Lisa Berry created a space for LGBTQ+ Memphians to find friendship and belonging. But while bringing people together, she found herself feeling increasingly alone. Now, she’s turning that experience into opportunities for connection and community service.
What happens when the person bringing everyone together is the one who feels left out?
For Memphis community organizer Lisa Berry, that question became personal.
Through Lisa Berry Presents Memphis, she created opportunities for LGBTQ+ people to meet, build friendships, and enjoy experiences beyond traditional nightlife. But as her work grew, Berry found herself struggling with the very isolation she hoped to help others overcome.
“The more I extended myself to both existing and new organizers, the more isolated I began to feel,” Berry shared. “Over time, I became a resource for others rather than finding the genuine, connected community I longed for.”
After experiencing strained relationships and personal and professional attacks, Berry shared her frustrations on TikTok. The response surprised her.
People reached out with their own stories of exclusion, disappointment, and difficulty finding meaningful relationships within LGBTQ+ spaces.
“What surprised me most was how many people reached out to say they had experienced the same feelings of isolation, exclusion, or disappointment,” she said.
For Berry, the response reinforced an important lesson. Being surrounded by people doesn’t necessarily mean feeling connected, and helping others find community doesn’t guarantee finding support yourself.
Finding Friendship Beyond Nightlife with Lisa Berry Presents Memphis
Lisa Berry Presents began with Berry’s search for friendship.
She wanted opportunities to meet like-minded women without the expectations of dating or the emphasis on nightlife.
“What I saw wasn’t a lack of community. Memphis has an incredible LGBTQ+ community. What I saw was a gap in how people were connecting.”
After sharing her thoughts on TikTok, an initial video received more than 3,800 views and hundreds of comments, according to Berry.
The response inspired her to organize brunches, creative gatherings, and social activities where people could connect through shared interests.
One of her most meaningful experiences came in February 2026, when Lisa Berry Presents hosted a Speed-Friending event focused on platonic relationships.
According to Berry, several attendees formed a group chat that developed into an ongoing support system.
“Ultimately, it proved to me that when you create a space with clear, shared intentions, the community truly feels and responds to it.”
The experience showed Berry that the success of a gathering isn’t necessarily measured by attendance. Sometimes, it’s the friendships that continue afterward.
Making Mental Wellness Part of the Conversation
Berry’s experiences with isolation have also shaped her approach to mental health advocacy.
As a suicide attempt survivor, she understands firsthand the importance of having a strong support system and people who recognize when someone may be struggling.
“Sometimes the people who seem the most connected or engaged are the ones struggling quietly,” she explained.
She encourages people to check on friends who become withdrawn, less communicative, or disconnected from their usual activities.
“Meaningful support often isn’t about having the perfect solution. It’s about being present, listening without judgment, checking in consistently, and helping people feel seen and valued.”
That commitment is reflected in an upcoming Friendsgiving gathering recognizing International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.
The invitation-only brunch is scheduled for November 22, 2026, from noon to 3 p.m. at Madison Tavern, with attendance limited to 40 guests and admission priced at $55 per person.
The event will bring together volunteers, sponsors, and supporters of Lisa Berry Presents for an afternoon of connection and mental health awareness.
Guests will have access to community mental health resources and a presentation from The Braid Foundation. Courage & Craft will provide a creative activity, while DJ Mad-D will provide music.
Berry hopes attendees leave with information they can share with others, particularly during the holiday season when some people experience increased feelings of isolation or grief.
Party with a Purpose
Berry is also expanding her work through Party with a Purpose, a model that combines volunteer service with social gatherings.
The concept gives people opportunities to work together for a local cause, then reconnect socially within seven days of the volunteer activity.
Volunteer opportunities will be publicly promoted through Lisa Berry Presents’ social media channels and an email list of more than 500 Memphis-area residents.
Those who participate in a volunteer activity will gain access to the Party with a Purpose guest list. Volunteers who participate at least once per quarter will receive access to Lisa Berry Presents meetups, social events, and Party with a Purpose gatherings throughout that period.
Activities may include supporting nonprofit events, assisting with community projects, and helping local organizations with administrative tasks or other immediate volunteer needs.
Rather than limiting the program to one cause, Berry wants to connect people who are ready to help with organizations that need additional hands.
“I saw an opportunity for Lisa Berry Presents to lean more intentionally into service, advocacy, and volunteerism,” she explained.
For participants, the benefit goes beyond giving back. Working alongside others provides a shared experience that can make starting conversations and developing friendships feel more natural.
Learning to Show Up for Herself
As Berry continues bringing people together, she’s also learning to protect her own well-being.
For years, she believed commitment meant always saying yes, taking on more responsibilities, and being available whenever someone needed help.
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t pour from an empty cup,” she said.
As a parent, organizer, and mental health advocate, she’s become more intentional about rest, boundaries, and participating in community spaces without always being responsible for leading them.
She also recognizes that building relationships can be intimidating, even for someone accustomed to organizing social gatherings.
“Being honest, with every event I attend I don’t know if I will fit in,” she shared.
Her advice is to start small. Attend an activity you enjoy. Volunteer for an hour. Introduce yourself to someone new.
For Berry, the business of showing up has become about more than organizing events. It’s about creating lasting relationships, sharing responsibility, and remembering that even the people bringing everyone together need somewhere to belong.
“At the end of the day, community isn’t about fitting in. It’s about finding places where you can belong. And belonging starts with giving yourself the chance to be seen.”
Get Involved
Lisa Berry Presents Memphis is welcoming volunteers interested in supporting local organizations while meeting new people.
Community members can sign up through the volunteer interest form on the Lisa Berry Presents website. Opportunities are also announced through its social media channels and email list.
Need support? If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 for free, confidential crisis support.
Check out our resource guide on support.
You do not have to wait for a crisis to ask for help.
