Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Rachel Knox of Hyde Family Foundation Is Helping To Change Our World
You’re not the expert; you fund the experts. It’s so easy when you have the financial resources to think you know what’s the best course of action but taking actions without listening to the people closest to the problem is essential in understanding how to best deploy resources whether that’s money or time. Empowering individuals to share their stories and ideas can help in co-creating solutions that address underlying issues and promote long-term progress.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rachel Knox.
Rachel Knox is the Senior Program Officer of the Thriving Arts and Culture program at the Hyde Family Foundation (HFF). She leads a $3 million portfolio dedicated to enhancing the vibrant cultural landscape of Memphis. In her role, Rachel works to create and execute strategies for artists and cultural organizations that amplify the creativity and brilliance of Memphis.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
My career journey has been quite the adventure, navigating between culture and policy, and these two worlds collide beautifully in my current role. I earned my undergraduate degree in costume design and technology from the University of Memphis. During my studies, I realized that while I loved the arts, I wasn’t particularly passionate about creating new work myself. I was happiest when I could ensure that artists had the resources and tools, they needed to create their work and the audiences to enjoy it.
This realization led me to a pivotal moment during my post-grad, audience development fellowship at Arena Stage, where I encountered a quote by the theatre’s founder, Zelda Fichandler, that deeply resonated with me: “Great art is where there are great artists.” That quote inspired me to come back home to Memphis, arguably one of the richest cultural capitals in the nation. This city is filled with incredible artists, and I wanted to help those people.
When I returned home from DC, I worked at the Orpheum Theatre in the education department ensuring students who couldn’t afford tickets got to experience the magic of theatre for free. It was during this time that I gained a profound understanding of the economic challenges faced by many in my community, igniting a desire within me to do even more. In my youth, I thought the best way to create change was to run for office. So, I ran for city council and while I made it (unexpectedly) into a run-off, I lost that election.
Determined to make a meaningful impact through policy, I transitioned to a role at Innovate Memphis, intending to focus on driving change. However, I kept finding myself involved in projects that centered around creatives and artists, signaling to me that my journey in the arts sector was not over yet. It was around this time that the Hyde Family Foundation was in search of an arts and culture program officer, and fortunately, I landed the role.
Philanthropy brought together everything I had been seeking in my career. It provided me with the opportunity to continue effecting positive change in my community while also allowing me to remain closely connected to the heart and soul of Memphis, quite literally! Supporting the arts sector has helped me to look at problems differently and find ways that the cultural sector can uplift the city overall.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
You know, it’s funny how things come full circle. When I started my role seven years ago, I remember telling a friend that Memphis really needed a dedicated office for arts and culture within the government. It felt like we were missing a crucial piece of infrastructure, especially when it came to supporting creative entrepreneurs and businesses in addition to our ever-expanding cultural non-profit sector. Back then, it seemed like a far-off dream because there wasn’t much interest from the public or private sectors. I would have conversations and they would just hit a wall.
But fast forward to today, and there’s been a significant shift. People see the value in growing the arts sector and its impact on the overall economy. Last year, in 2023, Memphis elected Mayor Paul Young, whose platform included arts and culture among other things. I was honored to be appointed to Mayor Young’s transition team as co-chair for the Thriving Arts and Culture Committee. In March 2024, we presented our recommendation for the creation of an office of arts and culture, and now we’re actively working to turn that vision into reality.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in my time at the Foundation is that meaningful change often takes more time than we’d like. But if it’s ultimately beneficial for the community and can make us stronger, then it’s absolutely worth the fight to see the vision through.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I don’t know if this lesson is particularly funny but when I first stepped into the world of philanthropy, I had no idea how powerful our grants could be. It was a bit of a whirlwind — I joined the Foundation during a strategic planning phase, tasked with charting the course for the next five years. It was a steep learning curve because I had no clue the philanthropic sector existed previously. Fortunately, the Foundation was well-organized, and I quickly learned about its significant impact on legacy institutions like Ballet Memphis, the National Civil Rights Museum, and Hattiloo Theatre.
So, I thought that our focus during that five years should be on supporting the next generation of arts and culture organizations, especially those led by and serving people of color in Memphis. However, it was eye-opening to see how our grants could attract additional funding, leading to rapid budget growth for the organizations we supported, sometimes doubling or tripling the size of smaller budgets. While this was fantastic, many leaders, who were initially volunteers, struggled to manage the sudden expansion. We had to be strategic in helping them build the capacity and the necessary systems to support their growth effectively.
This experience taught me two valuable lessons. First, I learned that there’s no such thing as anonymity in this field. Even when I thought no one was paying attention, people were watching. It reinforced the importance of being thoughtful in both words and actions. Second, I discovered the need to stay flexible. The rapid growth of the organizations we funded demanded unforeseen resources and support, prompting us to adapt our grantmaking approach to accommodate the evolving needs of the organizations we were backing.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
The Hyde Foundation continues to make a profound impact in Memphis, and I feel honored to be part of its enduring legacy. Our organization fearlessly takes on difficult projects and remains committed to seeing them through, even if the progress is gradual. Alongside my focus on arts and culture, we also prioritize funding in education, particularly in increasing third-grade literacy rates, improving parks and neighborhoods to enhance access to affordable housing and green spaces, and fostering leadership by supporting current leaders and nurturing the future generation of leaders.
The work we’re engaged in is arduous and often requires decades to witness tangible progress. However, it’s also the type of work that ignites enthusiasm and optimism for the future, knowing that we are shaping a better city for generations to come. More importantly, we don’t do this work alone. Our biggest successes are achieved through collaboration with numerous stakeholders, be it corporate leaders, non-profit professionals, educators, advocates, or students. We strive to bring everyone to the table, and it pays off in the long run. We’re starting to witness improvements in student achievement, and our two prominent parks, Tom Lee Park and Shelby Farms Park, attract thousands of visitors annually. In my portfolio, we are constantly expanding on the achievements of organizations like the National Civil Rights Museum, which meticulously chronicles the history of our country, while also backing organizations like Indie Memphis. Their annual festival attracts numerous filmmakers and producers from across the country to share new narratives and innovative movies. To say nothing of the rest of the sector which continues to produce breathtaking theatre, dance, visual arts exhibitions, and of course, music.
The impact of the Hyde Foundation can’t be undersold. We are deeply involved in numerous projects, wearing various hats as visionaries, leaders, supporters, cheerleaders, and willing workers.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
There are 24 organizations in my portfolio, and I am very thankful to work with some of Memphis’ best and brightest. While I could share a specific individual’s story, I believe it’s more important to highlight our efforts in enhancing systems to be more effective and resilient. This approach aims to reduce the over-reliance on philanthropy as the sole solution to societal challenges. By strengthening systems, we empower organizations and individuals within them to thrive. The establishment of the aforementioned office has provided crucial infrastructure, particularly within the public sector. Additionally, the Memphis Chamber has shifted its focus towards the arts and entertainment industry, enabling the private sector to concentrate on initiatives such as city-wide workforce development. Our work is not about doing everything independently, but rather about fostering collaboration to create pathways that support the artists and creatives we aim to impact.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
Because I manage an arts and culture portfolio, many times, community leaders speak about the arts and artists as a group that’s somehow separate from the rest of the community. But artists are citizens just like any other group. What’s more, the arts, when used correctly separates good cities from great cities.
Three things community leaders can do to support the creative economy include:
- Recognizing and integrating artists into community development efforts, valuing them as key contributors to innovation and problem-solving, rather than viewing them as separate from the rest of the community.
- Investing in arts education and creative businesses, acknowledging the positive impact of the arts on student engagement and academic performance, and supporting the establishment of spaces that foster community connectivity.
- Emphasizing the importance of the arts as a fundamental component of urban excellence, promoting a shift from perceiving artists as tools for gentrification to recognizing them as vital catalysts for positive change within the community.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is an action. At the Hyde Foundation, we embrace what our President Teresa Sloyan calls “sleeves rolled up” philanthropy. While cutting a check is important, it’s equally meaningful to actively work on behalf of and sometimes alongside the recipients of our grants. This involves bringing people together to create meaningful change in the city, advocating for those who may not have the connections to be part of decision-making processes, and supporting them in their efforts. True leadership also requires vulnerability and a willingness to admit mistakes and work through difficult situations even when you’re at fault.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1 . Convening is a superpower. People often work in silos, deeply engrossed in their own work and with limited opportunities to consider collaborating with others. Since philanthropy has a birds-eye view of the sector, I can identify similar initiatives and bring them together. For instance, during the pandemic, I convened all our intermediary partners to support the sector before the COVID funds kicked in. Four years later, these organizations are still collaborating, a first in our community.
2. Don’t chase rabbits. It’s tempting to pursue numerous initiatives at once, but the true impact lies in striving to shift systems and going deep on the work that matters the most. It’s important not to be sidetracked by the simplicity of solving immediate problems and instead focus on the more substantial, albeit tougher, work.
3. Sometimes your only opposition is the status quo. Many times, the hardest issues to fix don’t have people actively working against you but rather actively supporting the status quo. It’s the archaic idea of ‘we’ve always done it that way,’ and therefore there’s no need to try to change it. But on a long enough timeline, that mindset is what sets communities back. It’s crucial to interrogate how things are done and if they’re truly serving people the way they were intended.
4. Move fast and stop ideating. It can feel like a significant achievement to launch an idea into the world, especially considering the effort of garnering support. However, that’s just the beginning. There are often months or years of work after everyone has left the room, and that can be the more challenging part, particularly when dealing with life-changing initiatives. It’s essential to move faster than the tendency to delay and procrastinate. Even an imperfect action is better than doing nothing.
5. You’re not the expert; you fund the experts. It’s so easy when you have the financial resources to think you know what’s the best course of action but taking actions without listening to the people closest to the problem is essential in understanding how to best deploy resources whether that’s money or time. Empowering individuals to share their stories and ideas can help in co-creating solutions that address underlying issues and promote long-term progress.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
As I mentioned earlier, one of my brilliant colleagues, Amber Hamilton, articulated a profound statement that has since become a guiding principle for me: “Sometimes our only opposition is the status quo.” I found this idea so impactful that I printed the saying out and it hangs above my workspace to fuel my work every day. In both our professional and personal lives, the obstacles we often face are not actively working against us; rather, they stem from outdated systems and a sense of apathy that convinces us that change is unattainable. Within our own communities and workplaces, we frequently encounter resistance in the form of “that’s the way we’ve always done it.”
If there’s one message I would like to convey, it’s the importance of fearlessly challenging the status quo. Often, there may not be a specific adversary, but everyone stands to benefit when we gain the courage to question “why?”
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
I grew up in a household where the motto was ‘if you see something that needs doing, don’t wait around for someone else to do it”. I mean, my family was talking about me doing more chores around the house but, that mindset stuck with me. Now, if I notice organizations that should connect, I’ll play matchmaker. If there’s potential for collaboration, I’ll gather the troops and figure out the tactic to get it done. Whether you’re at the top, in the middle, or at the bottom, we all have the power to change our own spheres of influence.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Definitely, Stacey Abrams. I don’t think there is a better example of a leader that has taken their setbacks and used them to support other leaders. Also, her book Lead from the Outside was especially transformative for me in the early part of my career. I met her last year at the National Civil Rights Museum’s Freedom Awards. But I started crying so I would like a do-over. 🙂
How can our readers further follow your work online?
I invite people to follow me on LinkedIn, here, as it’s the only place I actually post consistently.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Rachel Knox of Hyde Family Foundation Is Helping To Change Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.