Shelby County is pushing the boundaries of local governance by stepping into the digital airwaves, announcing that Mayor Lee Harris and New Memphis are launching a podcast series to fuse national insights with local dynamism. According to the Shelby County Mayor’s Office, this collaboration will introduce "Legislately," a podcast that leverages Mayor Harris's expertise through conversations with thought leaders and experts in various fields shaping the future of Shelby County.
The inaugural episode aired yesterday, and drew expertise from Yale Law Professor James Forman Jr., a seasoned voice on juvenile justice reform, timed perfectly as Mayor Harris's Administration gears up to take the helm at the Shelby County Youth Justice and Education Center, where the insights from national discussions can play a pivotal role in steering local policies towards a more equitable justice system. "Legislately" is scheduled for a monthly release every second Tuesday and available for streaming on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the locally affiliated WYXR 91.7 FM for those looking to tap into these critical dialogues.
Mayor Lee Harris conveyed the essence of "Legislately" through a statement revealing the heart behind the initiative. "Legislately is about connecting the dots," he expressed, underscoring a mission to harmonize global thought with grassroots action, amplify civic participation, and peel back the layers of complex socio-political issues enveloping the community. Honing in on criminal justice reform, public education, housing, and economic development, the podcast aims to kindle informed discourse and cast new perspectives.
Anna Mullins Ellis, President and CEO of New Memphis, spotlighted the podcast as a bridge between local residents and the broader narratives unfurling across the nation, emphasizing the importance of connecting with changemakers both within and beyond Shelby County's frontiers, "Our goal is always to highlight the ways changemakers are leading by example and building the brightest possible future for Shelby County," Ellis noted, elucidating their commitment to showcasing how local strides resonate with, and contribute to, the overarching national endeavors.
