Both Sides with JR Robinson: Special Issue—District 10, Orange Mound, and the $2.7 Million Standoff
Local & National News | June 16, 2025
The District 10 Plan aims for boundary-to-boundary neighborhood investment, innovation, and comprehensive support for all local associations.

Written By JR Robinson

Setting the Stage: The Nonprofit Debate

Last week, we tackled the heated debate over nonprofit funding in Memphis, spotlighting organizations that truly move the needle and those that leave us questioning where the money goes. The conversation boiled down to accountability, transparency, and impact—qualities that separate game-changers from wallpaper-changers.

This Week’s Focus: Shelby County, Mayor Lee Harris, and Orange Mound

This week, the spotlight shifts to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and his handling of funding for District 10, which includes the historic Orange Mound community. Despite the Shelby County Commission approving $2.7 million for District 10 not once, but twice (most recently in January 2025), the funds remain locked on the mayor’s desk as of June 16, 2025—just 15 days away from expiring and returning to the general fund.

Key Facts

The Stakes: Celebration in Chambers, Distress on the Streets

Commissioner Britney Thornton, the driving force behind the District 10 Plan, has worked with the Harris Administration and remains willing to cooperate to prevent the funds from being lost. Yet, she voices frustration at the disconnect between official celebration and the daily struggles faced by her constituents—highlighting the urgent need for real, measurable impact.

The Accountability Question

Lessons from the Nonprofit Debate

The same principles that define high-impact nonprofits—clear goals, measurable outcomes, transparency, and community input—are exactly what’s needed in public funding decisions like this one. When billions have been spent over seven years, the community deserves to see tangible results, not just promises or paperwork.

The Path Forward: Demand Receipts, Not Blank Checks

Your Turn, Memphis

The showdown over District 10’s $2.7 million is about more than one neighborhood—it’s about whether Memphis will invest in real solutions and hold its leaders accountable. Will the mayor sign the contract and let the community move forward, or will bureaucratic inertia win out?

Show up, speak out, and demand receipts. The people of District 10—and all of Memphis—deserve nothing less.


Upcoming Events:

#BothSidesNow #CommonSense #MemphisDebate #District10 #OrangeMound #Accountability


Let’s stop arguing about blank checks and start demanding receipts. Who’s really fighting for Memphis—and who’s just fighting for a paycheck? The showdown starts now.

Learn more about District 10 InfoHUB

District 10 InfoHUB

160 N. Main Street Suite 600 Memphis, TN 38013 · (901) 300-6621

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