Mia Henley, Creative Aging
Some people are natural-born advocates, fueled by a deep-seated passion to uplift others. Mia Henley is one of those people. As the Executive Director of Creative Aging, Mia is on a mission to bring joy, purpose, and connection to older adults through the power of the arts.
On Episode #21 of Just Bluffin’, we sat down with Mia to hear about her journey, the impact of Creative Aging, and why she believes Memphis is the perfect place to foster a vibrant, engaged senior community.
Mia didn’t set out to lead a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults. She started her career in civil litigation but soon realized her passion lay elsewhere. Her pivot into the nonprofit world came through strategic planning and organizational development. Working as a consultant, she helped numerous organizations refine their vision. But something was missing.
“I didn’t want to keep helping other people achieve their vision and then walk away. I wanted to be part of the long-term impact,” Mia shared. That opportunity came when Creative Aging’s founder retired, and Mia stepped in to lead the organization. Seven years later, she’s expanded its reach and deepened its impact across Memphis.
Creative Aging is built on a simple but powerful belief: Art has the ability to transform lives at any age. Through performances, workshops, and studio courses, the organization connects older adults with professional artists and musicians, bringing creativity and connection to senior communities across Memphis. When Mia first joined Creative Aging, they were working in 47 senior communities. Today, that number has doubled to 95.
“We don’t say ‘facilities’—these are people’s homes, their spaces,” Mia emphasized. “Our goal is to meet seniors where they are, whether they’re aging in place or part of a senior community.” With over 1,000 performances and 750 hours of arts instruction in 2023 alone, Creative Aging is proving that the later years of life can be just as vibrant as any other stage.
One of Mia’s biggest revelations since stepping into this role? The deep-seated ageism in society. “We talk about ‘seniors’ as if they’re all the same, but we don’t do that with children,” she explained. She’s passionate about changing that narrative and creating opportunities for older adults to stay engaged, connected, and fulfilled. Engagement in the arts has been shown to improve cognitive function, reduce hospitalizations, and combat the epidemic of loneliness among older adults. “I want us all to think about aging differently. It’s something we should look forward to, not fear.”
Mia is a proud Memphian, born and raised. While she spent nearly a decade away, she was drawn back by something she says is uniquely Memphis: its deep sense of community. “If there’s one word that defines Memphis, it’s community. The generosity of spirit, the connectedness—it’s unlike anywhere else,” she said. And that investment is clear in Creative Aging’s work. From partnerships with local arts organizations to financial support from community-driven initiatives, Memphis has rallied around the idea that aging should be celebrated, not sidelined.
To listen to our full conversation with Mia Henley, click here. To listen to all of our conversations with Memphis leaders, subscribe to Just Bluffin’ wherever you get your podcasts. You can learn more about the team behind the mic on our podcast page.
