During a “takeover,” young professionals gathered Saturday to discuss ways to transform Memphis and Shelby County.
Despite the event’s title, “YP Takeover,” the group of attendees — mostly 40 years old and younger — said they’re not trying to take over, per se. Instead, they are seeking to acquire what they see as their rightful place at the table when it comes to having a voice in the decision-making processes within Shelby County.
The event was hosted by the Shelby County Mayor’s Young Professionals Council, a team of 20 ambassadors responsible for connecting with, representing and impacting young professionals of Shelby County. The YP Takeover is one of several initiatives the group hosts in an effort to connect local change agents.
Saturday’s event featured a slate of young leaders whose expertise stretched across a gamut of industries, allowing for a diverse dialogue on topics that included health care, restorative justice, public safety and local arts. While each speaker revealed their organization’s role in making Shelby County better, they also left attendees with personal calls-to-action.
“This event is bringing together passionate and talented people from various backgrounds and sectors-people who have good ideas and want to make a difference,” said Erik Henneghan, chairman of the Young Professionals Council. “That’s important to Memphis where we face so many challenges from poverty to poor health to unequal education and beyond.”
The poverty rate in Memphis and Shelby County surpasses the state and national average. The overall poverty rate for Memphis is 24.6 percent. Shelby County stands at close to 19 percent. Inequity and ways to combat it where high on the agenda during the YP Takeover event.
“We hope to transform Shelby County into a place where every child is given the opportunity to have a good, free, public education. Where our criminal justice system protects us from violent and heinous criminals without systematically criminalizing poverty,” Danielle Inez, special sssistant to Mayor Lee Harris told the crowd.
“We hope to transform Memphis into a place where our friends who have left for greener pastures come back home. We want them to bring their talents back here.”
YP leaders said they’re optimistic about progress, but said it can’t be done alone.
“It’s going to take everyday people being aware, getting involved, holding elected officials accountable, and working alongside them to transform our communities,” Henneghan said.
The work of transforming Shelby County is personal for the Memphis native, who grew up in a single-parent household in Frayser and considers himself ‘living proof that life and progress is about what you learn and what you give back.”
“That’s why I’m so passionate about my community and have unselfishly dedicated my time and experience to making an impact,” Henneghan said.
Saturday, he was in good company as dozens of attendees actively discussed ways that they can contribute to making the city and county better.
“There is power in this room,” Inez said. “This group can and will transform Shelby County.”
More than 40 percent of Shelby County employees are considered “young professionals” who are 40 years old or younger. That number includes Mayor Harris.
“We hope that young professionals understand that we have a role to play in shaping the future of Memphis and Shelby County, and that we have the power when we work together,” Henneghan said.
He noted that it doesn’t always include reinventing the wheel.
“We can align our energy with work that’s already being done, or we can combine our expertise and innovate in some areas. We can mentor. We can be advocates in our workplaces and organizations. We can volunteer. We can donate. We can support our entrepreneurs and small business owners. There are many ways, big and small, that we can contribute.”
