Volunteers of the Year honored

Bill Sinclair, Catholic Charities of Tenn. CEO; Connie Ransom, Roberta Steinmetz, Yvette Sebelist, Sen. Douglas Henry, Brennan Frazier, and Chris Donnelly. Not pictured: Shandy Husmann and Roberta Burke.
Bill Sinclair, Catholic Charities of Tenn. CEO; Connie Ransom, Roberta Steinmetz, Yvette Sebelist, Sen. Douglas Henry, Brennan Frazier, and Chris Donnelly. Not pictured: Shandy Husmann and Roberta Burke.

Catholic Charities of Tennessee recognized eight individuals for their service to Catholic Charities, its clients and the community at its annual Volunteer of the Year ceremony on September 5. The event was held at Catholic Charities headquarters inside Saint Mary Villa on White Bridge Road in West Nashville.

Each year, the agency pauses to recognize one volunteer from each of its operational areas, to serve as representatives for all of the agency’s volunteers.

One of the honorees, retiring state Sen. Douglas Henry, was acknowledged for his advocacy for issues such as family preservation, Medicaid and child abuse. Brennan Frazier, a Harpeth Hall senior, was honored with the ‘I Care’ award presented each year to an area teen.

“You represent the many ways in which volunteers and community supporters make a difference to our agency, our clients and our community. Without you, we simply could not make the 70,000 client service connections we make each year,” said Bill Sinclair, Catholic Charities’ executive director.

Those recognized (and the operational area recognizing them) included:
•    Chris Donnelly (Administration)
•    Roberta Steinmetz (Caring Choices, Pregnancy Counseling & Adoption Services)
•    Roberta Burke (Development)
•    Connie Ransom (Family Assistance and Community Employment)
•    Yvette Sebelist (Refugee & Immigration Services)
•    State Sen. Douglas Henry (Social Services)
•    Shandy Husmann (Tennessee Office for Refugees)
•    Brennan Frazier (I CARE Youth Award Honoree)

“Very little of what makes Middle Tennessee special would have happened if there were not people like you who share their time and expertise willingly to make a difference.” Sinclair said.

Metro report highlights affordability gap for African Americans in Nashville

A new Metro Social Services report finds African Americans in Nashville face higher poverty, housing cost burdens, and shorter life expectancy despite the city’s strong

Trump’s mail-in voting executive order faces legal challenges

Civil rights groups, state leaders, and attorneys general are suing to block Trump’s mail-in voting executive order, arguing it threatens voter access and state election

Black Press continues legacy of advocacy and truth-telling as it nears 200 years

As the Black Press nears 200 years, Black-owned newspapers still champion truth-telling, advocacy, and community storytelling from Freedom’s Journal to today’s Black Press Sunday.

“Earthrise,” “Earth Day” and “Earthset”

From Apollo 8’s iconic “Earthrise” to Artemis II’s new “Earthset,” this Earth Day reflections piece links space images, climate change, and Nashville Earth Day 2026.

What to do when inheriting a house that is paid off

Inheriting a house that is paid off gives you instant equity, but your next steps—legal transfer, repairs, and whether to sell, keep, or rent—determine its