The Tennessee Tribune has selected Pastor Frank D. Stevenson of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church: A City of Grace as its 2025 recipient of the Exceptional Leadership & Community Service Award. It’s a salute to his visionary initiatives and outstanding commitment to giving back to help eliminate scarcity and despair. As a champion of the people, he’s worked diligently to ensure fair treatment and advancement of all those living in Nashville and beyond.
For more than 20 years, Stevenson has applied the power of service in ministry to make lasting impact in Middle Tennessee. He’s known for an approach that’s hands-on and intentional whether it’s donating food boxes and holiday gifts to families in need, cooking for seniors, securing shelter or creating employment opportunities. The Music City native has also encouraged countless minority college students to unlock their academic potential and embrace a brighter future by providing mentorship and resources to help ease financial strain.
Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Rosetta Miller-Perry said the hope behind the accolade is that more individuals and organizations will be inspired to serve.
“Pastor Stevenson is a distinguished leader who has effectively demonstrated that solid community engagement can build a bridge to empowerment. He’s shown how it can ignite a movement to help transform and enhance our community for years to come,” she stated.
“It’s a great honor being recognized by The Tennessee Tribune. The award is a testament of those who helped shape this incredible journey through teamwork and a commitment to the pursuit of excellence,” Stevenson said. “Our church’s mission is to provide those less fortunate, isolated and overlooked with a safe space that offers compassion and stability. May the award serve as an enduring reminder of the determination and resilience needed for us to be of greater impact in the world.”
