Written By JR Robinson

Memphis and Shelby County are at a crossroads.
Our city bleeds potential, but it also bleeds pain—especially for our young Black men. The truth is brutal: Black boys in Shelby County are more likely to be victims of violence, drop out of school, or end up behind bars than to graduate college. In Memphis, nearly 50% of Black children live in poverty. Homicide is the leading cause of death for young Black men in our city. These aren’t just numbers—they are futures stolen, families shattered, dreams erased.

But Memphis is also home to warriors—Men of Impact—who refuse to let these statistics define us.

Honoring Giants: Pastor Ricky Floyd, Commissioner Charlie Caswell, and Will Richardson

This movement begins by honoring three men who have fought for Memphis with everything they had.

• Pastor Ricky Floyd: A lion of a man, Pastor Floyd gave his life to lifting others. From the pulpit to the streets, he didn’t just preach—he acted. He founded organizations that mentored young men, fed the hungry, and brought hope to families from every walk of life. He was a bridge-builder, a peacemaker, and a relentless advocate for the voiceless. His legacy is a challenge: What are you doing with your life that will outlast you?

• Commissioner Charlie Caswell: A tireless champion for justice, Commissioner Caswell has worked to reform policing, expand youth programs, and bring real resources to neighborhoods that the system forgot. He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty, because he knows real change happens in the trenches.

• Will Richardson: Now running for County Commission District 8, Will is stepping up to fill big shoes. He’s committed to building on the work of those before him—fighting for education, economic opportunity, and safer streets. He’s not waiting for permission; he’s taking action.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said,

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

Men of Memphis: Are you answering that question with your life, or are you hiding behind excuses?

A Man of Impact:

• Builds his family—not just by providing, but by being present, loving, and leading.
• Builds his community—not by complaining, but by mentoring, volunteering, and standing up when it counts.
• Builds his city—not by waiting for politicians, but by being the change Memphis desperately needs.
• Lifts young men—by reaching back, sharing wisdom, and refusing to let another generation fall through the cracks.

President Barack Obama once said,

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

The Challenge

Men, it’s time to stop watching Memphis struggle from the sidelines.
It’s time to get off your butt and get in the fight.
Are you satisfied letting another young man slip through the cracks?
Are you content to let your family, your block, your city suffer because you “don’t have time”?

The city is crying out for Men of Impact.
Men who will fight for something bigger than themselves.
Men who will leave a legacy that echoes for generations.

If you’re not building a better you—and sharing what you’ve learned with those coming up behind you—then what are you doing?

Join the Movement

This isn’t the end. It’s the beginning.
Commissioner Caswell and Will Richardson are leading a new series—stories of Men of Impact, men who are changing Memphis one life at a time.
Will you be one of them?

Memphis doesn’t need more excuses.
Memphis needs you.
Step up. Stand tall. Be a Man of Impact.

Share this. Comment. Tag a man who needs to read this.
Let’s build a Memphis that our sons—and their sons—can be proud of.