The Talk Chamber

Leaders Producing Leaders with Cortney Richardson

What happens when a 10th grader walks into a meeting he wasn't invited to? In Cortney Richardson's case — a 20-year journey to the CEO seat of Peer Power Foundation. In this episode, host Taylor Ann Carpenter sits down with Cortney to talk about the model behind one of Memphis's most impactful education nonprofits, the workforce skills being built one success coach at a time, and what it truly takes to lead through uncertainty. Cortney Richardson is the CEO of Peer Power Foundation, a Memphis-based nonprofit that hires college students as "success coaches" and deploys them inside high school classrooms during the school day to provide tutoring and mentoring. Cortney has been part of Peer Power since its founding in 2004, when he joined as a 10th-grade student tutor at East High School — a meeting he wasn't even invited to. He is also a gospel singer, seminary-trained, and a lifelong Memphian committed to transforming public education and workforce readiness in his city. Under his leadership, Peer Power now employs 143 college success coaches across nine Memphis schools, operates a program in Louisville, Kentucky, and is expanding to LeMoyne-Owen College.   🎙️ THIS MIC IS POWERED BY ORTHO SOUTH OrthoSouth provides world-class orthopedic care at clinic locations across the Mid-South. Learn more at https://orthosouth.org [https://orthosouth.org] 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED Peer Power Foundation: https://www.peerpower.org [https://www.peerpower.org] University of Memphis: https://www.memphis.edu [https://www.memphis.edu] LeMoyne-Owen College: https://www.loc.edu [https://www.loc.edu] Greater Memphis Chamber: https://memphischamber.com [https://memphischamber.com] 📲 FOLLOW US @MemphisChamber on all social platforms 🔔 Subscribe to The Talk Chamber for the latest on the Chamber, economic development, and all things Memphis. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or colleague!

Small Business Spotlight with Marc Young and Melissa Todd

While Small Business Week may be over, the work of celebrating and supporting local businesses never stops. In this episode, host Taylor Ann sits down with two guests making a real impact in Memphis — Marc Young of Frame Corner and Melissa Todd of The Front Porch Memphis — to talk about community, creativity, and what it truly takes to build something that lasts. Marc Young is the owner of Frame Corner, a custom framing shop near Park and Mendenhall that has been serving Memphis since 1975. A Central High School and Memphis College of Art graduate, Marc shares how Frame Corner has evolved over 50 years and why listening to your customers and staying flexible are the keys to longevity. Melissa Todd is the executive director of The Front Porch Memphis, a brand-new community gathering space on the campus of Second Baptist Church at Perkins and Walnut Grove. Open to the public and interfaith, The Front Porch houses Second Helpings Cafe (in partnership with Sweet La La's), event and meeting spaces, grief counseling, therapists, tutors, and more. Melissa shares the story behind the $5 million capital campaign, the unique wind phone on the property, and how The Front Porch is tackling loneliness and building connection across Memphis. 🎙️ THIS MIC IS POWERED BY ORTHOSOUTH OrthoSouth provides world-class orthopedic care at 10 clinic locations across the Mid-South. Learn more at https://orthosouth.org 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED Frame Corner: https://framecornermemphis.com The Front Porch Memphis: https://thefrontporchmemphis.org Greater Memphis Chamber: https://memphischamber.com [https://memphischamber.com]   📲 FOLLOW US @MemphisChamber on all social platforms Subscribe to The Talk Chamber for the latest on the Chamber, economic development, and all things Memphis. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or colleague!

How Small Businesses Power Memphis with Patricia McKinney

In this episode, Patricia McKinney, Director of Small Business and Member Programming at the Greater Memphis Chamber, discusses Small Business Week (May 3–9), support for local businesses, upcoming events, and celebrating our local businesses. She highlights Chamber resources like the Small Business Development Center, the ACE focus (Advocate, Communicate, Educate), and how owners can get involved.

Barr Brands: 80 Years of Memphis-Made Innovation and Employee Ownership

In this episode, Scott Beal and Joe Lyons of Barr Brands discuss the company’s 80-year history, its evolution from solvent-maker to a house of consumer brands, and its growth strategy through acquisitions and innovation. They also explain Barr’s 30-year ESOP, share powerful employee stories about long-term wealth creation, and describe why Barr chooses to stay and invest in Memphis.

Paper with Purpose featuring Neki Catron

Neki Catron, Sylvamo’s Corporate Global Community Engagement Manager, discusses the company’s roots, mission, and deep commitment to Memphis. The episode highlights Sylvamo’s values-driven community investment—especially literacy and education partnerships—and spotlights the Reading Is Fundamental 60th anniversary kickoff event in Memphis at Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library.