Rising from the Ashes: How We Can Rebuild Clayborn Temple Together

Last night, Memphis lost one of its most sacred landmarks.
Historic Clayborn Temple burned to the ground. The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis (CFGM) has launched the Reimagine Clayborn Fund in partnership with Clayborn Temple. Donate here.

It’s a heartbreaking loss. But if we know anything about Memphis, it’s that our spirit cannot be burned down.

Now, it’s time to come together, stand up, and help rebuild what Clayborn has meant to Memphis and to the world.

What is Clayborn Temple?

Since opening its doors in 1892, and especially under the African Methodist Episcopal Church starting in 1949, Clayborn Temple has been a hub of activism, artistry, and advocacy.

In 1968, it became the headquarters for the Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike, where nearly 1,000 workers marched from its steps to City Hall with signs proclaiming, “I AM A MAN.”

It’s where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lent his powerful voice to the cause where history was made, where dignity was demanded, and where the arc of justice was bent.

Even through years of abandonment and disrepair, Clayborn never lost its soul. Declared a National Treasure in 2018, it was undergoing a $25 million restoration to transform into a cultural arts center that would bridge downtown and South Memphis, revitalizing story, culture, and community for generations to come.

Now, that dream faces a new challenge.

But we are Memphis. And Memphis doesn’t quit.

How Can You Support Clayborn Temple Today?

Here’s how you can be part of the movement to restore Clayborn Temple:

🔹 Donate Directly:

• Visit Clayborn Temple’s website to make a contribution toward their rebuilding efforts. Every dollar will help honor the legacy and ensure the future. 
• The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis (CFGM) has launched the Reimagine Clayborn Fund in partnership with Clayborn Temple. Donate here.

• Get tickets to see Kyshona (presented by Folk All Y’all + Crosstown Arts) on May 10th, and donate to Clayborn Temple’s next chapter. 100% of donations made on this page will go to supporting Clayborn’s legacy.

🔹 Spread the Word:
Share Clayborn’s story on your social media. Tag @choose901 and @clayborn_temple to let the world know we are committed to rebuilding something even stronger.

🔹 Volunteer Your Time and Skills:
Stay tuned for future opportunities to get involved in community-led rebuilding efforts. We’ll need artists, historians, carpenters, and organizers.

🔹 Join in Collective Action:
Attend memorial gatherings, fundraising events, and storytelling nights that will celebrate Clayborn’s history and future. Sign up for Choose901 updates to stay in the loop.

🔹 Keep the Legacy Alive:
Learn and teach the history of the 1968 strike, the “I AM A MAN” movement, and the role Clayborn played. The fire may have taken the building, but it cannot take the story.