HBG Design’s 2025 KBCI Volunteer Days: Beautifying The Pinch District with Memphis City Beautiful
Part 1: Memphis Leads the Way in Community Impact and Urban Renewal
At HBG Design, our commitment to community engagement shines through the Kirk Bobo Creating Impact (KBCI) Grant and Outreach Initiative—an annual program named in honor of co-founder Kirk Bobo. This initiative blends volunteerism, financial support, and design expertise to create lasting positive change in the communities where we live and work.
This year, our Memphis, San Diego, and Dallas offices each teamed up with local nonprofits to make a tangible difference through KBCI Volunteer Days. First up, our Memphis team took to the heart of downtown for a project that brought new life to one of the city’s most visible streets.
On Friday, October 24, our Memphis office partnered with Memphis City Beautiful, the nation’s first and longest-running beautification commission, for a day dedicated to cleaning and greening North Main Street—just steps away from the iconic Memphis Pyramid.
Memphis City Beautiful organized the event alongside their partner organizations, Memphis Native Tree Works and the Memphis Medical District Collaborative, bringing together a coalition of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the downtown environment.
Our HBG Design volunteers rolled up their sleeves to:
-
🌿 Replant and refresh large planters lining North Main Street with vibrant new greenery,
-
🧹 Clear litter and debris from sidewalks and curbs, and
-
✨ Restore curb appeal and pedestrian appeal to one of Memphis’s most historic corridors.
What began as a morning of teamwork quickly transformed into a celebration of collaboration, camaraderie, and civic pride. The group’s efforts created a more inviting experience for residents, visitors, and local businesses along this key downtown thoroughfare.
“It’s amazing to see how a few hours of teamwork and creativity can make such a visible difference,” said one volunteer. “We’re proud to play a small part in keeping Memphis beautiful.”
Working Together for a Greener Memphis
Founded in 1930, Memphis City Beautiful continues to set the national standard for environmental stewardship and community pride. Their mission—to create a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful Memphis—perfectly aligns with HBG Design’s belief in the power of design and service to improve quality of life.
This year’s effort was strengthened through collaboration with Memphis Native Tree Works, an organization that promotes the use of native plants and trees to support sustainable urban ecosystems, and the Memphis Medical District Collaborative, which works to enhance the livability and connectivity of the city’s core neighborhoods.
Together, these groups—and our HBG volunteers—helped re-energize North Main Street through teamwork and shared vision.
Continuing Our Partnership with Memphis City Beautiful
Founded in 1930, Memphis City Beautiful continues to set the standard for environmental stewardship and community pride. Its mission—to create a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful Memphis—aligns perfectly with HBG Design’s belief in the power of design and service to improve quality of life.
This ongoing partnership allows our team to combine hands-on volunteerism with a shared vision for urban renewal and civic responsibility.
Honoring Kirk Bobo’s Legacy
Through each KBCI project, we honor Kirk Bobo’s enduring legacy of giving back. His belief that design should make a positive impact—in the built environment and beyond—continues to inspire how we engage with our communities today.
This year’s North Main Street cleanup not only beautified a key downtown area but also strengthened the bond between our colleagues, our city, and the greater purpose behind our work.
Looking Ahead
With Memphis leading the way, our San Diego and Dallas offices will soon host their own KBCI Volunteer Days, each partnering with local organizations to uplift their surrounding communities. Stay tuned for more stories of service, creativity, and impact as the KBCI initiative continues across the country.
Together, we’re transforming communities—one project, one partnership, and one act of service at a time.
A Magical Memphis Evening: BBQ, Breezes & Big Cheers at HBGathers+
What happens when you combine a perfect summer evening, savory barbecue, and the smooth, soulful sounds of Nashville’s own Saaneah? You get HBGathers+ Memphis—an
unforgettable night under the stars that brought our team together in the heart of the city we love.
Held at the iconic Overton Park Shell, this year’s annual HBGathers+ event was all about celebrating connection, community, and the people who make HBG Design such a vibrant place to work. With golden sunlight fading into a warm dusk, team members and their families gathered on the venue’s elevated decks, enjoying cool breezes through the oaks and unbeatable views of the stage and each other.
From the first bite of mouthwatering BBQ to the last note of Saaneah’s effortlessly cool performance, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric—easy conversation, genuine laughter, and the kind of camaraderie that comes from years of shared creativity and collaboration.
At HBG Design, we believe in making space to celebrate each other—and HBGathers is how we do just that. Every year, each of our
office locations hosts their own HBGathers event at a fun, local destination. These gatherings are a time for our teams to connect outside the studio, enjoy great food and entertainment, and just have fun together. It’s one of our favorite traditions, and a reminder that our culture is built just as much on personal connection as it is on professional collaboration.
Events like HBGathers+ are more than just a fun night out. They’re a reflection of who we are: a team that values connection, celebrates our people, and thrives on creating memorable experiences—both in our designs and in our shared moments together.
And the celebration doesn’t stop here—HBGathers events are happening in our San Diego and Dallas offices too. Stay tuned for more highlights!
Here’s to more magical nights like this one.