This conversation explores the importance of finding mentors, not pouring from an empty cup, and how to be both a champion in education and of education. Valen Warner (Memphis Literacy Institute; 2022 New Memphis Educator of Excellence) and Taylor Price (English and AP African American Studies Educator at East High School; 2024 New Memphis Educator of Excellence) share their experiences of continuing their education and creating pathways for mentorship.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Memphis Teacher Residency
• Memphis Literacy Institute
• S2E41 2022 Educator of Excellence: Valen Warner
• New Memphis Educator of Excellence
• New Memphis Stride
• New Memphis Teachers' Lounge
• Memphis Teacher Residency University
• National Board Certification
• Memphis Libraries

This episode was made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Vibrant communities are created through the "power of partnership." Hear how collaboration played a role in the creation (and approval!) of the Cleveland Street TIF with Todd Richardson ( Crosstown Concourse) and Andre Dean (Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church).

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Crosstown Concourse
• Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church
• State of Tennessee Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Program and EDGE TIF program uses
• Crosstown Concourse directory
• The Mound
• Live Nation's music venue, Satellite Music Hall
• Daily Memphian article Inside Cleveland Street’s 30-year $338M blight fight
• Memphis Business Journal's article New incentive could bring about Cleveland St. development boom
• Memphis Business Journal article City Council committee approves $127 million development district
• S5E9 Meeting on Common Ground with Public Spaces
• S5E13 Planning for People and Places
• Crosstown Concourse history which includes other Sears & Roebuck distribution center redevelopments in Seattle (Starbucks Headquarters), Atlanta (Ponce City Market), and Minneapolis (Midtown Exchange).
• Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
• Crosstown Community Development Corporation (CDC)
• AAPI Heritage Month Memphis
• Uptown TIF
• Binghampton TIF
• Highland Ave. TIF
• Stax announces partnership for apprenticeship program at Satellite Music Hall groundbreaking
• Asian Night Market

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.

Explore how Memphis strategically blends economic development with the city's rich creative landscape to lay the foundation for long-term success. With the City's freshly creative Office of Creative and Cultural Economy (the fist of its kind in the city!) Memphis is modeling best practices got how a community can be intentional about investing in its artists, its institutions, and its future workforce.

This episode features live audio from Celebrate What's Right: Growing the Creative Economy which took place on April 8, 2025, and features panelists: DeMarcus Suggs (City of Memphis), Carissa Hussong (Metal Museum), Kid Maestro (UNAPOLOGETIC.), Rachel Knox (Hyde Family Foundation), and Derek Patterson (Contemporary Arts Memphis).

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• ARTSMemphis calendar
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee
• Kroger
• City Leadership
• City of Memphis' Office of Creative Cultural Economy
• Hyde Family Foundation
• Unapologetic.
• Kid Maestro
• Contemporary Arts Memphis (CAM)
• Metal Museum
• Cxffeeblack
• Memphis Music Initiative
• Collage Dance Collective
• Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre
• The Brooks Museum
• Sheet Cake Gallery
• Guns to Gardens
• Moore Tech
• Memphis Culture Coalition

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.