As Nashville’s transportation referendum approaches, the conversation has been dominated by politicians, developers, and big corporations. But too often, these discussions happen without the voices of the very people most impacted by the city’s crumbling public transit system. The Equity Alliance Fund, the political arm of The Equity Alliance (TEA), has set out to change that by talking directly to the people who rely on public transportation the most—Black Nashvillians.
After speaking with over 20,000 Black residents across Davidson County, the message is clear: Nashville’s Black community overwhelmingly wants better public transportation. Yet, while the city’s wealthy developers and corporations continue to profit, these communities are left to deal with the consequences of underfunded, inefficient, and overpriced transit options.
Listening to the People: 20,000 Voices for Change The Equity Alliance Fund’s grassroots campaign has knocked on thousands of doors, engaging Black voters in a conversation about the transportation referendum. Their message is simple: the people of Nashville want better public transportation because it directly affects their ability to live, work, and thrive in the city.
“People are out here talking about the people, but not actually talking to the people,” said Tequila Johnson, CEO and Co-Founder of The Equity Alliance. “We’ve spoken to over 20,000 Black people all over Davidson County, and they have overwhelmingly said they want public transportation. As Black leaders, it’s our job to make sure these voices are heard. Anything else is what we call self-serving leadership.”
For many Black residents, the lack of reliable transportation means facing daily struggles. It’s not just about inconvenience—it’s about access to jobs, education, and essential services. Without a dependable transit system, thousands are being pushed to the margins, forced to drive long distances or rely on inconsistent bus routes to get to work in Nashville.
“People Are Being Pushed Out”: The Realities of Nashville’s Growth “We recognize that people are being pushed out of Nashville, but are forced to drive into Nashville to work, having to deal with traffic, overpriced, and non-existent transportation options,” said Johnson.
This reality underscores the racial and economic inequality that has defined Nashville’s rapid growth. As the city’s population booms, so do housing prices and traffic congestion, creating an environment where Black residents can no longer afford to live in the communities they’ve called home for generations. Yet, they still depend on Nashville for work, often enduring long commutes from increasingly distant suburbs.
The transportation referendum represents a critical opportunity to address these inequities, but without the support of the very communities it claims to serve, it risks becoming another project that leaves Nashville’s Black and working-class residents behind.
Corporate Handouts vs. Community Needs The inequities aren’t accidental. While developers and big corporations have been handed lucrative contracts and tax breaks, working-class Nashvillians, particularly in Black neighborhoods, have been left to navigate an underfunded and underperforming transit system.
“Everybody is getting paid in Nashville,” Johnson added. “But the people have been left to suffer.”
This sentiment reflects the frustration felt by many residents who see a city eager to invest in development for the wealthy, while basic infrastructure—like public transportation—remains neglected. TEA, alongside partners like Stand Up Nashville and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), have united efforts to form SHIFT Nashville, a new coalition that is working to reframe the referendum as not just an infrastructure project, but a necessary investment in racial and economic justice. You can learn more about SHIFT Nashville’s policy platform https://standupnashville.org/transit.
A Coalition for Equitable Transit SHIFT Nashville has been advocating for a transit system that truly serves all of Nashville’s residents, particularly those who have been left behind by the city’s rapid expansion.
“While big corporations and rich developers continue to receive handouts, Black and Brown communities have been forced to deal with the fallout,” said Johnson. “We can’t continue to allow profits to be placed over people. This referendum is our chance to say that public transportation is a necessity, not a luxury.”
The coalition’s advocacy emphasizes the importance of equitable access to transportation to correct the racial and economic disparities that have long plagued Nashville’s Black and Brown residents.
Conclusion: Moving Toward Justice As the transportation referendum draws near, The Equity Alliance Fund remains focused on making sure that Black voices are heard in this critical moment. By knocking on doors, engaging faith leaders, and working with the SHIFT Nashville coalition, they are putting the needs of the people at the forefront of this campaign.
“This referendum is about more than buses and routes,” said Johnson. “It’s about justice. It’s about making sure our people can get to work, to school, and to the doctor without being pushed out of the city they helped build.”
The Equity Alliance Fund is fighting to ensure that Nashville’s growth benefits everyone—not just the wealthy few—and that its public transportation system reflects the needs of all its residents.
The Equity Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is focused on empowering Black and Brown communities through civic and political engagement. Its political arm, The Equity Alliance Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization, advocates for policies and candidates that advance racial and economic justice, including equitable access to public transportation in Nashville. This piece represents the opinion of The Equity Alliance and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Tennessee Tribune.
