ABOUT

South City has produced some of Memphis' most notable entrepreneurs, civic leaders, politicians, artists, and athletes. It is home to organizations that have impacted the lives of many throughout the city and the country.

Yet today few Memphians know the rich African American history of this area.

The SCMCC will commemorate the numerous accomplishments and achievements of this community.

In the early 1900s, South City was a racially mixed neighborhood, home to notable Memphians such as Robert Church. By the 1930s the neighborhood transitioned to a stable, middle-class black neighborhood.

Racial and political motives led to the burning and demolition of homes through the area and the development of public housing, forever changing the landscape of the community.

The SCMCC will illuminate the political and social events that have shaped this community.

In recent years, the neighborhood has been characterized by blighted properties, high poverty, and limited resources, as a result of decades of disinvestment.

Consequently, the historical significance of the area can often be overlooked. But it is critical that it is never forgotten.

The SCMCC will create a community space that celebrates the neighborhood and welcomes others to experience it.

Today, efforts to redevelop and rebuild the neighborhood are underway. While some buildings will be demolished, replaced, or renovated, the rich culture and history will remain.

Over the years, there has been an emergence of African American History and Neighborhood museums providing the space to tell stories that are often absent from history books.

The SCMCC will inspire through telling the stories of resiliency and empowering visitors to continue the community's legacy.