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 Kathryn Hicks
Kathryn Hicks is the Chief of Games and Technology for Baron Von Opperbean and The River of Time, an immersive XR adventure coming to Mud Island. As the founder of Creature Studio, Kathryn specializes in character-driven extended reality (XR) experiences. With a background in AR and VR, she has worked on notable projects like HBO’s House of the Dragon Snapchat campaign. Her passion for storytelling, game design, and community-focused projects has made her a leader in Memphis’ immersive entertainment scene.
What are your top 3 places you love to visit in Memphis?
- South Main Arts District: I’m drawn to the Central Station Hotel, Bishop’s Door [ my favorite door ], and Arrive Hotel. I frequently hit up coffee spots like Hustle & Dough in Arrive Hotel and Dr. Beans. While I miss the old Puck Food Hall during Trolley Nights, I’m pumped about new developments like the upcoming Level Up Memphis a gaming speakeasy bar.
- Commonwealth Building area: The Landis Blair illustration area in the Commonwealth Building is a hidden gem, and Boycott Coffee is a favorite of mine. The architecture in this area, including the YMCA, Commonwealth, and Sterrick buildings, is simply stunning.
- Crosstown Concourse: I tend to gravitate towards this place when I want to get out of the house. There’s always something happening on weekends, from events to art galleries. The Art Bar is particularly magical – it’s like stepping into one of those enchanted, expansive tents from Harry Potter.
Honorable mentions:
- Bog & Barley: This Irish restaurant has incredible interior design, attention to detail, and delicious food. It’s a treat every time I come in.
- Broad Avenue and Cooper-Young: These areas hold a special place in my heart. Broad Avenue brings back fond memories of my undergrad days at River Arts Fest. I like going to spots like Sugar Ghost, City & State coffee, and more. Cooper-Young has its own unique charm that keeps drawing me back.
How does Memphis as a city inspire you or impact the work that you do?
Memphis’s vibrant art, tech, and entrepreneurship scenes significantly influence my work. Places like Epicenter are hotbeds of innovation that constantly inspire me. The HungryTigerFoodClub, led by SunAh Laybourn, fuels my creativity through culinary adventures. My experiences here, from college through freelancing and game jams to my current startup, have shaped my growth tremendously.
The local coffee culture, particularly events like Edible Memphis’s Iced Coffee ChampionSip in July, has been a springboard for my tech experiments with AI. While this year will be the last year doing those experiments, you will see a lot of innovation through my two startups.
What are you most excited to see happening in Memphis now?
Without a doubt, it’s the Mud Island project I’m working on: Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time [ BVO ], led by visionary Christopher Reyes. This immersive experience aims to put Memphis on the map alongside Disney World and Universal Studios but minus the rides. Instead of rides, visitors become part of a living, breathing story – like stepping into a real-life video game, with deep lore and choose-your-own-adventure elements plus a playground. It’s set to showcase Memphis as a pioneer in cutting-edge, immersive entertainment.
Is there another Memphian who has inspired you, impacted the work that you do, or who you’d like to shout out?
Rather than a specific individual, it’s the collective spirit of Memphis that inspires me. The environment, the people, and the various communities – especially the food and coffee scenes – all contribute to my inspiration. The coffee community, in particular, has been a significant source of motivation and creativity.
How do you hope to inspire change in Memphis?
BVO is poised to be a game-changer for Memphis. It’s not just an entertainment venue; it’s a catalyst for growth and opportunity across multiple communities, particularly for people of color and those in the creative and tech sectors. By fusing art, technology, and storytelling, we’re creating something that will have a lasting, positive impact on the city and its people. We’re taking the most captivating elements from world-class immersive experiences and reimagining them into something uniquely Memphis. This innovative approach will not only put our city on the map but also redefine what’s possible in interactive entertainment.
