In our city, “soul” isn’t just a word. It’s a feeling, it’s a movement, it’s a vibe. As Memphians, we wear soul with pride. Our city isn’t just the birthplace of musical icons or the city where food, music, and culture come to life.
Our city’s soul is described by generosity that knows no bounds and the thousands of Memphians building community with each other on the daily. It’s the activism that stirring in our hearts, pushing each other and the world to see better and do better. It’s in the limitless innovation fueling insatiable curiosity and so, so much more. Memphis has always been a place of big hearts and even bigger ideas, where the spirit of soul finds its home. So, when you’re seeing your fellow Memphians’ faces across the city, you’re seeing a mirror reflecting our collective pride.
We’ll be sharing stories of how your fellow Memphians connect with our city through food, fitness, music, and so much more! Be sure to keep an eye out for billboards across the city featuring some familiar faces!
Meet Izzy and The Tiny Duck Movement!
“The Tiny Duck Movement started off anonymously to encourage the spread of positivity among my peers at the University of Memphis. As time went on, the amount of ducks being put down increased as well as the number of students discovering me. “That’s duck girl! That’s duck girl!” students would say when they caught me in action. I would watch people completely light up over these tiny ducks and this fueled my energy. Every day it became more popular on social media. Now, there are over 20 students doing their own tiny animals or gestures on campus because one positive act which encouraged the act of another. One act of positivity set off a chain reaction and it will only spread further.” – Izzy Albert
What are your top 3 places you love to visit in Memphis? (restaurants, bars, hangout places, coffee shops, parks, shops, churches, organizations, etc.)
How does Memphis as a city inspire you or impact the work that you do?
When anyone thinks of Memphis the first thing that comes to mind is how dangerous the city is. Crime rates have increased over the last couple of years and this has led to the city being stuck in what feels like an endless cycle of negativity. The community was in need of some positivity. Many fail to realize the great diversity, creativity, resilience and strength that this city possesses, and The Tiny Duck Movement this has allowed me to restore some positivity back into our community. Seeing the community’s reaction to this little positive gesture has inspired me to continue on with spreading positivity.
What are you most excited to see happening in Memphis now?
I am excited for a new nonprofit in Memphis named “Shower Up Memphis” that makes hygiene and showers accessible for everyone. I love would for The Tiny Duck Movement to partner with nonprofits and volunteer organizations to strengthen our community and its people.
Is there another Memphian who has inspired you, impacted the work that you do, or who you’d like to shout out?
When I attended Southwest TN Community College, I met a wonderful leader named Phoenix Worthy. He works in student development, but he also does so much more. He presented me with many opportunities to grow for my future as he always believed in me. This encouragement eventually led me to create The Tiny Duck Movement.
Another Memphian would be Valerie Wince who is a staff member for the Social Work Department at the University of Memphis. She constantly demonstrates her pure inner child joy about the duck movement and it has really encouraged me to continue spreading positivity, especially on those tough days that make me feel like quitting.
How do you hope to inspire change in Memphis?
I believe that positivity is the best way I can inspire change in Memphis. I have seen so many sad faces change to pure excitement from one tiny duck. I have gotten messages about how the ducks encourage students to go to their classes, started a chain reaction of positive actions, and even made work more tolerable for those hard days. One duck can change the mindset of someone’s entire day. So can your one act of kindness.
