MMDC gets funding from Kresge to expand development programs
The Memphis Medical District Collaborative has received $300,000 from the Kresge Foundation to continue and expand its efforts to help support minority residents and minority-owned businesses in the district.
Memphis Medical District Collaborative President Rory Thomas said the grant funds will help the organization continue hyperlocal community investment programs. Some of those help minority- and women-owned businesses secure contracts with the district’s large anchor institutions and help district residents pay for education in healthcare fields and secure interviews at the anchor institutions, including Methodist, Regional One Health and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“What we’re focused on is making sure that as the medical district grows, everyone is able to share in the wealth and the growth and prosperity,” Thomas said.
Roughly 11,000 people live in the medical district, 60% of whom are Black, and 43% of all households in the district live below the poverty line. Only about 10% of homes are owneroccupied, according to the MMDC.
The MMDC’S hire local program has been a particular success, and something Kresge was interested in, Thomas said. MMDC provides funding to help district residents get education and training in healthcare fields, or get additional training needed to move from a position such as a nursing assistant to a licensed practical nurse.
Thomas said the program is intended not only to help district residents find jobs that pay a living wage, but to help them launch careers with the potential for upward mobility.
MMDC also provides rent and down payment assistance for people who live and work in the medical district.
The Michigan-based Kresge Foundation focuses on funding culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development efforts in America’s urban areas.
“They realize, if you want to have health equity in these communities, that you really have to focus on really closing the racial wealth gap,” Thomas said.
Monica Valdes Lupi, managing director of Kresge’s Health Program, said the medical district is an area with “potential and opportunity.”
“We are excited to see how MMDC’S thoughtful programming and investments will build upon these efforts and support (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities,” she said in a statement.
Corinne S Kennedy covers economic development, healthcare and soccer for the Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Corinne.kennedy@commercialappeal.com