Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlie Crenshaw IV
Hi Charlie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in the vibrant Orange Mound community of Memphis, Tennessee. I’m proud to have graduated as Valedictorian from Melrose High School which instilled a lot of confidence in me early. Driven to serve, I enlisted in the United States Army, where my combat engineering unit deployed to Baqubah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. This experience honed my discipline and resilience, shaping my approach to challenges.
After returning home, I continued my education at the University of Memphis, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. This academic foundation propelled me into a career spanning over a decade in corporate strategic communications, project management, and executive messaging.
My faith as a follower of Jesus Christ has been the cornerstone of my life, guiding my mission to live purposefully and serve others. This commitment to community empowerment inspired me to co-found Memphis Made Mentors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the youth of Memphis through mentorship and positive exposure events.
Throughout my journey, I have been guided by a philosophy of “dying empty,” striving to realize every creative idea and contribute meaningfully to my community. Balancing my professional and creative endeavors, I cherish my role as a devoted husband to my wife, Terra, and father to our two daughters, Charlize and Charli.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I was born and raised in the vibrant Orange Mound community of Memphis, Tennessee. Graduating as Valedictorian from Melrose High School gave me early confidence and a strong foundation for success. With a desire to serve, I enlisted in the United States Army, where my combat engineering unit deployed to Baqubah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. This experience strengthened my discipline and resilience, shaping how I approach challenges.
After returning home, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Memphis, which set the stage for a career spanning over a decade in corporate strategic communications, project management, and executive messaging.
My faith as a follower of Jesus Christ has been the cornerstone of my life, guiding my purpose and commitment to serving others. This passion for community empowerment led me to co-found Memphis Made Mentors, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Memphis youth through mentorship and positive experiences.
I live by the philosophy of “dying empty,” striving to bring every creative idea to life and make a meaningful impact. While balancing my professional and creative pursuits, my greatest joy comes from being a devoted husband to my wife, Terra, and a proud father to our daughters, Charlize and Charli.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I am a storyteller, strategist, and problem solver. As a B2B Marketing Manager for a Fortune 500 company, I specialize in developing and executing marketing strategies that drive business growth, enhance brand visibility, and create meaningful engagement with key audiences. My work focuses on demand generation, content marketing, and digital strategy, ensuring that marketing efforts translate into tangible results that impact the bottom line.
Beyond my corporate career, I am also an award-winning filmmaker, author, and community leader. My documentary, Money Does Solve Problems: Memphis Wealth Rising, received critical acclaim for its exploration of wealth disparities and economic empowerment in Memphis. As an author, my latest book, 40 Birthdays, 40 Lessons, is a deeply personal reflection on the life lessons I’ve learned, offering practical wisdom for those seeking purpose, growth, and fulfillment.
What sets me apart is my relentless work ethic and ability to lock into any task until it’s completed at the highest level. I refuse to be outworked—whether it’s delivering strategic marketing campaigns, crafting compelling stories, or mentoring young men through Memphis Made Mentors. When I commit to something, I see it through with an unmatched level of focus, determination, and excellence.
In addition to my marketing and storytelling expertise, I am also an AI aficionado, deeply invested in leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance creativity, efficiency, and innovation. My passion for AI led me to develop and teach a course at Crosstown, equipping others with the knowledge and tools to navigate and maximize AI’s potential in their industries. I firmly believe that AI, when used responsibly, can be a game-changer for business, storytelling, and problem-solving.
I am most proud of my resilience—my journey from growing up in Orange Mound to serving in Iraq, to building a career in corporate marketing, to telling meaningful stories through film and books. Each season of my life has had its challenges, but through faith and perseverance, I have navigated them while staying true to my purpose. I don’t just create content or execute marketing strategies—I bring vision, impact, and purpose to every project I take on, ensuring that my work leaves a lasting imprint.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Taking risks has been a crucial part of my life and career. I believe that without stepping outside our comfort zones, we miss out on opportunities for growth and success. Many people avoid risk because they fear failure or looking bad, but I see failure differently—it doesn’t exist. There are only teachable moments that help us grow. Every challenge is a stepping stone toward whatever success means for you.
Earl Nightingale said, “Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.” That means success isn’t about luck or avoiding setbacks—it’s about defining your vision, pursuing it with intention, and continuously improving along the way. Too often, people let fear hold them back, but true success requires taking risks, learning from mistakes, and pushing forward.
Throughout my journey, I’ve embraced this mindset by diving into business projects and entrepreneurial ventures. Not all of them were wins, but each experience taught me something valuable. Like Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” His words reinforce that setbacks aren’t roadblocks—they’re lessons that propel us forward.
At the end of the day, success is about defining what you want and going after it. If you’re willing to take risks, learn from the process, and keep moving forward, you’re already succeeding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://charliecrenshaw4.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliecrenshaw4/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlie.crenshawiv/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliecrenshaw4/
