One of our Soulsville Charter School graduates, Keosha Stewart (class of 2013), has recently joined the Stax Museum of American Soul Music at its new Education Manager. Keosha attended Soulsville for six years before leaving us to attend Barnard College at Columbia University in New York, followed by stints in operations and assistant teaching at Libertas School and Memphis Delta Prep in Memphis. Asked how coming back to Soulsville after all these years to become the Stax Museum’s Education Manager, she says:
“Many years ago, as an 11-year-old sixth grader at Soulsville Charter School, I remembered seeing Isaac Hayes’ car spinning on an elevated platform and being completely in awe that someone in Memphis drove something so fanciful, beautiful, and regal.
“After completing my education at Soulsville, I remained indebted to the artists and executives who paved the way for people who were authentically Memphis and successful. I carried this love for home and, more importantly, my passion for Soulsville to New York.
“Throughout college, I knew I wanted to return to celebrate and uplift the legacy of Stax Records and provide others with an avenue for education.
“My return to Soulsville and seeing Ike’s car was like a Cinderella moment for me, where the shoe fit just right and was meant to be. Now, I am in a position to create unique educational experiences for the community of Memphis and collaboratively invite others to delve deeply into the soul of Stax with interactive exhibits and Family Days.
“I am honored that I can continue working in the legacy of so many artists who started in the Soulsville community, some of whom continue to be active in the foundation, museum, and school in a myriad of ways.”
