Quick Facts
- Date: October 22, 1963 (widely reported; official university and city bios do not list the exact date)
- Key figure: Jim Strickland
- Roles: 64th Mayor of Memphis (2016–2023); succeeded by Paul Young on January 1, 2024; Dean, University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law (announced March 26, 2024; assumed June 1, 2024)
- Education: University of Memphis, BBA (1986), JD with honors (1989); Christian Brothers High School (Class of 1982)
Main Story
On October 22, 1963, Jim Strickland was born. Decades later, he would become a central figure in Memphis history and civic life. After graduating from Christian Brothers High School and earning both his business and law degrees from the University of Memphis, Strickland practiced law and entered public service on the Memphis City Council. In 2015, voters chose him as the city’s 64th mayor, and he served two terms from 2016 through the end of 2023, a period that included major challenges and long-term city investments.
University and city records document priorities from his administration that touched everyday life in the Bluff City: expanding the public library system, advancing economic development and job creation, and launching Accelerate Memphis to invest in neighborhoods, parks, community centers, and city assets. Those efforts were framed by a “brilliant at the basics” approach to core services and, during his second term, by the city’s COVID-19 response, including mass vaccination operations. These initiatives aimed to strengthen communities from Beale Street to every ZIP in the 901.
Legacy
Strickland’s birthday marks the start of a career that left an imprint on City Hall and continues in the classroom. After completing his mayoral service on December 31, 2023, he returned to his alma mater and, effective June 1, 2024, became dean of the University of Memphis law school. In that role, he now helps train the next generation of attorneys and civic leaders who will shape Memphis’ future. Whether measured in improved services, neighborhood investments, or mentoring new public servants, his path underscores how local leadership continues to define Memphis history and identity.
Keywords: Memphis history, 901, Beale Street, Bluff City
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Strickland_(politician), https://www.memphis.edu/mediaroom/releases/2024/march/jim-strickland-name-as-dean-of-law-school.php, https://www.memphis.edu/law/faculty-staff/strickland.php, https://www.memphis.edu/commencement/december18/about-strickland.php, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Young_(American_politician)
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