kerry hayes
TRANSCRIPT
THE OPPORTUNITY
CHALLENGEMemphis, TN
February 2011
Part of the US Initiative
ofbyandforus.org
THE OPPORTUNITY
CHALLENGEwas a three-day gathering of
policy-makers, thought-
leaders, entrepreneurs, workforce and
economic development professionals, and
civic leaders working together to answer a
big question…
How do we develop all of
our talent and put all of our
talent to work?
How do we develop all of
our talent and put all of our
talent to work?
…and why do we care?
What is the OPPORTUNITY?
What is the OPPORTUNITY?
Memphis is losing
population, but some
neighborhoods are actually
getting denser.
What is the OPPORTUNITY?
Memphis is losing
population, but some
neighborhoods are actually
getting denser.
This follows a national
trend.
What is the OPPORTUNITY?
Memphis is the largest city in
Tennessee and the
economic/cultural capital of a
three-state region.
What is the OPPORTUNITY?
Memphis is the largest city in
Tennessee and the
economic/cultural capital of a
three-state region.
So goes Memphis, so goes a big
chunk of the southeastern USA.
What is the OPPORTUNITY?
The qualities that define
Memphis’ past will define
American cities’ future.
What is the OPPORTUNITY?
The qualities that define
Memphis’ past will define
American cities’ future.
We’re a city of creative risk-
takers, boot-
strappers, entrepreneurs, and
self-taught, self-reliant doers.
That’s not to say we don’t have
some real obstacles.
That’s not to say we don’t have
some real obstacles.
In the last 50 years, our
landmass has more than doubled
while our population has steadily
declined.
That’s not to say we don’t have
some real obstacles.
In the last 50 years, our
landmass has more than doubled
while our population has steadily
declined.
Population density today is less
than half of what it was in 1960.
That’s not to say we don’t have
some real obstacles.
In spite of annexation, we’ve
seen a net loss of 10,000 citizens
in the last 10 years.
That’s not to say we don’t have
some real obstacles.
In spite of annexation, we’ve
seen a net loss of 10,000 citizens
in the last 10 years.
Between 2000 - 2010, Shelby
County lost 41,000 25-34 year-
olds.
That’s not to say we don’t have
some real obstacles.
1 in 4 Memphians lives in
poverty, including 1 in 3
African-Americans.
That’s not to say we don’t have
some real obstacles.
1 in 4 Memphians lives in
poverty, including 1 in 3
African-Americans.
Poverty rate among children is
up 45% since 2000.
That’s not to say we don’t have
some real obstacles.
Only 24% of Memphians have a
college degree. Fewer than 5%
have a Master’s degree or
higher.
One very interesting – and
promising statistic:
Average age in Memphis:
33.4 years
The CHALLENGE therefore is:
How do we rebuild our city’s
economy from the ground up
and the inside out?
The CHALLENGE therefore is:
How do we create a pipeline of
educational and economic
progress that meets people
where they are?
OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE allowed
us to: work collaboratively and
fearlessly
on answers to these questions.
OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE allowed
us to: hear from thought leaders
and policy experts about the forces
that are shaping our city (and all
cities.)
OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE allowed
us to: better asses our assets.
OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE allowed
us to: really understand where the
gaps are.
OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE allowed
us to: develop THREEnew ways of
understanding Memphis…
OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE allowed
us to: develop THREEnew ways of
understanding Memphis…
The LEARNING CITY
OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE allowed
us to: develop THREEnew ways of
understanding Memphis…
The VENTURE CITY
OPPORTUNITY CHALLENGE allowed
us to: develop THREEnew ways of
understanding Memphis…
The CONNECTED CITY
The LEARNING CITY asks us to do 7
things:
1. Play the game of you.
The LEARNING CITY asks us to do 7
things:
2. Embrace electronic portfolios
for learning.
The LEARNING CITY asks us to do 7
things:
3. Adopt policies that will accelerate
post-secondary education.
The LEARNING CITY asks us to do 7
things:
4. Create a public innovation lab
to re-engage disconnected 16-24 year-
olds.
The LEARNING CITY asks us to do 7
things:
5. Achieve the talent dividend.
The LEARNING CITY asks us to do 7
things:
6. Create an office of talent
within local government.
The LEARNING CITY asks us to do 7
things:
7. Establish a learning cities coalition.
The VENTURE CITY asks us to do 4
things:
1. Develop an evergreen
entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The VENTURE CITY asks us to do 4
things:
2. Redefine the future returns.
The VENTURE CITY asks us to do 4
things:
3. Plan for the long term.
The VENTURE CITY asks us to do 4
things:
4. Create pathways to employ
the hardest to employ.
The CONNECTED CITY asks us to do 2
things:
1. Foster social connections.
The CONNECTED CITY asks us to do 2
things:
2. Foster physical connections.
Memphis needs to be all three at
once.
The new values:
Risk
The new values:
Risk Work
The new values:
Risk Work Guts
The new values:
Risk Work Guts
Ideas
The new values:
Risk Work Guts
Ideas Self-made connections
The new values:
Risk Work Guts
Ideas Self-made connections
Equity
The new values:
Risk Work Guts
Ideas Self-made connections
Equity Iteration
The new values:
Risk Work Guts
Ideas Self-made connections
Equity Iteration
Knowledge
So NOW what?
So NOW what?
Crosstown Artsfacebook.com/crosstownarts
memfeast.tumblr.com/
So NOW what?
Memphis Bioworks Foundationmemphisbioworks.org
So NOW what?
Launch Memphis@launchmemphis
facebook.com/launchmemphis
So NOW what?
FedEx Institute of Technology
Office of Technology Transfermemphis.edu/fedex/ott.php
So NOW what?
Memphis Talent Dividendmemphistalentdividend.com
Big THANKS:
Big THANKS:Joe Cotright
Laurel Dukehart
Paddy Harrington
Charles Leadbeater
Peter Smith
Suzanne Walsh
Veronica White
Katherine von Jan
Big THANKS:Hyde Family Foundations
Doug Carpenter & AssociatesFedEx
Duncan-Williams, Inc.
Lenny’s Franchisor, LLC
Memphis Bioworks Foundation
