REVIVAL MEMPHIS

REVIVAL MEMPHIS

VISION 2.0 PROGRAMS

Vision 2.0 - Revival Memphis
Revival Memphis Vision 2.0 is the forward-looking mission being implemented by the founders of Memphis In May, established 45 years ago in 1977, after the tragedy that befell Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the aftermath that turned downtown Memphis into a desolate environment both culturally and economically. Blacks and whites came together to form Memphis in May in order to create events and global outreach to nations around the world for the mutual benefit of all involved — and those efforts catalyzed a profound turnaround and transformation for downtown Memphis, with economic, educational and cultural impacts that are lasting to this day. 
 
The founders of Memphis in May are the founders of Revival Memphis 501(c)(3), which has been specifically set up to carry forward the vital lessons learned 45 years ago, with the implementation of Vision 2.0 programs that include the Lesson Plans, Rebirth on the River documentary, New Visions Exchange, New Visions Conference, Vision 2.0 Mixers, and the Best of Memphis.

LEARN THE MEMPHIS MODEL

When Diverse People Must Coexist: Acting in a Crisis and Using Diversity to Make Lasting Positive ChangeLesson summary: After centuries of adversity, a unifying diversity. The Memphis economy declined sharply after 1968 and fell behind other major cities in the South. In 1977 & later, the diverse founders of Memphis in May made their shared efforts a catalyst for change that sparked a rebirth, especially in Downtown Memphis.To read more, view our Lesson Plans page. 

NEW VISIONS CONFERENCE

The New Visions Conference will be an annual 3-day gathering, currently planned to take place at the Orpheum Theatre and Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education, along with partner hotel/s, to bring together diverse new visionaries and prospective collaborators and supporters to meet, learn from each other, and work together. 
The event is projected to start with a Friday evening kick-off reception with all participants, followed by a day of panel discussions, a Saturday evening networking gala, then a final get-together on Sunday where Memphians with new visions and innovations for the city can initiate significant discussions with co-creators, civic allies, potential sponsors, and mentors who might help bring concepts to light and life in myriad ways. The first New Visions Conference is in the planning stages for 2024.

NEW VISIONS EXCHANGE

The New Vision Exchange will be an online interchange where creators of new visions or innovations can post concise listings in the categories of Civic/Public Service, Faith-Based, Non-Profit or Private Sector. Each category will build catalogues of these listings, and interested collaborators, financial supporters, and mentors wanting to give back to society can contact the visionaries of their choice to potentially get involved. The diverse visionaries and innovators can be all ages and from all walks of life, providing opportunities for anyone to present new ideas.

VISION 2.0 MIXERS

Vision 2.0 is the platform for all forward-looking initiatives of Revival Memphis 501(c)(3). This has already begun with regular mixers bringing together a diversity of Memphis visionaries and innovators of tomorrow, where we do a lot of listening to their new ideas, provide guidance and support to help them realize their aspirations and goals. The Vision 2.0 mixers have been quarterly in 2022, and Revival Memphis has plans to do them monthly in 2023, increasing the number of future Memphis visionaries in coming months and years.

REBIRTH ON THE RIVER DOCUMENTARY

Rebirth on the River is a documentary about how a diverse group of Black and white Memphians came together for a common cause after the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike and the tragic passing of Dr. Martin Luther King in 1968. These two unfortunate events sparked a cultural and economic depression that lasted for more than a decade. The unique group of young leaders coalesced around a shared vision to help turn their city around. They created THE MEMPHIS MODEL of diverse people working successfully together.

Their idea was the creation of a festival called Memphis in May, using strategies that reintroduced people to downtown Memphis. They developed annual events including the now-famous Beale Street Music Festival, World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and the Sunset Symphony with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. They started honoring a different foreign country annually. This has led to international business relationships with other countries, starting with Japan in 1977 and has continued over a span of more than 40 years.

To read more, view our Documentary page. 

BEST OF MEMPHIS

Memphis Books, Music, Films, Memorabilia & More
Best of Memphis will be the nexus where books by and about Memphis, music created by Memphians, films made by and about Memphis, memorabilia, and items TBD can be offered to the general public, all in an online 1-stop. This will support a diversity of Memphis creators, and a small percentage of proceeds will be donated to Revival Memphis 501(c)(3) to help the organization sustain and grow its programs, projects and initiatives on behalf of Memphis and its people.