MIFA’s Something Good in Memphis campaign is designed to celebrate those who make Memphis better, whether it’s the stranger who helps change your flat tire in the rain or a human services pioneer who changes the lives of a hundred poor Memphians. Sometimes people tend to focus on the bad and forget the good, but we see reminders of the good in Memphis every day!
Nominating is quick and easy – just fill out our simple form! Nominate friends, neighbors,and colleagues whose daily efforts or remarkable deeds embody the spirit of positive action in our community.Thank you for being a part of the good in Memphis!
MIFA's mission is to change the community by helping change lives through programs which sustain the independence of seniors, stabilize and transform families in crisis, and equip urban teens for success. Learn more about MIFA.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Cassandra Webster heads up The Memphis Challenge. The Memphis Youth Leadership Program (MYLP), one of her many programs geared at developing Memphis youth, just concluded after a summer spent providing 150 area youth the skills to become productive Memphians. Nominated by Robert Bain.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Peggy Robinson, a licensed cosmetologist specialist, modernizes hair care and weaving for women of all ethnicities. Peggy was inspired to become a hair stylist by a vision she had as a young girl. Her historic salon in the Westwood Community opened in the early 1970s. A graduate of Westwood High School, Peggy continues to live and work in her community and encourages others to follow their dreams. Her successful business has allowed her to feed the homeless every Friday and on...
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Kenya's passion for transformational leadership and educational reform speaks directly to her love for Memphis and her desire to see it reach its fullest potential. Her dedication to the numerous boards she serves on displays her commitment to her community and her ability to inspire others to get involved. She is an asset to Memphis and the future of civic leadership. Nominated by Christopher Owens.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Sophorn McRae is an amazing person/wife/mother/architect/graphic designer who writes a blog that highlights positive things about and to do in Memphis. The blog is becoming more and more popular every day. It is very family-oriented, with great pictures - visit http://norococo.blogspot.com/ , and you will understand! Nominated by Christopher McRae.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Dorothy Gunther Pugh has made Ballet Memphis into something the entire community can be proud of. Not only does she get the organization out into the community with free performances and into the city schools with free curriculum, but she helps Memphis garner positive national attention for the caliber of work the professional company does. Next week they have been invited to perform at the Kennedy Center. And on top of it all, she is one of only a handful of female artistic directors in the...
Friday, April 09, 2010
I am nominating Cole because he is new to Memphis area and it takes courage to start a new business, especially not being from the area. Nominated by Jeannie Krawczyk.
Friday, April 09, 2010
He's an outstanding advocate for supporting local businesses, especially eateries, in our awesome town. His blog, EatLocalMemphis.org, is witty as well as informational. All the local foodies appreciate his support of our Memphis food! Nominated by Kat Gordon.
Friday, April 09, 2010
A bolt on the brakes of my daughter's wheelchair came off, and the brakes wouldn't work. The wheelchair people replaced it, but the new one quickly fell off too. I took the chair to Hubbard's Hardware (4321 Summer Ave., 38122), where an employee spent at least 20 minutes finding just the right thing and installing it for me. The charge was less than $2, and the bolt stayed put. It pays to shop at locally owned establishments! This kind of service just doesn't exist at the big box stores. ...
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Cole stepped up and started a new local business ( 901 Love ) dedicated to showing off Memphis through t-shirts. His shirts are share the pride of being a Memphian through clever designs. Thanks Cole for your great work. Nominated by Thomas Robinson.
One of Cole's great designs!
Monday, March 08, 2010
Claire Ryan has been recognized as Something Good in Memphis a couple of times already. On Friday she sent me a copy of the letter that she sent to Steve Forbes about why she feels that Memphis is certainly not miserable. She gave me the go ahead to share with everyone, so here it is.
Dear Mr. Forbes:
I take exception to your description of Memphis as a miserable city. I relocated from Boston to Memphis in 2002 so I believe I have an eye that is not jaded by native...
Monday, March 01, 2010
Some of you might have recently read Mayor Wharton's "An Open Letter to Steve Forbes" that is making the rounds online. Within 3 minutes I got it in a couple of emails from members of our department at work. These are a few of the things that the people at MIFA that work on Something Good in Memphis had to say about it:
"Memphis is lucky to have Mayor Wharton. He is (among many, many other things) Something Good in Memphis!"
"Now this is how every Memphian should...
Friday, January 29, 2010
Amber Reed is Something Good in Memphis. "As only an 8th grader at FACS, Amber is out trying to work hard for the community and especially the elderly by working on creating an Adopt a Senior program. In just weeks she has put together Project: Valentine Cards, where elementary students make cards that will be delivered to area nursing homes, established a pen pal at a nursing home in Batesville, MS, and hopes to create a program that other teenagers will want to be involved in." Nominated by...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Zac Carpenter is Something Good in Memphis. "He has his hands in everything. He volunteered for Mayor Wharton's campaign, he spends time at the P&J Center, and is just a tireless cheerleader for the city. He moves as Memphis moves." Nominated by Todd Baker.
Friday, January 22, 2010
"A great lady and a long time friend who maintained the Stax light." Nominated by Patrick Montier.
Deanie Parker was nominated earlier as Something Good in Memphis and was featured in the Commercial Appeal ( link ).
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Dorothy Cox is Something Good in Memphis. Dorothy works tirelessly to revitalize the Midtown North communities, where she lives. She builds partnerships, shares information and wisdom, encourages and serves as a model for all who want to work toward a better community. Nominated by Robyn Gibboney.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
For years, Bad Dog has been a bright spot in the city of Memphis. From making people laugh in the mornings on Rock 103 to raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for the kids at the Ronald McDonald House, he is a perfect example of the good in our community. Nominated by Anna Kathryn Word
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Erik Jambor works, oftentimes as a one man show, year round planning the annual Indie Memphis Film Festival that gives independent filmmakers from Memphis & abroad a chance to showcase their talents and Memphians a chance to support them. Nominated by Lauren Rae Holtermann.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Michael Andrews and Alice Laskey-Castle of Five In One are relatively new Memphians, but they put forth more effort into enriching the arts scene, participating in important conversations, and strengthening the network between art entities in Memphis than most lifetime Memphians. Nominated by Lauren Rae Holtermann.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Ellen works tirelessly to get MIFA's mission out to the public, finding creative ways to engage Memphians in supporting MIFA, one of our city's most positive organizations! Nominated by Elisabeth Callihan.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Sharon Gray and Kris Kourdouvelis are the best supporters of nonprofits in Memphis, especially for sharing The Warehouse for MIFA's Feed the Soul event! Nominated by Charlie Nelson.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Jacob works incredibly hard as the Director of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. Through several programs, ranging from GrowMemphis community gardens, to the Gandhi-King Conference on Peacemaking, the Peace and Justice center keeps social justice and sustainable communities an important part of the conversation in Memphis. Thanks for all you do! Nominated by Jessica Jones.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
One of my friends accidentally dropped a their check card at a gas station. The good Memphis Samaritan who picked it up called the bank right away to let them know it was lost. Saved my friend a lot of grief and worry. Way to go Memphians! Nominated by Bevin Baddorf.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Uele is the "goddess" behind Groovy Foods granola, herbal blends, oils, & honeys. She's a single mom and works her tush off, creating her local goods & selling them at area festivals, farmers markets, & retail locations. She's generous with smiles & hugs, always making things brighter when she's around. Nominated by Jana Gilbertson.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thanks to the Something Good in Memphis campaign, people all over Memphis are focusing on the positive forces at work in our city. We're taking the time to look around and acknowledge the great things our neighbors are doing to improve the quality of life in our hometown. SGIM is re-shaping attitudes and lifting spirits! On behalf of the families of Memphis, we salute you! Nominated by memphisloveskids.com.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Amie is currently undertaking a project called Portrait 365 where every day she photographs a Memphis resident who is proud to call Memphis home. She started this project because she wanted to show how many great people there are living and working in Memphis. http://memphisphotog.blogspot.com/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/amiev/ . Nominated by Jason Sheesley.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Tom Jones said it best: "John Kirkscey reminds us about what's best about Memphis: the ability of one person with a dream and an entrepreneurial and creative spirit to inspire others to rally around him." John's dream of the Art Park for the riverfront is stepping closer and closer to reality: www.memphisartpark.org . Nominated by Jenny Sharpe.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Joann Self Selvidge is Something Good in Memphis. Her inspiring work through True Story Pictures makes our community better. Her Arts Interviews Series preserves the memories of special members of our area arts community, and gives us all a richer picture of Memphis. Nominated by Sally Heinz.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Ronald Herd is Something Good in Memphis. He has a passion for preserving African American History and helping those who don't have a voice. He has been instrumental in bring Jimmie Lunceford back to life. by starting the first annual festival in his name, recognizing his birthday, and creating a blog site for information on Mr. Lunceford.
He has also made an impact on gathering other musicians. His first book, James Reese Europe: Jazz Lieutenant was named to The Smithsonian Institute's...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Brian Elder and Jay Young are Something Good in Memphis. They are always there to try to help someone in need. If you call them with a problem they do everything possible to help you. Nominated by Ken Johnson.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Beverly has two organizations that recognize people around us that are often overlooked. Those Who Labor Among Us honors people in our community in the childcare, care-giving, food service and janitorial/building support professions. She also has an organization that honors women in our community who have lived for over 80 years. She has made a difference in the lives of many that otherwise might be overlooked. Beverly Watkins is truly Something Good in Memphis. Nominated by Pamela Marshall.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Chris Allen makes Memphis fun. Chris is Something Good in Memphis. Nominated by Jane Shepard.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Chris works tirelessly at Live From Memphis to showcase unsung creative talent and to cultivate and support creativity in our great city. His work is an essential piece to our city’s growth as we work to retain and recruit talent. Christopher Reyes is Something Good in Memphis. Nominated by Jenny Sharpe.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wendy Benson is a advocate supporter of MIFA and the Memphis community. She is always giving time and resources to help others, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. She is a great and loving person in so many ways. Wendy Benson is Something Good in Memphis. Nominated by Erika Lewis.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Katie is a lover of all things Memphis and is an advocate for our city and its people. She is a dear disciple of Jesus and believes in racial reconciliation and the opportunities afforded by education. Katie works with Streets' Mission Graduation to encourage students to stay in school. Katie Hobson is Something Good in Memphis. Nominated by Abby Yandell.