I was born in Martin, Tennessee. Now I live in Memphis. In between, I’ve lived in DC, the Republic of Moldova, and Champaign, Illinois. 

A movie that gets Memphis right is Uncorked on Netflix. It follows a guy who works for his family’s barbecue pit restaurant but dreams of becoming a sommelier. It captures the culture of the city and the dichotomy of how people feel about living here. The TV show that gets Memphis wrong is NBC’s Bluff City Law, which was cancelled after just three episodes. 

You know you’re from Memphis if you say, “Where did you go to high school?” You know you’re from Memphis if you wear a “Grit and Grind” t-shirt. It’s the Grizzlies’ motto a nod to the city’s lunch pail mentality. You know you’re from Memphis if you eat wings from one of the city’s 200-plus establishments.

If I could transport one thing from DC, it would be the majestic US Capitol. I worked on the Hill and never tired of admiring the building. But DC can keep its barbecue. When I graduated from AU, someone loaned my dad a grill and he cooked for my whole office. They understood then why I was such a snob about real barbecue. One thing about Memphis that reminds me of the District is the people. They call DC Chocolate City. Memphis is the largest majority Black city per capita. Both have a thriving African American middle class.

My favorite Memphis tradition is University of Memphis Tigers football on Saturdays. The city is a ghost town during the game. My favorite nickname for Memphis is the 901, which is the area code. We put it in a lot of marketing materials, including campaigns like Choose901. My favorite Memphis musicians are Three 6 Mafia. We invented trap music. 

A perfect visit to Grind City includes the National Civil Rights Museum, Beale Street, Alcenia’s for soul food, and Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. Barbecue is also a must; my favorites are Central BBQ, Tops Bar-B-Q, and Interstate Barbecue. One thing Memphians can’t live without is Gibson’s Donuts, consistently ranked one of the best donut shops in America. My favorite item is the cinnamon roll. 

When I need to get away, my family and I rent a house in Hot Springs, Arkansas, to unplug. We have three children, so we can’t always get away. More often than not, my wife and I will spend the weekend at a local hotel like the Peabody. It’s very close to anything you want to do. But my nest is best because this is a place where I can give back to the community that gives so much to me. When I was growing up, my maternal grandmother lived in Memphis, the big city. This is where I wanted to plant my roots. DC is always going to have a place in my heart, but Memphis felt right for all the cultural reasons, the food, and the cost of living.