Memphis News: Hattiloo Expansion, CodeCrew Tech Hub, and KIPP Arts School : Building Memphis Together
By Dr. Layne McDonald, Founder of Memphis News with a Purpose
The transformation of Memphis through significant investments in culture, technology, and education is a divine invitation for us to participate in the restoration of our city.
This July, the "Bluff City" is witnessing a historic convergence of community development: from Hattiloo Theatre’s vision for a Midtown cultural village and CodeCrew’s $1M tech hub expansion to the opening of KIPP’s arts-focused school in Cordova. These projects, alongside community-led gardens and school supply drives, remind us that building a city is a sacred labor that requires unity, vision, and a commitment to the "peace and prosperity" of our home.
The Blueprint of Progress: Culture and Creativity
When we look at the landscape of Memphis today, we see more than just construction and capital; we see the manifestation of a community rising to meet its potential. The Bible tells us in Nehemiah 2:18, "Let us rise up and build." This is exactly what we are seeing in our Midtown and Cordova communities.
A Village in Midtown: Hattiloo’s Expansion
Hattiloo Theatre is not just adding seats; it is building a "cultural village." The expansion in Midtown’s Overton Square includes a new 88-seat "Second Stage," a redesigned "Culture Box" for live music and spoken word, and "Café Loo": a community gathering spot featuring local chefs. This project, part of the "A Stage for What’s Next" campaign, aims to turn the campus into a year-round hub for Black culture.
From a Christian perspective, this is an act of hospitality. By creating spaces where people can gather, eat, and experience beauty, Hattiloo is fostering the kind of "village" atmosphere that strengthens our social fabric. It is a reminder that our gifts and our culture are tools for connection.
Harmony in Cordova: KIPP Arts School
Education is also taking a creative turn with KIPP Memphis opening the KIPP Cordova Collegiate Elementary. Located on Goodlett Farms Parkway, this tuition-free public charter school will focus specifically on the creative and performing arts. Students will receive daily instruction in music, dance, and theater.
While the facility is being readied this year, the focus on the "whole child" reflects the biblical truth that every child is "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). By investing in the artistic souls of our children, we are acknowledging that education is not just about tests, but about discovering the unique voice God gave each student.
Restoring the Historic Daisy Theatre
On Beale Street, the historic Old Daisy Theatre is undergoing $830,000 in repairs following fire damage. This restoration is more than just fixing a roof; it is about preserving the story of our city. As peacemakers, we recognize that honoring our history: even the parts that have been scarred by fire or time: is a necessary step toward a unified future.
Planting Seeds of Innovation: The CodeCrew Tech Hub
Innovation is a form of stewardship. When we utilize the tools of our time to empower the marginalized, we are practicing the "Peacemaker Strategy."
North Memphis: A New National Tech Anchor
CodeCrew has landed a $1 million grant from Anthropic to establish its national tech education headquarters at Northside Square in North Memphis. This investment will triple CodeCrew’s instructional capacity, creating an AI Workforce Development Lab and immersive classrooms.
North Memphis has long been a neighborhood full of talent but often lacking in infrastructure. By placing a national headquarters here, CodeCrew is not just teaching kids to code; they are "training up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6) and providing the economic tools for long-term stability. This hub will serve as a community anchor, surrounded by affordable housing and a library, proving that tech and community care go hand-in-hand.
The Labor of Love: Community Care and Connection
Growth is not only measured in millions of dollars but in the thousands of small acts of service that happen every day in our neighborhoods.
Loving Our Neighbors: Stuff the Bus and Community Gardens
In the Cooper-Young neighborhood, residents are celebrating a new community-led garden project. Gardens are biblical metaphors for the soul and the community. As we till the soil together, we break down walls and grow literal and spiritual fruit.
Simultaneously, United Way Mid-South is preparing for its "Stuff the Bus" school supply drive. The big community drop-off event is scheduled for July 31 at the Memphis Sports & Events Center. This effort ensures that every student starts the year with the tools they need. As Christians, we are called to look after the needs of others, and providing a child with a backpack and pencils is a tangible way to say, "You are seen, and you are loved."
Discipline and Sport: The Memphis Classic
At the Leftwich Tennis Center, athletes are preparing for the Memphis Classic tournament starting July 25. Sports offer a unique arena for peacemaking, teaching us discipline, respect for our opponents, and the value of hard work. Whether on the court or in the community, the goal is to play with integrity.
Bible Study: The City as a Temple
In the book of Jeremiah (29:7), the prophet tells a people in exile: "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
Insight 1: Prosperity is Shared
The news of Hattiloo, CodeCrew, and KIPP shows us that when one part of Memphis prospers: be it Midtown, North Memphis, or Cordova: we all benefit. We cannot be a city divided by zip codes; we must be a city united by a shared vision.
Insight 2: Restoration Requires Everyone
Nehemiah didn't rebuild the walls of Jerusalem alone. He had the priests, the merchants, and the families all working on their specific section. Whether you are a business leader investing in CodeCrew, a parent enrolling a child at KIPP, or a volunteer stuffing a bus, you are working on your section of the "Memphis wall."
Insight 3: Beauty as a Witness
God is the ultimate Creator. When we invest in the arts through Hattiloo or KIPP, we are reflecting the image of a God who loves beauty. A city that values the arts is a city that recognizes the dignity of the human spirit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the "Stuff the Bus" event in Memphis? It is a community-wide school supply drive organized by United Way Mid-South. The final drop-off event is July 31, 2026, at the Memphis Sports & Events Center, with distribution to families occurring on August 1.
Where is the new CodeCrew headquarters located? The new national headquarters will be located at Northside Square in North Memphis, a redeveloped site designed to be a community anchor.
What is the focus of the new KIPP school in Cordova? KIPP Cordova Collegiate Elementary is a creative and performing arts-focused public charter school, emphasizing music, dance, and theater alongside academics.
When does the Memphis Classic tennis tournament start? The tournament begins on July 25 at the Leftwich Tennis Center.
Is the Daisy Theatre on Beale Street open? The New Daisy Theatre at 330 Beale is open and hosting events. The Historic/Old Daisy at 329 Beale is currently undergoing fire restoration and structural repairs.
Christian Takeaway
Investing in Memphis is a spiritual discipline. When we support local education, tech equity, and the arts, we are participating in God’s work of restoration. We are called to be "co-laborers" with Him, ensuring that every corner of our city reflects the light of His kingdom. Prosperity is not just about wealth; it is about the "Shalom" (peace and wholeness) of our neighbors.
How to Pray/Engage
Pray for the Students: As schools prepare to open, pray for the children attending KIPP and those benefiting from CodeCrew. Pray for their safety, their minds, and their futures.
Engage with United Way: Consider donating supplies or volunteering for the "Stuff the Bus" event on July 31.
Support the Arts: Attend a performance at Hattiloo or visit a community garden to support those who are beautifying our city.
Peacemaker's Perspective
A peacemaker looks at city growth and asks: "Who is being left behind, and how can we bring them along?" The investment in North Memphis via CodeCrew is a brilliant example of the Green Light strategy: proactively creating peace through economic opportunity. As we celebrate Midtown’s growth, let us also ensure we are building bridges to every neighborhood, ensuring that our progress is as inclusive as it is impressive.
Call to Action: This week, take one concrete step to "rise up and build." Whether it's donating a box of crayons to United Way or signing up for a community garden workday, your contribution is a brick in the wall of a stronger Memphis. Visit www.laynemcdonald.com/blog for more ways to get involved in our city's restoration.
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