About
At BLDG Memphis, we believe that the strength of our city lies in the strength of its neighborhoods. As a Membership-based organization created by and for the community development sector, our top priority is building the capacity of our Members. We work to ensure each member organization has the support, resources, and tools needed to achieve, and sustain, the goals outlined in our shared strategic vision.
Through leadership, deep community partnerships, and resident engagement, we help our members unlock funding opportunities and drive meaningful, on-the-ground change.
At the same time, we are committed to strengthening BLDG Memphis as a trusted leader and standard-bearer for the sector. By supporting our members and advancing system-level transformation, we’re helping to reimagine and rebuild Memphis neighborhoods together.
Our Mission
BLDG Memphis Members are trusted agents and independent actors in their respective communities with the time, resources, staff, knowledge, and social, political, and economic capital to engage residents in preserving community assets and culture while guiding development that rectifies the repressive effects of historically racist, classist, discriminatory, and unjust development policies and processes and results in neighborhoods that are attractive, welcoming, safe, healthy and healthful environments with inclusive housing options, walkable streets, and access to basic life necessities.
Four Focus Areas of Neighborhood Impact
Through our advocacy, capacity building, and civic engagement programs, we advance four focus areas of neighborhood impact:
- Affordable Housing: We advocate for policies that preserve affordable housing, prevent displacement, and remediate blight so that residents, especially long-term and low-income families, can remain rooted in and benefit from the neighborhoods they call home.
- Economic Development: We support equitable development policies and practices that revitalize disinvested communities, stimulate local economies, and create inclusive opportunities for local business owners and residents to build wealth and improve their quality of life.
- Pedestrian Safety: We promote policies, practices, and investments in safer street design and pedestrian infrastructure so that all residents can move safely and confidently through their neighborhoods.
- Transit: We advocate to improve public transit quality, reliability, and accessibility so that residents across Memphis have affordable, dependable transportation to jobs, schools, healthcare, entertainment, and essential services.