I Love Memphis

Why should you love Memphis? Evie Fowler covers impressive changes in our city and the people behind them. ​

I love Memphis. This is the place where I have been lucky enough to live my whole life. However, the Memphis that we all know is not the same place as it was in the past. Many individuals have done their part to help create the vibrant, welcoming, big-small town that we all know and love.

Boo Mitchell seems like the type of guy you would imagine sitting in his swanky midtown Royal Studios office, his feet propped up on his desk, smoothly answering any question thrown his way. While he is very hip and proficient in answering questions, Mitchell is also down to earth, humble and amazing. As the owner of Royal Studios, he has been steeped in Memphis’ music scene for quite some time. Growing up in Memphis, Mitchell’s father, Willie Mitchell, was the previous owner of the studio, providing Mitchell with the opportunity to be surrounded with artists like Al Green, The Temptations, and The Doobie Brothers.

When reflecting on Memphis’ music scene, Mitchell stated, “Music in Memphis is different because people in Memphis … we’re so independent. Some of the other places are making music to cater to different audiences.” He continued by saying, “People in Memphis don’t really care what anyone else thinks. We still don’t. We just make the music that we want to make.” This touch of independence and natural born talent is what has led him to being a part of such famous records as for Al Green, Mark Ronson, and John Mayer. In fact, in 2015, he was nominated for and won the GRAMMY for Record of the Year for his work on “Uptown Funk” with Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. His association with the GRAMMY’s is not only limited to that award; he is also a part of the GRAMMY Foundation. He stated, “It feels good to be able to give back to the music community. Just giving back and helping others has always been a big part of my family and how I was raised, so being on the GRAMMY board has just been awesome.” In this role, Mitchell has been able to help get laws passed for different musical concepts such as the Music Modernization Act. Speaking on the growth of Memphis’ music, Mitchell explained, “I know Memphis is going to keep its spirit of independence, but I hope that our music scene gets bigger and our music transcends and makes records all around the world.”

Bob Loeb, another native Memphian, has been a major contributor to Memphis’ growth. Loeb, president of Loeb Industries, Inc., is credited with much of the recent development of many of the 901’s most loved locations including Overton Square, the Highland Strip, and the Broad Avenue Arts District. After graduating from Memphis University School and attending Southern Methodist University, he knew that he wanted to return to Memphis. Loeb reflected, “I always knew I would be back here, running a business, but I didn’t know what it would be. The opportunity to help your community presents itself constantly in ever-changing ways. There is always need, and always an opportunity to serve. You just need to pick what fits you at the moment.”

Following his own sentiments, he did, in fact, pick the right opportunity to serve when he decided to take over revamping Overton Square. Growing up, he was never in the Overton Square area much, seeing as it was a place for a much older crowd. However, this did not stop him from “admiring it from afar” and spearheading the project that has made it one of the city’s most beloved districts. Improvements continue, in fact, with the construction of a new hotel in Overton Square. Loeb said that this hotel will “give the Playhouse on the Square, Hattiloo and Ballet Memphis an opportunity to create a regional performing arts district, which would be really cool for our region.” Construction will start this summer for the seven story hotel, projected to be opening in autumn 2020.

Monica Skipper, vice president of brand experience marketing at FedEx, is another influential Memphian bettering our city. Having lived in Memphis for all of her adult life, Skipper began working at FedEx in 2000 and her role as VP in 2014. In this role, she promotes the FedEx brand through advertising. This has also given her the opportunity to travel all over the world, attend the Super Bowl, and work to bring the World Golf Championship (WGC) to Memphis for the first time. In speaking about the philanthropy from FedEx, Skipper explained, “FedEx is an incredibly generous corporate citizen. We sponsor and support a little bit of everything in the Memphis community: the Grizzlies, the Redbirds, Memphis Tigers, the University of Memphis/FedEx Institute of Technology, the FedExForum, the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the St. Jude Marathon, and the Southern Heritage Classic. And this list is not exhaustive. Notably, bringing the WGC to Memphis will elevate Memphis on the PGA Tour and provide St. Jude with a broader fundraising platform.” With all of these amazing, Memphis events and places sponsored, it is no wonder that FedEx has created so much positive change for Memphis, and Skipper is able to contribute through her work as well.

Fueled by their love of Memphis, these Memphians, among so many others, are working everyday to serve and better the city, and as a result of that, the world. Keep your eyes open wide for these people who are making Memphis a better place one lovely song, building and fundraiser at a time.