Mayor Freddie O’Connell has appointed Phyllis D. K. Hildreth as the first director of Nashville’s newly created Office of Youth Safety, an initiative designed to prevent youth violence through conflict resolution, restorative practices, and community-driven strategy.
The office, formally established through Executive Order 53 and funded in the Fiscal Year 2025 operating budget, was shaped by an extensive community-led process. Young people from the Southern Movement Committee (SMC) were instrumental in advocating for the office, alongside Metro Council Budget and Finance Chair Delishia Porterfield and Juvenile Court Clerk Lonnell Matthews, Jr.
“Phyllis’ passion for supporting our youth goes all the way back to her childhood, where she watched her father support kids in her community as a high school guidance counselor and Sunday School teacher,” said Mayor O’Connell. “Her background in education and juvenile justice gives her a unique perspective on building a resilient eco-system to support our youth.”
Council member Porterfield celebrated the appointment, highlighting Hildreth’s long record of leadership and her commitment to restorative justice. “After a national search, we realized that the best candidate was already here in our community,” Porterfield said. “Mrs. Hildreth’s unmatched experience and deep commitment to restorative justice make her the ideal person to lead this vital work.”
Hildreth brings decades of experience, including roles as vice president for Strategy and Institutional Advancement at American Baptist College and academic director of the Institute for Conflict Management at Lipscomb University. She has also served as chief counsel for the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, deputy secretary for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice, and the first managing director of the Baltimore Juvenile Justice Center.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Harvard University, a law degree from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Arts in conflict management from Lipscomb University.
Through Executive Order 53, Hildreth’s new office is tasked with piloting and promoting programming to prevent youth violence, using data and research to guide Metro’s investments in restorative programming, and building safer communities without reliance on the criminal justice system. The Office of Youth Safety will also work with Metro Nashville Public Schools and other agencies to develop evidence-based, community informed initiatives focused on youth well being.
The creation of the office represents a new model for community-led governance. Erica Perry, attorney, executive director of the Southern Movement Committee, praised the youth who helped design the office and participated directly in the hiring process. “The creation of the nation’s first Office of Youth Safety was a people-driven, youth-led process,” Perry said. “It shows that community organizing and co-governance are not just ideals—they are proven pathways to bold, innovative solutions. The young people of SMC made it clear what they needed: real tools to resolve conflict, healing-centered supports, and a commitment to safety that doesn’t rely on punishment. It was their vision that lit the path, and it’s an honor to stand with them.”
Hildreth is set to officially join the Mayor’s Office on May 12. Her appointment signals a strong start for the Office of Youth Safety as it works to unite Metro departments, community organizations, and young leaders around the shared goal of creating safer, healthier communities.
“This work is about creating a culture of peace and possibility for our young people,” Porterfield said. “With Mrs. Hildreth at the helm, and continued partnership with our youth and community leaders, Nashville is setting a new national standard.”
For more information about the Office of Youth Safety, visit <www.nashville.gov>.
