MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Orange Mound was chosen to participate in a survey.
Hundreds of residents were asked about crime, transportation and housing.
OC Pleasant moved to Orange Mound in 1963.
Pleasant says despite the challenges his community is facing, there’s nowhere else he wants to call home.
“My wife is also a lifelong resident of Orange Mound, so we’ve been here growing up professionally, civically, politically, practically every aspect,” he said.
Most people in Orange Mound take pride in their community.
It’s why more than 300 people older than 50 helped the AARP learn what’s most important in the neighborhood.
Friday, the organization, talked about what it found.
“With housing, they indicated that most of them are going to need some kind of modification to their home to be able to stay in their home; a concern is that they have not identified trustworthy contractors who can help modify their homes,” said Rebecca Kelly with AARP.
After filling out a survey, people in this community said they’re number one concern is crime.
“A second would be if we could get to a point where we could have enough funds where we could employ people in jobs that would help them to have a better living,” Pleasant said
Rebecca Kelly says the AARP will meet with people in Orange Mound on a regular basis to find solutions.
Kelly says AARP selected Orange Mound because of its rich history and longevity.
It’s one of the oldest and best known African-American communities in Memphis.
