Community

Recently, the Nashville Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) solidified their effort, to show unity across multiple generations and backgrounds. This was done by hosting the ‘Coming Together…Unity in Action’ Life Membership Luncheon at the Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College. During the event, local leaders were recognized for their significant commitment to unifying the Nashville community.

Recognitions included four President’s Awards to recipients;  Nancy Nichols, Don Majors, Dr. Blondell Strong Kimbrough and Gordon Larkins. As well as four Legacy Awards, those recipients included; Rosetta Miller Petty, Walter Searcy, Ben Rechter and Isaac Addae .  Dr. Charles E. Kimbrough received the Medal of Honor to Judge Richard Dinkins.

Ludye Wallace

Each award given represented the highest honor and esteem granted for the recipients’ tireless work within the community and beyond.  The President’s Award is presented to a member of the Nashville Branch who has gone above and beyond to support and perpetuate the work of the organization, in the past year.

Legacy Awards are given to an individual who creates positive, impactful change and a measurable difference within the greater Nashville community.  This individual should exemplify the tenets of the NAACP. To ensure political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

The Dr. Charles E. Kimbrough Medal of Honor is presented to an individual who has an established history of dedication to the protection, advancement and/or promotion of all people, while exhibiting leadership and providing inspiration to those around them, within a specific organization or the community at-large.

The program included performances by Watson Grove Missionary Baptist Church’s Praise Team, Mr. Miles Slay and Ms. Tyler Samuel. The event garnered significant support from various areas of the community. Sponsors included Belmont University, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation, Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), Meharry Medical College, Doctors. James & Phyllis Hildreth, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Vice Mayor David Briley, Giarratana Nashville, duGard Communications, R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation, Nashville General Hospital, DVL Seigenthaler, Bill Freeman, Citizens Bank, Tennessee Minority Pages (TMP)  and American Baptist College.

Ludye Wallace, President of the Nashville NAACP Branch sated: “Seeing everyone, today, demonstrated that Nashville has the heart and desire to be a unified city. With multiple generations represented, we heard how important it is that we speak truth to one another and that we encourage our youth to continue the fight for the advancement of all people.  We stood together, today, in what is the first of several actionable steps towards a unified Nashville.

www.naacpnashville.org

In its second year, the luncheon included panelists and entrepreneurs from multiple industries.

Nashville, Tenn. (Mar. 13, 2017) – Nashville nonprofit organization Legacy Makers held its second “Power of WE: Women Entrepreneurs” Luncheon at Belmont University’s Inman Conference Center on Thursday, March 9. More than 100 women entrepreneurs and businesswomen were in attendance.

“We think that this year’s event was even better than last year’s inaugural WE Luncheon!” said Shawntaz Crawford, Executive Director of Legacy Makers. “This year, we crafted a panel-style discussion as the main feature in order to enhance engagement and the experience for our guests. We felt that this created an organic networking experience to be enjoyed by all who attended.”

In alignment with Women’s History Month, celebrated nationally each March, the luncheon offered guests the chance to hear from a panel of some of Nashville’s most esteemed business leaders including Dr. Katherine Y. Brown, Marcela Gomez, and Kim Sasser Hayden. The panel was moderated by Krystal Bonner (CEO of Phoenix Forrester Events).

Dr. Katherine Brown has led her company Learn CPR America, LLC for more than 10 years,  providing CPR training to more than 200,000 people. The organization’s roots began on the southside of Chicago, expanded to Israel and is now, reaching thousands in Nashville.

Marcela Gomez serves as the president of Hispanic Marketing Group, a company that provides marketing and public relations strategies that relate appropriate and compelling messages to Hispanic consumer markets. Additionally, Gomez serves as chairman of the board and president of the Tennessee Latin America Chamber of Commerce (TLACC).

Kim Sasser-Hayden serves as senior manager of external affairs for Nashville’s Comcast corporate headquarters. The veteran strategist and thought leader has nearly 10 years of experience in project management and executing marketing efforts for corporate clients, non-profit organizations, governmental entities, and political campaigns.

The panel-style discussion allowed attendees to hear advice from seasoned professionals who shared personal experiences, learning and growth opportunities, as well as tips on how to get ahead. Guests left feeling inspired and empowered after hearing from three remarkable women.

The luncheon garnered much support from the community. It was sponsored by Belmont University, Advance Financial, duGard Communications, The Maynard Group, Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP, Goodwin Construction, Bill Freeman, The Don Hardin Group, STAYONTHEGO Magazine and Foundation Nashville.

“This event strikes a personal chord with our team, because it celebrates the accomplishments of extraordinary women in business right here in Nashville,” said Crawford. “Collectively representing more than 45 years of combined experience in business and entrepreneurship.”

June marks the sensational Black Music Month nationwide and Nashville wasn’t left out of the loop at all. We welcomed the month of June, 2017 in with a history making Black Music Month kickoff luncheon. The memorable event was themed:  “My Music Matters: A Celebration of Legends Lunch.

Nashville, TN is known worldwide for honorably bearing the title of:   “Music City USA” As the mid-state, capitol city host legendary, award winning artist in the genre’s of Country, Gospel, Jazz and Rhythm and Blues; tourism and relocation is growing in leaps and bounds, weekly.

The luncheon was designed to celebrate the contributions of iconic artists and benefits the Museum’s educational programs, recognized several top names in various industry categories and music genres. Such as;  legendary singer Patti LaBelle, gospel icon Kirk Franklin, King of New Jack Swing Teddy Riley, and Stax music producer David Porter.

Actor/comedian David Mann served as host, and music executives Phil Thornton of RCA and Catherine Brewton of BMI served as co-chairs.

This year’s  honorees also enjoyed fitting  tribute performances from artists Tamela Mann, Kelly Price, Dave Hollister, Mannie Fresh, Le’Andria Johnson, Avery Wilson, and Jeremy O’Bryan. Everyone in attendance, performers, museum personnel, contributors and media alike were dressed to the nines for the landmark event.

The lunch was held to benefit the Museum’s educational programs, such as From Nothing to Something, a series of one-hour workshops that educates students in grades 3-8 about the innovations used to create music by memory, and Sips & Stanzas, a social networking event that provides adults with an opportunity to experience sounds from emerging artists and participate in engaging discussions about American’s music culture.

The National Museum of African American Music is set to open its doors in 2019. It is to be the only museum dedicated to preserving the legacy and celebrating the accomplishments of the many music genres created, influenced, or inspired by African Americans. Being built in Nashville, the Museum integrates history and interactive technology to share the untold story of the American Soundtrack.

“We could not do any of the work we are doing without your support. Consider donating today to keep the legacy of African American music going”, stated Lolita Toney. NMAAM Director of Development and Chief of Staff

For NMAAM and other music industry updates, photographs and valuable future coverage, keep a close eye on “Spotlight Tennessee.” We will continue to bring the best in relevant news, photography and video coverage as it unfolds in the Mid-State.

Visionary, Founder/CEO Tiffany Love Harden enjoyed another Very successful, life changing “Beauty Behind Bars” ministry event.   Saturday August 12, 2017 will be remembered for some time to come as an un-disclosed number of pre-paid ticket holders once again filled the Vanderbilt Student Life Student Center.  The venue is centrally located at 310 25^th Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37212.

Conference Host, Tiffany Love-Harden is also known as “The Spiritual Bail – Bondswoman.” This due in part to her successful reign with assisting others with freeing themselves from all types of earthly bondage and strife.

Tiffany kicked off the speaker line up with a very interactive teaching session on, “the JEANS You Wear, GENES You Share”.

Evangelist Danielle McCord, followed with her testimony sharing how before she became an anointed Woman of God, she endured many horrific events during her lifetime. Danielle’s anointed testimony is astounding!

This year’s Keynote (Nashville) Speaker was Dr. Juanita Bynum and she did not disappoint. Her mass use of God’s gifts and talents which are many, but include: Psalmist, Author, sought after Minister and Worship Leader, Life Coach and more.  Dr. Bynum preached God’s word and women were delivered from mental bondage.

The A-list style powerful Nashville speaker lineup that followed Dr. Bynum included; Mignon Francois, Donzaleigh Powell, Pastor Judy Johnson, Angela Mitchell, Sharon Edwards, Marley Richiez and Aignes Rogan.

Just when the conference interest level reached amazing point of no return anticipation, more was revealed. The award winning nationally renowned and recognized Tennessee Mass Choir will be on hand for special performances, ministering in Gospel music.   This Beauty Behind Bars event is for women of all ages in the Nashville, TN and surrounding, Tennessee cities. 

BBB helps women/girls break away from mental incarceration & self imprisonment of domestic violence, human trafficking, low self-esteem, doubt, depression, suicide, and dream killing.  The conference teaches accountability, how to pick up the pieces and press forward, how to accomplish dreams/goals, saying goodbye to negativity or bad relationships, and the importance of loving self from the inside out.

Tennessee was recently named as a state with an increase in domestic violence and quickly climbing the top 10 statistics in human trafficking.  Due to alarming and increasing domestic violence and human trafficking rates/statistics in the state of Tennessee we are hosting this conference to teach innovative methods of the importance of getting help, and how to identify when you are mentally incarcerated, self-imprisoned, or in unhealthy relationships/domestic violence situations.

“Time is of the utmost essence for all of us in life and no matter who you are your life revolves around time. Everyday has 86,400 seconds – how will you use yours? A made up bed is a made up mind”, stated Tiffany Love Harden.

<www.onceinawifetime.com>

In its second year, the luncheon included panelists and entrepreneurs from multiple industries.

Nashville, Tenn. (Mar. 13, 2017) – Nashville nonprofit organization Legacy Makers held its second “Power of WE: Women Entrepreneurs” Luncheon at Belmont University’s Inman Conference Center on Thursday, March 9. More than 100 women entrepreneurs and businesswomen were in attendance. [Read more…]

By Deborah A. Culp​

April, 2016 – Nashville, TN – – On Friday May 6, 2016, Coach Sam Smith will be honored in the highest esteem for his well earned and deserved service to youth and the city of Nashville.

The athlete’s runner track at Whites Creek High School will be named after the hard working 73 year old. For 36 years, Coach Smith has dedicated his time and life to girls track, football and other professional coaching endeavors. The school is located at 7277 Old Hickory Blvd, Whites Creek, TN 37189.

This honor has been long awaited and all involved are thankful and anticipating May 6th. Nashville’s First Female Mayor, the Honorable Megan Barry, and a host of VIP’s well be present for the ribbon cutting, parade and overall fanfare of the day. The academic staff of teachers, parents, volunteers and student body is being prepped for the special day ahead. [Read more…]