A Community Conversation with the Connector Program - Midtown

Bumps in the Road, Bills on the Table: Navigating Safety, Upkeep and Affordability

Overview

This community conversation invites residents and partners to come together and address a pressing question: What needs to change, and who can help? Together, we’ll explore how blight impacts daily life, neighborhoods, and future opportunities—and how collective action can break the cycle.

Held at JIFF, the event will bring together residents, subject matter experts, non-profit, faith, and government leaders to connect resources with the people who need them most.

Whether it’s improving neighborhood conditions, empowering residents to access local resources, or building stronger community connections, this space is designed for honest dialogue, collaboration, and action.

Why This Matters

Residents across Commission District 8 communities—including Downtown, Harbor Town, Uptown, Soulsville, South Memphis, Klondike/Smokey City and West Frayser continue to raise concerns about neighborhood conditions and access to opportunity. Families are looking for clearer, more accessible solutions that not only address immediate needs but also create long-term stability and growth.

This event is a response to that call—to listen, to learn, and to work together on closing opportunity gaps that affect us all.

What to Expect:

• Expert Insights – Hear from experts and professionals for all ages, including youth, about challenges, current opportunities, and promising practices.
• Community Conversations – Share your personal experiences, reflect on barriers, and discuss ideas for infrastructure investments, beautification efforts and financial literacy.
• Resource Fair – Explore opportunities for job training, adult education, youth programs, mentorship, and more.
• Action Planning – Collaborate on strategies to better align infrastructure investment and economic stability efforts for change in District 8.

Who Should Attend?

This conversation is open to all District 8 residents and community stakeholders, including families, students, youth, young adults, educators, church groups, workforce providers, employers, and neighborhood associations. If you care about expanding opportunity in your community, your voice belongs in this conversation.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
• Location: JIFF, 254 S. Lauderdale St, Memphis, TN 38126
• Dinner, Networking, & Resource Fair: 5:00 – 5:30 PM
• Community Conversation: 5:30 – 7:30 PM

The Connector Program is a Shelby County Government initiative that helps bridge the gap between residents and the resources that support thriving communities. By creating spaces for connection, education, and action, the program works across all 13 County Commission districts to ensure every voice is heard and every neighborhood is seen.

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