Neighborhood Pride

There’s nothing as encouraging as a community of people who believe in themselves and their future, even when no one else does. The Orange Mound neighborhood in Memphis sits to the South of the city center boasting an incredible history, a bleak past, and a brighter future. The community is on a mission to improve their streets and support their residents. The transformation, they believe, happens with change…a little at a time but a lot over time. The mission is simple and it’s already working wonders.

The History of “The Mound”

The roots of Orange Mound go all the way back to 1890 when the former Deadrick plantation was parceled off and sold to real estate developer Elzey Eugene Meachum. Meachum created a subdivision from the land and sold off lots, selling exclusively to black families, and making Orange Mound (named after the Osage Orange shrubberies bordering the plantation) the first neighborhood in the nation created by and for African Americans. Residents bought lots for $40 each and built their own homes, churches, shops, and other retail and the community grew and thrived for nearly one hundred years. Unfortunately, in the 1980s the quality of the area declined sharply for a variety of reasons. But over recent years, the neighborhood has chosen to remember its storied past, lean onto the wisdom of its elders, and make a brighter future for its people. JUICE Orange Mound is one of the many non-profits doing great work right in the heart of the community.

A Little Makes a Lot

Back in 2017, some citizens of Orange Mound decided there had to be a way to help the community help itself. The goal was simple: create street teams to gather pocket change from each resident in the neighborhood. Using a triad approach, three volunteers went at a time…a highschool student, a street representative, and a community partner. The volunteers shared the vision to their neighbors and friends: JUICE was the new hip, on-the -ground non-profit that would champion community projects four times a year sponsored and executed by Orange Mound folks. Their vision was eradicating homelessness, raising self-sufficiency in the community, and through collective action, restoring the former prestige of The Mound. That first walk raised over $500 and JUICE took off. 7 years later and over $12,000 has been raised and reinvested back into Orange Mound and it’s all been done through awareness, relationship, and simple donations. True community building at its best.

A Brighter Future

Orange Mound has made huge strides in recent years. RedZone Ministries, My Cup of Tea, and the gorgeous Harriet Performing Arts Theatre stand out as community leaders committed to seeing more great things coming from this historic neighborhood. When Memphians stand together, there’s no telling what can happen and The Mound is becoming a beautiful example of that.