City of Memphis Launches Anti-Litter Campaign to Combat Blight
The City of Memphis is leading the way in combating littering and blight in our city. The City is issuing a call-to-action urging all residents to keep Memphis clean through the “901 Keep It Clean” campaign. The Memphis City Beautiful Commission launches the campaign this month. Participants include: Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, University of Memphis Head Basketball Coach Penny Hardaway, the Grizz Girls, Spoken Word Artist Sebastian Carson and Christ Missionary Baptist Church Senior Pastor Dr. Gina Stewart. The campaign will launch on multiple platforms including television, radio, print, digital, and social media.
Memphis City Beautiful Commission Executive Director Eldra T. White leads the city’s beautification efforts. “Sweep around your own porch first,’ is what we would consistently hear from our parents growing up,” said White. “This is essentially what we’re saying with this campaign. Memphis is our home. We are all responsible for its upkeep. Each and every resident is a stakeholder in keeping our city clean.”
Research shows that a major demographic of litterers are young women and men ages 16-34. The City of Memphis and Memphis City Beautiful are educating the public on the negative impact litter and blight has on the city. A campaign goal is to start a discussion focused on anti-littering and blight and serve as a call-to-action for general pride in our city.
A major focus of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration is blight reduction. “Memphis is a city rich in cultural history and significance,” said Strickland. “It is our obligation as citizens to not let blight and litter create a barrier between us and opportunity. People come from all over the world to patronize our city and we want that to continue,” said Strickland.
To learn more about the “901 Keep It Clean” Campaign visit www.memphiscitybeautiful.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter: @mem_beautiful and Instagram: @memphiscitybeautiful. Also follow or join the conversation at #901keepitclean.
About Memphis City Beautiful:
Memphis City Beautiful was officially established by a city ordinance in 1930, making it the first and oldest beautification commission in the nation. The goal was to make Memphis a beautiful and safe place to live. Currently, the Commission focuses on providing public education programs and other services designed to encourage all members of our community to take responsibility for improving the environment in which they live. The Commission also supervises beautification projects designed to enhance the appearance of parks and other public spaces throughout Memphis.