Meet Carolyn Michael-Banks | Founder and owner of A Tour of Possibilities

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolyn Michael-Banks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolyn, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
I have found over the years happiness is an emotion, if not kept in check, can be fleeting. It’s an emotion that needs to be chosen intentionally. My mother would often instruct me to choose how I will approach the day. She would remind me how blessed I was to see another day. She cautioned me about how there would be issues and events that would come up against my choice. Her advice was to continue to choose happiness even in the midst of the mess. She wanted me to focus on the bigger picture and how my attitude could often shift how long I would be in the mess.
What makes me happy is being able to make others happy, even for a little while. This isn’t always easy. I have learned I can’t give what I don’t have so I try my best to stay optimistic. Life is too short to do otherwise.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
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. I am 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.

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.

Saying this entrepreneurial journey is challenging is an understatement. March 2020 proved to be a time I never could have imagined. COVID brought the tourism industry to its knees. It came to a screeching halt. I must say this experience stretched me. I thought it would break me but it didn’t. That period tested my faith and all I believed.

I learned I was stronger than I thought. I came to realize the situations I had been through in the past helped to prepare me for what I had to handle. There were numerous times I questioned why I had to go through hardships. Now I know.

When I named my company, A Tour of Possibilities, I was focused on the trials and triumphs of the African American experience. I was not aware how this journey would enhance my personal growth.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1 Bass Pro Pyramid/cocktails-see the city from 321 ft above ground and watch the sun set and watch bridges light up
Beale Street/ Itta Bena Restaurant for dinner

Day 2
9:30 am tour with A Tour of Possibilities (of course!)
LUNCH (4 Way Grill)
Visit STAX Museum of American Soul Music
Visit GreenLeaf learning organic farm and meet founder Marlon Foster
Visit Royal Studios and tour where Al Green recorded some of his greatest hits and where Bruni Mars recorded Uptown Funk, and meet record produce and owner Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell
Eat dinner at South of Beal (SOB)
Enjoy sunset on rooftop of Hyatt Centric

Day 3
Visit NCRM
LUNCH @ Cozy Corners
Shop @ Mbabazi House of Style and other shops on Broad Ave
Riverboat cruise
Dinner at Crosstown and listen to live music in the Green Room

Day 4
Breakfast at Sunrise Memphis
Drive to Holly Springs, MS visit Ida B Wells-Barnett Museum
Lunch @ Alcenia’s
Walk around Overton Square area
Performance @ Playhouse on the Square
Dinner and music at Lafayette’s

Day 5
Brunch at Feast @ Graze
Performance @ Hattiloo Theater
Hang out at Central Station then enjoy a stroll along South Main Street (Trolley night would be ideal)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This shoutout is dedicated to my mom, Ida Clarabell Tucker Michael. She passed 4 months before I launched my business in 2014. It was my mother who planted the seed of entrepreneurship in me.

When I was growing up I was taught, like many others, to study hard, go to college and get a good job. In the 1990’s my mother changed her her philosophy and started talking to me about putting my efforts into starting my own business. She knew my work ethic and felt I had given enough to make others successful. It was time for me to create a legacy of my own.

Website:  https://www.atopmemphis.com

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/atopmemphis

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-michael-banks-53ba4b43/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/atopmemphis

Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbsPyf2w32XGg5e1UZmIxRA