Meet Memphis Radio Host & CodeCrew Founder, Audrey Willis
Audrey Willis is working to make the tech world more accessible to Memphians. Get to know the inspiring co-founder of CodeCrew and host of the newly-launched radio show — (AI) Actual Intelligence with Audrey. Image: CodeCrew
A traditional path wasn’t right for this week’s FACE of Memphis. Although Audrey Willis attended several colleges and participated in study abroad programs, she never completed a degree — she was always more intrigued by experiences than lectures, more curious about the world than the classroom.
But she has built a wildly successful career without a diploma, and Memphis is the beneficiary. Meet the CodeCrew’s co-founder and Chief Innovation and Programming Officer, and the host of the new radio show, (AI) Actual Intelligence with Audrey!
Where did you grow up, and what was your childhood like?
I grew up in Memphis, where the air is thick with soul, resilience, and community. My parents were teenagers when I was born, and my mother struggled with drug addiction.
But here’s the beautiful part: I was raised by my cousin and her brother and surrounded by the kind of love that holds you up and pushes you forward. My childhood wasn’t traditional, but it was powerful. It gave me grit, creativity, and an unshakable faith in the magic of reinvention.
How did your path lead you to CodeCrew?
Well, I didn’t just find my way to CodeCrew — I helped create it. The co-founders launched it with a shared mission, but each of us brought our own deeply personal “why.” For me, it was about giving Memphis what it deserves: a real shot at careers in tech. Not just access, but equity. Not just exposure, but empowerment.
My career journey has taken me everywhere, from the cubicles of AutoZone to the halls of the Mayor’s Administration, where I was honored to serve as the first-ever Manager of Innovation and Performance Analysis for Shelby County.
Every twist, turn, lesson, and leap has shaped how I lead CodeCrew today. I bring my full self to the table — my tech background, public sector experience, creativity, compassion, and most importantly, my unwavering belief in Memphis. This city is overflowing with brilliance, and CodeCrew is my love letter to its future.
Tell us more about CodeCrew!
At CodeCrew, our mission is simple yet powerful: to prepare the next generation of innovators in Memphis with the skills they need to thrive in a tech-driven world.
We’re not just teaching coding. We’re building a resilient, homegrown tech workforce. From mobile and web app development to game design, robotics, and AI, our curriculum is hands-on, cutting-edge, and deeply intentional …
Our work spans classrooms, after-school programs, weekend workshops, summer camps, and a Code School for adults ready to pivot into software and AI careers.
What has been your favorite part of launching your radio show, and what can listeners expect?
I’m excited to tell Memphis-made tech stories loud and proud. The innovators, the educators, the startups, the wild and wonderful ideas bubbling up in this city — this is the narrative our community and kids need to hear …
I’ll be spotlighting hidden gems, uncovering stories that deserve the mic, and showing just how much brilliance is already in our own backyard. But one of my biggest goals is to make technology plain. So often, technologists get so wrapped up in our own jargon that we accidentally intimidate people. I’m guilty of it too!
Fear of technology is often rooted in a lack of understanding. So, on this show, we break things down in plain language. No gatekeeping. No tech snobbery. Just real talk about real innovation — for everybody.
What inspired you to develop a radio show besides your work at CodeCrew?
I don’t see it as separate from my work at CodeCrew; it’s an extension of the mission. My purpose in life is to bring tech to as many people as I can, through every avenue I can access. Whether it’s through CodeCrew, a radio signal, or the tech ministry I started at my church — I’m on a mission.
We talk a lot about the digital divide, but with the rise of AI, we’re staring down a digital canyon. And if we don’t re-skill and reach people now, entire communities will be left behind. That’s unacceptable to me.
This radio show will hopefully reach the people I might not see in a classroom or workshop — folks who may not even know there’s a space for them in tech. I can’t teach everyone, but I’m going to do everything in my power to reach as many as possible.
Switching gears a little, what do you love most about Memphis?
The neighborhoods! Memphis neighborhoods feel like family units — close-knit, full of character, and always ready to embrace you. In this city, there’s rarely more than one or two degrees of separation. I love that moment when you meet someone new, make a connection, and suddenly you’re swapping stories like old friends.
Memphis just has that kind of magic. At its core, Memphis is family.
Where can we find you when you aren’t working?
You’ll probably find me on my bike, cruising the Big River Trail. It’s my way to unplug, recharge, and reconnect with myself.
There’s a little hidden river beach tucked in a quiet nook that I love. I’ll sit there and watch the water flow. It reminds me to slow down, breathe deeply, and trust the process. Even amid the hustle, I try to make space for stillness. That’s where clarity and creativity always find me.
What is your best piece of advice?
Never stop learning. Especially in today’s world, where everything moves so fast, staying curious is your superpower. And I don’t just mean “book knowledge.” I mean learning how people think, being open to new perspectives, and truly listening to experiences that aren’t your own. Your frame of reference is just that — yours. It’s not universal.
The more you’re willing to learn from others, unlearn when needed, and grow beyond what you’ve known, the more powerful, compassionate, and impactful you become.
Aside from faith, family, and friends, name three things can’t you live without.
Legos. I live in a near-constant state of wonder and problem-solving. Legos help me decompress and bring structure to my creativity.
My Nintendo Switch. So many of the projects I work on take years to bear fruit. But with gaming, I get to complete a task, level up, and feel that rush of accomplishment.
My passport. Travel stretches me, inspires me, and reminds me that the world is full of lessons waiting to be learned and stories waiting to be told.
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Gaye Swan
As a professional writer of over 20 years, Gaye is an avid traveler and enjoys highlighting food, culture, and attractions around the South. While Gaye is passionate about life in Memphis, she grew up in Meridian and is still a Mississippi girl at heart.