Award-winning author Preston Lauterbach will share the rich and vibrant history of Downtown Memphis at a Memphis Heritage Trail event on Friday, Sept. 8.
The event is being presented by the Division of Housing and Community Development as part of its Neighborhood Connect podcast, produced by KUDZUKIAN. Free and open to the public, the event will take place at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Paradise Event Center, 645 E. Georgia Ave.
Author of the award-winning books “Beale Street Dynasty” and “The Chitlin Circuit,” a Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, and NPR book of the year, Lauterbach will specifically highlight the Memphis Heritage Trail district, a historic 20-block Downtown area that is considered the epicenter of local African-American history, heritage and culture.
“Memphis Heritage Trail highlights the rich African-American history in this community and provides a stimulus for our economy,” HCD Director Paul A. Young said. “The dialogue with Preston Lauterbach will amplify the stories and experiences that make the South City neighborhood such a significant asset to this city.”
After Lauterbach brings the history of Downtown Memphis to life, the audience will hear an update on the status of the MHT project, which celebrates the rich business, cultural and musical heritage of African-American achievements in Memphis. The floor will then be open for questions.
Lauterbach is the first guest of the new season of the Neighborhood Connect podcast. The Neighborhood Connect podcast serves as a portal for people to learn about the culturally rich communities and neighborhoods of Memphis.
“At KUDZUKIAN, we are dedicated to making different voices in the community heard through excellent programming,” Larry Robinson, the founder of KUDZUKIAN, said. “We are very excited to have Preston Lauterbach share the amazing role the African-American community played and continues to play in Memphis.”
ABOUT MEMPHIS HERITAGE TRAIL: Memphis Heritage Trail is an expansive community redevelopment plan that brings historical tourism, urban redevelopment and city-wide pride to important public spaces. The MHT is a historic 20-block redevelopment area that includes the area bordered by Beale Street on the north, Main Street on the west, Crump Boulevard on the south and Manassas Street on the east. Buildings within the area are: Clayborn Temple, Mason Temple, First Baptist Beale, the Universal Life Building and the National Civil Rights Museum. It is considered the epicenter of African-American history, heritage and culture and will include a walking trail with historical markers. More information is available at http://memphisheritagetrail.com/.
