The Spirit of Memphis lives on the wild side in a feature about a laid-off writer who pursued her passion, and in hard-working Memphians like Phillip Ashley, the founders of Future-Everything, and the Memphis Area Association of Realtors president.

The spirit was strong in beloved coach Jerry C. Johnson, as well as engineer Harvey Marcom.

An ICU nurse and those who volunteer at vaccine sites embody the spirit of Memphis.

And Geoff Caklins told us about Alex Lomax, who wants to “do what it takes to make the city happy,” and Rob Fischer, who considered killing himself but now wants to help others.

Pandemic layoff pushes writer to pursue passion

After being laid off from her writing job, Sami Harvey used her newfound free time to rack up the 200 hours of training need to become a certified rehabilitator and open her own nonprofit, Out of the Woods Wildlife Rescue & Rehab. 

Rob Fischer is the warm, cheerful sideline reporter for the Grizzlies TV broadcasts. He also suffers from suicidal depression. He’s telling his story because he thinks it may help. 

Former players tell stories of the renowned LeMoyne-Owen basketball coach and his ways of teaching.

Engineer Harvey Marcom worked behind the scenes, but he played a big role for nearly six decades in forming the built environment of the Memphis area. The president of The Reaves Firm died on Saturday, Jan. 23.

The going got tough in 2019 and 2020 started with promise followed by disappointment. Then a pivot, a plan, a little luck and well, Oprah, made things happen. But success comes with a cost, too.

‘Nostalgia drives tourism, but Memphis is making new moves now — it’s time to move on from Elvis,’ says Brady Tackett, who makes music as Night Park.

Cassandra Bell-Warren credits her mother and grandmother for the self-confidence and curiosity that has helped her experience the world she never saw from her childhood home in South Memphis. 

Skills of all kinds are needed, and experts say volunteers will be needed for months and months.

Toni Woods feels safer after second dose, but she knows her patients and her mother still need her to keep working, avoid risk.

Alex Lomax said it would be a “dream come true” to lead Memphis back to the NCAA tournament. Against ECU, he kept that dream alive through sheer force of will.

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