Fifth event in BLDG Memphis series invites public to ‘Reimagine Black Wall Street‘ this Saturday, September 23
The Greater Whitehaven Economic Redevelopment Corporation will co-host the fifth event in the 2023 BLDG Memphis MEMFix series on Saturday, September 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The community festival will take place at the historic Southland Mall. Free and open to the public, the Whitehaven MEMFix will feature activities and entertainment both inside the mall and outdoors, including live music, street art, and a book giveaway. More information is available online at gwercmemphis.org or memfix.org.
“The Southland Mall is a tremendous part of Memphis’ history, having been the first enclosed mall built in the Mid-South,” said Andre Gibson, executive director for GWERC.
“This is a structure that was once the anchor not only of the local economy but of the community as well. With our event, ‘Reimagining Black Wall Street,’ we want to provide a preview of what this space could look like with the return of investment and community buy in.”
Launched in 2010, MEMFix is an innovative tactical urbanism approach to neighborhood revitalization pioneered by BLDG Memphis. Community members use the events to bring attention to overlooked spaces, address neighborhood issues or demonstrate desired changes or improvements within a public or private space. The 2023 MEMFix series is part of BLDG Memphis’ Community Navigator Pilot Program and is funded through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Memphis Urban League, RESPECT The Haven CDC, The Vineyard, I Love Whitehaven Neighborhood and Business Association, Watchful Eye, and Brown Skin Yoga are event partners for the Whitehaven MEMFix, which will begin immediately after Memphis Urban League’s inaugural Save Our Sons 5K and1Mile. Memphis Urban League’s SOS initiative is a mentorship program designed to offer life skills, career readiness, and workforce training opportunities for young men ages 18-34 in the Memphis metro area. For more information about the race or to register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2023/77763/save-our-sons-5k-and-1-mile.
Live entertainment at the Whitehaven MEMFix event will be provided by Renee Rose, Bird Williams, Soul Connection Band, DJ Syche, and DJ Smurff. Activities will include a panel discussion on Black men’s wellness and success, a car show by the 901 United Car Clubs of Memphis, a motorcycle show by the Pound 4 Pound Motorcycle Club, a wellness corner, a kid zone, a FedEx job fair, and a smoothie-making bicycle presented by the Georgette & Cato Johnson YMCA. A pop-up vendor fair will take place inside the mall, temporarily filling vacant bays with local small businesses. Local artist Anthony D. Lee has created a street art installation for the festival, and Memphis Public Libraries will be on hand through its mobile Connect Crew outreach, which gives out free books, shares Library resources, and provides easy sign-ups for new or renewed library cards. Beale Street Brewing Company will host a beer garden, and food trucks will also be available on site.
WHO: Greater Whitehaven Economic Redevelopment Corporation and BLDG Memphis
WHAT: Whitehaven MEMFix
WHEN: Saturday, September 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; “Black Men’s Wellness & Success” panel discussion from 12:45-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Southland Mall, 1215 Southland Mall Memphis, TN 38116