Nashville Software School Receives $25,000 Grant From Truist Foundation to Provide Scholarships for Students

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Nashville Software School Receives $25,000 Grant From Truist Foundation to Provide Scholarships for Students

NASHVILLE, Tenn., – Nashville Software School (NSS), the nation’s first nonprofit software bootcamp, announces today it has received a $25,000 grant from Truist Foundation to offer scholarships to students from underrepresented groups. NSS will issue 25 scholarships of $1,000 each to students enrolled in 2022-23 programs through its Opportunity Tuition initiative. More than 55% of NSS students are from groups underrepresented in tech careers, including people of color, women and veterans.

“We’re grateful for this generous grant from the Truist Foundation which will help motivated adults transition into tech careers and improve their economic mobility,” says John Wark, founder and CEO, Nashville Software School. “Our unique Nashville Opportunity Tuition initiative helps to open doors to tech careers for the financially disadvantaged and members of underrepresented groups. It also directly contributes to a larger and more diverse tech workforce.”

NSS has graduated more than 2,000 students from over 100 cohorts in four different career pathways since its founding in 2012. The placement rate of graduates into tech jobs is consistently at 90% with alumni finding jobs at 400+ employers in Middle Tennessee as software developers, data analysts, data scientists and IT administrators.

“We’re delighted to award this grant to Nashville Software School to introduce more diverse students to a tech career by reducing a financial barrier,” says Johnny Moore, Tennessee regional president for Truist. “The economic impact on the lives of graduates encapsulates Truist’s purpose of inspiring and building better lives, and we’re proud to provide these scholarships.”

Tennessee-Based Tech Workforce Development Firm Partners with CoreCivic to Offer Data Analytics Training in Prisons

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Tennessee-Based Tech Workforce Development Firm Partners with CoreCivic to Offer Data Analytics Training in Prisons

Nashville, TENN – In support of national workforce development efforts, Pivot Technology School has established a formal partnership with CoreCivic to create tech career pathways for justice-involved individuals. Pivot, a tech workforce development firm based in Nashville, TN, offers 20-week virtual courses in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Software Development. CoreCivic, headquartered in Brentwood, TN, is a national leader in corrections and detention management.

The partnership between Pivot and CoreCivic presents a unique opportunity to drive community and social impact. A diverse group of 15 individuals housed at Jenkins Correctional Center (Millen, GA) has been selected to participate in a 20-week data analytics course offered through Pivot’s virtual format, free of charge. Upon completion, graduates will be offered career support services to facilitate their placement in full-time, technical roles as they reenter society.

“Our partnership with CoreCivic is a game-changer because we’re changing the narrative around what’s possible after incarceration ends,” said Joshua Mundy, Co-founder, and CEO of Pivot. “This collaboration allows us to assist with reentry by providing justice-involved individuals with access to tech career pathways.”

This partnership was formed to support CoreCivic’s existing reentry and recidivism reduction programs by providing technology skills training to justice-involved individuals nearing the end of their incarceration. “Our priority as an organization is to prepare those in our care for success,” said Damon Hininger, President and CEO of CoreCivic. “Research and our own experience tell us that to move the needle on recidivism, we need innovative programs that will prepare people for the job market they will encounter after release – this program does that. We are so proud and honored to partner with Joshua Mundy and the entire Pivot Tech team on this project and look forward to graduation day.”

Program enrollment began in October 2022 and classes will launch in November 2022. More details about the program can be found online: www.pivottechschool.com.

Metro Councilwoman At-Large Sharon Hurt Announces Campaign for Mayor of Nashville.

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Metro Councilwoman At-Large Sharon Hurt Announces Campaign for Mayor of Nashville.

Sharon Hurt, a Metro Councilwoman at-large who was the number one vote-getter for Council in Nashville in 2019, officially announced her campaign for Mayor with the following statement:

“Nashville is a city of growth and opportunity for some, but too many longtime Nashvillians have been forgotten and shut out of the city’s prosperity.  These forgotten working and middle-class families need and deserve a voice and a leader in City Hall who fights for them.  I will fight for all people and no one can be left behind as Nashville experiences astronomical growth and a lack of affordable housing.

I am running for Mayor because people who get up every morning, do the hard work our community needs – our home care workers, teachers-aides, custodians, and city workers like those who pick up the trash or maintain our parks – are the hearts and souls of our neighborhoods.  These multi-generational residents should be able to afford to live here, start a business here, pay a mortgage, make a car payment, and put food on their tables – but right now too many can’t.

Nashville invests hundreds of millions in attracting and helping the largest businesses, but just a fraction in building mom-and-pop businesses to anchor neighborhoods across Nashville.  That will change if I’m elected because poverty anywhere in our city is a threat to prosperity everywhere.

Nearly ten thousand black and brown people have already voted with their feet and left Davidson County. We can’t afford to lose more people because they can’t afford to live here – regardless of their race or background.

As the next Mayor of Nashville, I will work my heart out to restore hope and prosperity on every forgotten block in our city.”

Over the coming weeks and months, Sharon Hurt will spell out detailed plans for strengthening neighborhoods by creating more home ownership, more capitalization of small neighborhood-based businesses, more minority participation in city contracts, more community-based policing, and investments in public schools that need it the most.  Hurt believes Nashville must be a union-friendly city to help properly train our working class for trades jobs – and to build a stronger more hopeful middle class.

As Mayor Sharon will work to create a housing trust fund that not only helps working-class people make down payments on their first mortgage but also teaches them how to be successful homeowners who pay taxes and strengthen Neighborhoods.

Alliance Partners with Charlamagne tha God to Get More Black Americans Screened for Colon Cancer

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Alliance Partners with Charlamagne tha God to Get More Black Americans Screened for Colon Cancer

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance (Alliance), the nation’s leading colorectal cancer advocacy organization, is spotlighting disparities affecting Black Americans with its They Didn’t Say campaign. The latest statistics from the American Cancer Society reveal that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the U.S. Black Americans are about 20% more likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer and 35% more likely to die from it. Compounding this discrepancy is the high degree of stigma surrounding colorectal cancer; dispelling myths with facts about the disease is the cornerstone of this awareness campaign.

“Everyone knows that I’m an advocate for mental health, but with so many friends, family, and important figures in our community being diagnosed with colon cancer, I’m driven to continue my partnership with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around screening,” said media mogul and TV personality Charlamagne tha God. “This is a preventable cancer and if caught and treated early, there’s a 90% survival rate. So, we owe it to our families, our community, and our culture to get screened.”

With the recent lowering of the minimum screening age to 45 from 50 by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), more Black Americans are eligible to get screened. Acclaimed saxophonist James Casey relayed this message at The Atlantic’s fifth annual People v. Cancer summit, sharing his late-stage colon cancer diagnosis at just 38 years old. Sold-out vinyl sales of Casey’s holiday album, A Little Something For Everyone, will support the Alliance’s screenings efforts.

To increase testing, the Alliance has earmarked $300,000 in donated funds for colonoscopies to Black Americans in need of financial assistance. These efforts are made possible through the Alliance’s partnership with BLKHTLH and Cottonelle and its GoodDownThere campaign. BLKHLTH is a nonprofit organization that seeks to reduce the impact of racism on Black health through education and action. “BLKHLTH is grateful to the Alliance for its work on reducing the impact of colorectal cancer in Black communities, including providing support to Black people seeking colonoscopies through the Cottonelle and BLKHLTH GoodDownThere campaign,” says Matthew McCurdy, co-founder and president of BLKHLTH.

Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for preventing colorectal cancer, but there are several screening options available, including at-home stool tests, which can be purchased at local retailers. The Alliance has trained patient and family support navigators who help individuals assess their risk for colorectal cancer and recommend an appropriate screening option. Individuals can access support by visiting quiz.getscreened.org or calling the helpline at 877-422-2030.

“The Alliance is committed to addressing equity and access in healthcare, with a focus on the Black community,” says CEO Michael Sapienza, who founded the organization after his mother died of colorectal cancer in 2009. “We are working hard to break down barriers to colorectal cancer screening that contribute to the disproportionate incidence and mortality rates among the Black community. We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of zip code, race, income and insurance status.”

The Alliance’s Impact in Breaking Barriers to Access and Care for CRC:

  • Nearly $1 Million invested in equitable colorectal cancer screening, care and cure initiatives
  • Nearly $250,000 given to those in need of financial assistance for colonoscopies
  • Over 14,000 free at-home tests for colorectal cancer distributed

Here’s Why the Alliance is Taking Action:

  • Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Black Americans.
  • One in four Black Americans is diagnosed with colorectal cancer at later stages.
  • Colorectal cancer kills more people each year – estimated 52,580 in 2022 – than every type of cancer except lung cancer; it is grossly underfunded compared to other cancers.
  • The average lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about one in 23 for men and one in 25 for women.
  • Young-onset colorectal cancer continues to be on the rise; rates for people under 55 increased 15% since 2000, there will be a 90% increase in CRC for those under age 35 by 2030, and Black Americans are 30% more likely to develop young-onset colon cancer.
  • Nearly one in three eligible Americans have not been screened for colorectal cancer. If caught and treated early, CRC has a 90% survival rate.

Nashville Software School Participates In GivingTuesday On November 29th

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Nashville Software School Participates In GivingTuesday On November 29th

NASHVILLE, Tenn., – On Tuesday, November 29th Nashville Software School (NSS) kicks off its year-end giving season by participating in GivingTuesday, the global 24-hour online day of giving. As the nation’s first nonprofit software bootcamp, NSS set a goal to raise $5,000 on GivingTuesday to provide Opportunity Tuition for aspiring tech students in need. NSS increases access and opportunity to tech careers for motivated adults with an aptitude for tech. NSS is committed to reducing or eliminating financial barriers to tech careers with 68% of students in 2021 receiving financial support from NSS or its partners and providing onramps for underrepresented groups in tech, including women, Black people, Hispanic people, and veterans. 58% of their students in 2021 were from one or more underrepresented groups.

The school recently commemorated its 10th Anniversary along with graduating 2,000 students and 100 cohorts since its founding in 2012. NSS has an 88% job placement rate for students that graduated between July 2020 and June 2021 and partners with more than 400 local employers. NSS will release their 2022 Community Impact Report with more recent impact results in early December.

“We’re asking our alumni, partners and the Middle Tennessee community to contribute generously on GivingTuesday to help pay it forward for students who need financial assistance to reach their goal of becoming a software developer, data analyst, or data scientist,” says John Wark, founder and CEO, Nashville Software School.

Held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of radical generosity to transform communities and the world. It started in 2012 to encourage people to do good and was created by the 92nd Street Y in New York City. In the U.S., more than 240 communities participated in GivingTuesday and raised $2.47 billion in 24 hours in 2020.

Participants in GivingTuesday may support Nashville Software School by making a tax-deductible donation at https://learn.nashvillesoftwareschool.com/givetonss on Tuesday, November 29, 2022.

Mayor Cooper Launches New Online Portal to Simplify and Improve Metro Boards and Commissions Process

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Mayor Cooper Launches New Online Portal to Simplify and Improve Metro Boards and Commissions Process

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mayor John Cooper recently announced a new initiative to make it easier for Nashvillians to express interest to serve on Metro Boards and Commissions, and for the first time ever, will compile and reuse demographic data from those groups online.

Metro has launched an online portal that creates a streamlined and centrally located questionnaire process for Davidson County residents. The portal is part of a new internal data system designed to allow Metro Government to better manage the 70+ active Boards & Commissions on which more than 680 residents actively serve the community. The new portal will be housed on the current Metro Nashville website at Nashville.gov.

The launch of the portal follows a recent report published by the Metro Clerk’s Office detailing selected demographics of those serving on the city’s Boards and Commissions as of October 1, 2022.

Key takeaways from this report reveal a tripling of Hispanic representation (to nearly 5 percent) and an increase of African American representation by 16 percent (to more than 28 percent) in one year from 2021 – 2022, the only period for which this information is available.

“Nashville owes much of our strength and success to the diversity of our residents, and it’s essential that members of Metro’s Boards and Commissions reflect the rich diversity of our neighborhoods,” said Mayor John Cooper. “By making it easier to fill out the questionnaire and adding this new layer of transparency, we will hold ourselves accountable and ensure the folks serving in these key roles are broadly representative of our community. A new, streamlined process will expand the pool of those interested in serving their community and making a difference for Nashville.”

“The implementation of this platform will not only make the Board and Commission appointment process more efficient for the Mayor’s Office and Metropolitan Clerk’s office. It will also offer a more comprehensive picture of the composition of each Board through its reporting capabilities,” said Metro Clerk Austin Kyle. “Overall, this software will allow us to be more efficient and transparent.”

With the launch of the portal, comprehensive data collection – including member demographics – will be centrally collected, allowing real-time monitoring of board and commission diversity for the first time in Nashville’s history.

“Technology is an important tool to provide for transparency and thus facilitate accountability and diversity in Metro Government, and our IT vendor Granicus has been an important partner with Metro in these efforts for many years,” said Keith Durbin, Director of Information Technology Services. “Granicus technology handles several of Metro’s platforms including Metro’s communication cloud, web-streaming services, and short-term rental monitoring.”

In addition to easing the questionnaire process and improving the management of interested residents, the overall appointment process will be modernized by automating processes like notifying Metro Government of upcoming seat vacancies in advance so that appointments can coincide with terms ending and gathering demographic information to allow for real-time monitoring of the diversity levels of each board and commission.

Mayor Cooper’s continuing efforts to increase diversity across government to reflect changes in the city begins in the Mayor’s Office, where people of color make up nearly 46 percent of his staff – making it the most diverse Mayor’s Office on record.

‘Tis the Season to Save on Holiday Essentials

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‘Tis the Season to Save on Holiday Essentials

This holiday season, stretch your budget when shopping for gifts, including toys and stocking stuffers, as well as last-minute needs, meal prep, and more!

Spend more time creating memories and less time preparing with a few tips from experts at Dollar General.

Joyful Gifts

One of the best parts of the holidays may be seeing the excited reaction of someone opening a gift, especially children. Save on some of America’s most popular name-brand toys at Dollar General, which recently announced an enhanced 2022 toy selection from popular brands such as Melissa & Doug, LEGO, Fisher-Price, VTech, Play-Doh, Barbie, Pokémon, L.O.L. Surprise!, ZURU 5 Surprise and more. Most toys are priced at $10 or less. Another option for the person who has everything is a gift card. Available at neighborhood stores, gift cards provide the recipient with various ways to enjoy your thoughtfulness!

Dashing Decor

To transform the home, consider choosing a one-holiday color palette to stay consistent in each room. Color options may include gold and silver, various shades of green, red and green, or blue and silver. Next, shop for decorations in your preferred palette and sprinkle them throughout the home. Ornaments, bows, ribbons, and stockings aren’t just for the tree and fireplace. Add accents to the kitchen table, front porch, living room surfaces, and everywhere else for more holiday spirit throughout the home.

Festive Food

The holidays are often synonymous with family meals, get-togethers with friends and coworkers, and seasonal dishes. For all household essentials, such as canned foods, milk, bread, eggs, baking items, and more, consider shopping at a discount retailer to save in one convenient shopping trip. Additionally, consider using healthier variations of the season’s comforting and tasty dishes with DG Better For You recipes found at dollargeneral.com. Created by a registered dietician and nutritionist, these recipes include options like risotto and hamburger soup and all-use ingredients available at every Dollar General store.

The holidays are a busy time for everyone, but keep your sights on the essentials! Simplify shopping by creating a signature theme for your home décor, finding deals on gifts for everyone on your list, and serving something easy and delicious for the whole crew. Plan ahead this year and enjoy the extra time you’ll have celebrating the season with friends and family!

What Will Holiday Shopping Look Like This Year?

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What Will Holiday Shopping Look Like This Year?

If it feels like the holiday season is getting longer and more reliant on technology every year, you’re not imagining it.

According to the Sensormatic Solutions 2022 U.S. Holiday Consumer Sentiment Survey, 52% of respondents already started or plan to start their holiday shopping before November, and pre-Labor Day holiday shopping more than doubled over 2021. That said, the top busiest shopping days in the United States are all expected between Black Friday and the day after Christmas.

Whether shoppers are making a list and checking it twice as early in the season as possible or waiting until the last minute, they are also likely to be thinking all the ways to shop, including integrating digital options with a traditional brick-and-mortar experience, both which offer key consumer benefits.

“The past couple years have fundamentally changed the way we celebrate the holidays, starting with how we shop,” said Kim Melvin, global leader of marketing, Sensormatic Solutions. “This year, shoppers are using the very same tools they once turned to for health and safety reasons to make the experience more convenient and affordable.”

Sixty-four percent of respondents cited convenience as their top reason for using buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) or curbside pickup this holiday season, while 37% are leveraging these options to access online-exclusive deals. Shoppers are also blurring the lines between the digital and physical shopping experiences, using their phones while in stores to read product reviews, access coupons, check on product availability and conduct other research — 27% use their phones to supplement their shopping experience every time they shop in-store and an additional 31% do so most of the time they shop in-store.

“While the majority of shoppers feel very comfortable making their holiday purchases in-store this year, factors like price, product availability and convenience are at the top of everyone’s minds,” said Melvin. “A combination of traditional brick-and-mortar visits and alternative shopping methods, such as BOPIS and curbside pickup, are helping consumers take these factors into consideration as they complete their holiday wish lists.”

As part of its mission to solve complex retail challenges, Sensormatic Solutions is providing its top strategies to improve your holiday shopping experience:

• If staying within your seasonal budget is a priority for you or you harbor supply chain concerns, consider leveraging shopping holidays such as Black Friday. Doing so can help ensure product availability, and thanks to holiday promotions, help you secure reasonable pricing on needed items.

• One of the most frustrating aspects of holiday shopping is not finding what you need on store shelves. Using alternative shopping methods such as BOPIS and curbside pickup can offer greater convenience and help ensure that when you visit a store, you won’t leave empty-handed.

For more holiday shopping tips and insights, visit sensormatic.com.

Though this holiday season may resemble the last few years in many ways, shoppers’ motivations for going digital have changed. Having a game plan can help you score great deals and find what you need.

Non Spoiler Review of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Mike Patton
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Non Spoiler Review of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

“Our ancestors are truly showing us they are alive and here. Forever Wakanda.”

These were the first words 101 The Beat Nashville’s Averianna the Personality thought of when asked about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She definitely wasn’t the only one that had thoughts on the movie after catching an early screening via BlackTree TV in Franklin, Tennessee. People were buzzing about what they just saw.

The movie is a sequel to the original Black Panther movie, released back in February 2018. People remember the excitement of watching the original film and dressing up in different African royal clothing as if they were traveling to Wakanda. Though this special screening did not have as many people dressed up, the same feelings of awe were inspired by watching such greatness.

While many may be curious to see how they can move on without Chadwick Boseman, the most important thing is that they manage to do so. The original Black Panther in the Marvel movies, Boseman passed away from colon cancer in 2020. Many people suggested replacing Boseman’s role in the movie with another actor, while others thought that this should not be done and that it was best to focus on other Marvel projects instead. But not only did they move forward with this movie, but they also moved forward with the same type of passion and symmetry we saw on film in the first movie.

While everyone wants to compare the hype of this movie to that of its predecessor, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever can best be described as a range of emotions with superhero and human elements, a seamless plot, and elite acting.

While these movies are different, they all have one thing in common: Director Ryan Coogler. From Fruitvale Station to Creed to this movie, Coogler just does not miss. This film offers viewers the same engaging experience they have enjoyed in his other films. The tributes to Chadwick Boseman, the different emotions within exchanges in dialogue, and the many different dialogues spoken in this movie bring the energy that we loved from the original along with additional emotional pull. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has claimed its stake as the best Marvel movie of Phase 4 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and gives a good close to that chapter. Hopefully, this will not be the end of the Black Panther magic that lifts our spirits, brings us together, and connects us all as a people.

Should I Buy or Rent a Home?

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Should I Buy or Rent a Home?

If you’re feeling stressed about rising rents and interest rates, you are not alone. Most American renters say their rents increased in the past 12 months, and for many, their wage gains didn’t keep pace. In addition, mortgage rates have reached a two-decade high.

This means that for those in the market to rent or buy a home, there is a lot to consider. According to Freddie Mac, deciding whether to rent or buy depends on your financial situation, future plans, and lifestyle. You should also carefully assess the benefits and financial commitments that come with each option.

Why Buy?

If you plan to stay in your home for at least five to seven years, buying can make financial sense. Homeowners may be eligible for certain tax benefits, and increases in home equity are important to building long-term financial independence. Plus, for those with a fixed-rate mortgage, stable monthly payments provide important predictability when creating a budget. Another benefit to homeownership is the freedom to make decisions about your house that best suit your needs without the approval of a landlord.

Why Rent?

Compared to owning, renting is flexible and is usually low risk. Renting can require less money upfront and provides you immunity to declining home values. It’s also a good option if you enjoy the ability to move relatively quickly. Not handy? Renting is also great if you prefer to leave home repairs to someone else.

Next Steps

As you make your decision, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. Am I ready for homeownership? Mortgage-ready homebuyers typically have not had a foreclosure or bankruptcy in the past seven years and no severe delinquencies in the past 12 months. Potential buyers are also often required to have credit scores and debt levels that meet certain criteria. To learn more about credit scores and managing credit, consider using free educational resources from Freddie Mac.

2. How much can I afford? Free online tools can help you get a better idea of how much you can afford based on your personal financial situation.

3. Do I have enough saved? Determine how much you have saved for a security deposit or down payment. Look into down payment assistance programs, and low down payment mortgage programs and learn more about budgeting for upfront rental costs.

If you’re still unsure which path is right for you, check out My Home by Freddie Mac, which offers financial education resources. Compare costs with the site’s Rent vs. Buy Calculator, and explore the tips and tools geared to those who are renting or buying. Visit myhome.freddiemac.com to get started.

Whether you choose to rent or buy, it’s important to keep an eye on your long-term financial goals. Building good credit and making a savings plan today can better position you for the future.

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