Meanwhile in Memphis with New Memphis

Entrepreneurial spirit has shaped Memphis for decades, and the city still supports entrepreneurship today! This conversation has a strategic focus on attracting and retaining businesses — from small businesses to large-scale industry leaders — as well as exploring what makes Memphis a city of choice for entrepreneurs and innovators looking to launch a business. These leaders not only see what's possible, but they are also carving paths for the future of the city and positioning Memphis as a city of choice for changemakers. 

This conversation originally took place as a live event on August 26, 2026, as part of New Memphis’ Celebrate What’s Right series and was made possible by Tennessee Valley Authority, Kroger, and Servis1st Bank. We work very hard to make these events accessible, but we know that there are a myriad of reasons why members of our community had to miss this live event. In an effort to ensure that these leaders’ insights are disseminated far and wide, we’re bringing you their conversation on the radio waves this morning.

Guests:

Meka Egwuekwe | Co-Founder & Executive Director of Code Crew (moderator)

Anthony Young | President & CEO of Epicenter Memphis

Ido Sairig I Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation at The University of Memphis

Gwyn Fisher I Chief Economic Development Officer for The Greater Memphis Chamber

Trey Moore | Senior Small Business Specialist at EDGE Memphis

Memphis builds community through collaboration. Habitat for Humanity's initiatives to build homes, help citizens age in place, and showcase leadership through volunteerism create a more vital and prosperous 901 for today, tomorrow, and generations to come. 

Guests:

Dwayne Spencer (Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis)

Michael Scarborough (Matter Health Care)

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Habitat for Humanity CEO Build

Matter Health Care

Plough Foundation

Aging in Place

Social Determinants of Health

Varsity Spirit

Chelsea Avenue Development

Previous episodes on this topic include: S3E29 and S3E18

Dwayne Spencer's TEDxMemphis Talk

Housing and Community Development (HCD)

Community Redevelopment Agency

City of Memphis

Hyde Family Foundation

Assisi Foundation

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Downtown Memphis is a vibrant place to live, work, play, and thrive! Adding to downtown's appeal is an immersive experience, Baron Von Operbean and the River of Time, affectionately known as BVO. The attraction has been noted as a "jewel of an asset" and is playing a role in the forward momentum of the city's vision. 

Guests:

Chandell Ryan (Downtown Memphis Commission)

Jee Vahn Knight (Baron Von Opperbean)

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Downtown Memphis Commission

Baron Von Opperbean

Christopher Reyes' "Live From Memphis"

Meow Wolf

Mid-South Coliseum 

Court Square Pyramid

Pedestrian Bridge to Mud Island

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis is fighting blight through teamwork! While preventative measures are being taken to stop the progression of blight throughout the community, the city is also working collaboratively to create long-term solutions through legal support and community-informed efforts. Tune in to learn how the City of Memphis is collaborating to help Memphis reach its fullest potential!

Guests:

Mayor Paul Young (City of Memphis)

Melanie Neal (City of Memphis)

Lani Lester (City of Memphis)

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Memphis is made vibrant by its green spaces and the wildlife that inhabit them. Those spaces exist, and wildlife populations persist thanks in part to the organizations dedicated to protecting and preserving them, including today's guests from Ducks Unlimited and Wolf River Conservancy. From Ducks Unlimited's work conserving more than 20 million acres of waterfowl habitat across North America to Wolf River Conservancy's work planting more than 60,000 trees and protecting upwards of 20,000 acres of land, there's a lot to unpack in today's conversation. Joining us from Ducks Unlimited is Chief Operating Officer Karen Waldrop, and joining from Wolf River Conservancy is Chief Conservation Officer Ryan Hall.