I had the opportunity to attend the Leadership Academy’s Celebrate What’s Right luncheon recently which featured Memphis music icons, Al Bell, Kirk Whalum and Dean Deyo in partnership with the Memphis Music Foundation.

The room was surprisingly filled with a number of college-aged Memphians who are currently experiencing our city’s culture and workforce in the Leadership Academy’s The Summer Experience internship program.  I may be a bit poetic but, I was truly proud to see the juxtaposition between our city’s legends and our city’s future…all in one room.

As a young fine artist moving to Memphis, I remember a helpful Memphian, in the airport, telling my mother that I must attend Watkins Overton High School because it was simply the city’s best creative and performing arts school.  And so I did.

While at Overton, I was surrounded by many, now successful, creative types, including Kirk Whalum’s nephews.  I also had the opportunity to hone in on my craft which has culminated in more than twenty art exhibitions, a public mural through the Urban Art Commission and most importantly (in my opinion) a passion for connecting art enthusiasts with our city’s emerging artists.

At the luncheon, held at Rumba Room, Kirk talked about how at the tender age of twelve he was loaned a school-owned saxophone and the first song he mastered was Amazing Grace. He went on to explain the impact art in schools have and how exposure to the arts can serve as a catalyst for growth and opportunity.

Here’s the proof…today the 45-member Overton High School Woodwind Ensemble will perform with Grammy-winning Kirk Whalum at the world renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City. Many of them have previously never been out of our city and many of them will forever be changed. So to them, to the interns that attend the luncheon and to you, I say, may the sky be the limit and creativity be your aircraft.

Music