Category Archives: Community

Silky O’Sullivan’s rolls out 50th St. Patrick’s parade

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Despite a forecast of cool and rainy weather, cars, dancers and floats filled Beale Street Saturday, March 11, 2023, for the 50th annual Silky O’Sullivan’s St. Patrick’s parade.

Thousands of spectators came out to celebrate the upcoming St. Patrick’s holiday and Memphis’ biggest parade, with many adorned in green apparel from sparkling shamrock top hats and T-shirts to green Mardi Gras beads.

Participating organizations for this year’s parade include the Christian Brothers High School Band, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, Murphy’s of Midtown Memphis, Carnival Memphis and River City Peddlers.

Entrepreneurship flourishes at Shop Black City Tour

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More than 100 Black small business owners, selling everything from jewelry, CBD products, apparel and more, gathered at 91 Promenade in Downtown Memphis Saturday, Oct. 15, for the Shop Black City Tour event.

Shop Black City Tour is a touring small-business festival providing a space for Black business owners to showcase their products or services to other Black-owned businesses in the area.

Downtown Sip & Serve cleanup series to debut

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Attendees will be given cleanup routes via Litterati, an app that uses visual recognition and data collection to keep track of what is picked up. Instructions on how to use the app will be given before the pickup commences at each venue.

The event is also a contest: Prizes will be given to teams who pick up the most litter.

Clean Memphis will provide supplies for participants, including gloves, trash bags, trash grabbers, high-visibility vests and water.

Old Dominick will provide food via Feast & Graze, a local charcuterie company. Wiseacre is offering 25% off happy hour tabs for those who are involved, as well as a free drink ticket to the first 50 people who register. And, High Cotton is offering $4 beers to all eligible participants.

DMC Expands Staff and Focus to Further Award-Winning DEI Strategy

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International Award, Additional Program Scope, and New Hire all Support Progress

The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) was awarded the International Downtown Association’s (IDA) Pinnacle Award* at the September 2022 IDA conference in Vancouver. The industry’s highest recognition, the Pinnacle Award, represents the most inspiring innovations in urban place management. 

 

Each year, the IDA recognizes outstanding projects as winners of the Downtown Achievement Awards, which identify advances to urban centers by organizations worldwide. This year’s projects were awarded by a jury of IDA members in the following categories: leadership development; organizational management; economic development; marketing, communication and events; planning, design and infrastructure; policy and advocacy; and public space management and operations. The DMC’s award-winning efforts highlighted the organization’s policy and advocacy work in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) realm, with the Building Downtown DEI Toolkit, designed to increase MWBE and emerging developer participation in the development of Downtown Memphis.

 

“The Downtown Memphis Commission’s innovative work received the IDA Pinnacle Award for setting the new standard for improving cities around the world,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “The DMC’s DEI Toolkit has made an impact on its community and the people who live, work and play there, and is evidence of the continued commitment to champion livable, vital and thriving urban centers.” 

 

In addition to the IDA-recognized work, the DMC will take on a growing role in the emerging developer landscape, beginning fall 2022. The DMC will be the new home to multiple programs previously managed by Urban Land Institute (ULI) and RegionSmart. Under the DMC’s umbrella, these programs will continue to support greater equity in the overall development momentum in Downtown.

 

“The DMC has a history of advocacy for emerging developers,” stated Paul Young, DMC President. “We believe that pulling these programs together under one roof will strengthen the programs and lead to a stronger, more connected, development community.”

 

The programs include the Real Estate Diversity Initiative (REDI) program, Develop-A-Thon, and other locally-focused workshops and classes designed to prepare individuals for careers in commercial development. 

 

“DEI doesn’t happen by accident,” said Brett Roler, DMC SVP Planning & Development. “The DMC already has a robust toolkit designed to support a wide range of projects and emerging developers. Through the addition of this new emerging developer programming, we expect to redouble our efforts to continue growing the ecosystem of small developers taking on the challenging work of building up the core city.”

 

To ensure the success of these programs and the ongoing DEI work, the DMC has recently hired Tori Haliburton as Director of DEI. Haliburton graduated from Lane College, a small Christian HBCU in West Tennessee, and received her Master of Public Administration from Villanova University. 

 

Before joining the DMC, Haliburton served as Director of Grants and Funding Opportunities at Christ Community Health Services, and in various positions with increasing responsibilities at Wiley College and Lane College. Haliburton has extensive community engagement, project management, and team-building experience. She was named as the 2016 WestStar African American Leadership Emerging Leader and was selected by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce as Forty under 40. She has served as a softball, cheerleading, and pageant coach; and AKA sorority advisor. Her current favorite coaching/advising role is in support of her college-aged son’s pursuits at her alma mater, Lane College.

*The DMC has received the Pinnacle award twice in three years,
the first for the Open on Main program in 2020.

Click for additional images to support release. 

Emerging Developer Programs

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Additional Quotes in support of the DMC’s Emerging Developer Programs
“We are thrilled to find a new home for the Emerging Developers programs at the DMC. The DMC is the perfect organization to provide the expertise to ensure that real estate entrepreneurs in our community have access to the education and resources they need to be successful.”
–Anna McQuiston, RegionSmart Executive Director

Additional Quotes related to Tori Haliburton’s role at DMC
“We’re really excited to add Tori to our team. Her task is to wake up everyday thinking about what more the DMC can do to be proactive and aggressive to attract new investment and ensure that we’re building a downtown that reflects the diversity of our full community.”
–Brett Roler, DMC SVP Planning & Development

2022 Super Women in Business: DMC’s Penelope Huston

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Penelope Huston has had a significant hand in the resurgence of the city core through her role as VP of Communications, Marketing, and Events for the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC). Huston oversees a DMC team that expects to host, sponsor, and produce more than 250 events in 2022 — 200 of them free. What many might find stressful, Huston finds joyful, describing her work as “the best job in the city.”

CHOOSE901 HOSTS DOWNTOWN COCKTAIL CONTEST IN CELEBRATION OF WORLD BARTENDER DAY Spirited by Old Dominick Distillery

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MEMPHIS, TN—In partnership with Old Dominick Distillery and the Downtown Memphis Commission, Choose901 is gearing up to give local bartenders a chance to showcase their skills during the Choose901 Downtown Cocktail Contest.

From February 24th, which is recognized as World Bartender Day, until the end of March —cocktail connoisseurs working in Harbortown, South Main, North Main, Crosstown, and the Edge District neighborhoods are invited to demonstrate their creativity using Old Dominick spirits.

Be it a refreshing take on an Old Fashioned, a mule, a martini, a French 75, or the like—participants are encouraged to submit one recipe that represents their craft by no later than February 4th. Each submission will be vetted by representatives from Choose901 and Old Dominick..

During the month-long celebration, Memphians are encouraged to hit up each spot to enjoy a sip, and vote for their favorite cocktails. Winners will be crowned in categories such as: Best Overall, Best Name, Best Use of Garnish, Best Presentation, Best Gin Drink, Best Whiskey Drink, and Best Vodka Drink.

The culmination will come together on Thursday, March 31st during a special industry night hosted at Old Dominick Distillery where the winners will be announced, and discounted cocktails will be served to participants and fellow restaurant industry representatives starting at 12PM.

The Grand Prize for Best Overall Cocktail includes an award for the host restaurant and a prize for the participating bartender. Other prizes to be announced.

ZACH RANDOLPH JERSEY RETIREMENT CEREMONY ON DECEMBER 11 CULMINATES WEEK-LONG CELEBRATION OF THE GRIZZLIES LEGEND

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Among the events – on the day of Randolph’s jersey retirement, Saturday, Dec. 11, Grizz Nation is invited to arrive early and stop by the 2021 Memphis Holiday Parade on the world-famous Beale Street, where Randolph will serve as Grand Marshal. The parade starts at 3 p.m. and afterward fans can stop by the FedExForum Box Office for a chance to purchase select Terrace Level tickets for 50% off, in honor of the number the Grizzlies will retire that night, while supplies last.

–  Tickets Still Available for Zach’s Jersey Retirement Game Against the Rockets –

–  The First 5,000 Fans in Attendance Receive a Commemorative Vinyl Record Honoring Randolph –

– Retirement Ceremony Airs Live on Bally Sports Southeast Immediately Following the Game –

 

Full Release Below: 

The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the full slate of events for Zach Randolph’s jersey retirement game on Saturday, Dec. 11, vs. the Houston Rockets at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets for the game are still available and start at just $11. Tickets are available for purchase by calling (901) 888-HOOP or by going online to grizzlies.com/tickets. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive a Commemorative Vinyl Record honoring Randolph, produced locally in partnership with Memphis Record Pressing.
#50ForDaCity Documentary

Festivities tip-off Tuesday, Dec. 7, with the digital release of the new Zach Randolph documentary film, #50ForDaCity, produced by Grind City Media. The documentary chronicles Randolph’s journey in Memphis – starting with the trade that brought him to the Bluff City – and includes every Z-bound, headband toss, MLGW bill paid, chokeslam and more. #50ForDaCity, which premieres exclusively as a benefit for MVPs on Dec. 5, can be found on grizzlies.com or the Grizzlies YouTube Channel starting Dec. 7. Fans wanting a behind-the-scenes look at how the film was created can tune in on Wednesday, Dec. 8, for the premiere of “Making of #50ForDaCity” on GrindCityMedia.com and Grind City Media social channels. This show will include a roundtable discussion led by Grind City Media’s Jessica Benson and feature Randolph, Grind City Media’s Chris Vernon, the film’s director, Michael Blevins, and The Daily Memphian’s Chris Herrington.

Zach Randolph Jersey Retirement Game & Weekend

The Claw Crew will continue festivities with the Mountain Dew Street Corners throughout the day on Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11, giving fans an opportunity to receive tickets to the game vs. the Houston Rockets. Fans can follow @memgrizz on Twitter to find out where the Claw Crew will be popping up throughout the city.

On Friday, Dec. 10, Zach Randolph will stop by the Porter-Leath Toy Truck drive at WMC-TV Action News 5 Station, 1960 Union Ave, from 2-3p.m. The 20th annual Toy Truck, presented by International Paper, provides over 2,500 preschool children with meaningful, age-appropriate holiday gifts. The first 200 fans who stop by between 2-3 p.m. and donate a gift at the toy drive will meet Zach and receive two tickets to Saturday’s game gifted by Zach.

On the day of Randolph’s jersey retirement, Saturday, Dec. 11, Grizz Nation is invited to arrive early and stop by the 2021 Memphis Holiday Parade on the world famous Beale Street, where Randolph will serve as Grand Marshal. The parade starts at 3 p.m. and afterward fans can stop by the FedExForum Box Office for a chance to purchase select Terrace Level tickets for 50% off, in honor of the number the Grizzlies will retire that night, while supplies last.

 Musical tributes for Zach will occur throughout the night from a myriad of Memphis acts including the Royal Studios All Star Band, Al Kapone, the reuniting of Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul and Young Buck along with 8 Ball and MJG. Also on hand for the festivities is Randolph’s first-ever artist off his NLess Entertainment roster, multi-platinum recording artist and Memphis native Moneybagg Yo.

During the game, Grizz Nation will be able to enjoy their favorite Zach Randolph in-game video skits and highlight videos as the Memphis Grizzlies celebrate the guest of honor throughout the game. Immediately following the game, Zach’s jersey retirement ceremony will begin and air live on Bally Sports Southeast, hosted by Pete Pranica, Brevin Knight and Rob Fischer with special guests including, Tony Allen, Lionel Hollins, Chris Wallace, Damon Stoudamire, Bonzi Wells and more from Zach’s career, along with a special tribute video and musical performances.

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase single game tickets, including to Zach Randolph’s jersey retirement game, can do so now by calling (901) 888-HOOP or by going online to grizzlies.com/tickets. Season Tickets are the best way to guarantee seats to the top matchups at the lowest prices all season long. For more information on the Grizzlies, visit grizzlies.com, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram (@memgrizz).

 

-Grizzlies.com-