"North Memphis used to be an industrial area, but those factories and warehouses are gone, and now there are a lot of abandoned buildings. My grandmother used to tell stories about how different it was when Firestone was here. Once the plant closed, families moved out and they haven't moved back. Why? Because everything people need seems to be located on the other side of town: safe neighborhoods, decent housing, entertainment, health care facilities, fresh produce, and job opportunities. Why don't we have those things on this side of town? People are aware of food deserts, but there are so many other issues that need to be addressed. Children go to school in the community, but then they can't find jobs here when they graduate, so of course they move; they have to pay their bills. Our Grass Our Roots was started to help the community pull together and effect change. Leaders from the outside can't just step in, decide what's needed, and then expect their efforts to be successful. You can't say you're helping North Memphis when you don't even ask North Memphis. Our Grass Our Roots is working to get input from the community about what's needed and then coordinate efforts to make those changes happen. Both of us grew up in this neighborhood, and we want to do our part to make it better."
Michalyn Easter and LD Taylor are 2013 CBU graduates. Michalyn is the founder of Our Grass Our Roots, a (non-profit) "movement to inform the community of resources and opportunities, resist gentrification, assist progressive developments, and advance individuals in the Memphis area." (from website)
- Website: Our Grass Our Roots
- Facebook: Our Grass Our Roots
- Instagram: OurGrassOurRoots
- Twitter: @OurGrassRoots
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