Soul of America: Stax Meets Motown

Educators! Register and receive our companion study guide.

Register as an educator, and you will receive links to our companion study and teacher guides to help you prepare your students in advance. These guides are created to empower youth to explore their creative agency, identify and recognize their values, and determine the way(s) in which they will choose to be of service to their communities.

The curriculum is aligned with Tennessee Academic Standards. We hope these lessons and activities can be seamlessly integrated into class time as a healthy interruption from traditional school day routines. In this guide, we focused on upper middle school standards; however, the contents are appropriate for all middle and high school student learners.

Join us for the Soulsville Foundation’s 4th annual Black History Month production, “Soul of America: Stax Meets Motown," an electrifying exploration of the soulful sounds that defined an era. In this free, virtual event, witness the unique musical showdown between Stax Records and Motown, brought to life by the talented students of the Stax Music Academy.

Event Details:

• What: 2024 Soulsville Foundation Black History Month production, “Soul of America: Stax Meets Motown.”
• Where: Virtual - Accessible from Anywhere
• When: February 2024
• Cost: Free
• Registration: Available via Eventbrite

In this original high school musical, students from Detroit embark on a field trip to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis, igniting a vibrant debate between the gritty sounds of Stax Records and the polished tunes of Motown. The story unfolds at the Stax Music Academy, located at the original site of Stax Records in Soulsville USA, where the clash of music styles leads to an entertaining and soulful comparison between the two iconic cities.

Experience the soul-stirring melodies and the captivating stories behind the classic tunes from legends such as Otis Redding, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and more. This musical journey, filmed at the historic Booker T. Washington High School in downtown Memphis, beautifully weaves together the essence of two musical powerhouses.

The production, created by youth for all audiences, includes companion study guides that delve into the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Aimed at students, teachers, and various youth organizations, this event is a celebration of artistry and an opportunity to engage with history through the lens of music.

Don’t miss this incredible celebration of soul music history, bridging communities and celebrating the profound impact of Stax and Motown. Join us for “Soul of America: Stax Meets Motown" in February 2024, a production that pays homage to the sounds that shaped a generation.