- Why are you asking for my financial support? How do you make your money?
- The Soulsville Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so we must depend on the generosity of many individuals, businesses, and foundations to fulfill our mission.
The Stax Museum, Stax Music Academy, and The Soulsville Charter School exist today because many thousands of people from all over the world were willing to put their hard work and support behind their dream for this community.
We succeed only because of the financial contributions we receive from all those who value our mission. Please join them so that this legacy may endure forever.
- The Soulsville Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so we must depend on the generosity of many individuals, businesses, and foundations to fulfill our mission.
- Why is your neighborhood called Soulsville, USA? What can you tell me about the neighborhood?
- Soulsville, USA became a nickname for the south Memphis community surrounding Stax Records in the mid-1960s to contrast it with the slicker, more polished style of rival Motown Records in Detroit…aka “Hitsville, USA.” Soulsville, USA was emblazoned on the world-famous Stax marquee for years and, even after Stax went out of business, continued to be the neighborhood’s nickname.
When Stax Records folded in the mid-1970’s, the community suffered tremendously. Today, the ZIP codes of 38106 and 38126—which comprise Soulsville, USA—are two of the most impoverished ZIP codes in America, according to recent Census data. The population of the community is more than 99% African-American, and the annual average household income is approximately $12,000.00.
- Soulsville, USA became a nickname for the south Memphis community surrounding Stax Records in the mid-1960s to contrast it with the slicker, more polished style of rival Motown Records in Detroit…aka “Hitsville, USA.” Soulsville, USA was emblazoned on the world-famous Stax marquee for years and, even after Stax went out of business, continued to be the neighborhood’s nickname.
- Why is Soulsville, USA such an important, historic community?
- Stax Records and its legacy have always been tremendously important to the people of this community. Prior to the Stax era, however, Soulsville, USA was a successful, stable, middle-class, black neighborhood with deep roots in both the music and business worlds. It was home to J.E. Walker, founder of the Universal Life Insurance Company and one of Memphis’ first African-American millionaires. Among its notable houses of worship was Rev. Herbert Brewster's East Trigg Avenue Baptist church, where a young Elvis Presley was first exposed to gospel music. The neighborhood is the birthplace and childhood home of a variety of legendary artists and musicians, including Aretha Franklin, Booker T. Jones and David Porter of Stax Records, rock legend Johnny Ace, Maurice White of Earth, Wind, and Fire, gospel composer Lucie Campbell, and jazz legends Calvin and Phineas Newborn.
Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios, the home of Stax rival Hi Records, continues to be a sought-after recording destination, bringing artists from around the world to Soulsville.
- Stax Records and its legacy have always been tremendously important to the people of this community. Prior to the Stax era, however, Soulsville, USA was a successful, stable, middle-class, black neighborhood with deep roots in both the music and business worlds. It was home to J.E. Walker, founder of the Universal Life Insurance Company and one of Memphis’ first African-American millionaires. Among its notable houses of worship was Rev. Herbert Brewster's East Trigg Avenue Baptist church, where a young Elvis Presley was first exposed to gospel music. The neighborhood is the birthplace and childhood home of a variety of legendary artists and musicians, including Aretha Franklin, Booker T. Jones and David Porter of Stax Records, rock legend Johnny Ace, Maurice White of Earth, Wind, and Fire, gospel composer Lucie Campbell, and jazz legends Calvin and Phineas Newborn.
- What is the relationship between the Soulsville Foundation and Stax Records?
- Stax Records is a for-profit record company, wholly owned by the Concord Music Group of Beverly Hills, CA. The Stax name and brand have been granted exclusive license to the Soulsville Foundation. The Soulsville Foundation is not a record company or a distributor, and has no power to affect the operations or decisions of Stax Records or Concord Music Group.
The Soulsville Foundation operates two distinctly different educational programs: the Stax Music Academy and The Soulsville Charter School. In addition to serving the educational and mentoring needs of young people, we invite music lovers from around the world to experience the legacy of "the Memphis sound" at the Stax Museum.
- Stax Records is a for-profit record company, wholly owned by the Concord Music Group of Beverly Hills, CA. The Stax name and brand have been granted exclusive license to the Soulsville Foundation. The Soulsville Foundation is not a record company or a distributor, and has no power to affect the operations or decisions of Stax Records or Concord Music Group.
- I’m a member of the media. Can you help me arrange an interview with a former Stax artist?
- Please contact Tim Sampson, Director of Communication, for assistance:
or 901 946 2535, ext. 324.
- Please contact Tim Sampson, Director of Communication, for assistance:
or 901 946 2535, ext. 324.
- Can I come to Soulsville and make a recording? Is there still a studio at 926 East McLemore Avenue?
- Professional recording facilities are not available to the general public on the Soulsville campus. We do have a small demo recording studio in the Stax Music Academy, which is used primarily by students learning the art of production and recording.
Also, the Stax Museum does feature a scale replica of its legendary Studio A, where famed recordings by Booker T. and the MGs, Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Isaac Hayes, and hundreds of others were cut. This exhibit is part of the regular museum tour and can be enjoyed by museum visitors during regular operating hours.
- Professional recording facilities are not available to the general public on the Soulsville campus. We do have a small demo recording studio in the Stax Music Academy, which is used primarily by students learning the art of production and recording.
- Do you operate a performing arts school? How do I get in?
- We are not a performing arts school. The Stax Music Academy uses music and performance as tools to mentor young people, and to equip with them with valuable life lessons and experiences that we hope will serve them for the rest of their lives.
We are not necessarily interested in creating the next generation of Stax superstars—our focus is on giving young people, particularly at-risk, inner-city youth, a safe, secure place to interact with positive adult role models, express themselves, and develop the self-confidence and work ethic they need to succeed. Please click here to learn more or if you know a child who would benefit from this kind of programming.
- We are not a performing arts school. The Stax Music Academy uses music and performance as tools to mentor young people, and to equip with them with valuable life lessons and experiences that we hope will serve them for the rest of their lives.
- What is a charter school? Is it the same thing as a private school?
- The Soulsville Charter School is a Type-1, public charter school focused on providing academically rigorous college preparatory education in a highly structured learning environment. It is not a private school, and receives per pupil funding from the State of Tennessee. The many unique enhancements to our curriculum are made possible by generous individual gifts and foundation grants. We currently have 180 students in grades 6 – 8, and we are always looking for new students. Please click here to learn more about The Soulsville Charter School and its application requirements.
- The Soulsville Charter School is a Type-1, public charter school focused on providing academically rigorous college preparatory education in a highly structured learning environment. It is not a private school, and receives per pupil funding from the State of Tennessee. The many unique enhancements to our curriculum are made possible by generous individual gifts and foundation grants. We currently have 180 students in grades 6 – 8, and we are always looking for new students. Please click here to learn more about The Soulsville Charter School and its application requirements.
- Do you receive money from the City of Memphis or the State of Tennessee?
- Both the City and State contributed to our capital campaign in the early 2000’s. Since then, we have been the fortunate recipients of smaller grants from both entities for specific programs and exhibits in the Stax Museum.
- Both the City and State contributed to our capital campaign in the early 2000’s. Since then, we have been the fortunate recipients of smaller grants from both entities for specific programs and exhibits in the Stax Museum.
- How can I sponsor a single child or specific group of children to attend the Stax Music Academy?
- To protect the anonymity and dignity of our students, a donor may ask that his or her gift be restricted to the Stax Music Academy, but not necessarily to any one child or group of children. These contributions will go to our Soul Child Scholarship Fund, where they will be used to support the experience of as many students as possible at any given time.
The cost to Soulsville for each student who attends our programs ranges from $900 - $1,800. A vast majority of the students we serve are unable to meet our nominal tuition costs. Financial assistance is offered to every eligible student who applies. Each year, approximately 9 out of every 10 Academy students receive some form of financial assistance, with 80% of them receiving the highest possible reduction (90%) in their tuition. Your gifts fund the balance in operating costs, allowing us to serve the greatest number of children with the highest-quality music education, performance experiences, and vital mentoring.
- To protect the anonymity and dignity of our students, a donor may ask that his or her gift be restricted to the Stax Music Academy, but not necessarily to any one child or group of children. These contributions will go to our Soul Child Scholarship Fund, where they will be used to support the experience of as many students as possible at any given time.
More questions? Please contact , Fund Development Manager, for questions regarding your support of the Soulsville Foundation. Media inquiries should be directed to , Media and Marketing Manager.
