4th Annual S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree

Schedule

Sat May 02 2026 at 05:30 pm to 09:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Maxine Smith University Center at the University of Memphis | Memphis, TN

Advertisement
The S.O. What! Foundation S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree celebrates stories of resilience, success, and community contributions.
About this Event

The S.O. What! Foundation is excited to announce the 4th Annual S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree—an evening destined to inspire, uplift, and empower.

This black-tie fundraising event is more than just a celebration. It’s a powerful gathering that honors the indomitable spirit of individuals who embody the S.O. What! message of resilience and who tirelessly uplift their communities and beyond.

Prepare to be moved as we shine a spotlight on exceptional stories that speak to the heart of overcoming adversity, turning challenges into triumphs, and paving the way for others to follow. Each narrative shared is a testament to the human spirit's boundless capacity for perseverance, making this event not just a celebration, but a call to action for all who attend.

By joining us at this transformative evening, you’ll not only be a part of honoring these remarkable individuals, but you’ll also contribute directly to the future of education and empowerment. The funds raised during this event support the S.O. What! Foundation’s scholarship initiatives, providing life-changing opportunities to students who, despite the odds, are determined to succeed. We are excited about the meaning behind the scholarships that will be awarded at this event, and you'll want to witness the connection to each recipient.

We are also honored to welcome Bertha Rogers Looney, the only living member of the Memphis State Eight who, like the founder of the S.O. What! Foundation, created a S.O. What! journey at the University of Memphis. Her story is one of extraordinary courage and resilience.

Attending the S.O. What! Awards and Scholarship Soiree is more than an evening out—it’s an opportunity to be inspired, to witness firsthand the power of resilience, and to play a role in transforming lives through education. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something truly meaningful and life-changing. Your presence will help write the next chapter in these incredible stories of success and perseverance.



Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Maxine Smith University Center at the University of Memphis, 499 University St., Memphis, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 135.23 to USD 5337.21

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
The S.O. What! Foundation

Host or Publisher The S.O. What! Foundation

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Memphis

Cheat Codes, honestav in Memphis
Sat, 02 May at 02:00 pm Cheat Codes, honestav in Memphis

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea Party
Sat, 02 May at 02:30 pm Mother's Day Afternoon Tea Party

3565 Ridge Meadow Pkwy 2nd floor

PARTIES ENTERTAINMENT
2026 Riverbeat Music Festival - Saturday at Tom Lee Park
Sat, 02 May at 04:00 pm 2026 Riverbeat Music Festival - Saturday at Tom Lee Park

Tom Lee Park

FESTIVALS MUSIC
Memphis Cinco De Mayo Bar Crawl
Sat, 02 May at 05:00 pm Memphis Cinco De Mayo Bar Crawl

Coyote Ugly Saloon

PARTIES BAR-CRAWLS
Beneath the Banners Tour
Sat, 02 May at 06:00 pm Beneath the Banners Tour

824 South Dudley Street , Memphis, TN, United States, Tennessee 38104

FOOD-DRINKS
Riverbeat Music Festival: Dave Matthews Band  T-Pain & St. Vincent - Sunday
Sat, 02 May at 06:00 pm Riverbeat Music Festival: Dave Matthews Band T-Pain & St. Vincent - Sunday

Tom Lee Park

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
RIVERBEAT Music Festival (Saturday Pass) with Wu-Tang Clan
Sat, 02 May at 07:00 pm RIVERBEAT Music Festival (Saturday Pass) with Wu-Tang Clan

Tom Lee Park

MUSIC-FESTIVALS FESTIVALS
Paper Wings + opener Savannah Brister
Sat, 02 May at 07:30 pm Paper Wings + opener Savannah Brister

1350 Concourse Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104, United States

MUSIC
Ebony Men Black Male Revue Strip Clubs & Black Male Strippers Memphis, TN 8-10 PM
Sat, 03 Aug at 07:00 pm Ebony Men Black Male Revue Strip Clubs & Black Male Strippers Memphis, TN 8-10 PM

Ebony Men Black Male Strippers

ENTERTAINMENT PARTIES
Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt - Memphis
Sun, 21 Jun at 10:00 am Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt - Memphis

Recommended Parking to Begin Adventure

TRIPS-ADVENTURES SPORTS
Scavenger Hunt Memphis
Mon, 30 May at 10:00 am Scavenger Hunt Memphis

Memphis

KIDS
SUNDAY SERVICE BRUNCH PARTY
Sun, 04 Jun at 12:00 pm SUNDAY SERVICE BRUNCH PARTY

SERV Restaurant

BRUNCH PARTIES
The Ready Room Open Mic
Thu, 20 Jun at 07:30 pm The Ready Room Open Mic

The READY ROOM by Hook Point Brewing

OPEN-MIC COMEDY
SocialXFridays
Fri, 12 Jul at 08:00 pm SocialXFridays

2256 N Germantown Pkwy

Ultimate Scavenger Downtown Memphis
Sun, 15 Sep at 10:00 am Ultimate Scavenger Downtown Memphis

Memphis

Amazing Scavenger Hunt! - Brews & Blues Bar Crawl
Mon, 31 Mar at 04:00 pm Amazing Scavenger Hunt! - Brews & Blues Bar Crawl

174 Beale St

PARTIES TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Meal with Strangers-Saturday Brunch Series (Memphis)
Sat, 24 May at 11:00 am Meal with Strangers-Saturday Brunch Series (Memphis)

A Restaurant in Memphis

BRUNCH WORKSHOPS
Meal with Strangers-Sunday Brunch Series (Memphis)
Sun, 25 May at 11:00 am Meal with Strangers-Sunday Brunch Series (Memphis)

A Restaurant in Memphis

BRUNCH WORKSHOPS
Speed Dating Event Tricks: Guide for Memphis Singles
Wed, 04 Jun at 06:00 pm Speed Dating Event Tricks: Guide for Memphis Singles

Memphis

SPEED-DATING WORKSHOPS
The Residency
Sat, 26 Jul at 07:00 pm The Residency

Automatic Slim's

BUSINESS ART

What's Happening Next in Memphis?

Discover Memphis Events