What Would Dolly Think of Downtown Memphis?

And Would She Think We’re Being Neighborly?

At Downtown Neighborhood Association of Memphis, Neighborly isn’t just something we say—it’s something we do.

Of course I've been thinking about Dolly lately.

Maybe it’s the Sparkle. You know I have a certain appreciation for that.

But beyond the rhinestones, big hair and unmistakable personality, there’s something about Dolly Parton that people seem to recognize immediately: she makes kindness look strong.

She has built an extraordinary career without making someone else smaller to make herself bigger.

And that got me thinking:

What would Dolly think of us?

Not our skyline. Not our buildings.

Not our latest development announcement.

Us.

The people who call Downtown Memphis home.

Would she see us welcoming the new neighbor who just moved into the building?

Would she see us introducing ourselves to the police officer walking our block?

Would she see us choosing the locally owned restaurant because we understand there's a person and a family behind that front door?

Would she see us making room at the table for someone we don't already know?

Would she see us noticing the person who might need a little help—and helping?

I hope so

Because that's the Downtown Neighborhood Association I want us to keep building.

We're an unusual neighborhood. Thousands of people live here, thousands more come here to work, and people from around the world visit the streets we call home.

That gives us an extraordinary opportunity.

We get to show people what Memphis feels like.

And I don't think that feeling is created by buildings alone.

It's created by people.

It's the hello in the elevator.

The conversation on the sidewalk.

The business owner who knows your name.

The resident who picks up something that isn't theirs.

The public safety officer who becomes a familiar face.

The extra chair pulled up to the table.

Those little things may not look like community development.

But they are.

They're how trust grows.

They're how belonging begins.

They're how a neighborhood develops its soul.

And maybe that's the lesson I take from Dolly.

You can accomplish serious things without losing your warmth.

You can work hard and still make people smile.

You can lead without making everything about yourself.

And you can absolutely add a little sparkle along the way.

So, what would Dolly think of the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Memphis?

I certainly can't answer for her.

But I know what I'd like her to see:

A whole lot of different people choosing to be good neighbors to one another.

Because you don't have to wear rhinestones to shine.

You just have to leave your little corner of the world brighter than you found it.

Neighborly is a VERB.

And being neighborly—it’s always Worth It.