My last post about Memphis metro’s economic vitality being ranked #205 of 206 metros generated a great deal of thoughtful comments and conversations on social media. 

Here are a few of them:

Darrell Cobbins:

We should see by now that the answers will not come from local government alone. We need a local “Marshall Plan” to dig ourselves out of this hole. The same 10 individuals/5-6 orgs and 4-5 families have run Memphis for decades. At some point, they all must cede some power and resources to allow for an “all hands on deck” egalitarian approach to determining this area’s direction and priorities. Other cities have passed us by while local power groupthink has kept us stagnant for far too long. Business as usual will keep us further and further behind.

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Dorian Spears wrote:

Tom Jones at Smart City Memphis shared something that I haven’t been able to shake: Memphis ranked #205 out of 206 large metropolitan areas in economic vitality, according to the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities Index. That number deserves our full, honest attention.

I have sat in rooms where data like this was discussed, sometimes as the only Black woman at the table, and I have watched urgency quietly dissolve into shrugs. I offered perspectives rooted in the lived experiences of people who love this city and call it home, and more than once I was met with blank stares. That dynamic has to change, because the numbers don’t lie and neither does the reality of the Memphians who are still waiting for this economy to work for them.

Here’s what I also know to be true: Memphis has genuinely good bones. We have a rich cultural legacy, deep community roots, a logistics infrastructure the world depends on, and people who pour real love into this place every single day. The question is whether we are willing to organize all of that into something that actually lifts everyone.

What would it look like for our decision-makers to lead with humility instead of hierarchy? Who among us has the passion and the capability to work in their lane without ego crowding out progress? And what might become possible if the people most directly impacted by this economy were finally centered in designing its future?

Memphis doesn’t need saving from the outside; it needs those of us who love it to align our passion, our power, and our purpose toward building something that works for everyone. The capacity to do that is already here, and so is the love for this place. The only question is whether the will is too.

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Steve Redding:

These are well presented reactions. What other cities may have pulled themselves out of a similar morass? (Pittsburgh?). Several years ago I was part of a university based effort to provide strong analytic support for our local economic development planning. Our proposal was not seriously considered by senior government leadership. Perhaps we are only comfortable with platitudes and excuses. We have to change if we really want a strong economy that serves all residents and moves us forward.

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Tonya Meeks:

These kinds of findings are always difficult to swallow. It can certainly feel like pile on, esp. now. I suppose the silver lining is (if there is one) it gives words and shape to this underlying feeling of stress and anxiety over the health of this city. There’s no doubt though, Memphis is in a really bad place right now. It makes me super sad. But I still think we can turn the corner, somehow.

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Gregory Blumenthal:

Memphis suffers from a deep nostalgia-based culture. Those who are over a certain age pine for the days when industrial work could create a reliable middle-class lifestyle, as they conveniently forget the costs. Those who are younger just leave or give up.

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Cathryn Stout:

You can’t PR your way out of an ugly truth that is a lived reality for so many.

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Corey Strong:

This has been the clearly obvious direction of things for over a decade. Thank you for continuing to sound the alarm.

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Telise Ezell-Turner:

And the same people move around from one leadership role to another with no vision for growth.

Until we get some visionary leaders in these leadership role, Memphis will continue to decline.

I’m gray In the face talking about Economic Growth. You can’t fix anything (Homelessness, affordable housing, school issue, job security and the list is endless with no E-growth.

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Steven Ethridge:

Good article. Good wake-up call for our beloved City.

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March Gates:

Sadly, Memphis normalized underperformance a long time ago but it became more prevalent after the pandemic along with a long list of other excuses that keeps a lot of our society mediocre and talent SPRINTING to get out of here. The talent who stayed over the years are now aging out, moving to be closer to their kids who moved away from here already, or have been run off and don’t want to get involved anymore.

“If Memphis would just get out of its own way it could be successful” has been a phrase I’ve heard for a long time and it has always been said when positive initiatives/projects would be shaded out and ultimately rejected by ego’s. The aftermath – we have been left with nothing or a less than version of the proposed project that ultimately cost us in taxes, loss of jobs, no cohesiveness to the surrounding businesses/community, more division within our community, etc. Rinse and repeat – this has happened in every sector of our community/suburbs and sadly has become the norm.

If we want to change, those egos need to step aside and do what is best for the whole community for the longevity of our city. And, from the looks of it, if we can’t do it internally the State will figure out how to force it. (MCSC is a really good example and so far, I have to say, I’m very impressed with how the State has handled it. My hope is the new oversight committee will all work well together for the greater good of our community).

This report is a blaring red flag! There needs to be a sense of urgency for change – yes, we need to have conversations and they need to start with leadership (political, civic, religious, economic). Those leaders need to unify and take an oath that they will set their ego’s aside for the greater good of our community regardless of race, religion, or political gain and work through these issues swiftly so we can regain some footing. Otherwise, we will continue to see much of the same “rinse and repeat” results.

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