Written by Olivia Cyrus
Shelby County A to Z highlights the vibrancy of our community, thanks to the unwavering support and enthusiasm of our community partners. From wildlife conservation to the performing arts to history, the partnerships cultivated with each organization help showcase what makes Shelby County truly special. Take a look at some of the partners involved and their impact on our community:
Memphis Zoo
Nick Harmeier, Chief Marketing Officer at the Memphis Zoo, believes that what defines the zoo is not its variety of over 3,500 animals or the entertainment value found in its exhibits. Rather, Harmeier believes that the Memphis Zoo’s purpose is to “create adventures” for each and every patron.
“Our primary role is to inspire visitors to care about and conserve the natural world,” he said. “We achieve this through education, conservation efforts, and providing an engaging and immersive experience for all ages.”
Furthermore, the zoo seeks to cultivate, amongst visitors, an intrinsic motivation towards conserving and respecting Earth’s biodiversity. The Memphis Zoo’s partnership with Shelby County A to Z is one avenue through which the zoo aims to inform the community.
“Recognizing both organizations’ complementary strengths and missions, we saw an opportunity to collaborate on projects that highlight the best of what Shelby County has to offer.”
According to Harmeier, the partnership is a byproduct of a shared vision to uplift Shelby County, its history, and opportunities. The collaboration also presents a chance for the zoo to provide a comprehensive experience that integrates entertainment with community pride and “[inspires] community members to appreciate and preserve our local heritage and natural resources.”
Orpheum Theatre Group
At the corner of South Main and Beale Street, Memphis’ Orpheum Theatre is a staple that provides quality arts education to thespians and casual performance go-ers alike. From the Renaissance-esque interior of the main theater to the intimate stage within the Halloran Centre, the Orpheum Theatre Group has provided spaces to renowned musicians, Broadway performers, and local children’s camps.
Jennifer Mcgrath, Vice President of Education, Community Engagement, and Halloran Centre Programming, says that the group strives to act as a “cultural beacon and catalyst for positive change.”
In working with Shelby County A to Z, the arts group hopes to educate youth on the joy arts experiences can bring and how they can use their creativity to make their communities better. McGrath also hopes this relationship will help craft and share a “narrative” about what Shelby County truly is.
“[Shelby County] is one of the most arts and culture-rich [counties] in the nation, but unfortunately, our narrative is often centered around negative things,” she said. With Shelby County A to Z, she is grateful to have an opportunity to illuminate the “phenomenal and positive things happening right here” as well as “[create] hope for our future.”
National Civil Rights Museum
The National Civil Rights Museum has served as an edifice for honoring both the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the significant strides towards equity and equality made by the American Civil Rights Movement.
As put by Tiffany Graham, Chief Marketing & Development Officer at the National Civil Rights Museum, the museum seeks to “educate and tell the story of the ongoing struggle for human rights and serve as a catalyst to inspire action to create positive social change.”
A destination for education and enlightenment for approximately 300,000 people each year, the museum draws visitors from all walks of life. From honoring global civil rights icons at the Freedom Awards to distributing thousands of books focused on diverse representation at the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival, the museum engages varied audiences and demographics towards fulfilling its educational mission.
The museum was featured in the Shelby County A to Z children’s book under the letter N for National Civil Rights Museum.
When asked about the importance of books like Shelby County A to Z towards uplifting the community, Graham says that they are “critically important.”
“Shelby County is full of resources and opportunity, and we need to continue to share them broadly with our citizens. My greatest hope is that projects like Shelby County A to Z will also reinforce pride in our community and encourage everyone to be civically engaged.”
The Shelby County A to Z Community Expo will be held at the Benjamin Hooks Library on August 17th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To learn more about the event and our community partners, go to shelbycountyatoz.com.