Memphis has experienced its share of challenges in recent years, but the city known for its grit and grind has shown true resilience, thanks to our most valuable resource — the talented, passionate people who call the 901 home. Leading the charge to invest in that resource is the nonprofit organization New Memphis.
With a mission to forge a more prosperous and vital Memphis by developing, activating, and retaining talent, the organization envisions a city continually transformed and renewed by a community of connected leaders committed to positive change. We sat down with President and CEO Anna Mullins Ellis to find out more about New Memphis’s mission, programming, events, and perspective on the city.
“Memphis’s challenges are not unique,” Anna tells us. “Our problems are the same as many other American cities. We need to be clear-eyed about our city and acknowledge the issues — poverty, education, crime. But let’s put those things in context and understand that Memphis also offers great opportunities. Yes, we want to solve our problems, but I think civic pride is something we manifest from within.”
New Memphis spotlights what’s going well, fosters a sense of personal investment, and embraces the concept of community. To that end, the nonprofit’s leadership team relies on national data to determine what attracts people to a place and what makes them stay. None of the answers are that surprising: family, friends, professional networks, a dynamic arts and cultural environment, and having access to green spaces are all factors that anchor someone to a city.
“We look at the data, and we make sure our programming is leaning into it,” Anna explains. “A big part of what we do is connecting people, helping them build networks and feel like they’re woven into the fabric of the community. We find that connection deepens an appreciation and love of community — feeling like you’re a part of it, not just looking at it from the outside.”
A connected, invested person is likelier to stay in a city and give back to the community. To deliver on its mission, New Memphis works to infuse the 901 with leaders who are passionate about positive change and equipped with the skills to take action.
They do the work in two main camps: leadership development and community engagement. The leadership development programs are cohort-based. Anna explains, “A group of about 30 people experience a program together. We help them examine their personal leadership capacity. Who am I? What am I good at? Where can I grow? How do I work with others? How do I communicate? How do I collaborate?”
In addition to developing personal growth, The New Memphis programs are all designed to equip participants to become local leaders. Civic education plays a role, as understanding Memphis is critical to helping people find their place in the city. The programs offer a bigger picture of Memphis and an introduction to how a participant might contribute to positive, practical change.
“We’re not prescriptive about how each person contributes,” Anna adds. “We don’t say, ‘Okay, you need to go do 50 volunteer hours at this place, or you’ve got to donate to these charities.’ We help people examine what role they can play. For example, if a participant is passionate about a certain cause or issue, we can connect them to nonprofit boards that could benefit from the participant’s special skill set.”
No matter where you are in your career, New Memphis has a program for you. They offer cohort-based programs for college students, young professionals, mid-career leaders, and senior executives. For newcomers, the nonprofit hosts a series of events throughout the year to explore the city and make connections that create a sense of belonging. And because good education is critical to any city’s success, New Memphis is committed to developing and retaining educators in our highest-needs schools by offering programs geared toward teachers.
Community engagement includes events such as luncheons, conferences, workshops, happy hours, and networking opportunities. Here’s a partial list of the unique events and opportunities they offer:
- In September, New Memphis is hosting TEDxMemphis, where local people will give TED Talks. The talks from innovative speakers promise to feed your curiosity, challenge your perceptions, and empower you to bring big ideas to life in the community.
- The Celebrate What’s Right luncheon series spotlights progress and success. In November, a panel of Memphis leaders will discuss how the city is innovating new and better ways to design, operate, and manage public spaces.
- Held throughout the year for educators, Teachers’ Lounge is a casual and safe space to join other preK through grade 12 teachers to grow together and discuss pressing topics in today’s education landscape.
- For a high-energy deep dive into all things Memphis, Memphis 101 offers all Memphians (not just newcomers) an opportunity to network, engage with organizations and attractions that help define Memphis as a thriving community, and deepen personal connections with the city.
- Held annually, the New Memphis Leadership Summit is the premier leadership conference for professionals in every sector and career level. The sold-out 2024 event brought 300 leaders together for a full day of learning and networking in August; check the website for updates on 2025!
The common thread between all that New Memphis has to offer? “We want people to come here, stay here, and while they’re here, make Memphis better,” Anna says.
All businesses have to evolve to stay viable, and nonprofits are no exception. Over the years, New Memphis has grown from focusing on senior-level professionals to connecting with younger leaders and developing community engagement. What lies ahead?
One of the biggest priorities is collaboration, Anna tells us. “In all that I’ve described in terms of building positive emphasis narratives, we lean hard on other partners who are doing this great work, too. Greater Memphis Chamber, Memphis Travel, the Mayor’s Office, Choose901, Memphis Brand, Hyde Foundation — there are so many great initiatives in our community that are working to build people’s sense of excitement and enthusiasm for our city. We want to work closely with anyone who’s trying to make Memphis more livable and lovable.”
To learn more about New Memphis, please visit their website, Facebook, and Instagram, and check out their podcast, Meanwhile in Memphis.
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