NAREB Nashville’s Realtist Week to Promote Black Wealth and Homeownership

The Nashville Voice
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NAREB Nashville’s Realtist Week to Promote Black Wealth and Homeownership

Local NAREB Chapter to Empower Minority Communities Through Financial Education and Wealth-Building Initiatives

Nashville, TN, April 4, 2023 – NAREB Nashville announces its upcoming Realtist Week, a series of events and activities designed to promote black wealth through homeownership and the revitalization of urban neighborhoods. Scheduled from April 9th to April 15th, 2023, the initiative is part of a national effort led by the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), involving over 30 cities and 21 states.

Furtesha Woods, NAREB Nashville President, Realtist, and Broker, highlights the significance of educating minority communities about homeownership. “A primary objective of NAREB Nashville is to educate the minority community about the importance of home ownership. The journey to homeownership is often accompanied by several obstacles, including budgeting, credit, and debt-to-income ratio issues,” Woods continued “As a result of knowing these issues exist, NAREB Nashville has made it a priority to ensure that the community has access to learning opportunities that can help them overcome these obstacles. Therefore, we believe it is imperative to host events such as these, and those in need of these services will naturally want to attend.”

Throughout Realtist Week, various events and activities will be organized to raise awareness and provide education on real estate and financial topics. Some of the key events include:

• Racial Wealth Gap Learning Simulation on Tuesday, an engaging and interactive event that explores the historical and systemic factors contributing to the wealth gap in the United States. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the connections among racial equity, hunger, poverty, and wealth while discussing potential solutions to address and close the racial wealth gap.

• Budget Night on Thursday, an open event designed to empower attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to create and maintain sustainable budgets. Featuring expert-led presentations and hands-on activities, participants will learn effective strategies to manage their personal finances, reduce debt, and save for future goals, including homeownership.

• Her Journey Home workshop on Saturday, part of a comprehensive 5-week homebuyers course specifically designed for women to learn the mortgage process, starting April 1, 2023 (all are welcome). This third week of the program focuses on mortgage readiness, with previous weeks covering credit preparation and budgeting, and upcoming weeks addressing mental readiness and the home-buying process. Each class can be attended as a stand-alone, but the complete 5-week program offers the most comprehensive experience.

Woods emphasizes the impact of the Her Journey Home workshop, stating, “In this course, we specifically discuss issues women tend to face on the road to homeownership. Many women, including myself, have been able to achieve homeownership with the help of this course,” She explained. “Those in attendance will have a stronger desire to see this goal through to the end, as well as the tools necessary to do so. Don’t take my word for it though, read what other women had to say about Her Journey Home.”

Additionally, NAREB Nashville has organized exclusive events for its local members during Realtist Week. On Sunday, a Home Campaign Video emphasizing the importance of homeownership will be streamed at local churches. Wednesday features the Middle TN Fair Housing Luncheon, where Woods will be the main guest speaker, sharing her insights and expertise on fair housing and the real estate industry. Finally, NAREB Nashville’s Youth Reading Day on Friday offers local Realtists the opportunity to visit a local elementary school to read “The House That She Built,” promoting literacy, education, and introducing children to the concept of homeownership.

NAREB Nashville’s Realtist Week underscores the vital role homeownership plays in building black wealth and fortifying communities. By concentrating on education, literacy, and community engagement, the organization aims to foster a culture of financial literacy and responsibility. Realtist Week is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Rhonda Jackson with HQ Insurance, Republic Bank, Tennessee Housing Development Agency, and First Horizon Bank, whose support helps bring these important initiatives and events to the community.

For more information and to register for any of these events, please visit https://www.narebnashville.com/events.

Unique Recruiting Methods and Hard Work: Inside Fisk University’s Women’s Gymnastics Team

Erika Davis
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Unique Recruiting Methods and Hard Work: Inside Fisk University’s Women’s Gymnastics Team

By Erika Davis

Nashville, TN – History was made at Fisk University in February 2022 when the school established its first women’s intercollegiate gymnastics team. Fisk University is now the first historically black college and university (HBCU) to field such a team, breaking barriers and paving the way for other HBCUs to follow suit. The team is led by head coach Corrine Tarver and assistant coach India Anderson who built the team in a unique way, using various methods to recruit gymnasts, including social media, without holding traditional tryouts.

“There were no tryouts,” said Tarver. “I recruited them, but many of them found out through social media posts that came out from the university.”

Social media was not the only way the university and the coaches could contact the gymnasts. “I looked into the transfer portal as I was still in the process of being hired,” said assistant coach Anderson. “We had a bunch of students reaching out to us and I in return reached out to them. We also had Derrin [Moore] from Brown Girls Do Gymnastics give us a list of girls.”

After deciding to establish a women’s gymnastics team, Fisk University began searching for coaches to lead the new program. They contacted Coach Tarver, who was on a short list of potential hires. As Tarver explained, “I was on that list, and they contacted me, and it just went from there. I was living in New Jersey at the time.”

The team opened its first season in Las Vegas on January 6th, 2023 losing against the University of Washington. Despite facing early setbacks with losses in their opening matches, the Fisk University women’s gymnastics team continued to grow and improve throughout their debut season. As head coach Tarver explained, “This is our inaugural year, the first season of competition for us, so we are excited about it.” The team’s determination and hard work paid off, culminating in a final victory against Greenville University.

Next up for Fisk University is competing in the USA Gymnastics (USAG) Collegiate National, held in Austin, TX, on April 6th. This will be the last competition of the year for some of the gymnasts who could qualify due to their scores throughout the year. “We have about 4-5 girls that are qualifying,” says assistant coach Anderson. “One we are unsure right now, but we know for sure we have four that are actually going to the USAG Nationals.”

The Fisk University gymnasts have been practicing daily, with the exception of Wednesdays and the weekend. The team’s coaches have been guiding the gymnasts through rigorous training sessions, preparing them to compete at the national level.

Despite the demanding training schedule, the gymnasts have remained focused and driven, fueled by the prospect of competing in the upcoming national championship. “They are super excited. To see the joy on their faces, they are like, ‘Do we still get to go?’ and I’m like, ‘Yes, you still get to go,'” said assistant coach Anderson. “The postseason is a special part of gymnastics that not all gymnasts get to experience, so it’s exciting to know that five of our girls will have the opportunity to compete at this level.”

Why Small Business Owners Need an Online Presence

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Why Small Business Owners Need an Online Presence

By Jack Smith

In today’s digital world, having an online presence is essential for small business owners. An online presence allows businesses to create a brand identity and engage with customers in ways that were not at all possible a decade ago. From engaging customer feedback to staying ahead of the competition, there are many reasons why small business owners need an online presence.

1. Easier Marketing for Your Brand

Promoting your brand or product is much easier by accessing social media and digital marketing. However, you must have a strong online presence to make the most of these resources. Due to its pervasive impact on modern customers’ decision-making processes, online marketing has become crucial for every company hoping to succeed. Many consumers make their product research and pricing comparisons online before making a final purchase decision. Customers in the digital age have even said they have a terrible impression of a business if it is challenging to discover on the internet.

The success of small firms depends on their ability to avoid obsolescence. Therefore, establishing a strong online presence is crucial for every modern company. No matter how large or small your company is or what sector you operate in, having a strong online presence will help you market your brand and reach new customers.

The words "marketing" are written in different colors.
Online marketing is critical for any company that wants to expand. (Photo by: Merakist on Unsplash)

2. Enhanced Customer Engagement and Service

An online presence allows customers to engage with your business on their own terms. Put in the effort to make a strong online presence. Customers who visit your website or social media pages can find information about products and services, read reviews from other customers, or ask questions in the comments section. Having a platform to discuss with your customers allows you to provide better customer service and strengthen relationships.

It also helps build trust when potential customers come across your online content and see you actively engage with existing customers. Keeping your customers engaged requires a lot of website maintenance, so choosing the right platform to host your website and hiring pros for web support is essential. WordPress is a good option since experts can keep your site running for you so that you can focus on more critical elements of your business.

3. Competitive Advantage

Having an online presence gives small businesses a competitive advantage over larger companies that may not have as much focus on customer engagement or visibility in search engines due to size alone. By investing in SEO (Search Engine Optimization), small businesses can compete against larger companies for higher rankings in search engine results pages (SERP). This means that more potential customers searching for products or services related to yours will find your website before those of larger competitors who may not be optimizing their websites as well as you are.

A screen displaying website analytics.
Photo by: Stephen Phillips – Hostreviews.co.uk on Unsplash)

For instance, if a consumer looks for a washing machine online, the business that appears first in the search results is more likely to make a sale, even if the product’s price is more than average. That is why an online presence can be so powerful. Primarily if you use the right tools to help your website; if you do, customers will turn to you first, and they’ll start to trust your company.

4. Evolving Consumer Habits

Consumers today expect quick access to information about products or services they are interested in purchasing. Not only that, but they expect it from any device at any time, whether it be from desktop computers, tablets, mobile phones, or other devices. That is why having an online presence is necessary. Without it, companies risk losing out on thousands of potential leads. For this reason, you must have an optimized website with up-to-date product listings to ensure that potential shoppers will have a positive user experience when visiting your site, regardless of what device they are using.

A customer uses his credit card to purchase something online.
Customers’ habits have shifted, and businesses must adapt.(Photo by: rupixen.com on Unsplash)

This is critical for keeping them engaged with your brand long enough for them to purchase something from you versus going somewhere else where they have better access to information about what they are looking for quickly and easily. To sum up, small companies that wish to thrive in today’s market need to have a robust online presence and make use of the most cutting-edge digital tools and technology in order to fulfill the demands and expectations of today’s tech-savvy consumers.

5. Cost-Effectiveness

Online marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways for small businesses to reach new audiences without relying on expensive traditional marketing methods such as print ads or radio spots. With digital marketing strategies such as SEO and social media campaigns, there is no need for upfront costs, and you can measure success in real time using analytics tools like Google Analytics which makes it easy to track conversions and ROI (return of investment).

Additionally, to boost their internet exposure, small company owners may use free services like Google My Business. They can control their online presence and increase their visibility in local search results without breaking the bank by “claiming” their company’s listing. Tracking online analytics and ROI is essential for small company owners looking to get the most out of their online marketing initiatives. That being said, Google Analytics and other social media analytics tools provide marketers with a wealth of information from which to draw, enabling them to make educated choices and fine-tune their approaches.

Conclusion

Hopefully, now you understand why small business owners need an online presence. It helps you differentiate yourself from larger competitors while increasing visibility among potential customers through improved customer service engagement, competitive advantages through effective SEO tactics & increased reach via social media campaigns & content marketing. It achieves this all while being cost-effective & keeping up with ever-changing consumer habits across all devices! Investing in creating & maintaining an effective online presence is key to achieving success & growth within any small business!

Author Bio:

With more than five years of expertise, Jack Smith is a seasoned content writer. Jack now contributes to WP Full Care, a premier WordPress maintenance and support company. His marketing experience pairs well with his enthusiasm for providing insightful writing to the public.

Citizens Savings Bank And Trust Company Partners With Operation Hope to Expand Financial Literacy Initiatives

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Citizens Savings Bank And Trust Company Partners With Operation Hope to Expand Financial Literacy Initiatives

NASHVILLE, Tenn., – March 9, 2023 – Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company, the nation’s oldest continuously operating African-American-owned bank, and Operation HOPE, Inc., the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to financial empowerment in underserved communities, announce a new collaboration to launch a HOPE Inside financial literacy program, located inside the main bank branch at 2013 Jefferson Street in North Nashville.

Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company serve individuals, families, and small business owners to begin successful financial journeys through a community banking approach to build financial resilience. The partnership with Operation HOPE expands this community-based effort to provide personalized one-on-one coaching and financial well-being programs to equip individuals with knowledge and tools to create a secure future. HOPE Inside programs and services are offered at no cost to individuals including credit and money management coaching, mortgage application assistance, financial disaster preparation and recovery, and youth financial literacy programs.

“The founders of Citizens Bank had a vision to create opportunities for African-Americans to build wealth and economic security,” says Corey Hammonds, COO, Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company. “We continue to invest in opportunities to provide financial education tools for communities to build, grow and reinvest wealth. This strategic partnership with Operation HOPE expands our efforts to serve more individuals and entrepreneurs in the community to help them prosper.”

Ms. Tonesha Talley will serve as the HOPE Inside coach to lead this financial literacy initiative in the community. To sign up for financial coaching, contact Tonesha directly at 615-785-5897 or tonesha.talley@operationhope.org.

“Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company is an important financial institution to the nation and we’re honored to collaborate with them to bring our financial education programs to reach more consumers, small businesses, and employees,” says John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and CEO.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch HOPE Inside takes place on Thursday, March 23rd at 12:00 p.m. at Citizens Savings Bank and Trust Company’s main bank branch located at 2013 Jefferson Street in North Nashville. Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO, John Hope Bryant will deliver the keynote address. Attendees must register to attend on Eventbrite.

“A Nashville Legacy” Premiere Draws Crowds and Praise at National Museum of African American Music

The Nashville Voice
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“A Nashville Legacy” Premiere Draws Crowds and Praise at National Museum of African American Music

Nashville, TN – On February 24th, 2022, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville hosted the premiere of the Hallmark Channel’s new film “A Nashville Legacy”. The event drew crowds of Black media, influencers, and community leaders who were eager to see the first Mahogany-branded film to debut on the network.

The film stars Andrea Lewis, Pooch Hall, Roz Ryan, and Stan Shaw, along with musical artists Tamara Chauniece, Kasi Jones, and Stacy Johnson of the world-renowned vocal group The Shindellas. The story follows Naima, played by Andrea Lewis, as she moves to Nashville to intern at the NMAAM and pursues a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology. Naima’s work leads her to uncover a mystery surrounding a classic hit and a vintage dress, which she and Damian (played by Pooch Hall), a volunteer and music producer, work together to solve.

Following the premiere screening, a panel discussion took place with Pooch Hall, Tamara Chauniece, Kasi Jones, and Stacy Johnson, along with Senior Vice President of Programming Development for Crown Media Family Networks/Hallmark Mahogany, Toni Judkins, and consulting producer Phil Thornton, who is also a Senior Vice President of Capitol Christian Music Group/Capitol Music Group. The panel was moderated by Nashville radio personality Averianna The Personality.

The film was praised for its celebration of Black culture and the important role of music in the African American experience. The NMAAM served as a fitting location for the premiere, as it is “the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans,” according to its website.

Attendees left the event impressed by the film’s strong cast, compelling storyline, and the opportunity to support Black storytelling on a major network. “A Nashville Legacy” is the latest in a series of Mahogany-branded productions, which aim to celebrate and honor Black culture through uplifting and authentic storytelling.

Overall, the premiere of “A Nashville Legacy” was a successful and inspiring event that showcased the power of Black storytelling and the importance of representation in media. As Mahogany continues to grow and expand, viewers can look forward to more diverse and empowering stories that celebrate the richness and diversity of Black culture.

Top 10 Hidden Gems in Nashville

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Top 10 Hidden Gems in Nashville

By Katelyn Burton

Over the last few years, Nashville has seen tremendous development, especially in tourism. With more and more visitors coming here every day, some sites and attractions have become popular staples. From some of the unique bars in the state to gorgeous nature walks and historic sites, Nashville has something to offer any visitor. However, most visitors will not be satisfied just seeing the popular touristy areas. Those people are looking for the fantastic hidden gems in Nashville. To help with this goal of experiencing the true beauty of the “Country Music Capitol of the World,” we’ve compiled this list of the top 10 lesser-known attractions that Nashville offers.

1. Third Man Records

Third Man Records is one of the less popular tourist attractions in Nashville. Even though tourists do not frequent it like some other city attractions, it’s worth taking a trip, especially if you are a music enthusiast. Here you can find a record store and an exciting novelty shop. However, those two are not the main selling point of the place. The best part is a booth where you can record a vinyl record of your very own.

2. Hatch Show Print

One of Nashville’s oldest establishments, Hatch Show Print, is known for printing some of the most iconic concert posters. It has been printing posters since 1879, and today it’s home to hundreds of original vintage posters that visitors can browse through. You can also see the workers create posters by hand in real time. It’s part of the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville. The Hall of Fame isn’t one of the hidden gems in Nashville and is very popular with tourists. However, not many visitors take the time to enter Hatch Show Print and experience this incredible part of music history for themselves.

3. Bongo Java

A great way to start the day while on your trip to Nashville is to enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the oldest coffee shops in the city. It’s located across the street from Belmont University and is trendy among locals. In 1996 Bongo Java came into the spotlight when the owners of the café made a cinnamon bun that people thought resembled Mother Theresa. When you visit the café, you can order the famous Nun Bun. This small coffee shop is also the home of the Bongo After Hours Theatre. It’s a music venue that features live music and dinner theaters.

A cinnamon bun and cup of coffee
Bongo Java in Nashville got famous for making a cinnamon bun that looks like Mother Theresa. Now they are famous for selling their Nun Bun with some great coffee (Photo by: Photo by Photo by Fallon Michael | Unsplash).

4. Hidden Lake Double Loop Trail

If you are a nature lover, this is the place for you. The Hidden Lake, Double Loop Trail, is a hidden gem in the most literal sense. It’s in the Narrows of the Harpeth State Park. The trail is a relatively leisurely walk through a field that leads you to the most picturesque hidden lake you’ll ever see. The fact that it’s so secluded and untouched makes it feel like it came straight from a fairy tale. It’s perfect for taking the perfect Instagram picture, but don’t forget to enjoy the moment while you’re here.

5. Sri Ganesha Temple

You can visit the Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple by a short drive outside the downtown area. Visiting this fantastic temple can feel like you’ve been magically transported out of the US. The architecture of this temple is meant to replicate the look of temples built between 900 and 1100 CE. It’s dedicated to the deity Ganesh, and it’s adorned by several statues depicting the Hindu god. You can explore the area and learn about Hindu culture and the deity Ganesh. There are also services held at the temple once a week for practicing Hindus and guests. Donations are excepted, and guided tours are usually organized once a month.

6. The 5 Spot bar

This bar is in East Nashville, one of the city’s best places to hear live music. It offers excellent drinks, a fantastic atmosphere, and great music. It’s also known for holding Motown Mondays, where patrons can swing dance the whole night. The 5 Spot is trendy among locals. So if you’re planning a move to Nashville, it’s perfect for socializing and networking. For example, if you’re moving to Tennessee from Virginia, a great idea would be to take a trip before it’s time to move and visit this place so that when it is time to move in, you already have some friends and connections in the area. All that would be left is to hire interstate movers to help you organize an easy transfer from Virginia, and you would be all set for your new life in Nashville.

People enjoying live music at a bar
The 5 Spot is one of the most amazing hidden gems in Nashville regarding entertainment. It’s a great bar famous for playing live music. (Photo by: RODNAE | Pexels).

7. Bluebird Cafe

While The 5 Spot is excellent for meeting many new people while enjoying live music, Bluebird Cafe offers a much more intimate musical experience best enjoyed with your travel companions. The café is tiny, so tickets are pretty hard to get. But, if you snag a seat, you’ll experience a mix of great music, a cozy atmosphere, and great food and drinks. There’s also a new talent night on Mondays where aspiring musicians can show their talent to the crowd. You can also visit when their house band is playing, but there’s no reservation, meaning you have to wait in line and pray to get a ticket.

8. Hey Rooster General Store

Although this might sound like an oxymoron, the Hey Rooster General Store is one of Nashville’s most popular hidden gems. That is a specialty store on the east side of Nashville where you can buy unique and historical merchandise. Besides shopping, you should take lots of pictures while you’re here since the traditional look of the general store makes for some great selfie backgrounds. You can expect to see things like:

1. ready-to-eat small-batch food,
2. handmade clothing,
3. art painted by local artists,
4. homemade natural body and skincare products.

This store is next to a row of small, locally owned shops. So, you can spend the day shopping for interesting merchandise while supporting local small businesses.

9. Five Points Pizza

Five Points Pizza has been named one of the best pizza restaurants in Nashville multiple times. It’s beloved by locals and deserves more recognition from tourists. You can expect fantastic food and a great time with friendly staff when you come here. It’s at the heart of the Five Points neighborhood, offering a vibrant nightlife and a great community. The Five Points area is part of one of the best Nashville neighborhoods for young families – East Nashville.

Young male eating traditional italian pizza on paper plate
Five Points Pizza is undoubtedly one of the best pizza joints in Nashville (Photo by: By JJFarquitectos | elements.envato.com).

10. Radnor Lake

To finish off this list let’s discuss another hidden natural gem in Nashville. Radnor Lake in South Nashville is a secluded area that feels completely cut off from the city, even though it’s basically in the middle of one. It’s one of the favorite places for locals to hang out. Many hiking trails and nature walks to help you relax and unwind after a few days of exploring the fast-paced city.

Final thoughts on hidden gems in Nashville

As you can see, Nashville has much more to offer than meets the eye. There is so much to explore, enjoy, and learn. And while you should visit the more popular touristy areas, if you want to experience this remarkable place, you’ll have to check out these wonderful hidden gems in Nashville. But you should be careful. You might fall in love with this place so much that you decide to move here.

About the Author:

Katelyn Burton is a realtor and a freelance writer for Beltway Movers. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and taking care of her garden.

Trugoy the Dove, De La Soul Rapper, Passes Away at 54

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Trugoy the Dove, De La Soul Rapper, Passes Away at 54

David Jolicoeur, also known as Trugoy the Dove, was a founding member of the iconic hip-hop group, De La Soul. He passed away at the age of 54 after battling congestive heart problems according to cnbc.com. Jolicoeur’s contributions to the hip-hop genre were significant, as he helped shape the sound and attitude of the music in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Jolicoeur’s playful, experimental spirit was crucial in developing De La Soul’s unique sound and persona. He was known for his distinctive style and stage presence, which helped make De La Soul one of the most influential and innovative hip-hop groups of their era. Along with his bandmates, Kelvin Mercer (Posdnuos) and Vincent Mason (Mase), Jolicoeur was part of the Native Tongues collective, a group of like-minded hip-hop artists who sought to promote consciousness, positivity, and community in their music. The group of artists included A Tribe Called Quest and The Jungle Brothers.

Jolicoeur was born to Haitian-American parents in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in East Massapequa in Nassau County, Long Island. He met his future bandmates when they attended Memorial high school in nearby Amityville. The name “De La Soul” was derived from the phrase “from the soul” in a French fashion magazine called Dépêche Mode. The group chose this name to reflect their focus on creating music from their own unique perspective and experience.

The stage name, Trugoy the Dove, was derived from spelling “yogurt” backward, as it was his favorite food. Mercer, on the other hand, called himself Posdnuos, which is the reverse spelling of his DJ name, Sound-sop. Vincent Mason was simply known as Mase. Within De La Soul, Mercer referred to himself as Plug 1, while Jolicoeur referred to himself as Plug 2. These monikers were part of the various characters and alter egos that De La Soul portrayed on their albums.

De La Soul’s debut album, “3 Feet High and Rising,” (1989) was a landmark release that incorporated a wide range of musical influences and showcased the group’s wit, humor, and positivity. Tracks like “Me, Myself and I” and “The Magic Number” became instant classics, and the album was widely regarded as a masterpiece of the genre. Later they released two other critically acclaimed albums, “De La Soul is Dead” (1991) and “Stakes Is High,” (1996) which showcased the group’s ability to evolve and stay relevant. Trugoy’s contributions to the group will be greatly missed by fans and fellow artists alike, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists to come.

Jolicoeur’s passing is a reminder of the importance of creativity, positivity, and individuality in hip-hop culture. As fans mourn the loss of this iconic artist, they can take comfort in the fact that his spirit will live on in the music that he helped to create.

On the New Episode of Nche Presents: Leaders Pursuing Health Equity in America, Learn How Authentic Engagements Impact Racist Beliefs & Behavior

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On the New Episode of Nche Presents: Leaders Pursuing Health Equity in America, Learn How Authentic Engagements Impact Racist Beliefs & Behavior

Washington, DC – On the new NCHE PRESENTS: Leaders Pursuing Health Equity in America podcast, Angela Waters Austin, executive director of One Love Global Inc, demonstrates the power of authentic engagements to address racism, telling host Dr. Gail Christopher about healing circles and discussions that generated positive results and changed beliefs. She also says the COVID-19 pandemic forced community organizations to adopt creative approaches.

“It tested our ability to innovate,” Austin says of COVID-19. “It tested our ability to be able to shift on the ground organizing… And it really required us to think differently about how we can actually continue to organize and be with our people and to create space.”

One of the innovations, Austin says, was to hire a group of teenagers to learn how community organizers could better engage with youths, especially around attending school virtually, and understanding it was exhausting for students. “They really helped us build out what a digital organizing platform looks like, and they helped us build it…they designed it for their peers.,” she says, noting that the initial local, Lansing offering grew into a statewide program and now includes participants from other states.

“That’s a powerful innovation for those of us who are leading nonprofit organizations,” responds Dr. Christopher, who is Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health.

Equity. “Let me be clear, you hired, you didn’t (ask for volunteers), you hired a group of teenagers to build out this platform. That is profound. “

Throughout a reflective conversation, Dr. Christopher and Austin discuss the challenges and successes of their work that aims to heal racial wounds of the past and create paths forward that can transform American society. A chief objective is eliminating racism and uprooting the false belief in a hierarchy of human value, an antiquated notion that the human family can be divided and ranked based on skin color, physical characteristics, and ascribed traits.

In their talk, Austin recites authentic stories from her work at One Love Global, a non-profit working to transform communities so Black children experience justice, peace, healing, opportunity, and abundance.

At one of their statewide youth gatherings in Detroit, Austin encountered a 10-year-old named David. “We asked what has the biggest impact on your life? And what change would have the deepest impact?” she recalls. “And he said, ‘stop closing our neighborhood schools. When you close the school in my neighborhood, no one wants to live there. People move out. And what moves in is violence. It’s crime. It’s people who are struggling to actually have their needs met and who are self-medicating.’ “ Austin says that David saw “the harm” caused by a school closing, adding that it amounted to closing “an institution in the community.”

Further, Austin recites a conversation with a retired military officer who is a conservative Republican and an advocate for law and order. He openly questioned why people were protesting against police brutality.

“He simply did not grasp it. It was not a part of his reality,” Austin says. “It wasn’t a part of his ideal of law enforcement. He was deeply hurt, offended by the criticism, and it took him hearing a perspective of what it’s like to not know just by nature of someone’s uniform or badge, whether they are coming to help you or coming to hurt you. And that the idea that police are first responders and protectors is not everyone’s reality. We are all conditioned to kind of have a belief about policing and law enforcement that doesn’t measure up to the reality for many people. And he really needed to hear that from somewhere other than the news media that he was getting information from.”

Interjecting, Dr. Christopher asks if he appreciated that perspective.

“He did,” Austin responds. “He actually expressed great remorse and sympathy…he absolutely felt what it would be like as a parent to lose a child to police violence. It hit home for him as a parent.”

Dr. Christopher adds, “So our goals of deeper compassion, deeper empathy, our tenant about the power of story and personal connection, it was all embodied in that interaction… You really embody the spirit of this work, Angela, and it’s such an honor and privilege to be able to speak with you and, and amplify your voice and amplify the clarity that you bring to this work.”

Listen to the full podcast HERE.

A Diverse Community Works Together, Dines Together, Thrives Together

The Nashville Voice
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A Diverse Community Works Together, Dines Together, Thrives Together

Les Dames d’Escoffier (LDEI) Nashville is proud to announce the second Diversity, Equity Inclusion Symposium Series: Desegregating Nashville’s Food Scene. This three-part series aims to provide tools for making the hospitality industry more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

The Symposium will take place on February 13th, March 6th, and March 27th, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Yay Yay’s, located at 1821 Jefferson Street, Nashville, TN 37208. The cost to attend is $50 per session, which includes food and beverages. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.Eventbrite.com/e/507538379957 or https://www.lesdamesnashville.org.

The first session on February 13th, “Becoming Comfortable with Discomfort,” will feature Brigette Janea Jones, the Director of Equitable Partnerships at Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery. This session will examine the historical roots of racism and discrimination in the hospitality industry, provide a shared language of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and help attendees replace fear with curiosity.

The second session on March 6th, “Inclusivity Matters,” will be led by Kellie Martin, a Certified DEI Thought Leader and Executive Performance Coach. This session will explore access versus barriers, what makes an environment inclusive, and the behaviors of inclusive leaders.

The third session on March 27th, “Building a New Culture,” will be presented by Nina Singto and Jeran Williams, the Chef and Owner of Thai Esane/Bar East and Operations Manager of Thai Esane/Bar East, respectively. This session will focus on setting the standard from the top down, defining an ethical code, and finding the voice to change the dialogue and speak up for others.

Les Dames d’Escoffier is an international organization of women leaders committed to creating a supportive culture in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality. The Nashville chapter, Les Dames Nashville, is dedicated to supporting women in these industries through education, mentorship, networking, and philanthropic events. The Symposium is sponsored by many prominent organizations, including Bluewater Music/VEVA Sound, Lockeland Table Community Kitchen and Bar, Brad and Kim Paisley, Finn Partners, and many others.

 

 

Mayor John Cooper Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election, Paves Way for New Leadership in Nashville

The Nashville Voice
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Mayor John Cooper Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election, Paves Way for New Leadership in Nashville

Mayor John Cooper, a Nashville native and former at-large Metro Council member, announced on Tuesday that he will not run for re-election in the upcoming August mayoral race. This marks a rare situation in Nashville, where most previous mayors have sought a second term.

During a press conference, Cooper emphasized the accomplishments of his term, including implementing a vision of a city that works for everyone, with safe neighborhoods, better infrastructure, beautiful parks, and well-funded public schools.

Cooper’s decision not to run for re-election opens the field for new candidates, including District 19 Council member Freddie O’Connell, Nashville economic development and affordable housing veteran Matt Wiltshire, and At-Large Council member Sharon Hurt.

Nashville has seen a number of shifts in its top leadership over the last few years, including the resignation of former Mayor Megan Barry and the single term of David Briley. Mayor Cooper’s victory in the 2019 mayoral race marked the first time in the history of the Metro government that an incumbent mayor was defeated in a re-election bid.

As his term comes to a close later this summer, Mayor Cooper plans to concentrate on crucial initiatives, such as education, housing for the homeless, and the East Bank plan. It is also noteworthy that his brother, Jim Cooper, recently decided not to run for re-election in the U.S. House, due to the state’s redrawing of his district to lean more towards Republicans.

Nashville’s mayoral election is set to take place on August 3rd, providing residents with a unique opportunity to vote for new leadership after Cooper’s term.

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