TN06 Stories and Data

TN06 Stories

Court Square Center
Court Square Center involved the renovation of two historically-significant buildings and the construction of the green, LEED gold certified “Court Annex 2” building to create an urban center that offers 74 live/work units, 40,500 sq. ft. of commercial space and 44 on-site parking spaces. The project has served to reduce blight, spur local investment and improve conditions in the central business district. Commercial tenants include the Plough Foundation, The New Consortium of Law and Business, Servicemasters and a law office. The New Consortium of Law and Business is a charter school for students who test at high-levels in math and business.
SkillUp Workforce
After nearly three decades as a manager at a staffing agency, Erika Winfrey decided in October 2024 to take a bold step toward entrepreneurship by launching her own business, SkillUp Workforce, in Memphis, Tennessee. Winfrey’s extensive experience in staffing — helping to place temporary workers, temp-to-hire employees, and direct hires — opened her eyes to the gaps in the workforce. This realization became the driving force behind SkillUp, a business dedicated to career and business consulting.
Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company
The oldest operating Minority Bank in the US makes a difference in Tennessee.
Popcorn Power
When Communities Unlimited (CU) first connected with Tennessee Entrepreneur Lamus Rush III, he had recently opened a Memphis storefront for his gourmet popcorn business, Crave4 Gourmet Popcorn. CU’s Area Director Marnell Love from the Entrepreneurship Team helped him establish a budget, bookkeeping system, and accounting records — essential tools that would later support his business growth.

TN06 Fact Sheet

Testimonials

It has been proven over the decades that the CDFI industry has been mega critical to the flow of capital in this country, specifically in disinvested communities. By appropriating at least $354M for the CDFI Fund, this directly supports the deployment and capacity building of not only CDFIs but the millions of small businesses that hire and create jobs, erect infrastructure, rebuild neighborhood corridors, and partner across industries for improved quality of life. If we are serious about reducing the wealth gap for increased positive impacts, supporting CDFIs is extremely important.

-Ron Brooks, River City Capital Investment, Memphis, TN

As the Chair of the CDFI Coalition Board of Directors, I and the membership of the Coalition would greatly appreciate your support of this request.

-Hank Helton, CDFI Coalition, Nashviile, TN

Map of TN06 CDFI Branches and Stories