In celebration of Black History Month, Mayor John Cooper’s Office of Neighborhoods and Community Engagement will spotlight 28 local community members who are making their neighborhoods a better place to live, work, and play for all. This year’s initiative builds off last year’s celebration of Metro Nashville Public School students, and the previous year’s effort to lift up local entrepreneurs.
Each day of February, Mayor Cooper will recognize a different member of The Village, a network of grassroots community organizations developed and supported by the Mayor’s Office and The Center for Nonprofit Management. More than 500 community organizations across Nashville, the vast majority of which are grassroots and minority-led, belong to The Village. Ron Johnson, Metro’s first-ever ‘community safety director’ and the Center for Nonprofit Management created and continue to lead the effort.
“I’m excited to once again recognize some of Nashville’s dedicated Black community leaders who give their time and service to our city,” said Mayor Cooper. “There are hundreds of organizations that belong to The Village, and each one does essential work. I look forward to celebrating Black History Month by sharing some of these outstanding leaders’ stories.”
“Since we began The Village in 2021, we have grown to more than 700 grassroots and community leaders as members,” said Ron Johnson. “Community Safety is directly tied to having the community actively involved in improving the underlying conditions that lead to a more equitable and thriving city for us all. That is why The Village was formed and I’m proud of the work we are doing for Nashville.”
Members of The Village are provided professional development, grant funding, access to policy makers, and the tools and support to work collaboratively for collective impact.
Members who have already been featured include:
- Lorenzo Washington, the founder and curator of the Jefferson Street Sound Museum
- Clemmie Greenlee, Nashville Peacemakers founder/CEO
- Nashvillians Steven and Whitney Sains, owners of beauty supply store, Crown Love
- Charmin Bates, the founder and executive director of Creative Girls Rock
- Holly Rachel and Lena Winfree, founders of the Nashville chapter of Blacks In Technology Foundation
- Jaacalyn Davis, member of A Gathering of Goddesses which is dedicated to cultivating holistic health retreats, seminars, and workshops for Black women in our community
