08-04-2025
Empowering Memphis: Artists drive change through the arts
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Every Tuesday as part of our Greater Memphis on a Mission series, we highlight organizations making Memphis better. This week, we caught up with a group that believes in community, connection, and meaningful engagement.
Ox Logan is a hip-hop artist and artist-activist. He joined Memphis Artists for Change because he wanted to be part of the positive influence in the community.
'It has provided me with resources and workshops to exercise these thought processes that i have to actually see them in action. The opportunity to be hands-on in the community,' said Logan.
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Memphis Artists for Change is a nonprofit organization that creates arts-driven community-sanctioned change.
'Oftentimes, people are dismissed because of what others deem to be lack of knowledge or lack of concern or apathy. And truly, we believe every person has the power to change their own environment, their own life,' said founder and executive director Tameka Greer.
The Art House Cafe, which is owned and operated by Greer and her two brothers, is the social enterprise arm of Memphis Artists for Change. On the walls, you'll find works of art by local Black artists.
'Visual artist, making sure that they had space in here as well as Mecca, also doing art gallery showings,' said Geer. 'Providing space for creatives who are singer-songwriters. We have a platform that we call The Back Room, which is our Memphis version of Tiny Desk and it's streamed on our YouTube channel. All local artists, all original music.'
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Creating a home base where the community can gather over great meals, share ideas on how to uplift the community, and implement those ideas was very intentional.
'We believe in investing in one of our richest resources, which is the arts. And we also believe in investing in one of our most neglected resources, which is the people,' Greer said.
That is why Brown Missionary Baptist Church and the Mid-South Genesis CDC donated $1,000 to Memphis Artists for Change. When you design a space and platform for people to create the change they want, your community will thrive.
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