NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Office of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Trustee Erica S. Gilmore is inviting students and community creatives to participate in the Diane Nash Creative Competition, a program celebrating leadership, courage and the power of artistic expression.
Submissions are due Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
The competition is part of Trustee Gilmore’s 4th Annual Diane Nash Commemorative March, which honors the legacy of Nashville civil rights leader Diane Nash, a key strategist in the Nashville sit-ins and Freedom Rides.
Participants are encouraged to submit original work in one of four categories: speech, song, visual art or digital art. Winners will receive awards of up to $1,000, and selected entries will be highlighted across Trustee Office platforms and partner organizations.
The panel of judges includes Trustee Erica S. Gilmore (MNPS alumna); Metanoya Webb, creative content executive and former editor at Essence magazine; David Jon Walker, graphic designer and educator at Yale University and MNPS alumnus; Dr. Learotha Williams Jr., Davidson County historian and history professor at Tennessee State University; Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, associate vice president for institutional effectiveness and dean of chapel at Fisk University; and Rabbi Shana Mackler of The Temple Nashville, Congregation Ohabai Sholom.
“Diane Nash showed the world what is possible when a young woman stands firm in her convictions,” Gilmore said. “As a student, she led with clarity, courage and purpose, reminding us that leadership is defined not by age or position but by the strength of one’s principles.”
To submit an entry and view full competition guidelines, visit: www.ericagilmore.com/diane_nash26.
