The Problem

Most Americans take the blessing of hope for granted. God has truly been good to our nation, and our economic might is second to none. Yet too many of our neighbors in the neglected parts of our cities live lives of hopelessness and despair.

In the 19th Century, Uptown Memphis was one of the city’s finest neighborhoods; some have called it the first suburb. The years have not been as kind to this area as the history books. As Memphis began to expand, businesses and many prominent residents began to leave Uptown. Those who remained were far too often left unemployed and uneducated. According to the 2000 census, well over half of Uptown’s residents live below the poverty line.

The Uptown Alliance seeks to magnify Christ to our neighbors by offering economic empowerment skills and community leadership development. Through our Jobs in Community program, Barnabas Builders, and the activities of our community builders, Uptown Alliance seeks to restore hope to those too long in despair.