PARSONS, Tenn – James W. “Jim” Ayers passed away on April 1, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee after valiantly battling a variety of health issues in recent years. The founder, former executive chair, and CEO of FirstBank and one of Tennessee’s most influential business leaders and philanthropists, Jim Ayers will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Born on November 19, 1943, in Parsons, Tennessee, Jim grew up learning the values of honesty, hard work, generosity, and the paramount importance of education, instilled in him by his parents. His father, Paul, was a lumber man and farmer, and like his…
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During a recent call, Pastor Frank D. Stevenson of Nashville’s Friendship Missionary Baptist Church: A City of Grace talked about the importance of giving back during the holidays and the benefits of protecting your peace. The longtime community change maker also spoke on the power of gratitude and provided tips for guarding your mind from stress and anxiety this yuletide season. For two decades, you’ve been dedicated to serving the community and showing the importance of being a blessing to others. Can you provide insight on your teachings about service being the heart of the church? Pastor Frank Stevenson:We have…
Nashville, TN, – Nashville General Hospital (NGH) earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. “Our team continues to work tirelessly to provide high-quality care to all Nashvillians,” said Dr. Joseph Webb, NGH Chief Executive Officer. “I’m proud of our team and the work they’ve put in to focus…
Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune)-Ancora is thrilled to announce Kyla Conlee has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Conlee brings more than 14 years of experience in combating human trafficking, as well as a wealth of expertise in program development, strategic planning, and community collaboration. Her extensive career has been marked by a commitment to innovation and excellence, including the development of residential housing programs. Conlee previously served as the Director of Anti-Human Trafficking Programs in Los Angeles, California, Washington DC, and Nashville. She has developed significant programs, including a 20-bed long-term recovery program and a 24-hour emergency shelter and protocol specifically…
Nissan has announced the launch of its Centers of Excellence program, in collaboration with the Tennessee Board of Regents, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), and several local schools in Middle Tennessee. The initiative aims to enhance students’ career opportunities and support the growth of the automotive industry in the United States. The first cohort of students begins this August at participating high schools in Franklin, Grundy, and Warren counties, and Tullahoma city. Nissan employees will serve as Centers of Excellence instructors in partnership with TCATs McMinnville and TCAT Shelbyville. “Nissan Centers of Excellence represent a major investment in the future…
By Addy Crosby NASHVILLE, TN — Education was of supreme importance to Robert Churchwell Sr. and his wife, Mary, a lifelong schoolteacher. A pioneering journalist at the Nashville Banner and the first full-time Black journalist hired by a Southern newspaper, his first assignment was the education beat. The Churchwells’ achievements and commitment to furthering educational opportunities for others were so profound that a local elementary school in Nashville is named after Robert. To honor their legacy, their son Kevin Churchwell, MD’87, and his wife, Gloria Respress-Churchwell, established the Robert Sr. and Mary Churchwell Undergraduate Scholarship, a fund that will provide…
By Raquel Coronell Uribe Quincy Wilson is set to become the youngest male American track Olympian after being selected for the U.S. 4×400 meter relay team. Announcing the news on Instagram, the 16-year-old wrote: “WE GOING TO THE OLYMPICS #paris2024 #teamusa.” While the team will not be formally announced until later this month, Wilson’s coach Joe Lee told USA TODAY that that the teenage sensation received the news Sunday. “The call came directly to me from USA Track & Field,” he told the newspaper. “I called Quincy afterwards with the good news.” Wilson, a student at Bullis School outside Washington,…
By Kiana CoxClaudia Deane, Mark Hugo Lopez and Neha Sahgal contributed to this report. While many Black Americans view themselves as at least somewhat successful and are optimistic about their financial future, previous work by Pew Research Center also finds most believe U.S. institutions fall short when it comes to treating Black people fairly. A new analysis suggests that many Black Americans believe the racial bias in U.S. institutions is not merely a matter of passive negligence; it is the result of intentional design. Specifically, large majorities describe the prison (74%), political (67%) and economic (65%) systems in the U.S., among others, as having been…