Meet Fenton Wright of The Consortium MMT

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fenton Wright.

Fenton, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been with The Consortium MMT since 2017. The road to this organization has been a winding one. My family moved to Memphis when I was one year old. So, Memphis has always been the hometown for me. After beginning a career in Banking and Finance, I later became a fiscal coordinator for a municipal youth agency. I was fortunate to serve in the creation of a nonprofit organization that sponsored a charter school. This whet my appetite for community involvement and nonprofit management. I later served in leadership capacities with other nonprofits and faith-based projects. Through mutual acquaintances, I had the great fortune of meeting David Porter. He shared his vision for building a music industry in the City of Memphis and how impactful it would be for young talent individuals, particularly Black music creatives who not only needed guidance but access to resources, education, development and opportunities. So, I was more than happy to accept the invitation to join the effort.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think any road that leads to something meaningful is smooth. The bumps and detours test our mettle and enable us to be prepared for the next challenge. So, yes there have been struggles. The isolated incidents have been many; nevertheless, I will summarize by stating that I have had to continuously deal with myself, which I think has given me the ability to relate to and support young people today. One struggle was overcoming the question of belonging. Early on, I was diversity in many settings. So, while I had a confidence in my abilities, I often questioned the reason there were so few others like me around. As a very young man, I had to quickly understand that it was merit and not familiarity or similarities that afforded me opportunities. My character and integrity was tested repeatedly. So, I learned that beyond the resume or credentials, I had to strive to be the best version of myself at all times if I was to remain or excel in any environment.

I think the other struggle was learning effective time management. As I filled positions that provided more freedom of schedule, the expectations were higher. So, I had to learn how to prioritize tasks and desired outcomes in a way that I could efficiently and effectively use my time. This included making sure that I had quality time for myself and my family. I am not sure that there really is a work-life balance, but I do know that you can maximize every moment and opportunity that you have to work, take care of self or have meaningful relationships with your family and friends.

Please tell us about The Consortium MMT.
The Consortium MMT (TCMMT) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization founded by Hall of Fame Songwriter, Music Producer and lifelong Memphian David Porter to mentor and educate promising members of the Memphis area in the creative performing arts: Songwriting, Record Producing and Recording Artists/Entertainers. Our mission is to develop a viable music industry in Memphis for the future. A viable music industry will create an additional economic driver that can have a significant impact on the quality of life in the City of Memphis. This mission is served by providing a structured learning environment to enrich and equip our talents with proven tools to build the next generation of commercially successful music professionals and entrepreneurs.

We like to describe the core of our model as serving two distinct purposes: Talent Development and Talent Advocacy. The development entails assisting aspiring talents in pursuing careers in music through giving them insight and tools from not only David Porter but great creators that we call our “Legends Library” that includes Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Jam, Maurice White and other members of Earth, Wind and Fire; and a host of others. The idea is provide a blueprint for making commercially viable music. We also teach them the business side of the industry. So, they are prepared to not only make good music but ensure that they understand the positioning of that music to make money.

Talent Advocacy includes leveraging relationships and resources to build a community of support around that talent community. The independent music creator should see themselves and others should see them as emerging business entities. So, they should be supported as other entrepreneurs. Small business development is a vital part of every thriving economy. We seek to exercise our efforts and influence in a way to ensure that music creators are a part of the creative economy in our community. I believe that this sets us apart from other organizations, even though we know that our desires cannot be fulfilled by a single individual or agency.

I am most proud of the growth and development that we see in the talents. We have no dearth of creative abilities in our community, but the thing that I value most is the life-changing choices that these young people make. Many embrace the notion that hard work will overcome talent if talent won’t work hard. When talent and discipline unite, we see some beautiful outcomes in the music and the individual.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Wow! To ask for a favorite memory is tough. Since we talked about the path that led me to the present, I will share my introduction to my college of choice. I was in an eighth-grade classroom and a young man stopped in to visit our teacher, a former teacher of his. As they exchange pleasantries and small talk, my classmates and I sat somewhat quietly in our desks. After a few moments, the teacher introduced her former student to us. I don’t recall his name, but I recall her asking him to tell us about his college experience.

If my memory serves me right, he was in his second year at Morehouse College. He talked about his classwork and the campus life. He then shared the rich history of the institution along with some of its distinguished alums. I remember being thoroughly impressed. I went home to tell my parents that I wanted to attend. I was fortunate to realize that childhood dream.

Pricing:

• All current programs are free to qualified applicants.

Contact Info:

• Address: 22 North Front Street, Second Floor
  Memphis, TN 38103
• Website: www.theconsortiummmt.org
• Phone: 901-543-3526
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @theconsortium.mmt – @memphistalent
• Facebook: The Consortium MMT

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