40 for Memphis

We love Memphis, and hope you do too!  Here are 40 reasons why Memphis means so much to us. 

 

Culture & Creativity

  1. The Riverbeat Music Festival had a huge second year at Tom Lee Park — packed crowds and a sold-out Saturday night.
  2. The Stax Museum and Memphis Music Hall of Fame are still bringing in visitors from around the globe.
  3. Crosstown Concourse is thriving, blending art, healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship in one vibrant vertical village.
  4. Overton Park Shell is drawing record crowds, with its free, all-genre concert series keeping the music alive.
  5. Memphis is hosting the very first FUBU Hip Hop Awards this August, a 4-day celebration of hip hop’s impact on music, film, fashion, and business.
  6. Events like RiverArts Fest, Indie Memphis, and the Black Creatives Festival are shining a spotlight on homegrown talent.
  7. Downtown is experiencing a renaissance, with new restaurants, hotels, and hangouts popping up every month.
  8. The National Civil Rights Museum continues to lead the way, giving visitors a powerful and immersive look into U.S. civil rights history.
  9. Memphis in May is back for its 48th year in 2025, keeping our city’s global and cultural spirit alive.
  10. Local Memphis artists are gaining national attention, from hip-hop and classical music to visual arts.
Community & Momentum

  1. Violent crime is trending down, and it’s no accident — intervention and prevention programs are making a real difference.
  2. The Memphis Police Department opened a brand-new Downtown Command Center, added over 1,300 cameras, and upgraded intersections with smart tech for better safety and traffic flow.
  3. mStreet Fiber is building high-speed internet access across Memphis, aiming to bring affordable broadband to 85% of the city, including underserved neighborhoods.
  4. Memphis is one of only six U.S. cities with two R1-designated public universities — making us a hotspot for top-level research and innovation.
  5. The old Northside High is being transformed into Northside Square, a new community hub with housing, healthcare, retail, arts, and workforce development in North Memphis.
  6. More people in Memphis are becoming homeowners, helped by down payment assistance and affordable housing programs.
  7. Youth summer jobs and internships are expanding, with programs like BAMM Memphis helping more young people gain experience.
  8. The Memphis River Parks are buzzing with activity, attracting families, runners, and community events all year long.
  9. Tom Lee Park alone has 130 free events coming up, including Sunskate Skate, Soulin’ on the River, and Stargazing at Beale Street Landing.
  10. Mayor Paul Young put Memphis on the national map, hosting the Black Mayors Coalition Summit in 2024 and the Dream Forward Summit in 2025 — both focused on innovation, equity, and public safety.
Business & Innovation

  1. Memphis just landed a huge win — we were picked for the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities Initiative, which means $200 million in support over the next three years.
  2. xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, chose Memphis to build the world’s biggest supercomputer. And they’re doing it responsibly — with a new water recycling plant to cool the tech without draining our aquifer.
  3. AAON, a major HVAC manufacturer, just opened a $238 million facility here and plans to bring 800 new jobs to town.
  4. Tech901, CodeCrew, and IMPACT Memphis are stepping up to train the city’s next wave of tech leaders.
  5. The revamp of 100 N. Main is in full swing, breathing new life into one of Memphis’ most iconic buildings.
  6. Breeze Airways is now flying direct from Memphis, making it easier to connect and do business across the country.
  7. The Medical District is booming, with major investment going into healthcare, housing, and research.
  8. Start Co. and Epicenter are helping local founders launch and grow their businesses right here at home.
  9. The Greater Memphis Chamber rolled out a new Regional Site Search Tool — a game-changer for companies scouting Memphis as their next big move.
  10. With our prime location and strong workforce, Memphis is quickly becoming a go-to city for advanced manufacturing and logistics.
Memphis Pride

  1. Memphis is the largest majority-Black city in America, with a proud past and an even bolder future.
  2. Barbecue still rules, but Memphis’ food scene is expanding fast, with fresh new flavors and chefs changing the game.
  3. Our sports teams — Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers — are thriving, bringing the city together and building pride.
  4. Memphis Public Libraries are among the best in the country — and we’re the only city to win the top national award twice (in 2007 and 2021).
  5. We’re investing in climate resilience and green jobs, making sure we’re ready for the future while creating opportunity now.
  6. Shelby Farms Park continues to be one of the largest and most loved urban parks in the country.
  7. Organizations like Latino Memphis, the NAACP, and local nonprofits are keeping civic engagement strong across all communities.
  8. The Black Mayors Coalition, co-founded by Mayor Young, is pushing a national agenda for smart growth, equity, and public safety.
  9. Neighborhoods across Memphis are getting cleaner and safer, thanks to the Neighborhood Improvement Fund and focused city efforts.
  10. Memphis keeps rising — with grit, grace, and a whole lot of soul.