Written By: JR Robinson

Memphis is a city defined by its spirit—a spirit that endures, innovates, and, when necessary, stands up and demands better. This week, as we celebrate LYE Week on JustMyMemphis, it’s impossible to ignore the glaring contrast between the standards of excellence displayed by Ladia Yates and the LYE Academy at School Board The Musical and the chaos that has plagued our actual school board. The difference is not just night and day; it’s the difference between hope and heartbreak, between leadership and failure.

A Tale of Two Stages

On one stage—the literal one at Crosstown Theater—children as young as six years old performed with a level of professionalism and passion that would put seasoned adults to shame. Months of preparation, discipline, and creative exploration culminated in a show that was not just entertaining but transformative. The students of LYE Academy didn’t simply dance or act; they embodied the very best of Memphis: resilience, unity, and joy.

On the other stage—the one where the future of our schools is debated and decided—the Memphis-Shelby County School Board has repeatedly failed to show even a fraction of that excellence. The recent termination of Dr. Marie Fagans was a public spectacle of dysfunction: lies, chaos, and a complete disregard for the dignity of the children and families they claim to serve. Watching the board’s proceedings, one could only feel embarrassment for a city that deserves so much better.

The Standard of Excellence: LYE Academy’s Example

What Ladia Yates has built with LYE Academy is nothing short of extraordinary. Commissioner Brittany Thornton recently remarked on how the organization has expanded and how she hopes to see its reach extend even further into the urban core of our city. Why? Because LYE Academy is a living, breathing example of what happens when you pour excellence into young people.

Excellence, in this context, is not just about talent—it’s about values. Ladia Yates teaches her students every kind of dance, but more importantly, she teaches them to dream. She’s taken them as far as Hollywood, showing them that their aspirations are not just fantasies but real possibilities. She introduces them to new cultures, new ideas, and new standards of professionalism and teamwork.

The result? Children who are not only skilled performers but also confident, compassionate, and community-minded individuals. The musical was a showcase of this excellence, from the youngest dancers to the oldest, each one radiating pride and purpose.

Leadership by Example: Ladia Yates vs. the School Board

Leadership is not about titles or positions—it’s about the impact you have on those you serve. Nowhere was this more evident than in the contrast between Ladia Yates and the Memphis-Shelby County School Board.

The board’s recent actions have been a masterclass in what not to do. In the handling of Dr. Marie Fagans’ termination, the board displayed a profound lack of professionalism and unity. There was screaming, misinformation, and a complete breakdown of decorum. Commissioner Tawana Murphy’s frequent media appearances only deepened the embarrassment, turning what should have been a sober moment of leadership into a public farce.

In stark contrast, Ladia Yates stood up for her students—and for what’s right. She didn’t just react; she created. She channeled the pain and frustration of the community into art, into a musical that told the truth but did so with grace, humor, and hope. Even when the show satirized the infamous “Save Our Children” press conference, it did so tastefully, never losing sight of the real goal: to uplift and inspire the next generation.

A Night of Unity and Joy

What struck me most about School Board The Musical was the atmosphere in the theater. There was no division, no bitterness—just a sense of unity and shared purpose. Parents, teachers, community leaders, and children of all backgrounds came together to celebrate what’s possible when we invest in our youth.

The performances were breathtaking. Every child on that stage had clearly worked hard, not just to master their routines but to understand the story they were telling. They weren’t just performing; they were communicating—showing us what leadership, discipline, and community look like in action.

Honorees like Sarah Carpenter, Noah Nordstrom, Casio Montez, Lashanta Rudd, Jay Worth, and Tonya Lyons were recognized not just for their achievements, but for their commitment to the same values that LYE Academy promotes: excellence, unity, and service to others.

The Power of Positive Leadership

Ladia Yates’ leadership is rooted in love and high expectations. She refuses to accept mediocrity—not from her students, and not from herself. She pushes her students to be their best, but she does so with compassion and understanding. She sees their potential, even when others might overlook it, and she fights for them every single day.

This is the kind of leadership our city desperately needs. The school board’s failures are not just administrative; they are moral. When adults fail to model excellence, it’s the children who suffer. But when leaders like Ladia Yates step up, they create a ripple effect that transforms not just individual lives, but entire communities.

A Blueprint for the Future

School Board The Musical was more than a show—it was a blueprint for what Memphis could be. It was a reminder that our children are watching, learning from the examples we set. If we want a better future for Memphis, we need to invest in leaders who embody excellence, who put children first, and who are willing to stand up and demand better.

Commissioner Brittany Thornton’s call to expand LYE Academy’s reach is a call to action for all of us. We need more programs like this—programs that don’t just teach skills, but instill values. We need more leaders like Ladia Yates, who understand that excellence is not a luxury, but a necessity.

A Heartfelt Plea for Change

As I watched those children take their final bow, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of pride and sorrow. Pride for what they had accomplished, for the joy and unity they had created. Sorrow that our city’s leaders have failed to provide the same level of excellence and care.

But I refuse to give in to despair. If School Board The Musical taught us anything, it’s that change is possible. That excellence is contagious. That when we invest in our youth, when we set high standards and support them with love and resources, they will rise to the occasion.

Wrap Up: Memphis, Choose Excellence

Memphis stands at a crossroads. We can continue to accept mediocrity from those in power, or we can demand better. We can let our children be defined by the failures of adults, or we can show them what’s possible when we lead with excellence.

Ladia Yates and her students have shown us the way. Now it’s up to the rest of us to follow their example.

Let’s choose excellence. Let’s choose unity. Let’s choose to invest in our youth—not just with words, but with action. Because our children deserve nothing less.