Purpose in Action Highlighted in Third Annual INTEGRIT-E Delta Regional Collaboration Conference
Working to unite rural and urban leaders in Memphis and the greater region
On May 29–30, the University of Memphis hosted nearly 300 regional leaders for the Third Annual INTEGRIT E Delta Regional Collaboration Conference, held at the FedEx Institute of Technology and powered by the University's DRIVE program. This two-day convening brought together changemakers from across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas to co-create solutions that bridge rural and urban divides, driving inclusive economic development and regional transformation across the Delta.
Centered around the theme "Purpose – Connection – Collaboration," the 2025 conference offered a powerful mix of keynote addresses, interactive workshops, and solution-driven panels. Attendees from diverse sectors—government, philanthropy, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, finance, faith-based leadership, and research—engaged in meaningful dialogue around equity, innovation, and sustainable growth.
“The INTEGRIT E conference isn’t just a conference—it’s a movement,” said Shnesa Wiggins, Director of Community Development and Engagement for DRIVE. “We saw rural and urban leaders co-creating solutions that will carry momentum far beyond the event itself.”
Keynotes Sparked Transformation
Day one opened with a compelling keynote from Cassandra Williams, President of HOPE Credit Union, titled “Leveraging Financial Regulatory Environments to Bring Sustainable Economic Growth to the Delta.” Williams emphasized the urgent need to reshape financial systems to better serve historically disinvested communities—laying the groundwork for a weekend of action-oriented discussion.
Day two featured Allison Bajracharya, Chief Impact and Strategy Officer at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, who delivered practical strategies for cities seeking to secure funding and build enduring cross-sector partnerships—critical tools for resilient economic ecosystems in the Delta and beyond.
Sessions Driving Collaboration
Throughout the conference, participants explored a range of timely and transformative topics:
· Healthcare for a Vibrant Economy
· Scaling Entrepreneurship Beyond the Delta
· Innovation and Agriculture
· State and Federal Partnerships for Local Growth
· Foundations as Catalysts for Regional Transformation
· Faith-Based Approaches to Economic Empowerment
· Building Resilient, Place-Based Growth Models
· Practical Applications of Artificial Intelligence
These sessions brought forward real-world strategies, case studies, and tools for strengthening capacity, scaling innovation, and reimagining what is possible across Delta communities.
DRIVE: Leading Regional Impact Through Collaboration
As the lead organizer, the DRIVE program at the University of Memphis continues to be a vital force for regional revitalization. Supported by the Delta Regional Authority and the U.S. Department of Labor, DRIVE works with 12 targeted communities—including Brownsville, TN; Tunica, MS; and Dumas, AR—to build local capacity in areas like grant development, project planning, alternative financing, and sustainable economic design.
DRIVE’s collaborative model features grant writing workshops, ideation sessions, peer-network cohorts, and embedded research partnerships that equip leaders with the infrastructure and skills to drive
change from within. Its reach extends through programs like the DRIVE Entrepreneurs Network, a partnership with HOPE Credit Union, providing mentorship, financial literacy training, stipends, and accelerator support for Delta-based founders.
At INTEGRIT E, DRIVE served as both convener and catalyst—mobilizing faculty, students, practitioners, policymakers, and community stakeholders in deep, evidence-informed conversations designed to shape long-term outcomes.
“INTEGRIT E is more than ideas about implementation—it’s where vision meets strategy, and partnerships become pipelines,” said Adrienne Cooper, Director of DRIVE.
What’s Next
DRIVE and its partners are actively advancing the outcomes of the conference through collaborative working groups, policy development, grant initiatives, and continuous community engagement. A comprehensive post-conference report and further engagement opportunities will be released in the coming months.
Sponsors of the 2025 INTEGRIT E Conference included the University of Memphis Division of Research & Innovation, HOPE Credit Union, PH IDEAS, Epicenter, Renasant Bank, and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE).
To stay connected or get involved with DRIVE’s work in the Delta, visit www.drivempower.org.
