Teresa Franklin

RAISING KIDS IN MEMPHIS

I live near Collierville and have been in that area for almost 18 years. I am the mom of two young men, both football players. My oldest is playing Division 1 football at the University of Central Arkansas–Go, Bears!—and my youngest will be a senior at Memphis University School. 

My kids have been playing football or some other sport—golf, fencing, bowling, lacrosse, wrestling—since they turned 3. Memphis is a big sports town. There are so many youth leagues and so many opportunities for children and families to get involved. Most of my time on weekends is spent at games.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

I serve on the board of the Memphis/Shelby County Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Council and I have done a lot of work volunteer with the March of Dimes because I am a mother who has been impacted by infant mortality; I had a daughter with a chromosomal abnormality who passed away at three months of age. And prior to my work at St. Jude, I led a research project that provided psycho-social support and prenatal care for mothers that allowed me to work in the community with families and children. If you’re interested in philanthropic work through your job or on a volunteer basis, there are so many ways to get involved with your neighbors in communities around Memphis.

A CITY WITH SMALL-TOWN CHARM

Memphis is big but it gives you a small-town feeling and a sense of community. It’s very easy to get plugged into things happening in the city. There’s diversity, lots of places to eat, recreational activities and of course the distinct cultural attractions here. When you’re out and about in Memphis, there’s always an opportunity to connect with friends and meet new people. I was at brunch last weekend and met a couple visiting from Texas.

WEEKEND FUN

We go to Nashville a lot, and Little Rock and Hot Springs, Arkansas. Because we are so centrally located here, it makes weekend trips easy. My youngest son is a country boy so he likes to do things outdoors, like going to the lake to fish and swim, so we try to get out and do that when we can. 

Locally, Africa in April is an event that I always attend. It’s an annual cultural event that spotlights a different African country each year. It’s a family event that features food, art, music. I never miss it!