Latest news with #Mid-Southerners
Business Journals
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Memphis Executive Connections with Tomeka Hart Wigginton, president and CEO, United Way of the Mid-South
expand Tomeka Hart Wigginton joined United Way of the Mid-South in December 2024 as the first female president and CEO. She brings with her a wealth of experience and a passion for the Mid-South and mid-Southerners who are working hard everyday to build a better life for themselves and a bright future for their children. What brought you to United Way? United Way has been threaded through my entire career and I see my appointment by the board of directors as the culmination of years of work. I grew up right here in Memphis and have always had a love for this city and the region. I built my career as an educator, an elected Memphis Shelby County School Board member, a nonprofit CEO and as a senior leader for two national funders. I've seen the impact that nonprofits can have on communities when they are properly funded; have partnerships to build capacity; and work closely with local and state governments. United Way is uniquely positioned to drive systems-level change through this type of deep collaboration. Everything I've done in my career has led me to the work at United Way. I'm right where I belong and excited about the work ahead. What do you see as United Way's role in the community? United Way of the Mid-South has served the community for over 100 years as a funder; however our impact is much greater than that. United Way is a capacity-builder — supporting nonprofits to do more with the resources available through partnerships and collaborations. Making the most of every dollar and every opportunity to collaborate is critical for nonprofits to succeed. Our strategic focus is rooted in equity, informed by data and built to align cross-sector partnerships. We are not just improving existing programs, but we are redesigning how United Way works to create population level change along with area nonprofits, philanthropists, business leaders and the public sector. This region is challenged by poverty and low-income wages that hold back, not just families, but the entire community. United Way is uniquely positioned to lead this work. What are your main goals for your first full fiscal year at United Way? I've been at United Way for about six months and that time has been spent listening, learning and defining how we move forward in a bolder and more impactful way. United Way is currently delivering top quality services in our Free Tax Prep program that fills and files over 10,000 tax returns for low- and moderate-income families. Our Driving The Dream program is redefining how we connect families living in poverty with the services they need. In the next three years, you will see United Way transform from a traditional pass-through funder and service coordinator into a backbone philanthropic organization that drives durable social and economic mobility for Mid-Southerners. This is not the United Way of the past. We are uniquely positioned — as a funder, service provider, and coalition-builder — to address the root causes of poverty, not just the symptoms. We are building data driven systemic impact that ensures that every mid-Southerner has the opportunity to thrive. How will you lead as the first female CEO at United Way of the Mid-South? I actively and purposefully work through connections. I think women tend to work collaboratively because they intuitively understand collective impact and the power in our voices. That's one of the reasons that we have relaunched Women United. This is a dynamic time for United Way of the Mid-South and we want to include the women business executives, community leaders and entrepreneurs who want to make a difference in the community. We want to hear from women who know that the Mid-South can do better and be better for women, children, and families. People are working hard just to get by, and United Way is building a group of change-makers. I want to work alongside Women United — to learn from other leaders and to share how Women United can lead the charge. As the first female leader at United Way, I invite other women to join me. Let's make a thriving community together.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How geography leads to severe weather in the Mid-South
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It's a sound all too familiar to Mid-Southerners – tornado sirens blaring across the region over the weekend as multiple twisters touched down. This scenario is unfortunately not uncommon and the reason why has everything to do with geography. 'The Mid-South is in this unique position in the United States thanks to its proximity to the gulf,' said NWS Memphis Science and Operations Officer Mike Johnson. 'So we're allowed this abundance of moisture that streams into the area ahead of these strong storm systems.' Along with moisture, the Mid-South gets clashing air masses. 'You can get the arctic air that descends from Canada, you can have the dry air that comes out of the desert southwest and even that dry air can make it into the Mid-South,' said Dorian Burnette, the associate professor of meteorology at the University of Memphis. MFD, American Red Cross distribute over 250 free smoke detectors When the gulf moisture clashes with these air masses from out west, storms start to form. 'Usually when it makes it this far east, no good comes of that,' Burnette said. Warmer temperatures in the gulf and the fact that we're in a La Nina year is leading to an increasing number of tornadoes in the region. 'The scientific literature has shown that when they're anomalously warm it can be easier for that moisture to advect northward and increase the count of those severe thunderstorms,' Burnette said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Memphis Anchor Richard Ransom Leaving Local TV to Work in Healthcare
Memphis anchor Richard Ransom is leaving local TV to work at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare as director of strategic communications. 'I'm excited to let y'all know that soon, I am leaving TV news to start a new chapter in my career -one that I couldn't be more thrilled about!' Ransom said in part in a social media post. 'While an official announcement is coming soon, I wanted to thank all of you who've supported my dedication to and passion for good journalism. Thank you for trusting me to tell your stories - it has been my greatest honor to inform and connect with this incredible community.' Ransom joined ABC affiliate WATN as an anchor in 2017. He is also the station's managing editor. "Richard was drawn to our system's mission of improving every life we touch, and I'm confident that his communications expertise and his familiarity with the health concerns impacting Mid-Southerners will be a benefit to our organization and the community at large," Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare president and CEO Dr. Michael Ugwueke said. The healthcare group said in a statement that Ransom will be responsible for providing strategic guidance in employee communications, media relations, and support for the system's community initiatives including partnerships with local organizations and community wellness programs such as Healthier 901.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How to prepare for severe spring storms
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Meteorological spring is here, and that means spring storms. From tornadoes to hail to lightning and damaging winds, the Mid-South gets it all. Ahead of the stormy weather, here are the different types of severe weather to help you prepare for the storm. Mid-Southerners are no strangers to severe weather and tornadoes are atop the list for dangers. Tornadoes are responsible for death and destruction in the Mid-South almost every spring. For safety, go to the lowest room of your home and put as many walls between you and the outside as possible. WREG Memphis Weather Saturday Morning 3/8/25 However, severe storms can bring multiple dangers. 'Knowing that those severe thunderstorms can bring lightning, flash flooding, possibly tornadic activity,' said Melissa Egan, the Community Relations Officer for TEMA. 'Just because you have a tree down doesn't mean it's necessarily a tornado,' said Caroline Adcock of NWS Memphis. 'We can get some very strong winds and a lot of hail.' Even non-severe storms bring lightning. It helps to remember the saying, 'When thunder roars, go indoors.' xAI purchases 1 million-square-foot property in Memphis Behind the lightning comes heavy rain; it pours and pours on already saturated soil. Now you have a flood. 'We really want people to check to make sure that they have homeowners insurance, flooding insurance, and also know where they live,' Egan said. Putting together a kit with some basic items like water and a flashlight is a great idea, too. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
