President Of The Board Of Directors
Nashville Metropolitan Area
As President, I led a transformative rebranding and expansion, creating the Tennessee Pride Chamber, a powerful advocate, representing corporations, businesses, and professionals across the state. We hosted more events and programs than ever before, including Pride Nights and networking mixers in Nashville, Franklin, and Murfreesboro, including the sold-out Love Rising Concert at Bridgestone Arena. We put more money back into the community than ever before with grants to rural and suburban pride festivals and LGBTQ+ owned and allied restaurants. We grew our membership by 40%, hired two key staff members, engaged a dedicated lobbyist to champion LGBTQ+ rights, and helped organize the first-ever statewide candidate forum on LGBTQ+ issues. Additionally, we established a critical legal defense network and fund to safeguard drag artists, businesses, and festivals from local anti-LGBTQ+ prosecution, permit fights and selective code enforcement. We shattered both fundraising and attendance records and implemented the two most substantial grant programs in the organization’s 25-year history. These initiatives include direct support for six rural and suburban Pride festivals, and the allocation of over $100,000 to bolster LGBTQ+ owned bars and restaurants in Tennessee.
