sandwich that has its own “Home of” sign on SideStreet’s façade along Old Highway 178.

“People love the name ‘Fat Panda.’ It’s very intriguing,” Mah said.

In addition to frequent visits and inspiration for the names of menu items, Mah said customers impact the business in other ways. One of his customers built SideStreet’s front patio, so there’s a commemorative wooden sign above it that reads “Mr. Mike’s Porch.”

Another community member has been a loyal customer since Mah’s days of cooking specialty dinners in what became the current location of OB Pizza. That customer who offered to help Mah if he decided to open a larger restaurant was part of the construction team behind SideStreet’s newly renovated dining room.

Taking care of his people, from staff to customers, is a skill and passion Mah learned from his late father. “My dad was always positive and encouraging, and he loved the challenge of helping other people.”

JONATHAN MAH

I would encourage people to support the community they’re in. You never know who you’re going to meet. For me, it makes cooking more fun.

SideStreet Burgers employee Priscilla prepares the restaurant's popular Fat Panda sandwich.

VANELLI’S DELI GERMANTOWN 02

The family-owned Italian deli in Germantown crafts flavorful subs, salads, and pasta. Served on a freshly baked white or wheat hoagie, the signature sandwiches are topped with artisan cured meats, sliced cheese, and homemade dressing. For the true Italian experience, try the homemade Italian sausage or meatball sandwich. Vanelli’s also serves deli classics like chicken salad, tuna salad, and pimento cheese. Top off your lunch or dinner experience with a traditional cannoli, filled with ricotta cheese and candied fruit filling.

03

THE COUNTRY SKILLET SOUTHAVEN, MS

With “Southern Cooking Like Mom’s Cooking,” The Country Skillet has been filling hearts and stomachs with down-home happiness for more than two decades. This family-owned restaurant in Southaven, Mississippi, serves coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Favorites include homemade chicken and dressing with cranberry sauce, turnip greens, and black-eyed peas; meatloaf with mashed potatoes, lima beans and garlic bread; and homemade peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

MACIEL’S TORTAS & TACOS VARIOUS LOCATIONS 01

Maciel’s Tortas & Tacos is a casual counterservice restaurant offering authentic Mexican cuisine like tacos, nachos, and burritos. The street-style tacos are served on a corn tortilla with chopped onions, cilantro, and a side of Pico de Gallo. For an extra kick of spice, top your meal with one of their homemade hot sauces. Maciel’s also offers healthier options like the Gazpacho salad, topped with tender steak, fresh mango, and homemade chipotle dressing. Enjoy lunch or dinner on the patio or order to-go at their various locations. Vegetarian options also available.

04

OFF THE HOOF BURGERS ARLINGTON

Located off Highway 70 in Arlington, Off the Hoof Burgers offers a casual environment for enjoying an American favorite. Gourmet burgers are served on a signature bun and made with fresh ingredients, including Certified Angus Beef that is hand patted in-house daily. And of course, there’s no better complement to a juicy burger than hand-cut fries. The menu also features turkey burgers, veggie burgers, chicken tenders, catfish, and crab cakes. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Off the Hoof’s award-winning pecan pie, local favorite chocolate fudge pie, or fried Oreos.

With a variety of dining options in the Metro Memphis area, there’s something for everyone.

SOUTHERN SOCIAL GERMANTOWN

Nestled in the heart of Germantown, Southern Social provides a fine dining experience with a southern flair. Sample fresh oysters or crispy pork belly to start. Entrees include a creamy pasta with blackened shrimp and andouille sausage, Filet Mignon au Poivre, and Chilean sea bass. As a side, the honey jalapeno tater tots are not to miss. Choose from signature cocktails and an extensive bourbon list or try a flight of wines to pair with your dishes. Chandeliers adorn wooden ceilings inside, while the patio is ideal for milder nights.

GEORGIA BLUE SOUTHAVEN, MS

Looking for a good blue plate lunch in a laid-back atmosphere? Want to enjoy a cold drink and live music at a rooftop bar with a refreshing view? Visit Southaven and check out Georgia Blue. Juicy steaks, shrimp and grits, Atlantic salmon, fried green tomatoes, and red beans and rice are among the delicious dining options available at this local spot. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday, and blue plate lunch is available Sunday through Friday. Kid-friendly options include the Mini Georgia Blue Burger and Genna-Genna’s Chicken Dinner— and of course, ice cream for dessert.

SOUTHAVEN, MS

A Southern-style food enthusiast will feel right at home at Sweet Potato Pie Soul Food Whiskey Cafe in Southaven. The menu features classics like Southern fried chicken and meatloaf, along with catfish, lamb chops, and salmon. There’s a variety of tasty veggie options as well, including collard greens, green beans and potatoes, black eyed peas, fried okra, and fried green tomatoes. If you’re looking for a post-meal treat (or want to start with dessert first), try a slice of sweet potato cheesecake or the cafe’s namesake—sweet potato pie with bourbon butter glaze. Yum!

The Sweet Spot

JERRY’S SNO CONES

CORDOVA

With over 50 unique snow cone flavors like dreamsicle and strawberry cheesecake, there’s something for everyone at Jerry’s Sno Cones. Order a snow cone supreme to enjoy the sweet combo of soft serve vanilla ice cream and any real sugar snow cone flavor. Jerry’s Sno Cones also serves juicy burgers, fried pickles, and funnel cakes. As a local favorite since the 1960s, it’s common to see a long line of people at Jerry’s Sno Cones in Cordova. Want to avoid the crowds? Visit Jerry’s Sno Cones between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Open year-round Monday through Saturday.

GIBSON’S DONUTS EAST MEMPHIS

From maple bacon to classic chocolate, Gibson’s Donuts is famous for mouthwatering donuts. Opened in 1967 on Mount Moriah in Memphis, the familyowned business uses the original kitchen equipment to create the distinct Gibson’s Donut’s taste. For the melt-in-your-mouth glazed donuts, a special glazing machine perfectly coats the crispy donut on each side. Along with handmade donuts, they offer fritters, cinnamon rolls, and eclairs. There’s no need to limit a donut treat to breakfast— Gibson’s is open daily until midnight.

SWEET POTATO PIE

SOUL FOOD WHISKEY CAFE

PEOPLE OF ST. JUDE

TORI HINTON

Child Life Specialist

Child Life Program

COMING TO ST. JUDE

At 11 years old, my life completely changed. I went from playing sports every weekend to struggling to get out of bed. After months of doctor’s appointments, I was diagnosed with cancer, acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). The doctor said that I needed to start treatment immediately. My family packed bags that day and drove from our home in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Memphis for treatment at St. Jude. Over the next few years, Memphis became our new home. The incredible care team of doctors, nurses, and specialists were like family. Even during the hard days, I had such a great experience as a patient at St. Jude.

On my 14th birthday, we celebrated the end of treatment with a “No Mo Chemo” and birthday party. When I left that day, I knew in my heart that I would eventually come back as an employee.

In 2019, I started working at St. Jude as a child life specialist in the same clinic where I was treated. I was terrified when I was diagnosed with cancer. As a child life specialist, I explain cancer to children in a way that doesn’t seem so scary. It’s important for us to give them honest and direct information in kid-friendly ways.

It’s special to work at the place that saved my life. Now, I see other kids’ lives being saved here, and I help turn their hard moments into meaningful memories. It’s a dream come true.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT MEMPHIS

When I first moved here, I lived downtown and loved the walkability and great restaurants. I’ve lived in the High Point Terrace neighborhood for the past few years. It’s a hidden gem in the middle of the city with restaurants and a small grocery store. With the proximity to work, there’s a big community of St. Jude employees in the neighborhood.

Even though it’s a large city, you can still make connections and find a community. Memphis has the perks of a big city with professional sports and great food, but without the stress of heavy traffic and high cost of living.

From Grizzlies games to the Memphis Film Festival, there’s something for everyone here. I enjoy kayaking at Shelby Farms and exploring the parks around Memphis. I’m a social person, so I spend most weekends eating at a new restaurant or attending a fun event.

The food in Memphis is incredible. My favorite restaurant is Flight because of the wine pairings and delicious desserts.

I appreciate the diversity and culture in Memphis. The LGBTQ+ community is accepted here, which is important to me as a gay woman. During Memphis Pride Fest, I love celebrating with Memphians and seeing the support from allies. In Memphis and at St. Jude, I feel safe to be myself.

TORI HINTON

It’s exciting to see how much Memphis has grown over the years... Memphis is a great place to set down roots and build a life.

Restaurants in Memphis

• Flight

• Libro

Things to Do

• Grizzlies basketball

• The Orpheum Theatre

• Golf (a new hobby)

Attractions

• The Peabody Hotel

• Memphis Zoo

• Brooks Museum

Tori Hinton has made the journey from St. Jude patient to Child Life specialist.

MEMPHIS FAVORITES

WHERE MEMPHIS lives

Explore Memphis' diverse array of neighborhoods, each offering its own charm, character, and community spirit.

Bartlett

Located in the geographic center of Shelby County, Bartlett borders Memphis to the east. It is the largest suburban municipality in the Memphis metropolitan area with close to 60,000 residents.

Bartlett has been recognized by several publications as one of the best places in the U.S. to live, work, play, and raise a family.

Stage Road is the town’s main thoroughfare, named for the eastto-west stagecoach route that once traveled through the area.

Founded in 1866, Bartlett has a rich history and includes such historical dwellings as the John H. McFadden House, Cedar Hall, and the Nicholas Gotten House, which contains the quaint Bartlett Museum.

Annual family-friendly events include the Star-Spangled Fireworks Extravaganza, Halloween

and

The Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center is a multi-purpose facility that hosts meetings, seminars, theatre camps, youth programs, and other gatherings. The center also hosts a variety of comedies, musicals, and concerts, and it has recently added a Music by the Lake outdoor concert series to its repertoire of entertainment offerings.

Carnival, Bartlett Christmas Parade, Children’s Fishing Rodeo,

the Bartlett BBQ Contest and Car Show.

PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

Twenty-four municipal parks are located within the Bartlett city limits, offering a variety of green spaces and ball fields for year-round sports. Municipal Park, located behind Bartlett City Hall, includes a beautiful Japanese Garden, fitness trail, and lighted tennis courts.

Situated on Barlett Boulevard, W.J. Freeman Park hosts several special events throughout the year including the annual Bartlett Festival each fall. The park features a nearly one-mile walking trail, athletic fields, playground, gazebo, and pavilion.

Veterans Park is adjacent to W.J. Freeman Park and serves

as a tribute to those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The city’s Singleton Community Center, Bartlett Recreation and Fitness Center, and Bartlett Senior Citizens Center are well-equipped for recreation, entertainment, and activities.

A recent addition to the recreation scene is Bluff City Pickleball, an eight-court, indoor facility that formerly housed a 10-screen movie theater.

FOOD AND DRINKS

Bartlett has a variety of dining experiences for all tastes, including such local favorites as Side Porch Steakhouse. In operation since 1976, the Stage Road location is known for its marinated steaks, homemade salad dressings, and buttery croutons.

Voodoo Café offers coffee and beignets in a fun atmosphere. The Bartlett Breakfast Factory serves a variety of breakfast dishes and seasonal home-cooked favorites. For sweet treat enthusiasts, Smallcakes of Bartlett bakes fresh gourmet cupcakes and handcrafted confections daily.

The Side Porch Steakhouse is a local favorite in Bartlett.

Central Gardens

A 10-minute drive from downtown Memphis, Central Gardens is truly in the center of the city.

Surrounded by 100-year-old trees, the 1930s craftsman-style houses of Central Gardens feature front porches and an abundance of character.

The neighborhood earned its spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, and its active neighborhood association celebrates its history with an annual home and garden tour.

Encompassing 83 city blocks, Central Gardens is home to two churches and two elementary schools.

Bordered by Union Avenue to the north, Central Gardens is a twominute drive from restaurants, bars, grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks. It also provides convenient access to the vibrant nightlife of Cooper-Young to the south and Overton Square to the north.

PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

Central Gardens itself is a green space filled with trees and sidewalks, and there are plenty of green spaces just outside the neighborhood as well. Located just east of Central Gardens, Peabody Park provides quick and easy access to a splash pad and swings that are perfect for escaping the summertime heat.

Overton Park’s 342 acres will keep the whole family entertained with its playground, dog park, lake, and more. With the Memphis Zoo, the Overton Park Shell, and a ninehole golf course, Overton Park is a green oasis and community hub in the middle of a bustling city.

FOOD AND DRINK

With fresh, locally sourced ingredients and excellent service, Tamboli’s is a go-to spot for Italian cuisine in Central Gardens. True to its Italian heritage, Tamboli’s offers pizzas, pastas, Italian sodas, and beverages.

Sekisui Midtown is a favorite sushi spot for Central Gardens residents and visitors. The restaurant’s recognizable sign is a longtime landmark of Belvedere Boulevard. With an extensive sake selection and delicious sushi rolls, Sekisui attracts sushi lovers from across Memphis and beyond.

Porch and Parlor offers a fine dining experience just five minutes from Central Gardens in Overton Square. Since opening its doors in 2020, the southern steakhouse has been dishing out delicious prime steaks and chops that locals love.

Louis Connelly’s Bar for Good Times and Friendship opened at the start of 2024 after its owner noticed that Central Gardens residents needed a local spot to call their own. The neighborhood’s newest dive bar is fast becoming a community staple.

The Central Gardens neighborhood is just minutes away from attractions for the entire family.

Hernando

With excellent schools and affordable housing options in new developments, Hernando is an ideal place for families.

A 30-minute drive from downtown Memphis, Hernando, Mississippi, is a growing suburb with about 19,000 residents. The charming, historic town square is a vibrant hub that boasts a variety of locally owned shops and restaurants, offering visitors a taste of the community’s unique character. Throughout the year, the square comes alive with free outdoor concerts and festive holiday parades, creating a lively atmosphere for all to enjoy.

A major highlight is the Hernando Farmers Market, the largest in the state, where local farmers and artisans gather every Saturday from April through October to offer fresh produce, flowers, and handmade items, making the town square a bustling destination for locals and visitors alike.

PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

An ideal location for nature lovers, Hernando features several areas to hike, fish, and explore. A few miles southwest of Hernando, mountain bikers can ride a 5.6-mile, singletrack loop through the Bayou Point Mountain Bike Trail. ARK Walking Trail consists of two wooded trails on a wildlife sanctuary with beautiful wildflowers and open grasslands that are perfect for hiking or birdwatching.

With a focus on healthy living, the city offers recreational sports and activities for both adults and children. Multiple parks with walking tracks, playground equipment, and sports fields are scattered across the city. Skateboarders can enjoy various levels of ramps and ledges at the 6,000-squarefoot Hernando Skate Park.

Cedar Hill Farm offers a variety of fun experiences and spaces, from zip lines and a petting zoo to pony rides and play areas. Adults and children can pick berries in the summer and come back in the fall to find the perfect pumpkin and explore a corn maze.

FOOD AND DRINK

Starting as a food truck, Pok Cha’s Egg Rolls has gained a following of hungry patrons across the Mid-South. The brick-and-mortar restaurant near the Hernando town square serves its beloved egg rolls, along with Korean corn dogs and beef bulgogi nachos.

Specializing in fresh Gulf seafood, The Parish restaurant offers raw and charbroiled oysters, crabstuffed grouper, and a selection of fried, broiled, and blackened fish.

A local favorite, AC’s Steakhouse Pub serves perfectly cooked steaks, classic sides, and mouthwatering desserts. Their weekend brunch menu includes cream cheese stuffed French toast, and chicken and biscuits.

Indulge your sweet tooth at Area 51 Ice Cream, which partners with local farms to seasonally rotate its handmade ice cream flavors, including blueberry cobbler and bourbon butter pecan. If you’re looking for more homemade goodness, visit Wild Cultures Sourdough Bakery and take home some freshly baked croissants, bread, and cinnamon rolls. The bakery also offers locally sourced milk, yogurt, and kombucha.

Late musician Jerry Lee Lewis (left) called Hernando home for many years.

Lakeland

A 25-minute drive from downtown Memphis, Lakeland is nestled comfortably between the suburbs of Arlington and Bartlett.

With a new high school that will graduate its first class in 2026 and a middle school rated one of the best in the area, Lakeland is the perfect spot for families with kids looking for a quiet, family-focused locale.

Built in 1959 as the main attraction of an amusement park on the outskirts of Memphis, Garner Lake has since become the centerpiece of this growing residential community. Today, Lakeland is home to nearly 14,000 residents who enjoy the serene lake views and suburban lifestyle. The town features approximately 4,800 homes, many of which are designed in the charming neocolonial and Cape Cod architectural styles, reflecting a blend of traditional and modern influences that give the area its distinctive character.

PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

In July 2022, the city of Lakeland published a system-wide master plan for its parks and green spaces. Recent renovations have proven Lakeland’s commitment to supporting its parks, playgrounds, and trails that dot the city map.

Oak Ridge Park includes a new playground that offers slides of various heights in brilliant shades of green and blue along with a small climbing structure with ropes and platforms. The 15-acre park also offers a wooded walking trail ready for exploration.

The International Harvester Managerial Park is a hub for the Lakeland community. On the last Saturday of each month in the summer, Lakeland residents bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets to the park’s amphitheater to enjoy free music and community courtesy of the LAMP Concert Series.

In May 2022, Lakeland cut the ribbon on the Lakeland Athletic Complex and Recreation Park The complex features two fields for recreational soccer and football games. With the future addition of three baseball diamonds and a concession building, the recreation complex is poised to become a hub for athletics.

FOOD AND DRINK

Lakeland’s ever-growing Lake District shopping center features family-friendly dining options like Villa Castrioti. A Memphis staple for authentic Italian cuisine, Villa Castrioti has opened three locations since its inception 30 years ago. Residents frequent the restaurant for hand-tossed pizzas and creamy pastas.

The Lake District is also home to Olive House Mediterranean Grocery Store, which sells halal meat, fresh hummus, pita, and other authentic Mediterranean foods.

For residents with a sweet tooth, Lakeland is home to the newest of Frost Bakery’s three locations. Frost hosts baking classes and cake decorating parties. The shop’s display cases are always filled with a variety of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and pies.

At the Delta Blues Winery, customers can enjoy a lakeside experience and sip wines ranging from dry reds to sweet whites.

The Lake District is home to several enjoyable food options.

Marion, Arkansas

Part of Crittenden County, Marion was established in 1837 and offers all the joys of small-town life with the convenience of a major city only minutes away.

Just to the west of Memphis, Marion, Arkansas, provides a variety of activities and experiences along the Mississippi River.

Historically, Marion is known for the Sultana Steamboat disaster of 1865. The city has a dedicated Sultana Steamboat Disaster Museum that presents a poignant exploration of this maritime tragedy, which marks a critical chapter in American history.

PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

Embark on a cycling adventure in the Arkansas Delta with a ride through the Marion Countryside Loop, which includes over 30 miles of flat terrain within the city. The loop is ideal for families and people of all ages who may need fewer challenging paths but still want to experience the scenic beauty of the Mississippi River.

The Marion Recreational Complex offers a dynamic mix of recreational amenities, including five well-maintained baseball fields, a scenic walking trail, a stocked fishing pond, and an inviting playground for smaller and older children.

Riders and skaters of all skill levels have access to a well-designed skate zone at Marion Skateboard Park

Situated within the heart of the community, the park is thoughtfully equipped with ramps, rails, and a variety of obstacles forming a dynamic terrain with endless opportunities for tricks and maneuvers.

Families can also enjoy the Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, which houses the endangered blue heron and bald eagle, and Horseshoe Lake for outdoor boating, fishing, and hiking adventures.

FOOD AND DRINK

Whether you’re in the mood for steak, fish, oysters, crab, crawfish, mussels, lobsters, shrimp, alligator, or more, Seafood Shack on Bancario Road is the place to visit for an unforgettable dining experience. Some people drive for hours to enjoy the variety of fresh seafood.

Marion is a short drive from Memphis in neighboring Arkansas.

Oakland

Offering a variety of convenient options for shopping, dining, and recreation, Oakland, Tennessee, is the perfect destination for those seeking a quiet, comfortable, and family-friendly environment.

Established in 1830, this charming town is located in Fayette County, just a half-hour drive from the big-city amenities of Memphis.

With its relaxed, small-town atmosphere, Oakland has become an appealing choice for retirees, young professionals, and families with young children. The town’s friendly community and peaceful setting make it ideal for those looking for a quiet escape with easy access to city amenities.

PARKS AND GREEN SPACES

Established in 2002, the Oakland Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department offers recreation programs and leisure opportunities.

All parks in Oakland are open from dawn to dusk. In 2008, Oakland dedicated its fourth town park, Cypress Creek Park, which is located on Highway 194 South, just south of West Junior High. Cypress Creek Park is a multi-use sports facility featuring a baseball field and room for soccer fields in season. The park has picnic facilities, permanent restrooms, a kiddie playground, portable bleachers, and a concession stand.

From walking trails to fishing spots, Oakland’s three other town parks have much to see and explore. Situated in The Oaklands subdivision off Highway 64 on the west end of town, The Oaklands features a 1,300-foot paved walking trail around a threeacre pond stocked with crappie and bass. The park is home to Oakland’s annual Youth Fishing Rodeo held in partnership with the Fayette County Bass Club.

On the east end of town, Oakland Woods Park is home to a 1,250foot walking trail surrounding a well-stocked, two-acre pond. The park is nestled in The Oakland Woods subdivision.

Adjacent to Northwood Estates on Highway 194 North, improvements are continually being made to enhance the natural beauty of Northwoods Park. Currently, the park features an extensive walking trail bordering a large pond stocked for fishing. Conveniently located benches provide a peaceful spots to enjoy the park’s fountain.

One of Oakland’s newest attractions, Fair Oaks Golf Course Club is home to a 165acre, 18-hole course with a 22-bay, natural grass driving range, two putting greens, and a short game bunker and chipping green.

Oakland partners with the YMCA to offer spring and fall soccer for area youth. The Young Champions Program for youth cheerleading has attained national recognition.

FOOD AND DRINK

From homemade pizzas to hand cut steaks, Olympic Steak & Pizza has been offering authentic Southern dishes with a taste of Greece for nearly five decades. Enjoy favorites like mozzarella sticks and fried green beans, house specialties including a delicious gyro plate, and an expansive soup and salad bar perfect for an Olympic-sized appetite—all in a comfortable atmosphere fit for family and friends.

Oakland is located to the east of Memphis in Fayette County.

unlocking

Discover programs, opportunities, and resources shaping the future of education in our community.

The Memphis area is home to various public school districts, including MemphisShelby County Schools. These districts provide a range of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and support services, all designed to help students thrive and succeed throughout their educational journeys.

Private and independent schools in the Memphis area offer alternative educational options with unique programs, smaller class sizes, and a strong sense of community. These schools may focus on specialized areas like STEM, the arts, or religious education, creating enriching learning experiences for students.

School-aged children have a variety of educational opportunities in the Greater Memphis metropolitan area, from private and charter schools to STEM and STEAM programs and those that offer programs for children with disabilities.

Read on to learn more about Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the area’s largest school system, and other options for education in the region.

This guide also highlights schools in the specific municipalities bordering Memphis to provide a representative sample of the area’s options.

A note from the Editor: The schools included in this publication are for informational purposes and is not a comprehensive listing of all schools in the area. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital does not endorse the listed schools or districts. This quick-reference guide is not intended to take the place of an individual’s own judgment and preference.

Charter schools in Memphis enhance the educational landscape by introducing innovative approaches to learning. They promote academic excellence and foster creativity, collaboration, and unique teaching methods, creating an environment where students can thrive and achieve their educational goals.

Memphis Schools

Memphis and Shelby County are home to a range of educational institutions that cater to students’ needs and interests. With a variety of public, private, and charter school options available, families can choose an educational path that best suits their children’s learning styles and aspirations.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL

• Private school for boys in grades 9–12

• Offers more than 30 clubs and organizations

• In recent years, 10 students were named National Merit finalists with 27 students commended for their performance and 15 students earning a perfect ACT score

• Member of the National Catholic Education Association, the Lasallian Education Association of the Christian Brothers, the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools, and The College Board

BOLTON HIGH AGRI-STEM SCHOOL

• Memphis-Shelby County school serving 800 students in grades 9–12

• Combines a strong academic curriculum with a focus on agriculture and STEM disciplines

• International Baccalaureate course offerings

• Industry certifications in 11 different disciplines

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

• Part of the Memphis-Shelby County Optional School system

• More than 1,500 students in grades 9–12

• Current feeder schools are Snowden, Bellevue, Fairview, and J.P. Freeman middle schools

• Award-winning visual/fine arts design program

GERMANTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Serves nearly 800 students in grades 6–8

• Recognized for academic excellence with a composite Level 5 school status based on TNReady results

• Offers extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, and fine arts

• STEM students annually participate and place in events at the University of Memphis E-Day

IDLEWILD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Serves more than 450 students in grades K–5

• Consistently ranks in the state’s top 10% of elementary schools

• Offers 11 clubs and activities

• Expands learning opportunities with weekly activities in the hands-on Science Lab, Technology Lab, outdoor classroom and pond, and Kitchen Community Gardens

SNOWDEN SCHOOL (ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE)

• Part of the Memphis-Shelby County Optional School system

• Serves 1,300 students in grades K–8

• Provides a “school within a school” concept ensuring students have daily opportunities to engage in a diverse community of learners

• Partners with Rhodes College and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra to provide students with community engagement opportunities

ST. AGNES ACADEMY

• Private school that serves girls in pre-K–12

• Award-winning faculty and Advanced Placement Scholar student recognition

• Students produce an awardwinning magazine, Calliope

• St. Dominic School is the associated school for boys in pre-K–8

MID-SOUTH SCHOOL GUIDE

SYCAMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Collierville Schools Arlington Schools

• Serves nearly 600 students in grades pre-K–5

• 13 to 1 student/teacher ratio

• Offers 7 clubs and activities

Serving nearly 9,000 students, Collierville Schools is an independent municipal school district offering a wide range of educational opportunities for students in pre-K through grade 12.

The district includes 10 schools— five elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, one alternative school, and one virtual academy. Each school in the district provides a challenging and engaging curriculum that fosters academic excellence, creativity, and personal growth.

The system provides programs such as the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) initiative and offers diverse extracurricular activities for students’ interests.

• Received Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) STEM School designation in 2024

WEST COLLIERVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Serves nearly 1,300 students in grades 6–8

• 17 to 1 student/teacher ratio

• Offers STEM classes on topics including agriculture in STEM, aeronautics, and robotics

• Provides extracurricular opportunities through more than 30 clubs, organizations, and activities

ST. GEORGE’S

INDEPENDENT

SCHOOL (MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL)

• Private school that serves more than 1,000 students in grades 6–12

• Offers visual arts, music, theatre, Great Outdoors, citizenship, and specialized independent study for additional enrichment

• 99% of students go on to attend a 4-year college

• Has state-of-the-art track and field facilities, an onsite aquatic center, and an onsite tennis facility with six courts

Arlington Community Schools (ACS) is a public school system that includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Students who live outside the district can apply for admission.

ACS is a certified Kindness District and multi-year recipient of the Best Communities for Music Education honor. Students are introduced to STEM education beginning in kindergarten to equip them with the tools to become lifelong learners.

DONELSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Serves nearly 900 students in grades K–5

• Has been recognized multiple years as a Tennessee Reward School for academic achievement

• STEM Lab with a full-time STEM teacher who provides instruction for all K–5 students

• Upper and Lower School Choirs provide opportunity for select number of students in grades 1–5 to participate in performance ensemble

ARLINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Serves nearly 1,000 students in grades 6–8

• High school courses available for eighth graders

• Students can take STEM courses all three years and experience STEM-based practices in their other courses

• Students have played a role in creating garden boxes for an outdoor classroom

ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

• Home to AHSTEMHub, a facility that gives students the opportunity to study machining, BioSTEM, cybersecurity, welding, mechatronics, coding and more

• Offers more than 40 college-level courses such as Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment, career and technical programs, and a dozen industry certifications

• Has been named a Tennessee Arts Academy Arts Rich School

• Home to three specialized academies that offer niche insights into careers and college programs and give students one-on-one mentorships with teachers

Bartlett Schools

Bordering Memphis to the east, Bartlett is the largest suburb in Shelby County with a population of nearly 60,000 residents.

Bartlett City Schools serves more than 9,000 students at 11 different schools—six elementary schools, three middle schools, a ninthgrade academy, and high school.

Bartlett City Schools is ranked in the top 20 Best School Districts of Tennessee.

RIVERCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Serves more than 600 students in pre-K–5

• Approved STEAM program offered to students in grades 2–5

• Classroom STEM activities included as well as monthly at-home STEAM challenges

• St. Jude STEM Club teaches students about patient case studies

BON LIN MIDDLE SCHOOL

• Public school with more than 700 students in grades 6–8

• Bon Lin Elementary is located nearby and serves more than 800 students

• Lynx Ambassadors program allows students to showcase the school, give tours, and speak to individuals and groups

• School clubs and activities include drama club, environmental club, newspaper, and student government

BARTLETT HIGH SCHOOL

• Serves more than 2,000 students in grades 10–12

• College preparatory courses and technical/career options are offered as well as Advanced Placement and courses for students with disabilities

• Dual Enrollment courses where students receive both high school and college credit are offered in English, engineering, math, machining, and career skills

• Recognized as an Apple Distinguished School (2023–2026)

Germantown Schools

Located about 30 minutes from downtown Memphis, the city of Germantown offers public and private school options for students in grades pre-K through 12.

The Germantown Municipal School District includes four elementary schools, a middle school, a high school, and an online academy for kindergarten through 12th grade students.

Science, English, and math test scores are above the state average. Students outside the district can apply for admission.

DOGWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Serves more than 600 students in grades pre-K–5

• Robotics and coding are included in the curriculum beginning in first grade

• Students in grades 4 and 5 can join STEM club to learn and test scientific concepts

• Cross country running team for students in grades 3–5

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP CATHOLIC SCHOOL

• Private school for grades pre-K–8

• Recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education for integrating quality STEM teaching and learning practices

• Offers Spanish, music, art, and STEM classes

• After-school opportunities include book club, choir, Lego club, and student council

HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL

• Serves about 2,000 students in grades 9–12

• Career and Technical Education path provides courses in health sciences, technology, business, and digital arts

• 28 Dual Enrollment courses allowing students to attend classes at local colleges

• Elective classes in cyber security, diagnostic medicine, and criminal justice

Lakeland Schools

Shelby County’s smallest municipal school district, Lakeland, was founded in 2013 and serves nearly 700 students in two schools—Lakeland Elementary and Lakeland Preparatory.

Lakeland School System is one of only 16 school districts currently designated as “Exemplary” by the Tennessee Department of Education. It has been named one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” and boasts 72% Proficiency in both Math and English. Both Lakeland Elementary and Lakeland Preparatory are Tennessee Purple Star Schools for their commitment to serving military families.

LAKELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Public school serving students in grades K–4

• 1:1 tech school that equips each student with a personal device, ensuring access to the latest tools, resources, and experiences for developing essential digital literacy skills, from coding and robotics to multimedia presentations, and virtual field trips

• Family nights, fundraisers, and drama productions

• Workshops and seminars to empower parents and guardians

LAKELAND PREPARATORY SCHOOL

• Public school serving students in grades 5–11 (12th grade added soon)

• New high school wing currently in construction

• 1:1 school integrating technology to empower students to explore and create

• Military-friendly school dedicated to supporting military-connected students and families

Millington Schools

Located about 30 minutes from downtown Memphis, Millington has a population of nearly 12,000. The Millington Municipal School District offers three public schools: Millington Primary for K–grade 3; Millington Intermediate for grades 4–6; and Millington Central Middle High School for grades 7–12. Private school options are available for families seeking a faith-based education.

MILLINGTON CENTRAL MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL

• College credit available through Career and Technical Education and Advanced Placement classes

• Navy Junior ROTC unit teaches leadership, discipline, and organization

• STEM honors program offered through application-only for students in grades 7–8

• Health science, coding, and STEM classes available

TIPTON-ROSEMARK ACADEMY

• Private, nondenominational school

• Pre-K through 12th grade program with a college preparatory curriculum

• Dual Enrollment classes for high school students seeking college credit

• STEAM program features handson learning for all grade levels

Learn more about DeSoto County Schools

Headquartered in Hernando, Mississippi, DeSoto County Schools (DCS) is the state’s largest school district with over 30,000 students in pre-K through 12th grade. DCS is a public school district with 42 schools, including Center Hill Elementary School in Olive Branch, Hernando Middle and Lewisburg Middle schools in Hernando, and Lewisburg High School in Olive Branch. DeSoto County also is home to Northpoint Christian School, a Southavenbased private school highly regarded for its high school, middle school, and elementary school education, as well as live theatre.

CENTER HILL ELEMENTARY, OLIVE BRANCH

• “A” rated public elementary school with grades K–5

• Has a preschool program for children with disabilities

• Through the combined involvement of the Olive Branch Rotary Club and PTO, the “Rotary Park” playground was built in 2003. The park consists of a walking trail, baseball field, and outdoor classroom with many pieces of play equipment

HERNANDO MIDDLE SCHOOL, HERNANDO

• Ranked No. 1 in DeSoto County School District Middle Schools and No. 4 in Mississippi Middle Schools, according to U.S. News & World Report

• 75% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 57% scored at or above that level for reading

LEWISBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL, HERNANDO

• Public school serving students in grades 6–8

• Ranked No. 2 in DeSoto County School District Middle Schools and No. 6 in Mississippi Middle Schools, according to U.S. News & World Report

• 83% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, and 56% scored at or above that level for reading

LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL, OLIVE BRANCH

• Public high school that has been given the state’s highest accreditation rating since opening in 2006

• Offers Advanced Placement, dual credit, and career technical courses

• Has won state championships in volleyball, baseball, and bowling, as well as individual state championships in track, powerlifting, and swimming

• Fine Arts department provides pathway for students to expand artistic creativity through band, chorus, drama, and the visual arts

NORTHPOINT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, SOUTHAVEN

• Private school for students in grades K–12

• Enhanced curriculum with addition of Upper School courses, including PSAT and ACT classes, as well as additional Dual Credit and Advanced Placement courses

• STEM labs and robotics team

• Award-winning drama department and recognized choral department

Learn more about schools for students with disabilities

Mid-South public and private schools provide an inclusive education for students with disabilities, so they are equipped with the necessary tools to thrive in their learning journey. Memphis-Shelby County Schools and the municipal school districts offer free therapy services, accommodations, intervention supports, and supplementary aids.

Early intervention programs support students during the most optimal time of neurological development. Collierville Municipal School District and Germantown Municipal School District provide preschool programs for children with disabilities living in the districts. The pre-K programs help students learn foundational and social skills in preparation for kindergarten.

Several Mid-South private schools also cater to students with disabilities, developmental delays, or learning differences.

Memphis Oral School for the Deaf (MOSD) in Germantown works with children with deafness from birth to age 6 to help them develop the capacity to utilize speech. The Bodine School in Germantown is a private school that serves children with dyslexia or readingrelated differences in grades 1–5.

CONCORD ACADEMY OF MEMPHIS

• East Memphis private school for children in grades 6-12

• Serves students with autism, learning and intellectual disabilities, and language processing disorders

• Students receive individualized support in academics and social skills

MADONNA LEARNING CENTER

• Private school for students ages 4–19 who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, rare genetic disorders, and seizure disorders

• At least two teachers with 6–12 students per class

• Specialized therapeutic services offered in speech and language, occupational therapy, movement, art, and therapeutic physical education

LIBERTAS SCHOOL OF MEMPHIS

• Public charter school serving children in grades pre-K–6 in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis

• Teachers, paraprofessionals, and clinical therapists available to assist students with exceptional needs (25% of student population)

• Inclusive and specialized classrooms for students with exceptional needs

Learn more about Charter Schools

Charter schools are public schools that function more independently from the school district than traditional public schools. Charter schools operate through the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Office of Charter Schools.

They may vary widely in curriculum, teaching style, and length of school day and school year.

Charter schools do not have attendance zones, and any child within the area may apply. Applications for admission are due to the school and, once spaces are filled, admission will be determined by lottery.

The charter school program includes Newcomer International Center, a Teaching English as a Second Language (TSEL) charter school. Also among the dozens of charter school options are popular programs including Soulsville Charter School,

Power Center Academy, Memphis School of Excellence, Memphis Grizzlies Preparatory, KIPP Memphis, Freedom Preparatory Academy, and Crosstown High School.

SOULSVILLE CHARTER SCHOOL

• Located in the neighborhood known as Soulsville, USA, near the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the Stax Music Academy

• Middle and high school for students in grades 6–12

• Provides intensive music education in addition to core academics

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES PREPARATORY

• Middle school for boys in grades 6–8

• Offers a positive environment where students can build an academic foundation and enhance their socialemotional development

• Clubs and sports teams include aquatics, basketball, chess, debate, and football

CROSSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL

• Located inside Crosstown Concourse

• Engages students in meaningful, project-based work

• Clubs and groups make up an important part of the educational experience in volleyball, baseball, and bowling, as well as individual state championships in track, powerlifting, and swimming

Learn more about Optional Schools

OPTIONAL PROGRAM

(available in Memphis-Shelby County Schools)

Optional schools offer programs that allow students to pursue their specialized interests while excelling academically.

While some optional programs are focused on academic rigor or college preparedness, others are specialized programs in areas like creative and performing arts,

dual language immersion, and STEAM or T-STEM (Transportation, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

Students not zoned for an optional school can apply to enroll. Admission applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Placement is based on individual assessment.

CLUE PROGRAM

(available in Memphis-Shelby County Schools)

Many schools, including optional ones, offer CLUE (Creative Learning in a Unique Environment),

an education program designed to meet the needs of academically talented and gifted students.

Students are placed in CLUE through individual assessment. CLUE is overseen by the district’s Exceptional Children and Health Services department.

ROAD

UNCOVER HIDDEN GEMS JUST A SHORT DRIVE FROM MEMPHIS

Branson, Missouri

Branson, Missouri, has become a fun destination vacation destination that boasts millions of visitors each year. A historic small town with activities for the whole family, Branson will keep you entertained. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Branson is about a five-hour drive or a two-hour flight from Memphis.

ENTERTAINMENT

The first thing you may hear about Branson is the plethora of live entertainment options—from music to dinner shows to live events. Among the most famous live shows are “Dolly Parton’s Stampede,” “The Haygoods,” “Branson Murder Mystery,” and “Showboat Branson Belle,” a live show with dinner on a boat. Branson also offers magic shows, comedy nights, and Broadway-style productions.

NATURE

Branson gives plenty of chances to spend time in nature. With beautiful lakes, visitors can sail, fish, ski, jet ski, or take a dinner cruise on the water. Visitors can play golf at one of Branson’s championship golf courses, such as Payne’s Valley, a course designed by Tiger Woods. Wine enthusiasts can visit local wineries Stone Hill and Mount Pleasant Estates. Hikers will enjoy exploring Dogwood Canyon, the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area, Lakeside Wilderness Hiking Trail, and the Table Rock Lakeshore Trail

THINGS TO DO

Educate yourself and get inspired at one of Branson’s many museums. The Titanic Museum Attraction, the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure are just a few.

Branson Landing features a boardwalk, outdoor shopping, dining, and attractions on Lake Taneycomo next to the historic downtown. ROAD TRIPPIN’

After shopping and eating, watch in awe as the fountains at Branson Landing spray water and fire set to music every hour.

For the thrill of an amusement park, try out Silver Dollar City, called one of the “Top Theme Parks in the World.” If you’re taking a trip around the holidays, take in Branson’s lights, shows, and charms to see why it was featured on the Travel Channel’s “Most Christmasy Places in America.”

Millions of visitors flock to Branson each year.

5 HOURS FROM MEMPHIS

Branson features a variety of family-fun activities.

MORE TO EXPLORE

MORE TO EXPLORE

Cape Girardeau, MO | 3 Hours from Memphis

A three-hour drive from Memphis is all it takes to experience the exploration and relaxation Cape Girardeau has to offer. Tour the Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, home to one of Missouri’s four remaining covered bridges. Go wild at Cape Safari Park, book a visit to meet the Cape County Alpacas, and have a fun time at Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center. Enjoy local favorites at Beacon 53, Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine, and other dining establishments. Take a piece of the Cape home from Annie Laurie’s Eclectic Emporium, which Southern Living magazine named among the nation’s Top 10 best antique stores.

St. Louis, MO | 4 Hours from Memphis

St. Louis includes river views, great food, and live music. From fun museums to exciting professional sports, travelers can enjoy a variety of activities. At the historic Anheuser-Busch brewery, take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn how Budweiser is made and taste beer straight from the finishing cellars. At 630 feet tall, the Gateway Arch is the nation’s tallest man-made monument. Ride a tram to the top for the best views of St. Louis or view the monument from below at Gateway Arch National Park. The City Museum is an eclectic playground made from reclaimed items like chimneys, cranes, and planes. Explore a child-sized village, make gigantic bubbles, and learn about the science of sand at The Magic House. Famous for frozen custard, Ted Drewes serves flavorful malts, shakes, and sundaes with your choice of toppings. Local-favorite Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas serves St. Louis-style pizza, toasted ravioli, and Italian classics like chicken parmesan.

Orange Beach, Alabama

7 HOURS FROM MEMPHIS

Whatever your vacation style, you’ll discover it all in the laid-back coastal lifestyle of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Those who have not yet vacationed along Alabama’s beaches may not know that the 32 miles of white sand beaches span two towns: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. This makes planning a vacation easy with plenty of options.

PLACES TO STAY

About seven hours from Memphis, Orange Beach is located on Perdido Key along the Gulf of Mexico. It is a perfect destination for couples, families, or friends to enjoy top-notch golf courses or sugar-white beaches, while relaxing in a campground, resort condominium, cabin, hotel, bed and breakfast, or beach house. Popular stays for romantic getaways include the Magnolia Hotel, Magnolia Spring Bed and Breakfast, and the Romar House Bed and Breakfast. There are also more family accommodating locations, like the woodside and lakeside cabins at The Cabins at Gulf State Park

MORE TO EXPLORE

Huntsville, AL | 4 Hours from Memphis

FAMILY FUN

Explore Waterfront Park, where there is a 400foot pier and several picnic shelters near paved walking paths and playgrounds. Learn more about Native American culture at the Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum. Marvel at the beauty of the land with tours by helicopter or by sea, or shop and dine at The Wharf while stopping for a Ferris wheel or express antique train ride. If you’re lucky, you may get to witness the sea turtle hatchlings’ march to the ocean (from May through October).

FOOD & DRINK

When you are ready to eat, the seafood comes from *right over there* in the Gulf, including local favorites of shrimp, oysters, crab, flounder, snapper, and grouper. Whether you want to dress up for a date (Big Fish is a city favorite) or dress down (Doc’s Seafood is also a favorite), there is a restaurant that provides the right environment for your tastes.

Located in northern Alabama, Huntsville offers a unique blend of nature, history, and science. Explore unique attractions, enjoy dining and art in one of the vibrant neighborhoods or hike on nearby mountainous trails. At the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, explore one of the world’s largest collections of rockets and space artifacts. Train like an astronaut at one of their immersive space camps, which are available for children, adults, or families. Monte Sano State Park is known for spectacular views, especially in September and October when leaves transform to radiant shades of orange and red. Enjoy 20 miles of hiking and biking trails with mineral springs and beautiful Japanese gardens. Originally a middle school, Campus No. 805 offers a unique setting for retail, dining, and entertainment. Taste locally brewed beers at Straight to Ale Brewery and Yellowhammer Brewery then walk down the hall to play pinball and arcade games at Pints and Pixels

Orange Beach is located on Perdido Key along the Gulf of Mexico.

Hot Springs, Arkansas

3 HOURS FROM MEMPHIS

Located in central Arkansas, Hot Springs (“America’s First Resort”) is renowned for the nearly 4,000-year-old thermal waters that flow into the historic downtown district of the city.

WATER WORLD

Bathhouse Row runs through the center of downtown Hot Springs and features eight historic bathhouses showcasing the luxury of the Golden Age of Bathing. The Buckstaff Bathhouse and The Quapaw Bathhouse offer visitors the chance to fully submerge and relax in the thermal water.

Visitors can safely touch the thermal water at The Display Spring and Hot Water Cascade within Hot Springs National Park

The Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the only brewery headquartered in a U.S. National Park and the only brewery in the world to use thermal spring water as its main ingredient. Mountain Tower, a 216-foot-tall tower located on Hot Springs Mountain, provides a 360-degree view of the park’s natural beauty.

FOR BASEBALL FANS

Hot Springs is known as “The Birthplace of Spring Baseball” and home to the Hot Springs Baseball Trail. As many as 250 professional baseball players, including some of the biggest legends of the game, convened in Hot Springs each spring for training and recreation. Featuring more than 30 stops as part of a self-guided tour via phone, the trail is a walk-in-thepark for the baseball lover or history enthusiast.

Hot Springs is also home to the Gangster Museum of America’s Baseball Gallery. The museum has a room dedicated to baseball history featuring the Hall of Famers wall, an old scoreboard, baseball gloves, uniforms, a statue that once was inside Yankee Stadium in New York and more must-see baseball memorabilia.

Hot Springs is known as “The Birthplace of Spring Baseball.”

OUTDOOR FUN

Open year-round with no entrance fee and 26 miles of hiking trails, Hot Springs National Park, also known as “The American Spa,” is a must-visit for the outdoor enthusiast or aspiring adventurer. As home to some of the world’s largest deposits of quartz crystals, the Ouachita Mountains provide visitors of all ages a magical mining experience with crystal digging opportunities.

Magic Springs Theme and Water Park’s thrilling rides and water fun for all ages and the Mid-America Science Museum’s interactive exhibits are two familyfriendly opportunities for a day or weekend visit.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Bentonville, AR | 5.5 Hours from Memphis

Situated in northwest Arkansas, Bentonville is the birthplace of Walmart, and has so much to offer. It features the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, a world-class museum with works by artists from John Singer Sargent to Andy Warhol. The town has mountain biking trails, a children’s museum, and a Museum of Native American History. Visitors can stroll the town square, try the restaurants, and admire the beauty of the Ozark Mountains.

Eureka Springs, AR | 5 Hours from Memphis

With its historic downtown, artsy vibe, and wealth of adventurous opportunities, Eureka Springs is a must-visit destination for your next couples’ getaway or family vacation. Surrounded by two rivers and three lakes, the city has multiple places for kayaking, canoeing, biking, fishing, swimming, and paddleboarding. Take a zipline canopy tour or short hike through the beautiful Ozark Mountains. Fine dine in a cave or sip an award-winning espresso at local eateries. End the day with relaxation or nap in a lush forest-surrounded cabin or luxury treehouse.

Bathhouse Row features eight historic bathhouses.

Santa Claus, Indiana

5.5 HOURS FROM MEMPHIS

Can’t wait until Christmas? With one trip to Santa Claus, Indiana, you don’t have to! Located five and a half hours northeast of Memphis, the city is known for its Christmas theme with places like the Santa Claus Museum and Village and the 1880 Santa Claus Church, as well as the Santa Claus Post Office and a tall 1935 Santa Claus statue

Legend has it that the people of the town were meeting at a church on Christmas Eve to decide the name of the city when a gust of wind suddenly blew the doors open and the parishioners heard children shouting, “Santa Claus! Santa Claus!” It was then that the decision was made.

THE OUTDOORS

Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari offers themed roller coasters and a water park for those hot summer days. If you want to take a day or more to explore, lodging is available at Santa’s Lodge, Santa’s Lakeside Cottages, and Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph.

With a state park, national park, theme park, and community parks, the Santa Claus, Indiana, area offers plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy all the city has to offer at any time of year.

HISTORY

Visit the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, which offers the story of how Abraham Lincoln grew up to become a national leader. During your visit, you may even get to shear a sheep or watch farmhands plow a field with horses on the property’s working farm. The Pepper’s Ridge Winery is also a great place to visit for a couple’s night out.

Whether you want to camp outdoors or stay indoors during your stay, there are plenty of options for campgrounds, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and cabins. Santa Claus is a great place to escape to with family or friends.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Louisville, KY | 6 Hours from Memphis

Did you know Kentucky produces 95% of the global supply of Bourbon? The Bluegrass State is home to an unforgettable Bourbon experience. Since its inception in 1999, the Bourbon Trail has grown from seven to nearly 50 distilleries strong, making Louisville, Kentucky, a beloved Bourbon destination. Along with enjoying top-notch dining and entertainment, you can have a conversation with the owner or master distiller at different distilleries. Be sure to book early as tours and tastings can sell out months in advance. For more information, visit kybourbontrail.com

It’s Christmastime all year long in Santa Claus, Indiana.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

5 HOURS FROM MEMPHIS

Five hours from Memphis, the drive to Chattanooga, Tennessee, is awe-inspiring. The continuously changing landscape will keep you enthralled from West to East Tennessee any time of year. Once you get to your destination, there are plenty of options for hotels, bed and breakfasts, or mountain cottages to fit your needs.

GREAT OUTDOORS

Whether you want to take a summer hike and cool off under the mist of a waterfall, watch the leaves change in the fall, or relax in a cabin by a fire while it snows on the mountain, Chattanooga has earned its place as a Top 45 place to visit in the world by The New York Times. If you decide to venture into the city, Nature still follows. Set between mountains in southeast Tennessee along the Tennessee River, the city provides breathtaking views as you dine, shop, play, and tour. You may also choose to take an adventure tour down the river or rock climb at Cooper State Park

Chattanooga’s location in East Tennessee provides stunning views of the surrounding region.

FOOD & DRINK

You can wake up and start your day off with a small batch selection from Rembrandt’s Coffee House or a perfectly crafted cup of joe taken through the entire production cycle, or grab a “Chattahooligan” latte from Be Caffeinated. You can also grab a cocktail as the sun goes down on one of Chattanooga’s rooftop bars, like the Pickle Barrel or the Whiskey Thief

FAMILY FUN

For family outings, the Chattanooga Zoo, the Hunter Museum of American Art, the Tennessee Aquarium, the Creative Discovery Museum, and the High Point Zip Adventure at Ruby Falls are just a few of the attractions that can run off youthful energy while providing a day full of fun.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Alamo, TN | 2 Hours from Memphis

Less than two hours from downtown Memphis, the Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo is a fun day trip for the family. The seven-mile drive through the safari provides a front-row experience with zebras, camels, ostriches, and more. Purchase animal food at the entrance to feed friendly animals from your car window. Explore the 20-acre walk through the zoo, feed giraffes, enjoy a petting zoo, and view squirrel monkeys and sloths.

Chattanooga offers family-fun activities that interest children of all ages.

Oxford, Mississippi

Home of the University of Mississippi (or “Ole Miss”) and William Faulkner’s Rowan Oak estate, Oxford is a mix of college town and Southern lore. Located 85 miles south of Memphis, it’s a great destination for a day trip filled with literary history and Southern hospitality.

EXPLORE THE SQUARE

The Square is the epicenter of Oxford’s nightlife and has remained the cultural and economic hub of the city since 1837. It is home to a variety of shops and boutiques including the South’s oldest department store, Neilson’s. Around the corner, you will find one of the nation’s most renowned independent bookstores,

Square Books, and an art gallery featuring a variety of art forms and monthly showings. Extraordinary cuisine is also abundant around the Historic Downtown Square. From down-home Southern cooking to haute cuisine, there is something to satisfy everyone’s appetite, all within walkable distance to nightlife and hotels.

PLACES TO STAY

If you choose to stay the night before the short journey back to Memphis, Oxford has a series of bed and breakfasts (Puddin Place or South Lamar Bed and Breakfast) and elegant hotels (Oliver Hotel or Graduate Oxford) that keep the Southern appeal alive with garden walks and porch swings.

Oxford offers a variety of Southern experiences.

ROAD TRIPPIN’

1.5 HOURS FROM MEMPHIS

FOOD & DRINK

From fast food to fine dining, Oxford has a wide variety of eateries. Whether you are visiting one of JamesBeard winning Chef John Currence’s four restaurants, sampling soul food at Ajax Diner, or eating the famous chicken-on-a-stick at the local gas station (a favorite among college students), there is something for you. If you want to dine alfresco on a fern-lined balcony, try City Grocery on the Square. If you need a sweet treat, try Bottletree Bakery. You can’t go wrong finding places to eat, sleep, or tour in Oxford.

MORE TO EXPLORE

Hernando, MS | 0.5 Hours from Memphis

Located in Hernando, Mississippi, Cedar Hill Farm is about 40 minutes from downtown Memphis. The family-owned farm offers seasonal events for adults and children. In the fall, pick a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, take photos in the flower fields, and feed animals at the petting zoo. On select nights in October, the farm turns spooky with a haunted barn and scary hayrides. During the Christmas season, pick your own tree and eat breakfast with Santa.

Sardis, MS | 1 Hour from Memphis

With two lakes and several trails, Sardis Lake is the perfect location to bike, fish, and hike. Rent a boat at the Sardis Lake Marina and spend the day on the water. Relax on the sand and swim at one of the designated beaches. Sardis Lake also offers nine campgrounds where visitors can sleep in a tent under the stars, park an RV, or rent a cabin. A 90-minute drive from downtown Memphis, Sardis Lake is a quick getaway to enjoy the great outdoors.

Biloxi, MS | 6 Hours from Memphis

Whether you are looking for a campground, a bed and breakfast, or a resort, Biloxi offers it all. First settled in 1699, this “playground of the South” on the Gulf Coast is one of the oldest communities in the country. The city provides white sand beaches, deep-sea and freshwater fishing, championship golf courses, museums and historic sites, seafood restaurants, and casino resorts. A little over five hours from Memphis, Biloxi provides a variety of experiences.

Oxford is home to William Faulkner’s Rowan Oak estate.

I was one of those kids who was Memphis-raised but eager to leave the city when I graduated high school. I left Memphis to attend college. Something happened to me through the course of my education, though: I felt Memphis calling me back.

When I returned, I was ready to make an impact in a city that was already full of heroes. That’s because in Memphis, we have the resources and the passion to empower proactive citizens to step up. We keep each other energized, knowing that we have a common goal: We have to keep moving this city forward. We keep each other engaged, because we have a duty to grow together. I was called to come back because I knew that Memphis needed more people like me.

I want to help recruit others to St. Jude because I want them to see how the institution and Memphis are intertwined in our work to elevate each other, our community, and our patients. I seek more devoted colleagues to be a part of our drive, our passion, and our values. Join us as we shine a light on the gaps and work to fill them. When you’re here, you’ll focus on what you see and feel. That’s how the greatness that is Memphis gets in your veins.

One day you’ll be like me, and no matter where you go, Memphis is always going to be home. The food, music, and culture will enchant you as it has enchanted so many of us. St. Jude is my calling, and it called me back to Memphis.

If you love Memphis like I do, it will love you back even more. I can’t wait to welcome you to our city.

Nicholas Thompson, Government Affairs Analyst, St. Jude Office Of Legal Services

IT’S EASIER TO BREAK BARRIERS WHEN YOU HAVE NONE

You know what you need to get the job done, which is how you’ve made it so far. And why you keep working for more. St. Jude aims to help you succeed, starting with $12.9 billion in strategic investment and an ambitious plan to accelerate progress on a global scale. For you, the possibilities are limitless.

Photos courtesy of

ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Tennis, front cover

Tennis, p. 2

Good Fortune Co., p. 3

Danny Thomas Statue, p. 4

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Campus, p. 8

Nikitha Nimmagadda, p. 12–13 (all photos)

Bowling, p. 18 (all photos)

Running, p. 19

Cycling, p. 20

Dr. James R. Downing, p. 22

Kickball, p. 25 (all photos)

Tennis, p. 26–27 (all photos)

Shekinah Andrews, p. 28

Derrick Calhoun, p. 30–31 (all photos)

Collage Dance, p. 34

Cxffeeblack, p. 40–41 (all photos)

Terry Fletcher, p. 42

Mareko Huley, p. 44

Orpheum Theatre Sign, p. 45

Good Fortune Co. Charred Edamame, p. 46

Soul & Spirits Brewery, p. 48–49 (all photos)

Kelly English, p. 50–51 (all photos)

The Kitchen Table, p. 52–53 (all photos)

Good Fortune Co., p. 54–55 (all photos)

SideStreet Burgers, p. 56–57 (all photos)

Maciel’s, Street Tacos, p. 58

Off the Hoof Burgers, Burger and Exterior p. 58

Georgia Blue Sign and Food, p. 59

Tori Hinton, p. 60–61 except p. 61 (bottom right)

Overton Park Bike Gate, p. 62, 66

Bartlett Car Show, p. 64

W.J. Freeman Park, p. 65

Voodoo Cafe, p. 65

Sideporch Steakhouse, p. 65

Overton Park, p. 66

Memphis Zoo, Flamingos and Seals, p. 67

Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, p. 67

Desoto County Museum, p. 68

Velvet Cream, p. 69

Cedar Hill Farm, p. 69

Hernando Farmers Market, p. 69

Lakeland, TN, p. 70

Oak Ridge Park, p. 70

The Kitchen Table, p. 71

Marion Courthouse, p. 72

Sultana Museum, p. 73

Marion Recreational Complex, p. 73

Mississippi River, p. 73

Seafood Shack, p. 73

Cypress Creek Park, p. 75

Olympic Steak & Pizza, p. 75

Fair Oaks Golf Club, p. 75

Sandy Radko, p. 103

JAKE HOPKINS

Peabody Hotel, inside front cover

Tom Lee Park, p. 29

ANNIE WHITE

Memphis Zoo, p. 10

AMUSE: The Adventure Museum, p. 10

DANIEL BASTARDO

Big Cypress Lodge at The Pyramid, p. 10

KELSEE MCKIMM CARR

Big River Crossing, p. 11

MIKE O’KELLY

High Point Climbing and Fitness, p. 11

CHOOSE901

Malco Summer Drive-In, p. 11

ISTOCK

Hockey Puck, Stick and Net, p. 14

Doughnut, p. 59

Blueberries, p. 72

Agriculture Tractor, p. 74

Metal Lockers, p. 76

School Children, p. 78–87 (all photos)

Scenic Road, p. 88

Orange Beach, p. 92

Girl on Beach, p. 92

Christmas Parade, p. 96

GETTY IMAGES

Marc Gasol, p. 16

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

Memphis Grizzlies Team Players, p. 17 (all photos)

BRIAN ABRAHAM

Hockey Action, p. 2

Hockey Action, p. 21

CASSIE SALL

Wiffle Ball, p. 24 (all photos)

COLLAGE DANCE

Mississippi State’s 77th Lyceum Series, p. 35

CROSSTOWN CONCOURSE

Crosstown Concourse Stairs, p. 32

Roller Skaters, p. 36

Crosstown Concourse Stairs, p. 37

Building Exterior, p. 37

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF MEMPHIS

Lori Evans, p. 38

Junior League of Memphis Members, p. 39 (all photos)

OVERTON PARK SHELL

Overton Park Shell Stage, p. 43

Overton Park Shell Stage, p. 67

TORI HINTON

Patient Treatment, p. 61

VOODOO CAFE

Beignets, p. 65

TAMBOLI’S PASTA AND PIZZA

St. Anthony Pizza, p. 67

VILLA CASTRIOTI, LAKELAND

Meatball Appetizer, p. 71

Chef’s Dinner, p. 71

FLICKR

Time Traveler Roller Coaster, p. 90

Tiki Hut Boat, p. 93

EXPLORE BRANSON

Titanic Museum Attraction, p. 90

Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure, p. 91

BRANSON TRAVEL OFFICE

Fun Mountain at Big Cedar Lodge, p. 91

ALABAMA’S BEACHES

Historic Fort Morgan, p. 93

Adventure Island, p. 93

HOT SPRINGS, AR

Babe Ruth Statue, p. 94

Garven Woodland Gardens, Tulip Extravaganza, p. 94

Garven Woodland Gardens, Anthony Chapel, p. 95

Bathhouse Row, p. 95

VISIT INDIANA

Pepper’s Ridge Winery, p. 97

SANTA CLAUS, IN

Holiday World Splashin’ Safari, p. 96

Holiday World Splashin’ Safari, p. 97

VISIT CHATTANOOGA

Rock City Gardens, p. 98

Ruby Falls, p. 98

Walnut Street Bridge, p. 98

Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, p. 99

CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM

ArtSpace, p. 99

VISIT OXFORD

Lafayette County Courthouse, p. 100

Double Decker Arts Festival, Bus, p. 100

Double Decker Arts Festival, Historic Downtown Square, p. 101

WILLIAM FAULKNER’S ROWAN OAK

Rowan Oak, Home of William Faulkner, p. 101

NICHOLAS THOMPSON

Memphis, p. 3

Self Image, p. 102