We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carolyn Michael-Banks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carolyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
A Tour of Possibilities was birthed out of being told by my CEO, “including African American History in a tour script would make people too uncomfortable.”
In the late 1980’s I was working for a national sightseeing tour company in Washington D.C. When I was promoted to the position of General Manager of the DC operation, I thought I had some authority to make some changes…and so I did. One of the changes I made included adding African American history to the script. Our company’s tag line was “We Relieve History” and I thought it was time we relieved it more thoroughly.
I did the research and wove some of the missing stories into our script.
I was told my CEO, who did not live in Washington D.C. was trying to contact me. I just knew he was excited about our historically inclusive script. When we finally spoke by phone, his question was, “what’s all this black stuff?!” My response, “oh no, was there grease on a seat? Do I need to send someone a check?”
His response, “no, it wasn’t grease.” My response, “oh, you must be referring to the information included in our script.” He then stated, “I’m getting calls and letters that people are too uncomfortable with the information.”
I then shared with him that history can be uncomfortable and African American history can be really uncomfortable. The level of one’s comfort should not dictate how we tell the stories.
Perhaps it was my approach, I thought. I asked my CEO to look at these changes not as black and white but green. We would have been the only major tour company in DC offering a tour with “the rest of the story.”
I was then relocated to open two other operations. One in Savannah, GA and another in Philadelphia, PA. I did the research, got everyone trained and included African American history because it is…history.
I was down-sized “fired” soon after the Philadelphia operation was opened. Devastated but not really surprised was how I felt. What I didn’t realize is that it was an answer to a prayer. I knew, if I only had the time, I could start my own tour company and give guests an opportunity to get a more comprehensive understanding of the city they chose to visit. Well, I had no job and all the time I needed.
A Tour of Possibilities was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1995.
What excites me the most is I moved to Memphis knowing very little about its rich history and now I can share it with others who just never knew.
Carolyn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have lived in Memphis for 22 years but I was born and raised in the Boogie Down Bronx. I am the founder and owner of A Tour of Possibilities, an African American historical and cultural sightseeing tour of Memphis, TN.
I started my career in the tourism industry in Washington D.C. while on summer break from Clark University in Worcester, MA. I took a tour on one of those blue and white trams and the rest is history.
The guide appeared to have a great time and I wanted to do what he did. I asked him how to become a tour guide and he pointed out a woman standing by the Washington Monument. He told me to talk to her as she was the director of Human Resources. I looked at his name badge and walked over to her with as much confidence as possible. When I introduced myself I told her Jonathan sent me. She asked me “Jonathan sent you?” Now I wasn’t sure if I should have mentioned his name but fortunately it was a good thing. She asked me to go directly to the office and fill out an application. I started doing tours that summer and the next summer as well. I absolutely loved being a tour guide in the Nation’s Capital.
A Tour of Possibilities (ATOP) is the only sightseeing tour company in Memphis, TN offering regularly scheduled tours through an African American historical lens. We are committed to not only telling the stories of the past but highlighting other African American-owned businesses along the way. We are an African American, woman-owned business.
ATOP offers visitors and Memphians alike a perspective traditional tours don’t provide. TripAdvisor has ranked us #1 of 52 tours in Memphis. Our tours are offered in-person and virtually.
We are passionate about creating an experience that educates people about the richness of Memphis’ history often not taught in schools. Education is power. Knowing the past allows for a better understanding of our present and a sense that the possibilities for a better future are endless.
ATOP celebrated our 8th anniversary in August 2022. We believe our services are needed now more than ever. We are living in an era where it is acceptable not to know certain parts of our history. Think about it. There are laws being passed to make sure people are not taught certain aspects of our history because it is considered uncomfortable.
When I was growing up, there was very little history I learned that included the trials, contributions and triumphs of African Americans. As an adult I started studying on my own and was stunned by how much I did not know. Developing this tour has given me an opportunity to continue to learn so much that was left out of my education.
ATOP is excited about our new venture working with local businesses and schools as part of their orientation programs. We have worked with the Renasant Convention Center, Teach for America, Pinnacle Financial Partners, University of Memphis Athletic Department and Rhodes College to name a few. We have found this is a way for those who live, work and play here to better appreciate the place they call home.
I am most proud that we offer African American historical tours unapologetically. This tour is not for everyone. Our acronym, ATOP, also stands for A Tour on Purpose. We pride ourselves on delivering informative and enlightening tours in an entertaining yet powerful way. We believe in consistently offering an excellent product by exceeding expectations. We have been blessed by our guests by way of their reviews.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
2019 was the year I had turned the corner in my business. My systems and team members were starting to fall in place. I was extremely excited about the plans I had for 2020. Then COVID! I had to completely rethink how to offer my tours – safely. Initially, I sat and cried. At points I was numb. Then I heard my mother’s voice asking me to say the name of my company out loud. Even though she is no longer with us, I did as she asked and stated “A Tour of Possibilities.” I then heard her say, “enough said.” “Go figure it out.”
Due to COVID, we created several new products. The Memphis Caravan Tour – guests stayed in their own car, connected to our van via a zoom link, and followed us through the city hearing the tour through the speakers in their cars. They were able to experience the tour with only people they were comfortable breathing on. This kept us in business during the hight of COVID.
The Private Tour – guests join us in the van with only people they know. This is now one of our most popular options.
The Virtual Excursion – specifically designed for groups who want to experience the tour either via their own smart device or with me giving a presentation on site. This tour offering allows ATOP to bring the tour of Memphis anywhere in the world.
Can you open up about how’d you funded your business?
I was able to start my business without having to borrow any money. It truly was a blessing but it came with an emotional cost. My sister, my father and my mother passed within a short period of time of each other. They each left me some money that allowed me to leave my full time job and dedicate all of my efforts into getting my business off the ground. I will forever be grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atopmemphis.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/atopmemphis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atopmemphis
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-michael-banks-53ba4b43/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbsPyf2w32XGg5e1UZmIxRA