What started as an esoteric online conversation five years ago has grown into a massive citywide event to celebrate all the best parts of the Bluff City.

Though only in its second official year, attendance is expected to be high for Exposure at 901 Day, a free event that will be held at AutoZone Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on, you guessed it – Sept. 1.

2. Stephenson Leverages Capital for Community Change - Friday, March 25, 2016

Why start a bank? It’s a question that would never occur to most people. But to Susan Stephenson, the answer is obvious: “It’s infinite variety. You get to participate in other people’s dreams. In the morning, I can be a first-time homeowner. In the afternoon, I’m a small business looking to open a new location.”

3. Memphis Chamber to Host ‘State of Small Business’ - Saturday, February 27, 2016

The Greater Memphis Chamber and its Small Business Council are hosting a State of Small Business event next week at the Crescent Club.

The goal of the March 1 event, from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., will be to share expert advice on the resources small-business owners can access to succeed, and also to hear from seasoned small-business owners about their experiences.

4. Memphis Chamber to Host ‘State of Small Business’ - Wednesday, February 24, 2016

The Greater Memphis Chamber and its Small Business Council are hosting a State of Small Business event next week at the Crescent Club.

The goal of the March 1 event, from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., will be to share expert advice on the resources small-business owners can access to succeed, and also to hear from seasoned small-business owners about their experiences.

5. Editorial: Severed Taser-Malone Contract Isn’t a Victory for Anyone - Saturday, October 3, 2015

The controversy over The Carter Malone Group’s community engagement contract with police body camera provider Taser International posed some legitimate questions about crossing the proverbial line.

6. Hardy, Shockey, Stephenson Highlight Salvation Army Panel - Saturday, September 26, 2015

The Salvation Army of Memphis will hold a women’s networking breakfast next week that will feature an executive panel of female business leaders.

The 7:30 a.m. event on Wednesday, Sept. 30, will be held at the Kroc Center Memphis, 800 East Parkway S.

7. Women Business Leaders Highlight Salvation Army Panel - Thursday, September 24, 2015

The Salvation Army of Memphis will hold a women’s networking breakfast next week that will feature an executive panel of female business leaders.

The 7:30 a.m. event on Wednesday, Sept. 30, will be held at the Kroc Center Memphis, 800 East Parkway S.

8. Thank You, Thank You Very Much - Friday, August 14, 2015

A THANK YOU NOTE FROM A COPYWRITER TO ELVIS. Elvis was once asked what kind of music he played. “I play all kinds,” was his response.

That pretty much sums up Memphis, and Elvis was pretty much the sum up of its parts. Part gospel and part blues, part country and part soul. And all original. Part dirt poor and part flashy rich, part Mama’s boy and part nasty and naughty. And all surprising. Part glitz and glitter and part sad and tragic. And all too real. Part Mississippi and part Tennessee. And all world shaking.

9. I Choose Memphis: Kesha Whitaker - Monday, May 12, 2014

“I Choose Memphis” spotlights Memphians who are passionate about calling this community home. New Memphis Institute provides the profiles.

Name: Kesha Whitaker

Job title and company: Communications and Development Manager, Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis

10. New Memphis Institute Unveils Exec. Committee - Saturday, February 22, 2014

The New Memphis Institute has announced Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp. CEO Jason Little as its board of trustees chair for 2014.

11. Events - Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Sales and Marketing Society of the Mid-South will meet Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Racquet Club of Memphis, 5111 Sanderlin Ave. Susan S. Stephenson, co-founder, co-chairman and president of Independent Bank, will present “Make it Work Marketing: Sending a Message That Matters.” Cost for nonmembers is $30 at the door. Visit sms-midsouth.org.

12. New Memphis Institute Unveils Executive Committee - Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The New Memphis Institute has announced Baptist Memorial Health Care Corp. CEO Jason Little as its board of trustees chair for 2014.

13. Events - Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis will host Zumba demonstration classes Tuesday, Feb. 18, and Feb. 25 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. in the hospital’s cafe, 5959 Park Ave. Visit saintfrancishosp.com.

14. Events - Monday, February 17, 2014

SHRM-Memphis will host a networking and Q&A session with Kari Strobel, director of HR competency for the Society of Human Resources Management, Monday, Feb. 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Fogelman Executive Center, 330 Innovation Drive.

15. Events - Tuesday, September 10, 2013

The Center City Revenue Finance Corp. board will meet Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 a.m. in the Downtown Memphis Commission conference room, 114 N. Main St. Visit downtownmemphiscommission.com.

16. Events - Monday, September 9, 2013

Stax Museum of American Soul Music will screen the U.S. premiere of BBC documentary “Otis Redding: Soul Ambassador” Monday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. at the museum, 926 E. McLemore Ave. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Cost is free. Visit staxmuseum.com.

17. Events - Saturday, September 7, 2013

In-Synk and The Daily News will host a Leadership Lunch & Learn book review and discussion on Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead” Friday, Sept. 6, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Triumph Bank board room, 5699 Poplar Ave. Cost is $20. Visit seminars.memphisdailynews.com.

18. Women Business Leaders Encourage Diverse Workforce - Monday, March 4, 2013

Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg is regarded as one of the country’s most accomplished and high-profile women in business, and she has a new book coming out later this month on issues women face in the workplace.

19. Women Integral for City’s Best Version - Saturday, February 23, 2013

There is a Memphis where important things get done against long odds and powerful opposition aimed specifically at the very people trying to accomplish these goals that most of us agree are worthy.

20. Blazing a Trail - Saturday, February 23, 2013

Susan Stephenson is one of the most accomplished and highly visible women in the Memphis business community. She is the co-founder of Independent Bank, the city’s second-largest bank as ranked by assets and one that largely steered clear of the mortgage mess that dogged competitors during the financial bust.

21. Events - Thursday, February 21, 2013

Poplar Pike Playhouse will present “The Wiz” Thursday, Feb. 21, through March 9 at the theater, 7653 Old Poplar Pike. Visit ppp.org for times and tickets.

22. Events - Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Greater Memphis Chamber and Duncan-Williams Inc. will host Job Fuel: 2013 Conference on Job Creation Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Memphis Cook Convention Center, 255 N. Main St. Jim Clifton, chairman and CEO of Gallup, and Dr. Gene Huang, chief economist and vice president at FedEx, will discuss what leaders need to know about the future of job creation. Cost is $50 per person or $450 per table of 10. Visit memphischamber.com.

23. Seminar Highlights Women and Biz - Friday, February 15, 2013

Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg, considered one of the most powerful women in business in the U.S., has a new book coming out next month on issues women face in the workplace.

In “Lean In,” the Facebook exec notes that although women long ago started representing 50 percent of U.S. college graduates, men still hold most of the leadership positions in the public and private sectors.

24. Stephenson to Keynote Women & Business Seminar - Monday, January 28, 2013

Susan Stephenson, CEO and co-founder of Independent Bank, has enjoyed a long and successful career in banking.

25. Commercial Advisors Hires Ewen as Controller - Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Erika Ewen has joined Cushman & Wakefield/Commercial Advisors Asset Services LLC as controller. Ewen will direct the accounting department in all accounting functions and financial reporting of Commercial Advisors Asset Services as well as all property management clients.

26. Instigators of Change - Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The Lipscomb Pitts Breakfast Club is an organization that defies a simple description.

Is its purpose business networking? Community service? Career-building? Is it a civic booster, a promoter of nationally known speakers or a matchmaker between employees and employers?

27. Extraordinary Valor - Monday, November 21, 2011

The Lipscomb Pitts Breakfast Club welcomed best-selling author Doug Stanton as its guest speaker for November.

“Doug is an amazing storyteller, and we are really excited to have him as our speaker this month. November features the combination of Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving, and we wanted to recognize and show our gratitude for the extraordinarily heroic service of our military veterans,” said Susan Stephenson, co-founder of Independent Bank, this month’s event host.

28. Sales and Marketing Society to Hold 2011 Summit - Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The Sales and Marketing Society of the Mid-South will hold its Sales & Marketing Summit 2011 Tuesday, Aug. 30, from 7:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Racquet Club of Memphis, 5111 Sanderlin Ave.

29. Local Banks Get Small Biz Lending Boost - Friday, August 19, 2011

Small businesses in Memphis – as well as across Tennessee – stand to benefit from a pair of announcements unveiled this week regarding targeted federal investment in the area.

First, Independent Bank is getting almost $35 million to make available as loans to businesses with sales of up to $50 million, for agricultural loans and for owner-occupied real estate.

30. Independent Bank, State of Tenn. Get Money for Small Biz Lending - Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Small businesses in Memphis – as well as across Tennessee – stand to benefit from a pair of announcements unveiled Tuesday regarding targeted federal investment in the area.

First, Independent Bank is getting almost $35 million to make available as loans to businesses with sales of up to $50 million, for agricultural loans and for owner-occupied real estate.

31. ‘In This Together’ - Monday, July 18, 2011

For some Memphis consumers, it’s a completely natural impulse to go out of the way to keep from going far away when there’s money to spend. Those particular consumers will run over a TCBY to get to YoLo, shove past a Starbucks to get their caffeine fix at Otherlands, Republic or Cafe Eclectic, hop over an IHOP to stand in line at Brother Juniper’s and dodge Dillard’s to suit up at shops like Oak Hall and James Davis.

32. Independent Bank Ranked in Top Community Banks - Friday, June 3, 2011

The second-largest bank based in Memphis has been ranked in the top 100 best-performing community banks in the country for 2010, according to SNL Financial.

SNL’s database includes detailed profiles on more than 20,000 U.S. financial institutions, including all publicly traded banks and thrifts, privately held institutions and credit unions. The rankings are based on metrics including highest return on assets, lowest percentage of non-performing loans, and the favorable relationship of operating expenses to operating revenue.

33. 'Power of the Dollar' Campaign Stresses Local Spending - Monday, November 1, 2010

Some great ideas are so simple that they are overlooked until an economic crisis comes along.

But the creators of a new media campaign encouraging businesses to buy from each other locally is ringing loud and clear as Memphis considers its budget woes.

34. Women’s Foundation Announces Board Members - Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis has announced its board of directors for 2010-2011.

Officers and members of the executive committee are Becky Jones West, chair of the board; Andrea Bienstock, secretary; Mary Wolff, treasurer and finance chair; Celie Althoff, policies and procedures chair; Beverly Cross, grants and research chair; Karen Garrison Goff, development chair; Lauryce Graves-McIver, board development and nominations chair; Mary H. McDaniel, at-large; Jennifer Oswalt, at-large; Susan Stephenson, Memphis HOPE development chair; Joyce Thomas, marketing and communications chair; Anita S. Vaughn, human resources chair; and Regina Walker, education and training chair.

35. Stephenson Finds Success In Memphis - Monday, March 29, 2010

Susan Stephenson grew up in East Tennessee and followed her heart to Memphis when a young man she knew decided to attend graduate school here.

36. Independently Strong - Monday, March 29, 2010

Unlike their Wall Street brethren who for years made big bets chasing millions in quick profits, the management of Independent Bank has for 12 years followed a simple rule.

37. Memphis Financial Firms See Optimism - Monday, March 1, 2010

Policymakers, consumers and business leaders probably would like to hold the U.S. economy to the same standard the world’s best athletes have been striving for in Vancouver for the past two weeks.

But as the U.S. economy slaloms down the bumpy slope of recovery in 2010, its performance likely will be something less than the Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Stronger.”

38. Commercial Real Estate Raises Red Flags for Bankers - Wednesday, February 24, 2010

This month’s foreclosure of the 19-story Exchange Building apartment tower at 130 Madison Ave. is a local example of a problem that’s sounding alarm bells in the banking industry.

It’s the commercial real estate version of the mortgage meltdown that clobbered the housing industry. Signs are emerging that it’s poised to pounce on banks, the real estate industry and policymakers who have spent the past two years working to quell that previous crisis.

39. ‘Independent’ Not Just a Name To Bank Co-Chair - Monday, February 22, 2010

Like many of their local competitors, the folks who run Independent Bank in Memphis were encouraged by regulators to participate in the federal government’s controversial but arguably necessary financial bailout program.

40. Events - Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Shelby County Commission will hold committee meetings today beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Shelby County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St. For more information, call 545-4301 or visit agendapub.shelbycountytn.gov.

41. Stronger Banks Keep Opting Into Bailout Program - Monday, November 24, 2008

The impact that the U.S. Treasury Department’s capital purchase program will have on the banking landscape in Memphis is coming more clearly into view.

Bank of Bartlett has applied to participate in the government program, and bank chairman and CEO Bob Byrd said the bank probably will end up taking part in the program. Independent Bank is still evaluating whether it wants to participate.

42. Simpson Joins FirstBank As Local President - Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Ted Simpson has been hired by FirstBank as its Memphis city president.

Simpson previously served as executive vice president and chief lending officer for Magna Bank and has experience with National Bank of Commerce and Central Park Capital. He also is currently on the board of Lambda Alpha, a real estate professional organization.

43. Wright Takes Helm of Suburban Community Newspapers - Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Scott A. Wright has been named chairman and CEO of Suburban Community Newspapers Group (SCN), which includes 11 weekly newspapers in the Memphis metro and north Mississippi areas. Some of the papers are The Shelby Sun Times, The Collierville Independent and The East Shelby Review. Wright previously was publisher of 17 Dallas and Ft.Worth-area daily and weekly newspapers in the Star Community Newspapers group.

44. Archived Article: Events - Monday, February 21, 2005
The Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a new member reception/orientation from 8 a

The Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a new member reception/orientation from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday at the chamber, 2195 S. Germantown Road. Call...

45. Archived Article: This Week - Monday, October 18, 2004
Small Business Empowerment Association Hosts Forum

Small Business Group Hosts Forum

Oct. 18

The Small Business Empowerment Association presents Business @ the Next Level at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Memphis FedEx Institute of Technolog...

46. Archived Article: Bonnie's (lead) - Tuesday, August 13, 2002
Booksellers find niche on Madison

Booksellers find niche in Midtown

By MARY DANDO

The Daily News

Midtown book lovers now have an additional place to browse. Bonnies Books opened at 2027 Madison Ave. only 123 steps from Overton Square, sa...

47. Archived Article: Marketplace (seminar) - Monday, May 8, 2000
Womens potential for business success will be the focus of on upcoming seminar sponsored by the Memphis Arthur Andersen office and LEAD, the Women in Leadership program at the University of Memphis Seminar to show women the benefit of networking By ...

48. Archived Article: Bank-lead - Wednesday, November 24, 1999
By SUZANNE THOMPSON Independent Bank to open branch in East Memphis By SUZANNE THOMPSON The Daily News Independent Bank, a local bank with headquarters at 5050 Poplar Ave., has nearly completed construction of its first branch office. Construction c...

49. Archived Article: Goals For Mem Chg - Thursday, April 10, 1997
By CAMILLE H New leadership classes will benefit community By CAMILLE H. GAMBLE The Daily News Goals for Memphis announced Wednesday the creation of the Leadership Company, a new initiative which will offer leadership classes to executives and gover...