Anasa Troutman Reimagines Clayborn Temple as a Beacon of Culture, Healing, and Legacy

When flames engulfed Clayborn Temple in April, the damage went far beyond the physical—it struck the soul of a movement. For Anasa Troutman, cultural strategist and founder of The BIG We, the fire reignited a vision decades in the making. Clayborn, the birthplace of the iconic “I AM A MAN” protest, isn’t just historic—it’s sacred. “This building means something to people. It always has,” Troutman said, recalling mourners who arrived on-site to weep openly. Her mission now? To rebuild Clayborn not just as a church, but as a cultural powerhouse that centers storytelling, imagination, and community. After years in music and politics, Troutman has found her calling in Memphis—turning pain into purpose and ensuring that Clayborn’s legacy fuels generations to come.