For at least a year, the Greater Memphis Chamber will be led by an African-American woman whose deep roots in the city are matched by a stellar track record in business and nonprofit worlds.

The celebration of MLK50 has been a pivotal movement in Memphis’ history and a point of advancing the city forward into the future.

Cindy Cleveland has joined Diversified Trust, an independent comprehensive wealth management firm, as principal and chief talent officer. In that role, she is responsible for talent development and working closely with executive management in the development of internal practices that align with the firm’s strategic priorities and culture. Cleveland has more than 19 years’ experience in human resources. Prior to joining Diversified Trust, she served as vice president of talent management and leadership development at First Tennessee Bank.

At Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, diversity has always been part of the hospital’s DNA. When Michael Ugwueke, DHA, FACHE, joined the team in 2017 as president and chief executive officer, he was tasked with continuing the momentum that propelled diversity and inclusion throughout the health system.

Before moving to Memphis in 2010, Dr. Reginald Coopwood had a successful private practice as a general surgeon and later moved into administration as the chief medical officer at Nashville General Hospital at Meharry in 2005. Since joining Regional One Health in March of 2010 as president and chief executive officer, Coopwood has made it his mission to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The founder of Memphis-based AutoZone Inc. is retiring from the company’s board of directors.

A new sport has set up shop next to the Rec Room adding to the area’s eclectic social scene. Civil Axe Throwing, owned by Jorge and Erin Lima, is Memphis’ first axe throwing venue. After opening locations in Chattanooga and Huntsville and Birmingham, Alabama, Lima expanded to Memphis with an official opening last week.

Take a spin Downtown in an all-electric Moke and you’ll undoubtedly notice the double-takes from passersby. Clever and compact, this ride is so fresh it fairly begs a second glance. “Is that a cutdown Jeep?” a construction worker asked as we passed by. Fair enough. It’s got an open-air ride and sporty grill, not to mention bold paint options (think bubblegum pink and canary yellow).

The last 20 years have seen a dramatic rise in employee class-action lawsuits against employers. Hoping to mitigate the trend, employers increasingly use mandatory arbitration provisions in employment contracts, often requiring employees to waive their right to pursue claims as a class if a dispute arises.

Which department acts like a lightening rod within your organization? You know that if they are called to participate in a meeting it will be both productive and enjoyable. You smile anticipating the meeting, even leaving your smartphone and laptop on your desk because you know it will be completely engrossing.

The grocery store and gathering spot that has served Harbor Town for 20 years will celebrate its renovation and rebranding on Saturday.

Elephants and wolves were very much part of the conversation among 300 dog trainers gathered at the Memphis Cook Convention Center this week.

Five panelists representing major companies in the Memphis area will share their thoughts and perspectives on diversity in the workplace at the 11th annual Leadership Memphis Multicultural Breakfast and diversity panel with the theme “ROI of Diversity,” Friday, Nov. 2, at Holiday Inn - University of Memphis.

It began on a winter day in 1886, when a retail jeweler in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, received a package of watches that had been shipped to him by a Chicago company. The jeweler refused the package. He did not order the watches, and he had no interest in them.

Carolyn Hardy’s passion for diversity in the workplace began decades ago during her tenure at J.M. Smucker Co. Taking advantage of Smucker’s 100 percent tuition reimbursement, she received her master’s degree and also became a CPA, which opened the door to new opportunities at the company.

The Downtown Memphis Commission will posthumously honor Phil Trenary during an Oct. 26 awards program that was postponed after Trenary’s death.

As a junior studying English at Vanderbilt University, Leland McNabb was working on Spectrum, a student newspaper focused on publishing honors papers, when he was tasked with profiling Vanderbilt University Law School.

Growing up in Memphis, Tamera Malone, instructional coach at Gestalt Public Schools, was excited for a fresh start at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She was making great strides in her pursuit of a degree in political science, which would soon propel her into law school, or so she thought. Then she took a role as an assistant for a college class that would dramatically alter her perspective and plans for the future.

Ray’s Take: Everyone loves to set big goals. I’m going to lose 30 pounds and get in shape in a month. I’m going to travel around the world. I’m going to retire at 50. And the list could go on and on. While goal setting is important and helps shape our dreams, goals like these are virtually unattainable and when they aren’t met can leave us feeling like a failure.

The city committee trying to build a better way of pursuing economic development will meet later this month with the two organizations that play the major roles in the existing system – the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Economic Development Growth Engine.

Neighborhood grocery Montesi’s announced this week that it will close by the end of October, becoming the second independent grocery in two weeks to shut its doors along the hard-hit Summer Avenue corridor.

Public policy and competition in the business world can co-exist with business taking the lead in creating new jobs, says one of the new set of leaders of the Greater Memphis Chamber.

October in Memphis: a high of 92 and sweat. October in Boston: 65, partly sunny and how I imagine autumn should feel.

Budding entrepreneurs and local business owners looking for a little insight came out Wednesday for the annual SCORE Memphis Small Business Boot Camp: Roadmap to Success held in Germantown. 

After five years of social networking events in Memphis, Undercurrent is ending with its 50th meetup in December.