Teach901 Back to school Bash Sponsor Spotlight: Mempho Presents
“Everything we do starts with Memphis - the music, the culture, and the people who continue to show up to support live music year after year. We don’t take that support for granted. Giving back isn’t something we think of as a separate initiative - it’s just part of being a Memphis based company. Memphis always shows up for us, so we are going to show up for Memphis.”
Every year, Teach901 hosts the Back to School Bashto celebrate Memphis teachers in the first month of the new school year. It's a night to say thank you to the educators shaping the next generation of Memphis youth, and it wouldn't be possible without partners who believe in investing in the people behind the classroom. This year, we're proud to spotlight Mempho Presents as a title sponsor of the Bash.
We can’t wait to share Mempho Presents’ story, their love for Memphis, and why supporting teachers matters to them.
About Mempho Presents
Mempho Presents is an independent promotion company based right here in Memphis. The team produces high-impact live events and festivals across the city, including Mempho Music Festival, RiverBeat Music Festival, SmokeSlam BBQ Festival, and Shell Daze, bringing together world-class talent, immersive production, and the culture that makes Memphis unlike anywhere else. The company was established in 2017, when a group of industry-leading live event veterans teamed up with several prominent Memphis business leaders to create something special.
In 2027, they'll celebrate 10 years of bringing live music and unforgettable experiences to the city and beyond. At the end of the day, they're not just throwing concerts. They're creating experiences that bring people together, celebrate the spirit of Memphis, and leave people talking about them long after the last song ends. That's what drives everything they do.
What is it about Memphis that makes it worth investing in and celebrating?
“There's something about Memphis that you can feel the moment you get here. This city gave the world the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll, and that same creativity, grit, and originality still show up every day in the artists, chefs, entrepreneurs, and people who call it home. Culture isn't something Memphis tries to create- it's always been part of who we are.
What makes Memphis worth investing in is its authenticity. We're a city that's resilient, proud, and unapologetically ourselves. We've been shaping culture for generations, and we're still doing it today. Investing in Memphis means investing in a community that's already making an impact - you just have the opportunity to help share it with an even bigger audience.”
In what ways does Mempho Presents show up for the city beyond your events?
“We see ourselves as more than event producers - we're proud supporters of the city that's made us who we are, and we believe it's our responsibility to give back. Our festivals have partnered with organizations including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Soulsville Foundation, Indie Memphis, Music Export Memphis, WYXR 91.7 FM, Project Green Fork, City Leadership, and Choose901 to support the people and organizations making Memphis stronger every day. Beyond these partnerships, members of our leadership team also contribute to numerous charitable organizations throughout the Mid-South and across the country.
Our festivals also create hundreds of local jobs each year, from production crews and security teams to vendors, caterers, hospitality staff, and countless others who help bring these events to life. We make it a point to hire local whenever we can, work with Memphis-based businesses, and invest in the next generation through internship and volunteer opportunities. Supporting Memphis has always been part of who we are and how we show up for the city.”
Why did Mempho Presents choose to sponsor the Back to School Bash?
“Teachers have always been an important audience we want to reach and extend opportunities to experience live music to. That's why we offer discounted tickets to teachers, along with students, military members, and first responders. We want the people who give so much to this city to be able to experience what we create. The Back to School Bash grew out of that same mindset - it is our way of saying thank you and giving educators a chance to celebrate before the school year gets underway.
Teachers are doing some of the hardest, most important work in this city, often with the least recognition for it. At Mempho, we spend our time trying to create moments people remember. Teachers are doing that every single day in a classroom, usually with a lot less budget and a lot more patience than we need for a festival weekend. Getting to say thank you is a small gesture next to what they give the city year-round, but we hope it's a genuine one.”
Huge thank you to Mempho Presents for showing up for Memphis teachers, and for helping make the Back to School Bash possible. We are so grateful for your continued investment in Memphis.
