Building Community from the Ground Up: Joyce Cox's Vision for a Connected Memphis
- C.L. Huckaby
- Mar 27
- 5 min read
For thirty years, Joyce Cox has been quietly transforming neighborhoods by building strong connections based on faith-driven service. As the Manager of the Office of Neighborhood Engagement in the City of Memphis, Tennessee’s Division of Housing and Community Development, she has developed innovative ways to strengthen communities that positively impact thousands of lives.
Her journey from banking to public service demonstrates how mission-driven work in city government can create lasting positive change. Through her leadership, thousands of families have found paths to homeownership, neighborhoods revitalized, and diverse communities have found new ways to connect and celebrate their shared identity as Memphians.
The Journey to Community Service
Her deep sense of purpose has inspired her work with communities. Foundational lessons taught by her mother are constant reminders,
"She taught me to put Jesus first, others second, and myself last. It is not all about you; it is about who you help and serve. Only what you do for Christ will last."
This teaching has not only shaped her name, but has profoundly influenced her approach to community service and leadership.
Her journey into public service began in the banking sector, where she managed foreclosures for the retail credit division. In this role, she witnessed the harsh realities that many families face while trying to find stable housing. However, a transition to the city's down payment assistance program unveiled a different opportunity and the chance to help families fulfill their dreams of homeownership.
"When I joined the down payment assistance division, I saw people able to get housing who otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford it."
This shift from managing foreclosures to facilitating homeownership marked a pivotal change in her career trajectory. "By the time I left, we had helped over 13,000 families secure housing," she adds, highlighting the significant impact that a focused department can have on community empowerment.
A Philosophy of Connection
At the heart of her approach to community engagement lies a simple lesson learned from her grandfather during childhood summers in Nesbitt, Mississippi. She vividly recalls how he would gather Joyce and her cousins, nine children in total, to make their beds. Every child had to participate together, even though she was eager to finish quickly and go play.
"He would say to me when we finished, 'Many hands make your load light,'" she remembers. This early lesson in collective effort evolved into her guiding philosophy for community building and would help shape her approach to neighborhood development decades later. She explains,
"If you're in the city, you have one common goal, and that's to make your city a better place to live, work, and play. But everybody has a part. Many hands make the load light because if neighborhood associations could do it alone, they would do it. If the police could do it alone, they would do it. If the mayor could do it alone, it would have already been done. But because we all play a part, we all need to be connected with that one common goal."
Celebrating Memphis's Diversity
One of her signature achievements is the Taste of Memphis Neighborhoods event, which recently celebrated its milestone 10th anniversary. The concept elegantly combines simplicity with impact: it gives neighborhood organizations one table, two chairs, and four hours to highlight their community's unique character. What began as a modest gathering has evolved into a vibrant celebration of Memphis's diverse cultural tapestry.
The 2024 celebration illustrated their vision of unity through diversity. Under the theme ‘One Memphis: Celebrating One Memphis with Endless Possibilities,’ the event transcended traditional community gatherings. A flash mob shared the stage with hip-hop dancers, Irish step dancers, Aztec performers, and belly dancers, creating a living portrait of Memphis's multicultural identity. Over 120 neighborhoods participated, each engaging in a friendly competition for the best-themed display, transforming the venue into a vibrant mosaic of community pride.
This year marked a particular triumph, as the city recognized the event's impact by providing $20,000 in funding - the first in the program's history. Her team exceeded expectations by raising an additional $40,000 from community partners, demonstrating the growing support for this fun, interactive approach to neighborhood engagement.
5 Lessons from the Field: Joyce's Advice for Community Builders
Drawing from her experience, Joyce offers these insights for those considering a career in public service or community engagement:
Master the Art of Patience
"Having to be patient with the processes" is crucial when transitioning to government work, especially from the private sector. Understanding and adapting to different systems takes time, and this patience builds a foundation for lasting change.
Develop Dynamic People Skills
"You've got to be a people person, be able to think quickly and out of the box. And understand that everybody does not think like you... and don't take it personally." Success in community engagement requires emotional intelligence and adaptability.
Prioritize Relationship Building
"You really can't help a person if you don't know them... having a conversation with them" is essential for creating meaningful change. True community transformation starts with genuine connections.
Understand the Framework
"Once you learn how to work in government, you can work anywhere... when you learn something wrong, it's hard to unlearn it." Learning the rules and processes thoroughly from the start creates opportunities for innovation within the system.
Embrace Continuous Learning
"You never know what someone can learn from you, or you'll learn from somebody... be open to that." Every interaction offers potential for growth and understanding.
The Future of Community Engagement
Joyce Cox's work in Memphis, TN offers a compelling blueprint for modern community engagement. Her remarkable journey challenges the tired notion that government work is bound by bureaucracy; instead, she models how creativity, relationship-building, and persistent dedication can transform neighborhoods.
For those dreaming of meaningful careers that make a real difference, her path highlights the profound potential of public service. Her story shows how committed individuals can shape communities, create lasting change, and build bridges between diverse groups of people. Memphis stands stronger today because of people like Joyce who choose to dedicate their careers to serving others, proving that local government work isn't just a job—it's an opportunity to reimagine what's possible in our communities.
Looking ahead, she continues to inspire with exciting new initiatives, including speaking engagements and creating new leadership training programs. Her vision stretches far beyond individual projects, encompassing the entire community's potential for growth and connection. Her grandfather's wisdom—"Many hands make your load light"—echoes through her work, inviting each of us to play our part in building stronger, more connected communities.
As Joyce would say, engaging in our neighborhoods isn't just a duty—it's an incredible opportunity to transform lives, one connection at a time. Whether you're considering a career in public service or simply wanting to make a difference, remember that change begins with a single step, a single conversation, a single moment of genuine care.
A Few More Resources
Look at these organizations and programs mentioned by Joyce:
The City of Memphis, Division of Housing and Community Development (HCD) coordinates programs funded through federal and state grants to assist Memphis's residents and neighborhoods. HCD oversees multiple departments dedicated to developing quality and affordable housing, giving business owners access to economic growth, and improving communities through various initiatives.
The City of Memphis, Office of Neighborhood Engagement builds long-term relationships with residents of Memphis & Shelby County through training opportunities, workshops, and conferences. This office teaches the necessary skills to enhance Memphis' neighborhoods and transform them into centers of pride and prosperity.
The Taste of Memphis Neighborhoods is an annual community celebration organized by the City of Memphis' Division of Housing & Community Development. This free event showcases the work, culture, and pride of Memphis neighborhoods, bringing together Memphians from all walks of life to celebrate the city's unique characteristics.