Coming up on 100 years ago, a man who couldn’t swim got into a boat so he could rescue the survivors of an accident on the Mississippi River. And the Memphis River Parks Partnership wants you to “Keep It Tom Lee,” to commemorate the unlikely hero.

The Memphis River Parks Partnership has unveiled plans for a year-long centennial celebration of Lee’s bravery, encouraging the city to “Keep it Tom Lee” through resolutions and activities that embody his spirit.

On May 8, 1925, Tom Lee, a Black laborer unable to swim, rescued 32 passengers from the capsized sternwheeler M.E. Norman using his small skiff, The Zev. Despite the racial divides of the era, Lee risked his life to save white engineers and their families. Tragically, some refused his help due to his race. His heroism was largely unsought by himself but earned national recognition over time.

Honoring a Hero

Tom Lee’s legacy has been brought back into focus through the renovation of Tom Lee Park, a 31-acre riverfront space that draws over 1.6 million visitors annually. The park’s centerpiece is David Alan Clark’s bronze memorial sculpture, depicting Lee in the midst of his historic rescue.

“This park was designed to reflect the values Tom Lee brought to life that fateful day on the Mississippi,” said Carol Coletta, president and CEO of Memphis River Parks Partnership. “Every day, our rangers call visitors to embrace Tom Lee’s spirit where his rescue made history.”

A Year of Celebration

The centennial celebration features an array of events designed to inspire Memphians to reflect Lee’s values in their lives:

  • Community All-Sings: Beginning this spring, Memphians will unite through song on the riverfront, honoring Lee’s courage and humanity.
  • Interactive Walking Tour: Visitors can follow Lee’s story along park pathways, enhanced by story markers and QR codes with audio narrations by prominent Memphians.
  • Tom Lee 100 T-Shirts: Starting February 18, Lee’s 140th birthday, the first 100 participants to share ideas on “what Memphis would look like if everyone were just 1% more like Tom Lee” will receive commemorative shirts.
  • Artistic Tributes: Celebrated poet Ed Mabrey will debut a commissioned piece, and Last Bite Films will present a short film dramatizing Lee’s rescue.
  • Annual Poetry Contest: Aspiring poets can highlight Lee’s values through the Partnership’s competition.
  • Day of Service: On May 8, Memphians will honor Lee with acts of community service.
  • Centennial Celebration: A family-friendly summer event will bring the community together in Lee’s honor.

The campaign will also include 100 days of social media tributes, showcasing quotes, activities, and facts about Lee’s life and impact.

Building on a Legacy

Tom Lee Park’s recent transformation underscores its role as a unifying space in Memphis, surrounded by neighborhoods with varying racial and economic demographics. The Memphis River Parks Partnership envisions the park as a beacon for shared experiences that transcend these divides.

“It is so rare to have a public space that builds on the values of its namesake,” Coletta noted. “That’s exactly what Memphis has on its riverfront.”

As Memphians prepare for 2025, the call to “Keep it Tom Lee” is more than a slogan—it’s an invitation to embrace the qualities that define a hero and a city striving for unity.

For more information on Tom Lee 100 events, visit memphisriverparks.org.