Spring is the beautiful reminder we all need that new things are coming.

Instead of letting 2020 turn us into Scrooges this Christmas season, we’ll all be finding new ways to be merry in Memphis. This holiday season Theatre Memphis helps us hold the old traditions close so we support the new things to come.

Ida B. Wells is a picture of the true spirit of Memphis. She championed the rights of the oppressed in our city, even in the face of unimaginable hardship and danger. Her struggle paved the way to freedom for others, and left a legacy of hustle and grit that runs deep in our city today.

Most Memphians are familiar with the verdant Tom Lee Park located downtown on the riverfront; however few are familiar with the heroic story of this park’s namesake. Take a minute to read the story of Tom Lee’s harrowing rescue on the Mighty Mississippi – what a display of the type of courage our city is built on.

Memphis has quite a story to tell. And perhaps it’s a story best told through music. But I’m not just listening to the music. I’m listening to the stories behind the music. I’m listening to the history of a people who have shown a brilliant resilience in the face of oppression and injustice, poverty and destruction. We have a story to tell and it’s not over yet. That makes me want to listen.

In a city full of challenges and opportunities the non-profits of Memphis are defined by their contagious passion for the communities which they serve, while exhibiting deep commitment to their families and neighborhoods. Especially now – in the midst of trying times – their impact is moving, and their dedication is inspiring.

As we navigate turbulent circumstances and confront our city’s complex past, may we support our artists who inspire, create, and dream for the future. They are on the front lines of hope, helping us all believe in Memphis.

The coronavirus pandemic has upended life as we know it. In an almost unprecedented and eerily warlike manner, all that is familiar has suddenly changed. This crisis is generation-defining and world-changing. But in the midst of this, living in Memphis Makes Me Hopeful.