NASHVILLE, Tenn. — LEAD Public Schools recently announced the appointment of Dr. Ricki Gibbs as its next chief executive officer, effective June 1, 2025. The announcement follows current CEO Dwayne Tucker’s decision to continue his role as interim president at Tennessee State University (TSU) and not return to LEAD for the 2025-26 school year. Dr. Gibbs brings a wealth of experience as an education leader to his new role. He joined LEAD in 2023 as head of schools and demonstrated significant impact, notably leading LEAD Brick Church to double its performance during the 2023-24 school year. He also spearheaded the…
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The nonprofit Martha O’Bryan Center (MOBC) announces the addition of Jeff Darnell as Director for the Tennessee Alliance for Economic Mobility (TAEM), a public-private partnership it leads to help working Tennesseans move beyond “the benefits cliff,” widely recognized as one of the greatest barriers facing low-income families. TAEM includes more than 30 community-based organizations, faith-based institutions, government agencies, and educational entities across 16 Middle Tennessee counties (Cannon, Cheatham, Davidson, Dekalb, Dickson, Hickman, Houston, Humphries, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson) working to transform Tennessee’s safety net and promote lasting solutions that support economic mobility. TAEM’s Our ChanceTN pilot program, a groundbreaking initiative…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Scarritt Bennett Center will host Sacred Blues: “Sinners” and the Rhythm of Black Spirituality at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, in the Harambee Auditorium. This free hybrid event will explore the tension between religion and spirituality in Black life, drawing on themes from the film Sinners. Rev. Kelli X, Director of Racial Justice Ministries at Scarritt Bennett, will lead the conversation, which will examine the grief and glory of gospel and blues, and the cultural struggle between celebration and appropriation. Joining the discussion virtually is Saul Williams, artist and actor who portrayed the pastor and father…
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s celebrated Concrete Industry Management program hosted over 320 area middle and high school girls Tuesday, May 13, at the second annual Ladies in Concrete Workshop to expose them to a variety of potential careers in a career field that has traditionally been dominated by men. Following last year’s successful inaugural event at the School of Concrete and Construction Management Building, this year’s event drew even more girls and young women to campus to get an up close view of different parts of the concrete industry through hands-on workshops demonstrating common things seen on…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — WeGo Public Transit is working with the Davidson County Office of the District Attorney to help crime witnesses in certain cases appear at court proceedings. WeGo Access will provide free transportation through the rideshare partner zTrip for individuals for whom transportation is a barrier when attending court in person is mandatory. The program will support witnesses connected to the Vulnerable Adult Protective Investigative Team (VAPIT) and Victim Witness/Prosecution Support Divisions. “Accessibility to our courts is critical to our criminal justice system. All too often, our elderly or vulnerable adults are unable to make it to court, diminishing…
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University senior journalism major Tiffany Parker has been focused on working with local media outlets to gain expertise in her field. But during the spring semester, her academic career took a different turn after the Murfreesboro resident was recruited to work in the office of Tennessee Rep. Mike Sparks, an MTSU alumnus, during the 114th General Assembly, which concluded in late April. “I’ve been very busy in these last two years building a rich tapestry because I want to stand out and I want to build a career,” said Parker, who plans to attend…
NASHVILLE – Tennessee State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Beaty is urging animal owners to be aware of New World Screwworm (NWS), an invasive pest that poses a serious threat to livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including pets. NWS is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing painful infected wounds. Adult flies are slightly larger than houseflies, with metallic blue/green bodies, orange eyes, and three dark stripes on their backs. Although the pest was eradicated from the United States decades ago, recent detections in Mexico highlight the potential for reintroduction and spread, particularly in…
Tennessee State University has announced two new appointments in its esteemed Aristocrat of Bands music program. James Sexton has been named the Interim Band Director of the Grammy Award-winning Aristocrat of Bands (AOB), and Dwight Pope will serve as the Director of Cheer and Dance that includes the esteemed TSU Sophisticated Ladies. Sexton, a TSU alumnus and former band member of the AOB, brings a wealth of experience in this position. Having served as the assistant director of the AOB since 1998, Sexton has been integral in shaping the band’s distinctive sound and performance style. His contributions were vital to…
National (TN Tribune)-Independent filmmaker, author and actress Sonya Jenkins’ first animated film “Smiley, The Flight Attendant,” will screen at Indie Night Film Festival hosted by founder, Dave Brown and Q&A host, DJ Q Nice at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, Saturday, May 17. Jenkins’ book-to-film project, a 10-minute short, features “Smiley” working a quick flight with rough air, a passenger with a peanut allergy, and safety and courtesy tips. “Smiley, The Flight Attendant” marks Jenkins’ fourth film as an independent filmmaker and her first screening at a major film festival for screening. Along with “Smiley, The Flight Attendant,” Jenkins…
WASHINGTON—Decades before she learned how much history she was making while growing into adulthood, Rita Sanders Geier had collected multiple honors and been through enough court rooms, Geier began to feel her life mirrored riding on a non-stop merry-go-round. This week, Geier hopes to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with a special salute from the University of Tennessee School of Law as recipient of an honorary law degree for her contributions to higher education in Tennessee. It is to be presented during the weekend’s huge roster of graduation ceremonies in Knoxville, TN. “This recognition, approved by the UT Board of Trustees…is…