Anthony Elmore Aims to Make Orange Mound a Global Hub of Cultural Diplomacy

MEMPHIS, TN, September 24, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Anthony "Amp" Elmore, a constituent in the 9th Congressional District, received an email from Memphis Congressman Steve Cohen. The email informed Elmore that Cohen had been recognized for his "courageous voice" by Yale University School of Management. Cohen included a link to a document commending the Smithsonian's Lonnie G. Bunch III for his lifetime of service.

On Sunday, September 20, 2026, Elmore responded to Congressman Cohen, copying the email to the principals of Orange Mound's schools. Dr. Zonja Glover, the principal of Hanley Academy, was asked to have Hanley students take a picture behind the school at Spottswood and Boston, the location of the first school in Shelby County for African/Americans. Elmore requested that a historic marker be placed at the site, noting that the school was called "District 18."

Lawanda N. Shaw, the principal of Dunbar Elementary School, was informed that filmmaking is the most powerful art form in the world.

Andrea Y. Talley, the principal of Melrose High School, was approached by Elmore, who highlighted the school's history as a victim of white supremacy, racism, and black-on-black racism. Elmore noted that Melrose was a world leader in both sports and academics, mentioning that Lila B. Smith, a 1953 Melrose graduate, was a nationally known nuclear physicist, and Dr. Alvin Crawford was a world-renowned pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Elmore sought to collaborate with Talley to bring Melrose's achievements to light, emphasizing his extensive documentation of the school's history.

Tina Smith, the principal of Cherokee Elementary School, was informed that Elmore's 10-year-old son attends the school. Elmore had previously filmed at Cherokee and connected the school to Arya Primary in Kisumu, Kenya, through a new diplomatic process called "Kinship Diplomacy." Elmore's video channel on YouTube has 1000 videos, showcasing his work in creating documentary stories and international relationships.

Anthony "Amp" Elmore's letter to Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Secretary of the Smithsonian, highlighted the importance of Orange Mound's schools in the context of the Smithsonian's mission. Elmore urged the principals to bring Orange Mound into world history through innovation, such as honoring the United Nations. He also pointed out that the Black Mayor of Memphis, Paul Young, was part of a system that erases Black Memphis history, citing the denial of the community's authentic founding date and the locking out of its historic 35mm Orange Mound movie and cultural productions.

He argued that Memphis, with its 63% African American population, was systematically erasing an authentic, primary-source Black heritage site while celebrating antebellum institutions like the Cotton Museum. Elmore contended that this practice crossed into the territory of international human rights treaties and violations.

Under international law, cultural heritage and historic memory are protected rights. The fact that Memphis denied the community the right to its authentic founding date (1879) and locked out its historic 35mm Orange Mound movie and cultural productions violated the principle of cultural self-determination. Elmore documented the 2019 Bicentennial lockout and the municipal sign at Airways and Park Avenue, compiling evidence for a formal petition to the UN Human Rights Council regarding the destruction and erasure of intangible Black cultural heritage.

Elmore filed a lawsuit against the City of Memphis, but the lawsuit was dismissed. Elmore highlighted the importance of authentic, living cultural heritage, grassroots people-to-people diplomacy, dedicated physical infrastructure, and the convergence of arts, athletics, and commerce in creating a global hub.