Host Jeremy C. Park talks with George Abbott, Co-convener of Reimagining the Civic Commons, who highlights the collaboration of national foundations and civic leaders dedicated to revitalizing public spaces in ways that benefit communities and how the initiative has impacted Memphis locally. Reimagining the Civic Commons is an ambitious national initiative demonstrating that strategic investments in public spaces can connect people of all backgrounds. It is a collaboration of The JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and local partners.

During the interview, George shares how the initiative was launched in 2016 and how Memphis applied and was selected to participate, working with a network of leaders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to change how they design, manage, and program urban spaces. He shares some of the ways local projects and efforts have benefited from sharing ideas and best practices with other cities, and how data is being used to drive decision making and activations for the future. Local collaborators include Innovate Memphis, Memphis Parks, Public Libraries, and place-based organizations, including Bloom, The Heights CDC, Memphis River Parks Partnership, and Overton Park Conservancy. George wraps up talking about what makes him excited for 2025 and his encouragement for everyone to enjoy some of the many exciting things taking place this year in the public spaces across the Mid-South.

Visit https://civiccommons.us/ to learn more about Reimagining the Civic Commons.

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with author, speaker, facilitator and trainer, Steve Woodruff, known as the King of Clarity, who shares lessons from his two books, Clarity Wins and The Point, and highlights how he helps people flip the script on the corporate status quo by finding their focus and making themselves clear.

During the interview, Steve talks about his career spanning over three decades and how he became known as the King of Clarity. He discusses why it is vital for individuals and businesses to "to get to the point" in a noisy and cluttered, competitive environment, and why a "memory dart" is better than an "elevator pitch." He goes in to detail on memory darts and how to craft them to be interesting, relevant, and vivid.

Steve then talks about his two books. His first, Clarity Wins, teaches individuals how to rise above the noise and get referred. His second, The Point, trains individuals how to use his Clarity Fuel Formula, backed by practical brain science, to communicate with clarity and focus. He talks about how the book will equip readers with four easy steps and eight simple shortcuts to communicate clearly, concisely, strategically, and effectively. Steve wraps up sharing how he is now working with individuals around the nation, one-on-one, in quick, affordable sessions to create memory darts and enhance communication clarity and effectiveness.

Visit https://www.stevewoodruff.com to learn more and to connect with Steve Woodruff.
https://www.facebook.com/kingofclarity
https://www.linkedin.com/in/swoodruff/

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Dr. Bobby White, President and CEO of Leadership Memphis and Volunteer Memphis, along with Candace Tate, Director of Volunteer Memphis and Community Outreach, who highlight Leadership Memphis and its action initiative, Volunteer Memphis, which both serve to connect leaders to leaders, leaders to information, and leaders to the community. Leadership Memphis develops community change agents, connects them with others who have a passion to serve, and empowers them with information and opportunities to make a difference. The nonprofit organization strengthens and mobilizes “impact networks” of community leaders and volunteers through best-in-class programs, strategic alumni and partner engagement, and targeted action initiatives focused on creating a more equitable city – and making Memphis a place where everyone belongs, contributes, and is valued.

Originally founded in 1979 as The Memphis Institute of Public Responsibility, Leadership Memphis has graduated more than 4,100 leaders from its programs. During the interview, Dr. White shares some of his personal background and his vision looking forward after stepping into the role as President and CEO in October 2024. Dr. White is a native Memphian, long-time educator and founder of Frayser Community Schools, a Leadership Memphis Changemaker award recipient, and a 2014 Leadership Memphis Executive Program graduate. He discusses the importance of building on the organization's legacy and becoming even more strategic with how he and his team equip and engage leaders and alumni, and align their efforts and programs to make a meaningful and measurable impact in the community.

Candace Tate then spotlights Volunteer Memphis, which is an action initiative of Leadership Memphis and builds capacity for effective volunteering and connecting people with opportunities to serve throughout Memphis and Shelby County. The organization helps individuals, families, corporate teams, and community groups strengthen Memphis and the Mid-South through service at more than 300 nonprofit organizations and schools. Candace talks about their MLK Days of Service taking place January 16-20, 2025, and how the community can get involved and then help carry the spirit of service and volunteerism throughout the year. Dr. White and Candace wrap up talking about what makes them excited for 2025 and how the community can get involved with Leadership Memphis and Volunteer Memphis.

Visit https://leadershipmemphis.org to learn more about Leadership Memphis. Visit https://volunteermemphis.org to learn more about Volunteer Memphis, and https://volunteermemphis.org/mlk-days... to learn more about their MLK Days of Service.