The New Memphis Institute works to make Memphis “magnetic.” What that means in practical terms is that they aim to get folks rooted and engaged, because if you’re involved in your community, chances are you’ll stay in that community.
They have three programs: Embark for 20-somethings; Fellows for those in their 30s; and Intensive Senior Executive for director types. They hold “Instant Memphian” events for newcomers, teaching them the Tiger fight song or pointing them to a good barbecue spot. Their popular Exposure day event, held around the first of September (9-01), involves a celebrity kickball day and beer.
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Calling all Bluff City history buffs
“Memphis 101” is an event they hold regularly. It’s led by Jon Campbell and Ken Taylor. “It’s history class, essentially,” says Anna Thompson, communications specialist for New Memphis. “Why we are where we’re at, to make more sense of this.”
The next “Memphis 101” will be Tuesday, March 19th, at the National Civil Rights Museum.
The event is described as a crash course that will explore “why Memphis is the place it is today and how our history impacts where we are headed.”
The evening will be divided into themes like music, food, politics, etc.
“We’ll go into why we were a music hub and what being a birthplace of rock-and-roll did for other music of today,” Thompson says.
Thompson says they’ll also get into some uncomfortable topics, such as systematic repression.
Thompson notes that the class may be of special interest because of the upcoming Memphis bicentennial. Folks should know what’s what.
And, it’s worth pointing out there there will be food and drink at the event: Central BBQ and local beers. Very Memphis.
“Memphis 101” at the National Civil Rights Museum, Tuesday, March 19th, 6-8 p.m. RSVPs required: newmemphis.org/events
