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Hattiloo Theatre raises the curtain on city’s cultural identity for 20 years

By , Daily Memphian Updated: September 27, 2026 4:00 AM CT | Published: September 27, 2026 4:00 AM CT

This year’s Spirit of Memphis award recipient Ekundayo Bandele discusses how a self-described introvert went from rap battles in Brooklyn to running one the nation’s four freestanding Black theaters.

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Ekundayo Bandele Debbie Litch Whitney Jo Hattiloo Theatre Subscriber Only

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Noah McLane

Noah McLane

Noah McLane reports on business for The Daily Memphian. He was born and raised in Tennessee and attended journalism school at Middle Tennessee State University, where his passion for community-focused storytelling blossomed.

Prior to writing for the business section, Noah was the editor-in-chief of his college newspaper, worked on general assignment for the Jackson Hole News & Guide in Jackson, Wyoming, and was most recently the statehouse reporter for The Daily Memphian.


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