When people talk about Memphis, they don’t always talk about our youth in the way they deserve. Too often, the headlines focus on violence, but at Steadfast Haven, we know there’s so much more to see.
We choose 901 because we believe in the power of our young people. Our mission is simple: to highlight gifted youth who are making positive choices, creating art, leading projects, and inspiring their neighborhoods to dream bigger. We believe every young person we meet carries potential that needs to be seen, heard, and invested in.
Through our nonprofit, we create safe spaces for youth to tell their stories, through film, music, interviews, and community events. We sit down with students, artists, and everyday kids who have big dreams and unstoppable drive. We show Memphis, and the world, that our young people are more than a statistic; they’re a promise for a better future.
Choosing 901 means we’re choosing to stand with our city, our schools, our families, and our kids. It means we’re committed to changing the narrative and opening doors to hope, talent, and opportunity.
At Steadfast Haven, we know that if we don’t tell these stories, someone else will, and too often, they’ll get it wrong. We choose to get it right, by standing beside our youth and lifting them up.
To everyone reading this: Memphis is full of gifted kids doing incredible things. We invite you to look past the headlines, listen to their voices, and join us in building a city where every young person knows they matter.
Together, we Choose901, and we choose them.
This blog was written by Angelo Perry
This piece was written by the founder of Steadfast Haven, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting gifted youth in Memphis and changing the narrative beyond violence. Alongside Steadfast Haven, they also lead SEY, a creative media team that uses film, photography, and storytelling to capture authentic voices and amplify community impact. Together, Steadfast Haven and SEY work to shine a light on the powerful stories that too often go unheard in our city
