Vivian Wilhoite’s third consecutive swearing-in as Davidson County Assessor of Property was a memorable and significant event, marked by heartfelt speeches, musical tributes, and the presence of numerous dignitaries, elected officials, and community members. Her inauguration in the packed Sonny West Conference Center of The Howard Building showcased her deep community ties and the respect she has garnered throughout the years.
Dr. June Michaux served as mistress of ceremony and guided the one-hour occasion. Bishop Joseph Warren Walker III of Mt. Zion Baptist Church blessed the event with the opening prayer.
The event reflected a deep sense of community and support. Wilhoite’s great nieces, Jada Pilate and Kourtlyn Howard, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and the moving rendition of “His Eyes Is On The Sparrow” by Freedom Rider and Civil Rights icon Joy Reagan Leonard added personal touches that made the occasion particularly poignant.
The esteemed Homer R. Wheaton, former financial aid director and assistant vice president of Tennessee State University, and a relative of Assessor Wilhoite, delivered remarks just as he did during her first swearing-in ceremony in 2016 and again in 2020. Attorney Dominic Leonardo, a close friend of Wilhoite, offered reflections at the event as well.
“Who could fill a room with dignitaries, elected officials and others on their third inauguration, Vivian!,” Leonardo said.
The event drew a distinguished audience including Senators Heidi Campbell and Jeff Yarbro, District Attorney Glenn Funk, Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall, Davidson County Clerk Brenda Wynn, Trustee Erica Gilmore, School Board Member Cheryl Mayes, Committeewoman Sheryl Huff Allen, and Constance Burwell, president of the Tennessee State Employees Association.
Several former elected officials were also present such as Jo Ann North, the first woman to serve as Assessor of Property, former Mayor Bill Purcell, former Deputy Mayor Brenda Haywood, former Senator Brenda Gilmore, and Councilmembers Michael Craddock, Decosta Hastings, and Parker Toler, who also previously served as County Trustee.
Judge Angelita Blackshear Dalton administered the Oath of Office with Bishop Walker holding the Bible gifted by Assessor Wilhoite’s sorority sister, Gaye Barbee. Following the oath, Assessor Wilhoite addressed the packed room, expressing that this swearing-in was particularly special because it was the first time her sister, Dr. Thresia Pilate, and her brothers, Waheed Michael and Marcus Michael, were able to attend any of her past three inaugurations.
Her sister was fighting cancer and is now cancer-free, and her brothers were dealing with issues as well. In her remarks, Assessor Wilhoite expressed deep appreciation for her team and their shared accomplishments from the last eight years which included increasing credentialed staff, enhancing staff diversity, expanding outreach to educate property owners about reappraisals and their rights to appeal, implementing updated technology, and creating an educational program for schools, among other achievements.
“My expectation for the upcoming reappraisal period is that our staff is committed to fulfilling the role effectively, as we have done in past reappraisals,” Wilhoite said, underscoring the importance of positively impacting property owners by addressing their needs and working closely with local and state officials.
The event concluded with a joyful rendition of “A Lovely Day” by local artist Will Davenport, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of celebration and community that characterized Wilhoite’s third-term inauguration.
This ceremony went beyond the recognition of her continued service; it also was a testament to her resilience, leadership, and the strong support she has within the Nashville community. Wilhoite, who is married to Nashville native Larry Wilhoite, is the mother of sons Pherius and Lelan.
She was first elected to the countywide office in 2016. Prior to that, she served eight years on the Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County City Council, representing District 29 in southeast Davidson County. She is the first African American Assessor of Property in Nashville and Davidson County’s history and the third African American to hold such a position in the state of Tennessee.
