Redevelopment project underway at Memphis church
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held later this morning to unveil part of the plans for a redevelopment project at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church.
Last week, the church announced a $310 million redevelopment plan.
Pastor J. Lawrence Turner says a portion of the project will include medical offices, fitness centers, and other types of health-focused facilities.
'We came up with a mixed-use development that would be comprised of residential, retail, restaurants, but also, a place that would have healthcare and wellness purposes and educational purposes,' Pastor Turner said.
Medical HBCU partners with church for $310M redevelopment
Later today, in partnership with Meharry Medical College, Meharry's president and ceo, James Hildreth, will explain how the medical HBCU plans to improve health outcomes and access for Memphians.
Meharry Medical College says its partnership with the church will further its mission to serve underserved communities.
They're hoping that this new project brings unity and community to the city of Memphis.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Why We Need Black Voices In Tech
Leon Burns III Photo Credit: Leon Burns III As a young Black executive in tech, Leon Burns III is making it his mission to bridge the gap between underserved communities and opportunities in STEM. In the past year, he has launched and funded 11 STEM initiatives for Black students, created a $100,000 scholarship for HBCU business and management information systems (MIS) majors at his alma mater -- historically Black Hampton University -- and provided laptops to graduating high school girls through nonprofit partnerships. Why is Burns, who is the president and CEO of Open Technology Group (OTG), doing all of this work? According to the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility, whereas Black people make up 14% of the workforce in the U.S., they only account for 8% of employees in tech jobs. And their representation is even smaller among executives. According to Burns, the 'gap stems from a lack of exposure, limited investment in tech programs in our communities, and minimal access to mentors who reflect us.' Burns himself was afforded exposure to tech from an early age, which was unique compared to many of his peers. That early start made a lasting impact on him, and, as he shared, 'I have always felt a responsibility to give back and open doors for others. He added, 'With tech evolving rapidly, especially in areas like AI, there is a real fear that we will be left behind if we do not act now. That sense of urgency is what fuels my commitment to helping others see that they, too, can thrive in this field.' Currently, about ten HBCUs offer formal business analytics programs. From Burns' perspective, 'This is a major gap, especially as analytics increasingly drive decisions in business and across society.' He further explained, 'The problem is that African Americans and other minorities are often left out of the equation when these algorithms and tools are being developed. Without diverse input, the data and the decisions that follow become dangerously skewed.' Diversity in AI getty Organizational behaviorist Karim Ginena confirms Burns' thoughts, noting that both women and people of color are underrepresented in AI output in terms of answers and images. In an interview with Knowledge at Wharton, he stated, "If these issues of bias are left unaddressed, they can perpetuate unfairness in society at a very high rate. We're not just talking about your prototypical kind of bias. We're talking at an exponential rate with these automated decision systems, which is why they can be very dangerous.' According to Burns, 'My scholarship supports 20 students who major in business and minor in MIS, with a focus on those interested in business analytics careers. The goal is to build interest, expand access. This is about sparking long-term change that ensures our voices and perspectives are part of the data shaping the future.' He added, 'At OTG, I have led initiatives to close the pay gap for women in tech, launched a company-wide certification program to help our team overcome societal barriers to advancement, and created a resume revamp program to support employees pursuing internal promotions and government opportunities.' As an HBCU graduate, it was never enough for Burns to simply 'be in the tech space.' It has always been just as important to 'create real pathways for others to grow and lead in it as well.' While a student at Hampton, he learned that people thrive when they feel 'seen, supported, and included in the culture.' That lesson has shaped his leadership. For Burns, 'inclusivity and transparency' are the principles on which he has built his role as CEO. Burns is also focused on the mental health of Black people in tech, which he thinks is often overlooked in the fast-paced corporate and tech environments. I asked him how he makes mental health a priority at OTG, given his commitment. He shared, 'We added a floating holiday to everyone's schedule for a dedicated mental health day, and once a month, I sponsor a company lunch where the team comes together to openly discuss our work environment and share ideas for improvement. We also made updates to our insurance policies to provide easier access to therapy.' He further explained the reason for his commitment: 'I am a huge advocate for therapy myself and began going after my father, Leon Burns Jr., who founded the company, passed in 2011.' Burns also credits his alma mater for his learning how to embrace conversations around vulnerability. He stated that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in recent years have 'created space for students to understand how our unique challenges and insecurities can be exploited in professional environments, and why prioritizing wellness over discomfort or financial gain is an essential part of leadership.' Burns' vision is focused on transformation and access. For him, being a leader means creating environments where others can imagine more for their futures. He is focused on reshaping the tech space to be a place where equity is engineered rather than assumed. His ultimate goal: To make sure that Black students don't get left behind.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Meharry Medical College to expand into Memphis, partners with Mississippi Boulevard church
Meharry Medical College is set to expand into Memphis with a new medical training facility. The historically Black, Nashville-based medical school announced the formation of its 'Office of Memphis Programs' at a ribbon-cutting on June 9. The new program will be housed on the planned 23-acre mixed-use campus of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in the Medical District and will support students during clinical training. 'I see this as a wonderful opportunity to turn the tide on and bring about better health care outcomes in the city of Memphis,' said Rev. Jason Turner of Mississippi Boulevard church. The expansion is part of Meharry's long-term goal of building a second campus in Memphis, said CEO and president James Hildreth. The college often has to send students to hospitals out of state because major hospitals in Nashville have commitments to training students from other schools. 'One of the things that the branch campus in Memphis will do for us is to allow us to have two major training sites and not have to send our students to so many places,' he said. The new facility will feature classrooms, faculty offices and a student lounge. The quality of education will be the same as at the main campus in Nashville, Hildreth said, but it will lay the foundation for a branch campus and keep medical students in Tennessee. Memphis has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the country and struggles with obesity and diabetes, Hildreth said. He said Meharry plans to focus on the burden of chronic diseases in the city. 'Memphis is a place where we can have a huge impact,' Hildreth said. In April, Meharry acquired four medical clinics in Memphis. A Meharry alumnus, Dr. Joseph Walker, founded Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in 1921. He was its first pastor. 'It's serendipitous that their Office of Memphis Programs would be housed in the church that he founded 104 years ago,' Turner said. Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at and followed on X @jca2902. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Meharry Medical College part of Mississippi Boulevard Memphis expansion
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Redevelopment project underway at Memphis church
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held later this morning to unveil part of the plans for a redevelopment project at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. Last week, the church announced a $310 million redevelopment plan. Pastor J. Lawrence Turner says a portion of the project will include medical offices, fitness centers, and other types of health-focused facilities. 'We came up with a mixed-use development that would be comprised of residential, retail, restaurants, but also, a place that would have healthcare and wellness purposes and educational purposes,' Pastor Turner said. Medical HBCU partners with church for $310M redevelopment Later today, in partnership with Meharry Medical College, Meharry's president and ceo, James Hildreth, will explain how the medical HBCU plans to improve health outcomes and access for Memphians. Meharry Medical College says its partnership with the church will further its mission to serve underserved communities. They're hoping that this new project brings unity and community to the city of Memphis. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
