I AM A MAN

In 1968, Elmore Nickleberry stood among 1,300 other African-American men in Memphis who collectively asserted their right to be treated with dignity.

Mr. Nickleberry hasn’t sat down yet.  Each weeknight, he guides his garbage truck through the streets of downtown Memphis — a living link to a frequently forgotten chapter in American history, and one long eclipsed by the slaying of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Filmed on location in Memphis in late 2008, “I Am a Man: From Memphis, a Lesson in Life” offers a modern-day look at the legacy of Mr. Nickleberry and others like him.  Their inspiring story is tied to character traits and principles just as valuable today as they were more than 40 years ago — a time in Memphis when everyday working men stood together to say: “Enough.”

This site allows you to download or stream  “I Am a Man” for personal viewing.  See the WATCH page for more.

Over roughly 30 minutes, surrounded by the Memphis soul music that helped make the city world famous, “I Am a Man” sets memories filled with love, sorrow — and  sometimes even laughter — against a modern backdrop of Mr. Nickleberry’s present-day route.  Follow him on his first-ever visit to a Memphis middle-school classroom. There, he spontaneously teaches a touching lesson that’s less about history… and more about life.

Our site will grow in coming weeks to include a curriculum guide for educators; excerpts from our interviews; and much more.

“I Am a Man” was produced by The Memphis Tourism Foundation, in partnership with Running Pony Productions and Old Bridge Media. The all-Memphis team also included Switch Creative and Electraphonic Recording.