Whether it’s for psychological refuge, racial healing, creative expression or illumination of those in the shadows, it’s undeniable that we need the arts in our lives.

Julia will not remember her long days in the ICU, nor our experience this year of COVID-19, nor even the beauty of her baptism. But all who love her will.

To celebrate the work artists and arts organizations have created in 2020 despite the pandemic, ArtsMemphis is introducing Arts Week Dec. 7-13. ArtsMemphis provides grants to 70 arts organization, and this year supplied emergency funds to individual artists.

So many of us are feeling raw and on edge, more so than usual. Now, more than ever, talking to a professional counselor might be life-changing.

‘The cries that the ESA program will gut classroom funding and leave the most vulnerable students with fewer resources is antithetical to both the purpose and benefits of the ESA program.’

Kids don’t read as much as their parents did, and when you don’t read much you don’t know much. That makes you more susceptible to fakery, lies, and conspiracies. 

I’m a Republican serving with a Democratic majority, in a blue county of a red state. Shelby County government may not be the perfect model of comity, but the nation could take courage from how well we get along.

“The Shelby County Health Department is participating in the Unity Walk Against Gun Violence on Nov. 14, 2020. As public health director, I will be joining the walk to demonstrate my personal commitment to working with others to address the gun violence epidemic in our community.”

We will elect a president, but the fundamental nature of being an American does not depend on a single individual; it depends on our collective nature and the principles we practice.

Before this experience, I never thought I would get around the city exclusively by bike or seriously take bicycle infrastructure into consideration when considering where I live. But now, it is hard to imagine a future without it.

Elizabeth Cawein’s lifelong love affair with radio informs her new WYXR show, “Straight from the Source,” and the October Playlist.

White children are two times more likely than Black and Hispanic children to have the option of going to school in person. Shouldn’t we be more troubled by this social injustice?

Fast forward to 2020, where we are in the midst of a global pandemic and U.S. presidential election that could change the trajectory for future generations.

“Phasing out the heroes, myths and legends as they pertain to America’s unique story is damaging to our shared cultural identity, our mosaic of greatness.”

“As a white woman in the remaining months of her thirties, I may not be the demographic that typically fits the bill to talk about allyship but ...Black and Brown Americans are tired, and frankly it’s not their responsibility to make white people better humans.” 

To determine root causes for juvenile criminal behavior and map out more positive life plans, Shelby County needs a facility independent from Juvenile Court to provide immediate and evidence-based intervention for every youth who comes in contact with law enforcement. 

The vision for the new era of the radio station is to truly, purely and honestly represent Memphis and its surrounding area. 

“When I overhear political conversations with which I disagree, I catch myself with unkind thoughts. I wonder how people can think like that... Then I realize my own thoughts reflect the reality I am condemning.”

For months before he died, the Greek Orthodox priest’s front yard became a gathering place for well-wishers from all parts of town and walks of life.

“Leo was a man that accomplished more than most lawyers, yet he was always humble, always willing to help others in need. That he was gracious enough to take time from his busy days to help guide this lawyer on his path when he was young and lost will never be forgotten.”

Until Diana Farr and Barbara Watts were killed in a crash on Interstate 40, it was unclear how big their family really was.

The need has become even more dire given the pandemics facing our society. Black people, especially, are under mental siege and more Black psychologists and psychiatrists are needed to support them.

The pandemic has forced innovation. Schools should be sharing best practices, whether in-person or all-remote. We should be learning from one another’s failings, and successes, and accelerate progress.

Being an ally means uniting with others to advocate for a shared interest. People who are allies are not helpers, but partners. They share the bonds, experiences and benefits from the change they are able to bring about in society. We all win when we work together.

I started thinking about the books that have influenced my life most. Each of these books, at one point in my life, altered my thinking or changed my behavior in a meaningful way.