Announcing the Tommy Pacello Placemaking Fellowship
Tommy Pacello standing in the Memphis Medical District.
“Thomas ‘Tommy’ Anthony Pacello, Jr. was a native Memphian, doting father, pretty fantastic husband, a friend to all, a confidant to the lucky, a hesitant attorney, city planner by training, audiophile, killer home chef, owner of the best head of hair this side of the Mississippi, Star Wars nerd, avid outdoorsman, handiest of handymen, and all around great dude. We lost him in November of 2020 to pancreatic cancer.” This note from his loved ones captures the overflowing personality of the late Tommy Pacello, whose work in service of his beloved hometown left an indelible mark on Memphis and touched countless lives for the better.
In honor of Pacello, who brought a vision of urban revitalization to Memphis, and inspired people to “do better” and make “cool stuff,” a cash prize will be awarded annually through The Tommy Pacello Placemaking Fellowship to an individual or team that is making “cool stuff."
“Tommy inspired everyone around him. Where I might be inclined to think a block or a neighborhood in Memphis had little hope, he would show me the endless possibilities that were there. And then, his passion would ultimately make me and everyone around him believe in that possibility, too. He wasn’t blind to the struggles of Memphis, but he cared deeply for it. And he sacrificed a lot of himself so people he would never meet would have a better future there. Tommy was a true hero. He is deeply missed.”
The Tommy Pacello Placemaking Fellowship will focus on, specifically, projects that align with Pacello’s approach to catalytic placemaking and city building. Pacello believed we should think big, but build small. And he didn’t want anyone to ever feel alone when they were trying to do good work in their community. Bringing people together was of Pacello’s greatest joys, and that joy will be continued through the fellowship as the awardee will also be connected with professionals for mentorship and assistance in their project.