The TMC Minute

Welcome to The TMC Minute 

February was a busy and reflective time in the Turley Memphis Center for Community Engagement. As we celebrated Black History Month, we were reminded that Memphis has been profoundly shaped by Black citizens and leaders. Much of our city’s culture, vitality, and resilience can be attribute to ordinary citizens serving in extraordinary ways to make Memphis a more just and equitable place. This month offered many of us at Rhodes opportunities to learn, serve, and celebrate alongside students, colleagues and partners across the city. The TMC proudly supported several Black History Month events hosted by our Africana Studies Program, which brought together students, faculty, staff, and community members to honor history while engaging the pressing questions of the present.

February also gave us much to celebrate as a campus community. Through the collective efforts of students, faculty, staff, and community partners, we achieved our Rhodes into Memphis goal of committing 50,000 hours of engagement and service to the Memphis community over the course of this academic year. This milestone reflects the depth of Rhodes’ commitment to our beloved city and the many ways our community continues to live out the values of truth, loyalty, and service. The TMC wants to offer special thanks to our Bonner Scholars, City Lynx students, Kinney Program participants, and fellowship students, who work with community partners each week in thoughtful, sustained, and meaningful ways. We are also deeply grateful to the many student organizations and athletic teams that volunteer throughout Memphis and host community-engaged events across campus and beyond.

A special shoutout is also in order to Rhodes Student Government and RSG President, Johnathan Burch. RSG’s February Kindness Campaign not only encouraged acts of care and generosity across our campus community, but also helped push us to the 50,000-hour mark. Their leadership reminds us that community engagement is not only about large-scale initiatives, but also about the everyday choices we make to show up for one another and for the city we call home.

This month also included a joyful evening of music and fellowship through our sold-out Sons of Town Hall concert at Crosstown Concourse’s Green Room. We were thrilled to partner with the Mike Curb Institute for Music and Crosstown Arts to bring this event to the community, as it served as yet another reminder of the power of the arts to connect people, spark reflection, and strengthen our ties to Memphis.

As we look ahead, we invite you to join us for Lynx to the Future: Shaping Memphis through Truth, Loyalty, and Service on Tuesday, March 24 at 5:30 in Blount Auditorium. This panel discussion will feature recent Rhodes alumni who are making a meaningful impact across Memphis. Rooted in the College’s core values, this event will highlight how alumni are carrying those principles into their professional and civic lives. We hope you can attend; details and the registration link are provided in the TMC Minute.

Thank you for being part of this work and for helping Rhodes remain deeply connected to Memphis.

In partnership,

Dr. Natalie Person
Dean for Community Engagement

Each month, we highlight members of the Rhodes community who are making an impact across Memphis through service, scholarship, and connection. 

Check out these upcoming volunteer opportunities and many more on Rhodes Engage.

Every Monday – Challenger Basketball (Special Needs Basketball) with Germantown Parks and Rec
Support an inclusive basketball program for youth ages 6–16 with intellectual or physical challenges. Volunteers serve as buddies — offering encouragement, assistance, and plenty of fun. No basketball experience required.

🕒 6:00–7:15 PM
📍 Riverdale Elementary Gym A, 1745 Miller Farms Rd, Memphis, TN 38138
🙌 15 volunteers needed
🔗 View event details here

Tuesdays & Thursdays (Ongoing) — Food Pantry Friend with Friends for All
Help fight food insecurity by sorting donations, stocking shelves, and assisting guests at this busy Midtown pantry. Your time helps ensure families have reliable access to nutritious food.

🕒 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 1548 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
🙌 5 volunteers needed daily
🔗 View event details here

Mon–Fri (Ongoing) — Serving with a Smile (Lunch) with Room in the Inn - Memphis
Support neighbors experiencing homelessness by serving a warm midday meal and creating a welcoming, dignified environment.

🕒 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 409 Ayers St, Memphis, TN 38105
🙌 5 volunteers needed daily
🔗 View event details here

Every Friday – Game Day at Ridgemont Manor Inc
Bring joy and connection to senior residents through games and recreational activities. Help create a lively, uplifting environment for an incredible group of older adults.

🕒 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 3805 Ridgemont Ave, Memphis, TN 38128
🙌 4 volunteers needed
🔗 View event details here

Every Saturday – Rox Garden Day with Memphis Rox Climbing + Community
Join the Rox community for weekly garden clean-ups and preparation for the growing season. Volunteers will assemble garden beds and support basic garden maintenance. Tools and gloves are provided. This event is weather permitting and perfect for those who love hands-on outdoor work.

🕒 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 879 East McLemore Avenue, Memphis, TN 38106
🙌 15 volunteers needed
🔗 View event details here

Wednesday, March 11 – VOLUNcheers! with Neighborhood Christian Centers
🍻 Raise a glass for good at VOLUNcheers! This month, we’ll help prep for NCC’s annual “Spring Jam,” an immersive cultural experience for 1,200+ youth. Volunteers will build and paint sets representing Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and New York City — so come ready to get creative!

🕒 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 785 Jackson Ave, Memphis, TN 38107
🙌 20 volunteers needed
🔗 View event details here

Thursday, March 12 – School Matinee Ushers with Germantown Performing Arts Center
Help welcome students for a special performance by Grammy-nominated Uncle Jumbo. Volunteers assist with ushering, scanning tickets, distributing programs, and ensuring a smooth theater experience for local schools.

🕒 8:45 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 1801 Exeter Rd, Germantown, TN 38138
🙌 25 volunteers needed
🔗 View event details here

Saturday, March 14 – Mardi Growl Cleanup with City of Lakeland
Celebrate rescue pups and help keep the park sparkling! Volunteers will assist with event operations, games, prize giveaways, and cleanup during this festive dog adoption event hosted in partnership with Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County.

🕒 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM or 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Zadie Kuehl Park, 3065 Yukon Dr, Lakeland, TN 38002
🙌 20 volunteers needed
🔗 View event details here

Saturday, March 21 – BLOOM Buddies with Memphis Botanic Garden
Support hands-on discovery stations where children and families explore the natural world through planting activities, crafts, and creative learning experiences.

🕒 9:45 AM – 2:15 PM
📍 750 Cherry Rd, Memphis, TN 38117
🙌 7 volunteers needed
🔗 View event details here

Saturday, March 28 – World Water Day Stewardship Event with Wolf River Conservancy
Celebrate World Water Day by protecting one of Memphis’s most important natural resources. Volunteers will help prevent pollution by cleaning up litter along the Wolf River Greenway at Mud Island and the Wolf River Harbor. Participants can serve on land or bring a boat to paddle and clean the harbor. This is a powerful way to care for our rivers, wetlands, and freshwater systems.

🕒 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 1320 North Mud Island Road, Memphis, TN 38103
🙌 500 volunteers needed
🔗 View event details here