Throughout her career, the positions held by Latasha Harris have come with important benefits: Health insurance. Retirement plans. Professional development opportunities that lead to advancement.

Yet, as she’s acutely aware, not everyone has been so fortunate. In the Memphis Medical District, for example, the median household income is $19,125 — with 43% of residents living below the poverty line, according to an article Harris co-wrote for the Brookings Institute.