In a high-energy episode of Lean In, Commissioner Henri E. Brooks sat down with State Representative Justin J. Pearson (District 86) to discuss the bridge between veteran leadership and a new generation of activists. The conversation moved quickly from the halls of the State House to the frontlines of environmental justice in Memphis, focusing on how to turn community complaints into political power.

A Shared Legacy of Advocacy

The connection between Commissioner Brooks and Representative Pearson runs deep. Brooks revealed that during her time in the Tennessee House, she was suitemates with the late Representative Barbara Cooper—Pearson’s predecessor and mentor.

“Representative Cooper was a natural advocate,” Brooks noted, a trait she clearly sees mirrored in Pearson. Pearson credited the community’s victory over the Byhalia Connection pipeline as the catalyst for his service, proving that when the County Commission and the community stand together, they can defeat multi-billion-dollar corporations.

The Reality of Environmental Racism

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the disproportionate health burdens carried by Southwest Memphis and North Memphis. Pearson cited sobering statistics to illustrate the stakes:

• Cancer Risk: The risk in Southwest Memphis is 4.1 times the national average.

• Air Quality: Shelby County currently holds an “F” grade from the American Lung Association.

• Life Expectancy: Residents in some neighborhoods face life expectancies 20 years shorter than those in wealthier areas like Collierville.

“You can’t forego knocking on your neighbor’s door,” Pearson insisted. “Community power has to show up in our organizations, but also politically. We have to teach the community these facts and then move together.”

The xAI Reality Check

Addressing the recent headlines regarding xAI, Pearson provided a necessary clarification on “community investment.” While the company is worth billions, Pearson noted that those billions aren’t necessarily flowing into housing or infrastructure for the people of 38109.

He discussed the 25% tax revenue ordinance intended for the community but warned that the advisory board meant to oversee these funds has yet to be fully developed. “It’s not a slush fund,” Pearson argued. “We need to ensure this money goes to medical bills and senior home repairs to reduce energy burdens.” He questioned why such “economically viable” facilities are always placed in burdened neighborhoods rather than East Memphis or Germantown.

A New Vision for Tennessee

Pearson didn’t hold back on the challenges at the state level, describing Tennessee as a “lab rat for autocracy.” He highlighted the “trifecta of Republican rule” that has led to:

• The privatization of education through voucher programs.

• The highest healthcare debt in the country due to the refusal to expand Medicaid.

• Gun violence remaining the number one killer of children in the state.

Wisdom and Energy

Commissioner Brooks and Representative Pearson concluded that the future of Memphis depends on the “wisdom of elders and the energy of young people working in tandem.”

“If you want something different, you have to do something different,” Brooks said, endorsing the need for a new vision that prioritizes poverty eradication and affordable housing. Pearson invited listeners to join the movement through his nonprofit, Memphis Community Against Pollution (memphiscap.org), to ensure the community’s vision becomes a reality.